So, you want to ditch the 9-to-5 grind and become a globetrotting adventurer? Well, buckle up, buttercup, because traveling full-time isn’t all Instagram-worthy sunsets and exotic street food (although there’s plenty of that, too). It takes some serious planning, research and a willingness to embrace the unknown. But hey, if you’re ready to trade in your cubicle for a backpack and your water cooler chat for conversations with fascinating people from all corners of the world, then this guide is for you! We’ll cover everything from budgeting to packing, so you can turn your travel dreams into a reality without ending up broke, lost or worse – running out of clean underwear in the middle of nowhere.
Deciding if Full Time Travel is Right for You
Before diving headfirst into full time travel, take some time to decide if this lifestyle meets your needs and desires. Consider the following:
Pros of Full Time Travel
- Freedom and flexibility to go where you want, when you want
- Opportunity to experience new cultures more authentically
- Chance to meet interesting people from around the world
- Personal growth and self-discovery from pushing your boundaries
- No lease or mortgage payments back home
- Working and volunteering opportunities abroad
- Endless adventure awaits
Cons of Full Time Travel
- Can get lonely at times without a community or partner
- Income may be inconsistent without a reliable job
- International health insurance is a must
- Requires compromise and minimalism for luggage restrictions
- Can be exhausting dealing with logistics and transportation frequently
- Hard to establish roots back home
- Visa restrictions may apply depending on countries
Carefully weigh if you are willing to adjust to the transient lifestyle of a full time traveler. The freedom and adventure are amazing, but the commitment is real. Be honest with your ability to deal with the cons before moving forward.
Budgeting for Full Time Travel
Ah, the joys of long-term travel! Not only do you get to experience the world in all its glory, but you also get to do it on the cheap. It’s like getting a buy-one-get-one-free deal on life experiences! But hold on to your wallet, my friend, because even though you’ll be saving money compared to those short vacations, you still need a budget. Unless you want to end up sleeping on a park bench and eating nothing but instant noodles, you’d better sit down and figure out how much you’ll need for accommodation, food, transportation and all the other expenses that come with being a nomad. Oh and don’t forget to factor in the cost of that fancy new backpack you’ve been eyeing – after all, you’ll need something to carry all your worldly possessions!
Average Costs
As a baseline, plan for a bare minimum of around $1000 USD per month. This covers shared hostel dorms in cheaper regions, basic local cuisine and public transportation. Up the budget to $1500-2000 per month for a moderate level of private rooms, reasonably priced restaurants, some activities and Uber/taxis. For a comfortable trip with private Airbnbs, higher end dining and private tours, allot $3000-4000+.
These costs vary greatly by country and region. Southeast Asia and Central America are cheaper destinations, while Western Europe and Australia are more expensive. Research expected prices at your desired destinations.
Ways to Save
Follow these tips to keep costs low:
- Travel slowly to reduce transport expenses
- Cook meals at Airbnb rentals with kitchens
- Avoid expensive tourist traps and Western chains
- Walk or bike instead of taxi when possible
- Book multi-city flights instead of separate tickets
- Volunteer in exchange for free room and board
- House sit to live rent-free with site seeing on your days off
Creating a Travel Fund
Want to make your travel dreams a reality? Start saving those pennies, my friend! Funnel every extra cent you can into your travel fund – freelance gigs, tax refunds, work bonuses, even the profits from that old lava lamp you sold at your garage sale. And if you’re feeling extra thrifty, sign up for bank bonuses, take some surveys or sell your unused junk online.
Generating Income While Traveling
Unless you have ample savings or passive income streams, finding work while traveling full time is essential. Carefully research which remote jobs or skills are realistic on the road before departing.
Popular Remote Jobs
- Freelance writer, graphic designer, web developer
- Online teacher or tutor
- Social media manager
- Virtual assistant
- Data entry worker
- Customer service rep
- Travel blogger
Having an established client base before leaving increases income stability while traveling. Let companies know in advance about upcoming travel plans.
Finding Remote Work Abroad
If continuing current remote work abroad is not possible, get a work visa and find a local job in your destination country. Popular options include:
- Teaching English
- WWOOF organic farming
- Hostel front desk clerk
- Tour guide
- Dive master
- Crew on sailboats or cruise ships
Check if your destination has digital nomad or remote worker visas allowing longer stays without a local job. Countries like Costa Rica, Mexico, Thailand and others have created these special visas to attract location independent workers.
Last Resort Options
If all else fails, rely on some tried and true backup sources for travel cash:
- Work at hostels in exchange for free accommodation
- Help an Airbnb host with cleaning or maintenance
- Busk as a street musician, create art to sell, offer locality tours
- Teach yoga, dance classes, massage courses
- Seek out paid studies, medical trials, donation centers
Get creative with your skills and see every job as an opportunity to fund the travel lifestyle a bit longer. Stay driven towards your goals and be willing to work hard.
Choosing Where to Go
With infinite destinations across the globe, deciding where to visit first can be overwhelming. Follow these steps to narrow your options:
Identify Your Interests
Pinpoint top attraction types that align with your personality and values. This helps select suitable regions and countries. Favorite interests may include:
- Historic sites and monuments
- Culture and cuisine
- Beaches and water sports
- Adventure activities
- Festivals and events
- Nightlife and entertainment
- Nature and wildlife
- Spiritual retreats
- Volunteering opportunities
- Learning opportunities
- Digital nomad communities
- Low cost of living
List your bucket list sites and experiences too. This defines priorities for routing your travels.
Consider Logistics
Research logistical factors to refine your list:
- Entry visa requirements
- Transportation infrastructure
- Safety
- Language barriers
- Internet availability
- Weather/climate during travel timeframe
- COVID-19 and health restrictions
- Government stability
- Currency (for money exchanges)
Cross off countries with excessive red tape for visas or concerning safety issues. Also cut ones with terrible weather during your planned travel window.
Make Your Shortlist
Draft your shortlist of top 5-10 country options after weighing budgets, interests and logistics. Then map out a tentative multi-month route through your preferred regions. Adjust as needed to meet visa requirements or weather patterns.
Don’t over-schedule a rigid itinerary across too many places. Leave flexibility for discovering hidden gems along the way. You can always extend stays where you connect most.
Handling Accommodation Logistics
Securing short term accommodations frequently poses a major hassle for full time travelers. Minimize headaches with these key tips:
Book Early When Possible
If you know dates in advance, book at least 2-3 months out for better selection and rates. Hostel private rooms, Airbnbs and vacation rentals go fast – especially during peak seasons.
Travel Off-Season
Visiting a destination during it’s low tourist season cuts crowds significantly. Airfare and lodging rates lower substantially as well.
The trade-off is fewer activities offered and potential weather challenges. Pack for rain or cold depending on your destination’s off-season.
Get Local SIM Cards
Purchasing local SIM cards allows arranging upcoming lodging via phone instead of hunting on unreliable hostel lounge computers. SIM cards also help with ride shares, translation apps and navigation.
Use Booking Sites Strategically
Sites like Booking.com offer free cancellations on most listings, so lock in backup options when unsure of plans. Then cancel extra bookings penalty-free as needed when confirmations solidify.
Ask Locals
Chat up airline seatmates, hostel friends, Uber drivers and tourism office workers for hidden gem neighborhoods or lesser known hotels. Locals have the best off-the-beaten-path recommendations not listed online.
Inquire About Long Stay Discounts
Many hotels and short term rentals offer weekly or monthly rate discounts – but won’t advertise this upfront online. Email to inquire about deals for longer stays to save substantially.
Packing Strategically
Dealing with luggage poses another massive headache for life on the road. Pack strategically using these tips:
Stick to Carry-On Limit
Restrict yourself to carry on size (22 x 14 x 9 inches or less) to enable mobility, avoid fees and prevent lost bags disaster. Packing cubes, compression sacks, multi-use clothing and minimal shoes/accessories makes this possible.
Organize Essentials Bag
Keep critical items like passport, medical cards, backup debit cards, emergency cash, medicine, electronics/chargers in a separate small bag inside your main luggage. This stays with you if bags get lost and facilitates easy security checks.
Choose Convertible, Quick-Drying Fabrics
Seeking out clothing good for daytime sightseeing that also transitions for evenings out saves space. Pack versatile neutral colors to mix and match. Synthetic, moisture wicking materials easily hand wash, drip dry overnight and shed odors – essential on the road!
Wear Bulkiest Items
Make the most of carry on space by wearing bulky shoes, hats, jackets and heavier accessories while in transit instead of packing these. Just be sure outfits comply with airline rules.
Transfer To Smaller Bags
Once settled in one location for a week or longer, unpack from main bag into smaller daypacks for exploring. Some hostels have storage lockers for empty suitcases so you aren’t lugging everything daily.
Transportation Tips
Navigating new locations poses a prime pain point too. Avoid transportation issues using these tips:
| Download Offline Maps and Translate Apps | Google Translate, Maps.Me and similar apps still work without international cell service. Download destination maps while on hotel/hostel WiFi for guidance when offline. |
| Purchase Local SIM Cards | Purchasing local SIM cards allows using ride share services more easily in foreign countries. Alternatively, ask hotel staff to explain public transportation systems. |
| Consider Alternate Options | Intercity buses, trains, boats and low-cost carriers might save substantially over flights. Consider ferries between island nations or trains through Europe. Enjoy incredible scenery along the way. |
| Familiarize Yourself in Advance | Study airport terminal maps, rail systems and key attraction locations prior to ensure navigating smooth unfamiliar areas. Pinpoint routes between key sites using Google Maps Street View too. |
Staying Healthy and Safe
Your health and safety while traveling long term is of the utmost importance. Take these key precautions:
- Arrange Travel Medical Insurance: Purchase international travel medical insurance to ensure coverage for illness, injury, dental emergencies, evacuations and more while abroad. Carry documentation always and register upcoming trips.
- Bring Prescriptions and First Aid: Pack twice the needed prescription medicine amount in carry-on luggage to account for potential loss. Also pack a first aid kit with bandages, antibiotic cream, motion sickness tablets, electrolytes, nasal decongestant, thermometer and anything else you might require.
- Back Up Critical Information: Scan passports, visas, medical cards and itineraries to email to yourself for easy access from any device in the world. Also take photos or photocopies as an extra backup.
- Get Necessary Vaccines: Research recommended and required vaccines by the CDC and WHO specific for all countries on your itinerary. Arrange these through your doctor or a local pharmacy several weeks before departure.
- Store Contact Info: Program phone numbers for your embassy, credit card company, family back home and travel insurance provider into your phone. Know how to reach them in case of lost documents, theft or medical emergencies abroad.
- Exercise Caution: Follow all local laws and avoid risky behaviors like illegal drugs, excessive alcohol, traveling anywhere alone at night, venturing off marked trails, accepting drinks from strangers or displaying expensive electronics/jewelry. Keep your wits about you. Use hotel safes for valuables whenever possible.
Stay vigilant about the State Department’s travel warnings for dangerous regions prone to crime, civil unrest or terrorism too. Avoid these zones on solo trips.
Combating Loneliness
Despite amazing destinations and new friends met along the way, frequent travel can still trigger loneliness. Beat solitude using these go-to solutions:
- Call Home Regularly: Set up scheduled video chat sessions with family and best friends back home. Brief everyday catch up calls add normalcy and reassurance during foreign circumstances.
- Bond with Fellow Travelers: Spark conversations in tour groups, at attractions, on transportation or in hostel common areas to connect with like-minded adventurers. Exchange social media to keep in touch with new friends or reunite down the road.
- Locate Expat Hubs: Interact with fellow long term travelers and relocated expats at popular digital nomad hangouts like Selina hostels or coffee shops with remote worker vibes. Attend language exchanges, tourism meetups or cultural events too.
- Put Yourself Out There: Pursue hobbies that facilitate meeting locals who share common interests like hiking groups, cooking classes, volunteer programs, religious communities, sports teams, dance troupes or more. Actively learning regional languages builds bonds as well.
Returning Home After Extended Travels
All amazing journeys eventually conclude with a return back home. Ease this challenging transition period with the following recommendations:
- Time It Right: If possible, plan arriving back home during cooler weather seasons. This prevents dealing with difficult re-acclimation to extreme heat or cold after adjusting to moderate climates abroad.
- Establish a Base: Secure temporary accommodations through subletting, house sitting or Airbnb for 1-3 months post travel. This cushions the stark reverse culture shock from total independence back to parents’, roommate or spouse’s house rules.
- Save a Buffer: Keep a financial buffer upon returning to cover several months costs of living while finding a new job, apartment, vehicle or other necessities let go pre-travel. Prevent added stress going straight from airports to interviews or house hunting.
- Ease Into Routines: Gradually reintegrate healthy daily routines vs attempting everything at once. Perhaps set reminders for proper sleep, nutrition, fitness and socializing goals your first few weeks back. Monitor mental health closely and keep traveling a priority.
The end of one travel chapter leads to exciting new beginnings ahead. Reflect fondly on lessons learned from unique experiences abroad while readjusting after returning home from extended independent journeys.
FAQs
A bare minimum budget is around $1000 USD per month, which covers dorm beds, cheap meals and public transportation in affordable regions. For more privacy and comfort, budget $1500-4000+ per month. Costs vary greatly by country.
Popular options include freelance writers, graphic designers, teachers, virtual assistants, travel bloggers, customer service reps and online tutors. Having an established client-base before leaving makes things easier.
Decide if you can handle the travel lifestyle, budget adequately, research destinations, generate income, organize travel medical insurance, pack properly, arrange accommodations, obtain needed visas, get vaccinated, back up documents, etc. Proper preparation prevents problems down the road!
It can be occasionally. Combat solitude by frequently calling friends/family, connecting with fellow travelers, participating in expatriate communities, pursuing hobbies abroad, learning regional languages and appreciating alone time for self-reflection.
To ease reverse culture shock, try arriving back during a mild weather season, secure temporary housing, save a financial buffer, gradually integrate healthy routines, keep traveling a priority, reflect on lessons learned and focus on exciting new beginnings ahead.
Conclusion
Full time travel remains a very achievable goal through thoughtful preparation. Determine if this nomadic lifestyle truly fits your personality, sort out income strategies, research ideal destinations, pack wisely, arrange needed health precautions and expect occasional solitude. Remaining organized, flexible and open-minded will allow you to maximize once-in-a-lifetime experiences on the long term trip of your dreams!
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