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Every traveller will say the same thing – its worth every cent.
Yup that’s right Craig!!!
I am also planning to travel around the world next year. I already travelled a lot to the typical backpacking locations like Australia and Asia. I’d like to add India and Africa this time but am a little afraid to go there by myself. I’m a 24 year old quite tiny girl. Do you think it’s okay to go there by yourself or should I find some people to join? What are the must sees in the world I really shouldn’t miss? What are the best budget places to go to?
I’d really appreciate your help.
Best regards,
Hannah
Hi Hannah, thanks for the comment and all your questions. I’ll be honest I know a lot of women of all sizes who travel alone, but I know it’s different for them than it is for a single male to travel. I’d recommend asking that to a female travel blogger (tons out there). As for budget places oh man you have many options… many latin american countries are budget friendly. India is one of the cheapest countries I have ever visited. As for must sees in the world… the entire world is a must see, but in the end it’s up to you and what you wanna see so I can’t answer that for you. Oh I’ll tell you this I do think every must see the sahara at least one time in their lives. If you need anything shoot me an email via my contact me page.
Thanks, great insight into the budget. I was looking for how much it would cost to travel and looking at a similar budget but most people claim you need much more. It relieved me to see you didn’t need as much as I expected. I was just wondering how long you saved for and if you worked for money whilst travelling as I’m only 17 and with not a great deal of money to my name.
Thanks,
Matthew
You’re welcome Matthew, I’m glad you found this useful. My biggest piece of advise I can give you is to save… and save like crazy. I was working a job only making $12 an hour and still managed to save enough to leave again for another year or two! Anything is possible if you set your mind to it. Make it your priority and you will make it happen.
This was so inspiring to read, I’ve been dreaming about travelling the world and have started saving for my trip but I am a bit nervous about travelling on my own and really want to experience as much as I can in each place as I know it will be a once in a lifetime experience, hopefully I will have enough money saved in the next 2 years to be able to travel for at least 18month but would also like to do some part time work whilst travelling to be able to allow me do as much as possible so I was wondering if you did any jobs to make some extra money whilst on your travels and how you felt about traveling alone( I’m a 21yr old women )
Charity, that’s awesome. Yes make it your #1 priority and you will make it happen. It doesn’t cost much to travel the world, so save & save away. Remember the more you save the longer you can stay on the road and either way you can find work along the way to extend your travels.
Jaime! Next time you go n one of your little adventures let me know!! 🙂
Jaja Amanda.. will do!!!
Jaime,
I am terrible with computers and was trying to reply to your post but it wasn’t working lol. My name is Chelsea Peccatiello and I just read your post. What an amazing tourney. In just backpacked though Europe for 6 months and that doesn’t even come close to 2 years. The longest traveler I met on the road was 6 years. Can you imagine?! I would love to pick your brain about traveling if you find the time. You can find me on Facebook by searching my name. See you soon!
Hi Chelsea, thank you for the comment. That’s great that you traveled for 6 months. Time on the road is time on the road and doesn’t matter hw short or long it all leaves an impact on us. I’d love to help you with any questions you have. Will be easier if you email me. You can do so at breakawaybackpacker(@)gmail(dot)com.
Hey Jaime !
I’ve been through your feed, it was helpful in a 1000 ways..undoubtedly.. as I had no clue about how to get this thing started. I’m a traveling freak n would love to travel the whole world some day for sure.
I’ve a weird dream of setting a foot on all the countries on this planet.
I’m from India n I glanced through your daily expenses chart..it did tell me u spent some quality time traveling all over India.
Now what I really wanted to ask you is if u can tell me an approximate figure of how much will it cost an Indian to travel the world..coz I see most of the nations u’ve traveled were among the developing ones which did cut out on ur expenses. But coz I’m an Indian my desire is to travel the west, be it America or Europe.
I’d be glad if u can help me out on this..coz I feel there is no other person other than u who can probably help me out on this !
One other question is how much approximately will it cost me to travel say like a 30-40 countries by air..? I;m gonna obviously chose only cheap flights..n what is this RTW all about..!?
Cheers
Saideep.
Hi Saideep
If you take a $30,000 as a rough estimate and convert it to INR you need close to 16 laks. Unless you have a big trust fund or are relared to the Ambanis this is not easy to come by. My advice is work hard and try ro make your dream come true one country at a time. You can also consider holiday working visas that are offered by many countries and this will contribute towards funding your travel. Also schudiling travel during the off seasons will drastically reduce your airfare costs and youth hostels or websites like coutchsurfers could help you keep coats to a minimum.
Wish you luck
Inspiring read man. Me and a few buddies are backpacking from Ohio to New York, going by boat (probably) to Europe and backpacking all over. We won’t have slot of money saved and an on just roughing it. Eating mostly what we catch or collect. It’s gonna be an awesome experience and I’m so excited. We don’t have a set date of return and basically just wanna go wherever life takes us. Any suggestions of things I might not know or realize?
That’s awesome Scott. Sounds like you are gonna have an amazing trip. As for tips… the truth is that you can find work just about anywhere on Earth so you should be fine even if you don’t have a lot of money. You are going to be just fine with your plans of just see where the road takes you. It’s going to take you to some amazing places. So just enjoy the ride… all of it. The ups and downs!!!
I am planning one too since some time, I hope i can leave in less than 8 months from now.
If I only got a privilege to travel the world without a hassle of visa I would definitely do it but having a passport with a limited countries you can make it even more hard,I can only travel to a few countries and most of them Ive already visited..I wish it could change somehow..Thanks for your blog it inspire me a lot..
Hey man,
Good read. It must have been tedious accounting for every penny but respect for that.
I have always wanted to do this but feel toed to a really high paid job now. I’m 29 and i usually travel once a year for a month to 6 weeks then return to the job (which i hate) to save for the next eleven. Maybe one day when i come to terms with how unimportant money is, i’ll man up and quit like you haha.
Peace ✌️
Hi Michael, yes it was very tedious but worth it to share with everyone. As for your situation well I’m glad you travel, but if you hate it you should save and take off for as long as you can. I mean honestly why not? Is anything major holding you back? Get your bills together, get out of debt, save and go. I mean seriously it’s possible if you set your midn to it. Anyway just my thoughts. I know everyone situation is different. If you need help let me know and I’ll be more than happy to help you.
Hello Jaime,
First of all congratulation on such a amazing tour!!!. In reality I always wanted to do this. But in truth never really had the courage to do this alone. After reading your blog I am super inspired and may be within next three years I will have the money to go ( yes I do a boring desk job, which I hate every single minute). Anyway can you please tell me what it was like to travel alone? did you faced any problem? and most importantly any suggestions regarding travelling alone?
Thank you in advance 🙂
Razib recently posted..Ex nam docendi mandamus deterruisset
Hi Razib, thank you so much. I’m so happy this may have helped you have the courage to do something you have always wanted to do. Honestly it’s beyond amazing and you will never regret it. The truth is even though you’re traveling alone you’re never really alone. You meet people along the way and every day on the road and so on. You buddy up to do things together and even to travel for a few days or even weeks together. I honestly never faced any problems, yeah I was held at gunpoint and almost sent to jail, but that could happen anywhere and well were just two out of a million experiences I had and I wouldn’t blame those on traveling along. Anyway sorry for the late response, but if you need anything just shoot me an email.
Reading your blog is awesome.. Me n my partner is planning to RTW after we get married. We are from singapore, may i know, when we are travelling ,we are allow to work part time at a certain country ? Is it a hassle to go through just to work part time while travelling ? Could you list down a few countries that you have been ?
Thankss
Hi Sas, sorry for the late reply. Send me an email with all your questions and I will be more than happy to help you out if I can.
This is fantastic and so inspiring. But I have the same problems like others, Visa problem. May be i need to migrant to the US and than have to make a plan for travelling..
Imran… sometimes what you wanna do isn’t easy, but you still gotta try anyway! YOu can do it.
Man, I’m trying to do exactly this. Ive traveled overseas a little and it changed my life. Now I want to do it for real, because last time I only got to stay for 2 weeks(stupid vacation time at jobs, you know how it is). I want to do what you did, be gone for a while just enjoy different cultures and experience life. I don’t give a fuck about a car or a house either, all that stuff is meaningless. You can always buy a good cheap used car for 4000-7000 dollars and you can just stay at an apartment or shell up with the family for a year till you get back on your feet. Jobs aren’t going anywhere, the experience of traveling the world would attract many job propositions. Especially if you wanted to teach overseas.
Anyways you’ve inspired me to do this. I believe I’ll only do it for year, but spend the same amount you did. Also I don’t know about “the world” but I do want to go to almost every big city and out in the country in countries where shit gets real away from the buildings and technology. Life changing stuff right here.
Oh yes I know what it’s like to only have 2 weeks of vacation. It sucks!!! I am so happy to hear that I have inspired you to do a trip of your own! A trip around the world can be done a million ways… so do what you have always dreamed and go for it. No two trips are the same, but if you need help let me know and I’ll be more than happy to help you out. You can do it… the sacrifices you make to make it a reality will be worth it. Trust me!!!
What an awesome experience! I have been begging my husband for ten years to sell everything and travel for two years. His biggest fear is finding a job when we return as he is in his prime earning years. My goal is to be on the road by June. I pray he gets on board!
To all the people who ask how I can afford to travel with a family of six, I simple say, “traveling is the only thing that you spend money on that makes you richer”.
Your expenses for 2 years are the same as mine for 46 days in Europe for our family. Great job!!
My question is how do you get into a country on a one way ticket? Most want to see a return flight and visa.
Stacey… tell him I said to do it!!! Seriously neither of you will ever regret it. It’s something that once done no one can take away from you. I just cringed at reading that my 2 years cost you what 46 days in europe cost you… wow just wow. It’s crazy though that you are a family of six. I am from a family of 8 so know how that goes. As for your question… most don’t ask for a return ticket, but the one that do I plan my trip aroudn it. So like Thailand needed proof so booked a ticket to Philippines and there too need proof so booked ticket to Malaysia. I booked them to exit on the last day the visa expired… Thailand 30 days Philippines 21 days and so used all the days I could in the country before moving on. Did that make sense?
Ohh Stacey, i so wish to have a wife like you(and i hope that i will get someday because i am only 23 now).
Like you said that you are saying to your husband to sell everything and go on a world tour, that says it all.
I wish to travel the world with my wife. Just pray that i do get a wife who thinks like you 🙂
Amazing. .. congrats for your bravery. I am curious about your experience in Brasil.
Dalila thanks! I have yet to make it to Brazil… but will be soon!!
I just read the entirety of your article and it has made me feel better, though the final total still seems quite daunting. Like you, it’s about a year’s salary for me so certainly it’s cheaper to travel for the 2 years than to live and work for a year. I would love to sell everything and live off one bag for 2 years. I’ve really started to appreciate what I need and the superficial stuff that I have. Not knowing what is around the corner is both exhilarating and fearsome. I’m particularly worried about returning to “normality” and finding work to sustain myself.
One day…
Robert… hope ONE DAY is one day soon!!! Everything you said is right on and you can really do it. If you can you should, because you will never regret it. As for going back home… that is the hardest part of it all, but is what it is and shouldn’t make you not do this. If you need help planning let me know… I’d be more than happy to help you out.
hi thr! read about ur rtw trip n it was wonderful. making a trip the world over is what i have always hoped for…i too would love to visit places soon enough n if i have to realise my dream then i need to think of budgetary trip cz ain’t that rich
You don’t have to be rich to travel… just know how to save a bit of money and take off. You can do it & if you need help let me know!
Hey Jaime!
I’m hoping to start traveling soon for 2 years as well, your blog is just getting me even more exciting, my biggest questions though are: How did you deal with different currencies? Did you leave home with a range or currencies or just exchange some when you got there? And; what did you pack when you left? Ive finished planning where to go spanning roughly 100countries over 2 1/2 years and I’m really excited now! Thanks in advance for a reply 🙂
Hi Edward, that is so awesome that you are planning a 2 year trip as well. I’m glad you found my blog and I hope it helps you like it’s helped others. As for your questions… With currency I had a Charles Schwab card that doesn’t charge any ATM fees and the fee the ATM charges you they refund it at the end of the month. It’s available for US citizens. So if you are I would say look into it. So with that I just WD money from an ATM as soon as I cross the border. I normally WD up to $100 at a time… so if I’m robbed it’s not much that is taken from me. As for what I packed I have 3 post explaining in detail everything I pack so check them out and those will answer that question. I know you didn’t ask but will give you my two cents… as for 100 countries in 2.5 years of course that is possible, but that is quite ambitious. You will find out real early on that backpacking is exhausting. Moving from place to place every few days takes it’s tool on you and you don’t quite get to enjoy a place as one should. I did 30 countries in 2 years. Of those 2 years I spent 7 months in Egypt and 3 months in India and over a month in Turkey and a month in Athens. So you do the math. Just being honest. Of course if you need anything let me know and of course no two trips are the same and we all have different goals… so you do what you wanna do. It will be amazing none the less.
Hi Jaime. first of all thanks for the reply! I’m actually a UK citizen so ill look to see if there’s something similar with regards to the atm card. I will certainly read that post and I’m sure it will be just as helpful. With Regis to the countries I’ve started to realise this and I’ve had to try and make a decision on whether to travel longer or less counties, however my original plan was to reach NZ in a year and a half where I have family there and rest for a few weeks or so before going on my merry way to the Americas and home! Of course I have a bit of time to think things through before I start to book this dream of mine, so thanks for the advice and help I have a lot to think through!
Ah no problem Edward. I am glad I can help and I will hear you out if you need to just share your thoughts with someone. I know it’s not easy to plan but my biggest tip may be to focus on certain regions of the world for you trip. During my frist trip my regions of focus were Central America, Europe, Middle East, India and Southeast Asia. That’s a lot to cover in two years but was very possible. This time around I’m covering South America, other parts of Europe and Asia I haven’t visited and then back to Egypt. So anyway that’s just a thought… the world is big and vast tons to see every where. You will realize every country is filled with many things to see and do it’s impossible to see it and do it all. You will alsp fall in love with some places and want to spend more time… so anyway planning is half the fun so enjoy it too. Trust me it’s a lot easier once you are on the road. Good luck with it all!!!
Seriously teared up reading your answer to your second question. Good for you Jaime! You’re amazing! Also I especially loved reading about the call center lol. Kisses!
Awwwww Dominique… hey!!!! Jajajaja ahhh the call center. Those were the days. I’ll never forget the prank I pulled on you….lol!!! Good times.
I think your story sounds amazing. My boyfriend and I are thinking about a 6 month-1 year trip ourselves and this was very helpful and inspiring. Awesome memories you have!! 🙂
Glad it could help Leah. If you need anything else let me know!!!
Hi Jaime!
I’m planning my own RTW to happen in 5 years or so (gotta finish school first). I’m curious how well you transitioned back into “normal life” when your trip ended? I think this concerns me the most honestly. It would irk me when I’m sitting at a desk job thinking about my past experiences and how I could be better spending my time. Also, hearing people complain about things or be wasteful when they have no experience with true poverty and misfortune. Do these things affect/bother you?
Thanks,
Allison
Hi Allison, that is exciting to hear!!! It’s never too early to start dreaming of your big trip and start saving for it!!! As for how I transitioned back to normal life… yeah that wasn’t pretty and wasn’t easy. I did write about it on my blog… I think it’s the reality of coming home and is on the right hand side on my top post list. Sitting at a desk was the hardest for me… I would look out the window and know what was out there and just cry…literally just cry out of the blue cus I knew I wanted to be out there again. Yeah it’s not easy but it gets better with time. A lot of things bothered me when I went back home. You realize what how wasteful we are and how consumer driven lives we have. It’s a lot more than that, but don’t let this fear stop you from doinw what you wanna do. It’s seriously worth going out and seeing the world. If you have any other questions let me know.
Thanks for providing a more up-to-date breakdown of costs. Some of the websites I’ve been looking at are from 2009 to 2011 or so, which makes it harder to gauge the costs. My partner and I are planning our own yearlong (or a little bit more) trip. We bought our oneway ticket to Costa Rica, departing on November 17th. We’re still sorting out our budgets and itinerary but so far, I’ve put aside $45,000 for the 2 of us. I think, as females, though, we’re more likely to spend a little bit more, keeping in mind safety. For example, I was looking at the cost of travel from Costa Rica to Belize. Though the bus seems like it’d be fun and cheaper than flying, the US State Department has a travel warning for Honduras and neither one of us would feel quite comfortable taking a bus through there as women. If we were men, maybe we wouldn’t mind so much. As a result, we’ll be spending over twice as much on flights.
Hi Deb, Im happy this post was able to help you. I think y’all have saved more than enough for a trip for a year or even longer. I think yall will be just fine even with the occasional splurge for safety concerns. If you have any other questions feel free to email me.
You’re only lucky in that you were born in a first world country. Other than that I agree with you it’s all hard work.
That is so true and I agree with that cus I have learned that where you are from dictates the life you can lead.
May I ask the figure is in US dollar? = )
Yes Denise, this is in US dollar!!!
Then I really need to work hard for that from now. And save a lot. Yesterday I spend my working hours (free time) to read your breakaway archive, it was great and help a lots in my planning.
I plan to travel in Europe in 2017, and your are right. Once I start to plan this dream, I spend very wisely and even every penny count, and i realize there is many thing that we don’t need. SO there is no more shopping and restaurant for me, my dream is more tempted than all this THINGS.
Thanks Jaime, i love your blog, simple and you just write what you did and thoughts. =)
I am so glad my blog is helping you Denise and seriously if you have any other questions let me know and I will be happy to help you out. My email is my blog name all together (at) gmail (dot) com! Remember planning is half the fun and oh its addicting. I would spend countless hours at a book store reading guidebooks for countries I wanted to visit. I would take a small notebook with me and make notes. Start saving and tons… the more you save the longer you can travel. It’s not easy and is a lot of sacrifices but oh so worth it once you are on the road. Cheers & good luck saving. You got this!!!
Hey,
So I am planning a three year round the world trip. I am planning on visiting 61 countries, the majority of which are in the developing world. I have 55,000$ saved. Firstly, is a trip of this size doable with the money I have saved. Secondly, do you have a suggestion on where to start? Like should I start in the developing world or somewhere in Europe? Where did you start? Anyway thanks for any insight you can share!
HI Emily, sorry I am just now replying to your comment. It really doesn’t matter where you start your trip. What matters is that you have a tentative idea of where you are going and don’t back track. For example on the trip I started in Central America and Mexico then flew to Europe and worked my way to SEAsia. So went Europe, Turkey, Egypt, India and then SEA. So just look at a map and look at the regions of the world and work your way around in one direction or the other. Does that make sense? As for money that should easily be enough for 3 years. Just depends on your spending and travel habits. It’s all about knowing you can’t do it all so give and take. I hope this helps you a bit and if you have any other questions please let me know.
Yes this helps. Immensely. I figured that you would want to tracks in a circle. And I am very frugal and plan on staying in hostels and spending motor time in developing countries I my money goes further. Also would you say it’s worth it to visit multiple islands in Oceania and SE Asia or just a few? Any help is much appreciated.
Emily, honestly it is all up to you. What I like may not be what you like. You may have plans to spend a week in a place and hate it and leave after 2 days. The best thing about being on the road like this is you can just get up and go when you want or stay if you want. So honestly can’t help you much there. In SEAsia though dont worry cus you will be visiting tons of islands. Tons of beach time there.
Is 20 lakh enough for World Tour.
Anubhav, I am not sure how much that is. I don’t know what Lakh is!
Very inspiring in a downward relationship ship with girlfriend at moment, need a life, got grown up boys, that are self sorted in life, I’m 44 from england do you think I’m too old? Mid life crisis etc? I walked the camino for 2 months a few years ago & worked in Spain when young, but that’s about it
Hi Gary, honestly don’t think you are ever too old to be traveling. It may be strange to stay in dorms, but if that’s all you can afford well why not? I say go for it if you can. You wont regret it.
Hi Gary,
I was just reading the blog and saw your question. Just wondered whether you had started to plan your trip or started already on your travels. I am thinking of doing exactly the same thing, travelling to the Far East. I was after some advice.
Please recommend me from where should I start my tour…I am from india.
Jaime,
Appreciate the post! Could you please share a little about your itinerary? I am hoping to hit SA, Australia, Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe and unsure of best route.
Cheers!
Hi Will… I visited Central America, Europe, Egypt, India and SEAsia. Email me at my blog name @gmail.com if you have any other questions. I’d be more than happy to help you.
Thanks for including your expenses, Jamie! This is a very educational and motivational post!
Hey Jamie!
I was wondering if you thought it would be worth the money to get certified to teach english abroad if I don’t have a college degree. I know that limits the number of countries I can teach in, but I was thinking it might be a wonderful way to extend and expand my travels across Southeast Asia, as well as Latin America?
Just wanted to hear your thoughts
Thanks,
Emma
I spent about a half year, mostly SE Asia, and which I posted my budgeting. Thanks for sharing! I get asked this all the time!
But it’s a big way to save money and travel more.
Now that I’ve visited 50+ countries, I’ve finally written down how I travel so much
https://www.visit50.com/how-to-travel-more-often/