dreamon

Travel insurance is a must have but will be expensive for such a long trip. I really recommend you shop around as often about half of what you pay goes to the travel agent as commission. It can be tricky to work out which ones are good value - you want one which will give you the right level of cover for your needs so it's essential that you ready their policy before buying (or at least within the cooling off period). Be particularly careful about cover in the event that someone at home (particularly someone elderly) becomes ill - a lot of people seem to not be aware that cover in this situation can be limited.

I often borrow guidebooks from my local library. Also useful are photographic books (check the folio section too) for inspiration about where to go. The DVD section often has great stuff. I sometimes check the biography section for person X's experience of place Y. Even when I've nothing planned, it's interesting to learn about places and people (my husband thinks that's a bit weird so maybe others do too but so what).

thursdaysd

The OP needs medical insurance, unless Australia has a reciprocal arangement with European countries. The OP needs evacuation/repatriation insurance. The OP almost certainly does not need standard travel insurance, except possibly to cover the plane tickets. Cancellation/interruption insurance is a good buy if you are covering an expensive tour or cruise, but not otherwise.

Suggest the OP look into World Nomads.

PalenQ

http://www.statravel.com/student-discount-card.htm

Great thing to have since you are or will be a student - insurance plans too.

Gets discounts at many museums and sights in Europe.

dreamon

Not really sure what is meant by 'standard travel insurance', nor why someone wouldn't need it. Most travel insurance purchased in Australia for international travel will include medical, cancellation, repatriation, evacuation, travel delays, loss of baggage, etc, etc as standard, although the level of cover may vary. Suspect this may be a difference in insurance between different countries but having only dealt with insurance purchased in Australia I'm not sure.

marvelousmouse

What they mean is the insurance that covers your prepaid stuff. OP might need it if she booked a tour. But as a backpacker, my trips have been pretty much valueless except my plane ticket. My valuables are covered by renters so I don't bother with luggage coverage.

In the US, medical/repat. Can be purchased separately and it's cheaper (from what I've seen) than buying full coverage travel insurance.

Heatherzilla

I will take out some form of insurance. My regular private health insurance won't cover me while I'm overseas, but I can suspend my health cover for the duration of the trip and spend that money on some form of travel insurance instead. Australia doesn't have reciprocal health care agreements with most (all?) of the places I'd like to travel. Most travel insurance sold here is comprehensive insurance, so it covers medical as well as things like cancellation, etc. Honestly, I think insurance is a good idea and in all likelihood, it won't cost much if anything more than I'd be paying here for health insurance anyway.