How to Travel Around the World

Last updated on November 6, 2023 by Shannon

My heart pitter-pattered with fear when I touched down in Sydney way back in 2008. That was the first day of my yearlong around the world trip (which would turn into 15+ years traveling and living overseas). With online information scarce about long-term travel back then, this website documented my trip, and also shared all the practical details of world travel. 

You have two reading options. Sit down with a coffee and soak in my tips in the “Step-by-Step, Exactly How to Travel the Word” section—each tip links to an in depth discussion of that topic. Or, quickly browse by resources for your current planning stage in my “Most Common Questions” section.

Why trust me to help plan your world travels?

world travels to China
Visiting the Great Wall of China was always one of my dreams—seeing that history unfold across the landscape far into the distances was as memorable as I had hoped.

Travel blogging was in its infancy and those with a dream to travel the world were left to hunt for advice in forums or dated library books. Fifteen years later, A Little Adrift is still the single most comprehensive resource online about long-term around the world travel.

Since that first day on the road back in 2008, I’ve completed numerous round the world trips and been named National Geographic Traveler of the Year. After 10 years of near-constant travel, with expat stints in Mexico, Thailand, and Bali, I moved to my home base in Spain in 2018 and explore from there with my toddler son.

Below, I share answers to every single reader question I’ve fielded over the years about long-term travel—and also everything I’ve figured out through trial and error. The FAQ page houses niche questions about planning world travel.

traveling the world with my son to see the mountains of switzerland
I hiked in Switzerland with my toddler son and we enjoyed the unparalleled mountain views—a nice change from our home in Barcelona. (Photo of the Lake Pizol Heidi trail in Switzerland)

Although I traveled solo for the bulk of my round the world trips, I’ve also traveled and volunteered with friends, family, and even my four tween-aged nieces and nephews.

In short, I have the travel credibility to back up every recommendation I make. I specialize in long-term travel and moving overseas as an expat or digital nomad working from the road.

Planning to travel the world is overwhelming. This page catalogs posts tackling every major subject about plotting, planning, and successfully navigating world travel.

Step-by-Step, Exactly How to Travel the Word

rwanda, africa
One of the most delightful aspects of world travel for me is the ability to find absolute delight in new places that I never anticipated loving as much as I did. Traveling in Rwanda was one of those experiences that challenged and engaged me on every level.

1. Decide that you will make world travel a priority.

If you clearly have the wanderlust gene and you’re dreaming of travel but on the fence about if you can or should take a trip, just decide that you will do it. Set the intention and start viewing the world through the lens of, “How can I make world travel a reality for myself.” Opportunities and conversations you would have otherwise missed will filter into your life.

2. Assess your savings and debt.

Although you can travel the world for a lot less than you think—you can travel for an entire year for $20K for one person—you should still give your savings a hard look and use these tips for saving for travel to pad the trip fund.

Since I was working remotely the entire past 15+ years of travel, I paid down debt during my first four years of travel; I just factored that into my trip budget. Finding a side hustle now, or remote work, will speed up your ability to travel the world.

3. Renew your passport (or apply for one) right now.

Your passport is your gateway to the world and there is no reason to put off applying for a passport until just before your trip—instead, prioritize this step so that it’s in process while you plan your world travels. And if your travels are a ways off, a passport is a good motivator to stay the course!

4. Begin purging your belongings.

If you’re giving up your home or apartment, it’s never too soon to start selling things you won’t need, and donating those things you don’t use. Getting rid of everything you own is a process, and you should undertake it alongside planning your world travels.

5. Come up with a reasonable budget for your trip.

traveling in africa
Traveling in Africa was not as budget-friendly as I had expected after having traveled extensively in Southeast Asia and Central America. For that reason, you’ll need to have a pretty clear picture of your main travel goals and destinations to set an accurate budget. (Photo in Zanzibar, Tanzania)

Take stock of how much money you’ll have saved for your world travels, and the length of time you’ll spend on the road. Factor in any payments you’ll need to maintain while away, like paying down debt or a mortgage.

Calculate your daily average travel allowance by dividing your total budget (minus debt) by your days spent on the road. While it’s still possible in 2023 to travel the world for an average of $50 a day, that’s trickier to accomplish in a lot of countries, so you need to know where your daily average falls. Here’s how to calculate an accurate budget for long-term world travel.

6. Brainstorm the many places you could travel.

Dream big when listing all of the places you’d like to visit—perhaps some locations were inspired by reading the best travel books out there, or others are bucket list locations you’ve always dreamed of seeing. Make your list broad but still the cream of the crop ideas.

7. Assess the cost of visiting different countries.

planning round the world travels sometimes means skipping places like London
London is as fascinating to visit as you might imagine, but it’s also an easy city to visit as a smaller trip in the future. It’s pricey to add London to your world travels, but doable if it’s your dream.

Now look at your list and note how much it costs to visit each of these places. Traveling in Southeast Asia, for example, has a far lower daily budget than traveling Scandinavia, for example. Assess if some of your destinations are grouped close together and would be better visited as a single trip, versus your around the world trip.

Also look into how much it costs to live in a place as a digital nomad—you may want to spend three months or more enjoying one location as an expat before continuing your travels.

8. Pick a route around the world.

Festivals are an important part of your round the world trip planning itinerary
Timing your world travels to local festivals can be a fun aspect of world travel. I timed my trip to celebrate Holi, the Festival of Colors in India.

You’ll need to pick a direction you’ll travel from your home country, and then start slotting in the countries as you build your around the world itinerary. Aim for a balance of developed and developing countries so that you can meet your budgeting goals.

On my own yearlong world travels, I cut out Scandinavia early in my planning because of the cost, and because I knew I could easily visit that corner of the world on a future trip. I kept in destinations that were budget-friendly, and that I would challenge me and create a more transformative trip.

9. Plan your homeschooling journey if you’re traveling with kids.

Learn from other families who have traveled for months and years with school-aged children on the various ways that you can homeschool, world school, and unschool during your trip. I homeschooled my niece for her sixth grade year as we lived in Thailand and traveled Asia together, picking up life lessons along the way.

10. Book your transportation.

Flying on a RTW trip can make your itinerary more doable but more expensive.
I have always opted for book-as-you-go world travels because I rely on the flexibility to chase adventure and new friends. I also travel light and appreciate the ability to use low-cost airlines. My niece is in the center as we fly from Thailand to Myanmar.

Decide if you should buy a round-the-world ticket for your trip, or if you should instead use cheap one-way flights as you travel the world.

And you can even travel the world without flying by using overland transportation like trains and boats. Some boat trips can be cushy, like a repositioning cruise, while others are more utilitarian, like booking passage on a cargo ship.

Once you’ve paid a fair bit of money toward your trip, you need travel insurance to protect your investment. I recommend IMG or Safetywing as the best options for long-term travel.

11. Pick out the right gear.

picking the right gear for world travel makes a difference
From the shoes you pack to the purse you carry, everything is worth examining with a critical eye before you set off around the world.

Long-term world travel is not like a weekend getaway, you need a balance of gear that you can afford, and gear that will hold up to the wear-and-tear of non-stop travel.

You should pick the right RTW backpack or luggage, and then buy select pieces of clothing and gear that will be most valuable to you on the trip you have planned. You don’t need to buy everything new, but you might need to invest in quality hiking shoes, sunny-weather gear for sun protection, and other things.

Here’s what to consider when packing for long-term travel, and also the best crossbody travel purse I’ve found. I also carry an ergonomic, portable travel system since I work from the road.

12. Make a plan now for handling your personal life while away.

Start weeks and months before you departure date to plan how you will receive and process mail, and which travel debit cards will best hold up to the rigors of life on the road (spoiler alert: Schwab is hands-down the best bank for travelers).

And the obligation to file and pay your taxes doesn’t disappear while you travel.

13. Make sure all of your vaccines are up-to-date.

Even if you’ve traveled extensively, your coverage for some vaccines may have expired—many last just five-to-ten years. Check your vaccine record, and assess if you need any odd-ball ones like Yellow Fever, based on your world travel route.

14. Understand how to stay healthy while you travel.

Getting sick is inevitable for long-term travelers, either a common flu, or any of the more serious diarrheal illnesses could strike. Know how to not get sick on vacation, as well as what to do once you are. Carrying something like a SteriPen or LifeStraw can lower your changes of getting sick on your trip.

And women should consider using a Diva Cup, which is an easy, reusable way to handle your period on the road—I’ve found it cleaner than the mainstream alternatives.

15. Apply for your visas.

you'll need to secure visas to travel to many places in the world.
While many places in world offer visa-on-arrival, many others require that you apply weeks or months in advance of your travels. I visited Russia in 2018, and it was a heavy lift to secure that visa. China, India, and more all required advance planning. (Photo in St. Petersburg, Russia)

Depending on where you’re traveling, you’ll need to apply for a visa before you can legally enter the country. While many countries offer visa-on-arrival, a fair few others require that you apply either online or in person at an embassy.

16. Start planning your travel specifics.

If you’re traveling the world for less than six weeks, you’ll probably need to do a fair bit of legwork planning the specifics before you leave—that means choosing the type of accommodation to use, and then booking it. (Photo at the Taj Mahal in India)

Contrary to what many believe, you actually need to plan a lot less if you’re traveling for many months. I always book just my first week in a new place if I have months at my disposal, unless I’m traveling during high season, when you need two-to-three weeks of bookings to avoid exorbitant prices.

I also look for social enterprises that I can incorporate into my trip, as well as volunteer opportunities, if I plan to stay in one spot for many months.

17. Educate yourself on challenges faced by most world travelers.

From learning how to stay safe to avoiding travel fatigue, you’re going to need some new knowledge that doesn’t always come up during short-term travels. Other issues many travelers face include overcoming loneliness—using a travel journal app that keeps you easily sharing and communicating with family can help.

18. Pack with intention and finesse.

Packing for long-term travel is an art, and one that you’ll get better at the longer you’re on the road. To start, you should plan a versatile wardrobe that can take you through the majority of the places on your route—if you’re stopping to ski in one spot, but in sunny climes the rest of the time, you should just rent gear.

Consider using packing cubes, which are among the best ways to stay organized on the road. And you’ll need at least an RFID wallet to carry your passport, if not a money belt to keep it safe. I also pack a few bits-and-bobs that I consider my Travel MacGuyer gear.

A day spent at the ancient city of Petra was among the more memorable days on the road.

19. Know how to get the most out of traveling the world.

Many people seek transformational travel experiences, but don’t know how to make that happen. A lot of what you seek comes from deep cultural immersion—it’s about visiting the iconic, touristy spots, but then going deeper under the skin of a place through things like cooking class, using local transportation, eating the street food alongside locals, and more.

No every day as a backpacker or world traveler is what you dream of right now, but every day is an opportunity to learn something new from the place you’re visiting.

20. Navigate like a pro while you travel.

It’s easier than ever to use an e-SIM to have data on your phone the moment you land, or most places in the world offer cheap SIM cards packed with enough data to access your travel apps and get you where you need to go.

Consider using services like WhatsApp (the traveler Gold Standard) and Google Voice to stay up-to-date with those back home, and with new travel friends. You’ll also need a VPN—this is a must for not only accessing Netflix US, but also to access your bank and some services that use IP blocking. I’ve used NordVPN for years and it’s never failed me.

Most Common Questions About Traveling the World

advice for travel dreamers

Is a life of world travel right for you?

If you’re dreaming of around the world travel and need inspiration, the advice and perspectives in these stories will point you closer down your path toward travel. Whether you doubt if you can afford world travel, or if your family will approve, there’s advice here for you.

Budget for World Travel

Afford a life of world travel.

For most people, we can afford those things we prioritize. And while life is never that simple, international world travel is likely more affordable than you assume—it all depends on how you save, where you go, and for how long. These resources share how to navigate budgeting and all things money and travel.

practical planning advice for long-term travelers.

Plan long-term world travel, specifically.

Planning an around the world trip spanning months or years is a very different beast than a short trip. Here’s what you need to know from my 13+ years of peripatetic wanders.

how to find flights and accommodation

Research & book your around the world trip.

Finding the great flight deals (and learning how to use credit cards for travel hacking) can significantly lessen the cost of traveling the world. These resources share my go-to methods for findings flights, accommodation, visas, and things to do in each new place.

How to stay healthy on the road

Stay healthy and safe.

Staying healthy while traveling is an art and a science combined. When you’re traveling in developing regions of the world, it’s just a matter of when you’ll get sick. Be prepared. Know how to approach travel safety and health before you need this vital information. Here’s how:

Advice for long-term travelers

Live your best travel life.

Life on the road has highs and lows, down days and true life-changing highs. Make your trip memorable with first-hand advice about handling loneliness, navigating new destinations like a pro, and finding the transformative travel experiences you seek.

How to find freelance work and travel the world

Pick the resources for your travel style.

I’ve been many types of travelers over the years, in fact, I am all of these at once. I’ve worked remotely for 19+ years, I travel responsibly, and I traveled solo for a decade—now I travel with my toddler. Select your travel style and you’ll find all of my best resources and tips for that type of traveler. :)

Digital Nomads
Expats and Retirees
Bloggers
Responsible Travelers
Volunteers
Solo Female Travel


Companies I Truly Love (And Recommend)

These are the booking engines, guidebooks, and travel companies I use every time I’m planning a trip.


Who is World Travel Right For?

There is no one specific type of person who travels around the world. People of all ages, backgrounds, and interests may choose to travel extensively for a variety of reasons. That means if you’re dreaming of world travel, it’s possible and someone in your exact circumstances has figured out how to do it!

The resources provided outline all of the detailed steps to get from dreaming to doing. But if you’re still not ready to commit to world travel, here are some common traits or characteristics that people who travel around the world may have include:

  1. Curiosity: A desire to learn about new cultures, people, and places is often a driving force for people who travel extensively.
  2. Adventure: A love of adventure and a willingness to try new things and step out of one’s comfort zone can be important for those who want to travel around the world.
  3. Flexibility: Traveling around the world often requires a certain level of flexibility and adaptability, as you may encounter unexpected challenges or changes in plans.
  4. Resourcefulness: Being able to problem-solve and find solutions in unfamiliar situations can be a valuable skill when traveling around the world.
  5. Open-mindedness: An open-minded attitude and a willingness to embrace new experiences can help make the most of a trip around the world.

Sound like you? I’ve spend more than 15 years helping other travelers find ways to travel the world on short or long-term trips. Usually there are some fears that might be holding you back from around the world travel. Here are some common fears that may be preventing you from traveling:

  1. Fear of the unknown: Traveling to unfamiliar places can be intimidating, as it involves stepping out of one’s comfort zone and encountering new cultures, languages, and ways of life.
  2. Fear of safety: Some people may be afraid to travel due to concerns about personal safety, such as the risk of crime or terrorism.
  3. Fear of getting lost: Not knowing your way around an unfamiliar place or being unable to communicate with locals can be a source of anxiety for some people.
  4. Fear of flying: Some people may be afraid of flying due to a fear of heights, turbulence, or other factors. Did you know it’s possible to travel the world without flying?
  5. Financial concerns: Traveling can be expensive, and some people may be afraid to travel due to concerns about the cost and their ability to afford it. That was me—I couldn’t initially conceive of how I would afford long-term travel. Then I realized that world travel can be more affordable than life at home, particularly in you work remotely. I was able to pay down more debt while traveling than I ever did living in Florida and LA.
  6. Health concerns: People with certain medical conditions or disabilities may be afraid to travel due to concerns about access to medical care or the ability to cope with unfamiliar environments.

Let’s Connect

Let me know if you have any other questions about around the world travel, or something I can help you with; I’m happy to lend an ear or help you find the resources you need to plan your own world travels. I look forward to chatting! :)

Other places you can find me:


Pick Your Pin!

Exactly how to travel the world. Firsthand advice from a traveler who has been around the world multiple times.
How to Travel the World: Frequently asked questions about world travel and how to afford a life of travel, as well as plan a long-term trip.
Resources for Traveling the World: A step-by-step covering what you need to know to dream, plan, and execute an around the world trip.