Is your teen thinking about travelling during their gap year? Ask the KILROY Travel experts.

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From picking safe destinations and planning the best route, to understanding budgets and the benefits of taking a gap year, KILROY Travel can help you and your teen create an adventure that’s exciting, meaningful and unforgettable.

Have questions about gap year travel? Ask away! Whether you’re looking for general advice on destinations, safety, or how a gap year with KILROY Travel works, or want personalised tips based on your teen’s interests and plans, our experts can help. From backpacking and volunteering to learning to dive or gaining confidence before university, we’ll help you explore the options.

Drop your questions in the comments by 13/04 and our experts at KILROY Travel will be back over the next few weeks to answer as many as possible. Plus, one parent who asks a question will win a £500 travel voucher to put towards their teen’s next adventure – T&Cs here.

About KILROY Travel
Our travel experts aren’t just planners, they’re travellers themselves. From backpacking and volunteering to trekking and working abroad, they’ve experienced the highs, the hiccups and everything in between.

For over 30 years, KILROY Travel has helped young people explore the world. We help them make the most of their gap year while giving parents confidence that their travel plans are safe, protected and thoughtfully planned.

Real people and real advice from the moment you get in contact with us, until the day your child returns home.

Hi PinkCatCushion,

It’s so exciting that your son is planning to go travelling, we’d love to help.

Destinations like Australia and New Zealand are fantastic options, as they offer a huge variety of experiences, from city life to outdoor adventure, and are very popular with young travellers.

From my own experience, I found Vietnam to be one of the more gluten-free-friendly destinations, which can make a big difference when travelling with dietary requirements.

Hi Britanniahouse,

We’d love to help your teen plan their travels.

We support our travellers throughout the entire journey, from the initial planning stages right through to when they’re abroad. Each itinerary is tailored to the individual, and we’ll make as many adjustments as needed to ensure they feel completely happy before booking.

How much structure is included is entirely up to them, we can plan anything from mostly independent travel to fully organised group tours, or a mix of both.

They’ll also have a dedicated travel advisor throughout, as well as access to a 24/7 emergency line while they’re away, so there’s always someone to reach out to if needed.

Hi Wigeon,

Thanks for your question, and you’re absolutely right to think about value over price when it comes to travel insurance.

It can seem expensive, but it’s an essential part of any trip, and can often make up around 10% of the overall cost. While it’s possible to shop around, comparing policies can be time-consuming and sometimes confusing, as coverage can vary quite a lot.

We are FCA authorised and can offer travel insurance to our customers, helping to make sure they have the right level of cover for their trip. Without knowing the specifics, it’s hard to give exact advice, but we’d be very happy to guide you through the options.

Hi sharond101,

The level of travel insurance cover needed really depends on a few key factors, such as the destination, length of the trip, and the types of activities planned.

We always want to ensure our travellers are properly covered, so as part of the planning process, we provide all the relevant information to help you choose the right policy.

The aim is to give you clarity and confidence that the cover in place suits both the trip and the traveller’s needs.

Hi MayCottage,

This sounds like an amazing opportunity for your teen.

We offer over 100 volunteering projects across the world, so there’s plenty of choice when it comes to combining travel, culture, and meaningful experiences.

Thailand is a fantastic place to start, especially for younger travellers. There are lots of projects and tours available, meaning they can feel supported while still gaining independence. It also offers a really well-rounded travel experience.

The Philippines is another brilliant option, with programmes ranging from marine conservation to construction and renovation. On top of that, it’s an incredible place to explore, with beautiful islands on both the east and west coasts.

Any tips on how to manage allergies when travelling? My child is keen to explore the world but they have severe allergies

Hi Outdooryone,

It sounds like your children have had some incredible experiences and really made the most of their gap years, something we completely agree everyone should have the chance to do.

At KILROY Travel, our aim is to help give travellers that same confidence to explore the world, meet people from different cultures, and grow as individuals. Many of us have taken gap years ourselves, so we’ve seen first-hand how transformative those experiences can be.

Some people are happy to plan everything independently, but others prefer a bit more guidance and support, and that’s where we come in.

We tend to build itineraries differently from traditional long, single-provider programmes. Instead, we create a mix of independent travel and structured experiences like group tours, surf or dive camps, and trekking adventures. These are usually very international, so travellers meet people from all over the world, not just the UK.

Having a loose plan in place can provide a great foundation, while still allowing plenty of freedom to explore and make the trip their own. For many, it’s also a great stepping stone into more independent travel in the future.

Hi Saffysabir,

At the moment, we don’t offer specific “learn to swim” programmes - sorry about this!

Hi PauliesWalnuts,

We can absolutely help if you’re looking to travel soon.

While many of our travellers are taking gap years or are students, we work with people of all ages and offer a wide range of trips to suit different styles and preferences.

We’ve actually seen a growing number of people choosing to take a gap year later in life, so you’re definitely not alone, it’s a brilliant way to explore something new, regardless of age.

Hi Gettinglikemymother,

I hope she had an amazing trip!

How did she find both the travel itself and the planning process? It’s always really interesting to hear how people experience both sides of it.

The Galápagos is such an incredible, bucket-list destination, a truly unique place to visit.

Hi Dizzywizz,

We believe a gap year offers so much more than just a fun travel experience.

It’s an opportunity to discover new cultures, meet people from all over the world, and step outside of your comfort zone. Experiencing life in different parts of the world can really help build confidence, independence, and a broader perspective.

For many people, it’s also where they create some of their most meaningful memories. It’s hard to find anyone who regrets taking the opportunity to travel like this.

Do you have to be a teen to want a gap year - i never had one, and wish I had the chance to explore - do you carer for late gap yearers ?

Did you see this has already been answered above?

My teen is keen on a gap year but I'm concerned about the financial side. Is it possible to work your way through travelling or is it not an option these days? They are working weekends now to save up but I think it wouldn't be enough to keep them going for long.

Hi Junkoenoshima,

Don’t worry, it’s never too late! Gap years aren’t just for teens; we’ve helped many career-breakers, people on sabbaticals, and travellers later in life plan their own adventures. We have options for all types of travellers so there’s something for everyone at every stage of life.

Hi CopperPan,

It’s fantastic to hear that your teen is so excited about a gap year and has already started saving!

If funding is a concern, combining travel with a working holiday is a great option. We offer gap year programs in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada that let travellers work while exploring, so they can build their fund on the go.

Alternatively, a gap year doesn’t have to be a full year away. We offer trips of all lengths, so no matter the budget or time available, your teen can make the most of their adventure.

Every day we see how transformative a gap year can be for young people, which is why we believe it’s one of the most valuable steps you can take before diving into university or committing to a long-term career path. This stage of life offers a unique window of freedom, one that won’t be quite the same once annual leave, mortgages and family commitments start shaping your choices.

A gap year isn’t simply “time out”; it’s an active investment in personal development. Travelling, working abroad, volunteering, or taking on new challenges gives young people the chance to build independence, confidence and global awareness in a way no classroom environment can replicate. The benefits are both personal and practical: navigating unfamiliar places, meeting people from around the world, learning to budget, gaining leadership and communication skills, and returning home with a stronger sense of identity and direction. We often ask: why the rush to follow a prescribed path? Taking 6–12 months to explore the world can provide clarity on what you genuinely want to study, the career you want to pursue, and the kind of person you want to become.

So, speak to our team! We’re Bristol based, friendly and ready to answer any of your questions. And while you’re on your travels, we have a 24/7 line to call if you ever need us.

Speak soon, happy travels!

Surely it’s for the young adult to plan and sort their own trip?! That’s kind of the whole point! Our generation are way over involved

My daughter is really interested in marine conservation , is there any destinations you can recommend? Thank you

Hi Pruningmybsuh,

We’d recommend always travelling with more medication than you think you’ll need, and keep it in hand luggage with a doctor’s note. It’s also worth checking airline policies in advance as some can’t guarantee allergen-free environments, but they can often make notes on bookings or allow early boarding to wipe down seats.

Before you go, research where the nearest hospitals or pharmacies are. Learning or carrying key phrases in the local language can make a huge difference when ordering food.

Accommodation is another big one, staying somewhere with kitchen access can give you more control over meals. Finally, build confidence gradually. Starting with destinations that are known to be more allergy-aware or culturally similar can help both you and your child feel more comfortable before going further afield.

We help a lot of young travellers navigate this at KILROY, so it’s definitely possible, it just takes a bit of extra planning

Hi JuliettaCaeser,

A gap year is absolutely about building independence, confidence and life experience, and that starts well before the plane takes off. The planning process itself is a big part of that journey, from researching destinations to making decisions and figuring out what you want to get out of your time away.

That said, independence doesn’t have to mean doing everything entirely alone. At KILROY Travel, we work with all kinds of travellers. Some arrive having done lots of research, others have a rough idea, and some don’t know where to start at all. Our role isn’t to tell them what they should do, but to help shape their ideas, offer options, and share our experience so they can make informed decisions that feel right for them.

In terms of parents, involvement really depends on the individual. We usually plan directly with the traveller, but some choose to involve their parents for reassurance or support. It’s all about finding the balance that helps each person feel confident and excited about their trip.

Hi hannahp1209,

Our top recommendation would be the Philippines! It’s one of the most biodiverse marine environments in the world. If your daughter isn’t already a diver, she can get qualified through PADI and then take part in hands-on conservation work like reef monitoring and marine research, alongside other like-minded travellers.

We also offer marine conservation projects in Croatia, Portugal, South Africa, Mexico and Fiji, but the Philippines is definitely a standout!
If you’d like to explore what might be the best fit for her, we’d love to help get her marine conservation journey started.

Thank you, I think for teens with allergies etc services like yours really come into their own as it's a whole different level of pressure when traveling

To work . It will be the single thing that will make them stand out to an employer post uni. It will teach them a whole bunch of skills. Travel later.