Departure preparation for your working holiday (the full guide)

Consider the following points when choosing your departure date and arrival city.

Seasons and weather patterns

The seasons and more precisely the local weather patterns might help you decide when exactly to start your adventure. You may want to avoid arriving in the middle of winter in South Korea, or during the rainy season in Peru…

National holidays and major events may also motivate you to leave at a particular time of the year—how about starting your adventure during the cherry blossom season in Japan, or just before Carnival in Brazil?

And then, depending on the season, certain geographical areas may be a wiser decision for you. For example, in Canada, winter tends to be milder in Vancouver than in Montreal or Toronto.

At the end of the day, there is no truly “bad” departure date if you go with the right attitude. And if you go for a full year (or longer), you’ll eventually experience all four seasons at your destination anyway.

Peak periods

Some places are usually more popular at specific times of the year for a reason—special events, school holidays, better weather, etc.

Keep in mind that as a working holiday maker, peak season may be a more expensive time to start your trip. More tourists means higher rates for hotels and transportation. Arriving in the shoulder season could be more advantageous, as your savings would go further as you set up your life.

Airfares

On a related note, check airfare as well. Indeed, travelling during the peak season will mean paying more for the same flight—arriving in the middle of the local summer or during national holidays (e.g., Thanksgiving in Canada, Carnival in Brazil, Christmas pretty much anywhere) is not the best option for your wallet.

Airfare prices will also depend on your destination city, total flight time, airline and stopovers. Check ticket prices for several cities—for instance, it may be cheaper to fly to Paris and then take the train to Bordeaux or fly to Buenos Aires and take the bus to Mendoza.

For more information, read the chapter on buying a plane ticket.

Work opportunities

If you’re planning to find a job right away, think about whether your desired industry has a specific hiring time. For instance, it may be a good idea to arrive a few weeks before harvest time in Australia if you’re hoping to do some fruit picking or before winter if you want to work at a ski resort in Canada. Certain seasonal jobs are also only available in specific locations, which can help you pick your destination city.

Find out about your preferred industry and try to anticipate staffing needs for the job you want. If in doubt, join our Facebook groups and ask other working holiday makers!

Personal priorities and bucket list

In addition to these practical considerations, don’t forget about your own priorities and bucket list.

If you’ve always wanted to celebrate New Year’s Eve on the beach, go for it. If you’ve been waiting for years to explore a particular city, put it at the top of your list. Follow your instincts and design your dream trip. If realizing your bucket list means spending a little more money, it may very well be worth it.

For more inspiration, you may want to read:

• Which city should you start your Australian working holiday in?
• What’s the best time of year to start a working holiday in Australia?
• What’s the best month to start your Canadian working holiday adventure?
• The pros and cons of 11 Canadian cities to help you decide on your working holiday adventure destination
• Where should you start your New Zealand Working Holiday Visa?