Just walk out the door, walk up to a random person and ask them if they have ever dreamt of traveling the world. Chances are that they are most likely going to respond in the affirmative. Walk up to some other people and ask the same question. After some time, you will conclude that we have all wanted to travel the world at some point in our lives. However, only a few people actually go out there and travel the world.
To those reading this article, we surely hope that you become one of the lucky few who actually get to see Mother Earth in all her glory. In this article, we will be going over the core tenets of a trip around the world. We will intimate you with some tips to help you start planning and hopefully help you complete your round-the-world trip.
Here is a list of what we will be going over in this article.
- Transportation.
- Money.
- Accommodation.
- Food.
- Gear.
- Documents.
TRANSPORTATION
Asides, from money and accommodation, transport is usually a major concern when one thinks about traveling the world. Well, transportation is pretty much a non-issue in most parts of the world. For transport, you get to choose between air, train, bus and even boats. Let’s take a much closer look at these options.
Air
Most people are going to prefer the air option because it is more convenient and faster, although it may be the most expensive of the bunch. If you want to travel the world by air, you have two options. First, you can buy flights from country to country as you go along. Secondly, you can go for a “round-the-world ticket (this is the cheaper option).
To get a Round-the-world (RTW) ticket, airline alliances are your best bet. The biggest airline alliances are Star Alliance, OneWorld, and Skyteam. Going for an RTW ticket lets you pay for all your trips at once. The cost of an RTW ticket depends on your route, class of fare, mileage, and the number of stops. Prices can range from anywhere between $1500 and $15000.
RTW tickets are great for those who are willing to fly on a set schedule or are buying tickets for a large group. If you do not have a set plan and want to take your time in exploring the different parts of the world then an RTW ticket may not be for you.
Train
Trains are another mode of transport to consider. They may not be as far as planes but they let you enjoy the scenery as you travel. For travel in the EU, you can get passes for either the Eurail or Interrail. For travel in Asia, go for the Trans-Siberian railway.
Bus
In the US, you can use the Greyhound line. For European travel, Eurolines is the way to go.
Boat Cruise
World cruises are neither the fastest nor cheapest buy they offer a very unique experience. Prices can range from between $20,000 up to $100,000 per person. So, if you got extra cash lying around and time (sometimes up to 6 months), a world cruise will be an awesome experience.
MONEY
If you are a millionaire then money is no object and you can probably do whatever you want. But if you are like the rest of us, you will have to pay close attention to your finances, if you want to successfully travel around the world.
Money management for your trip all starts with a budget. First, figure out where you are going to visit and plan your budget around that. Plan for your accommodation, transportation, food, gear, travel insurance, calls, internet, vaccines, visas, and bank fees. How much you end up spending will depend on how much luxury or lack thereof you are willing to endure.
Check out this article where a budget of $35,000 was enough for two backpackers traveling the world over a period of 18 months.
ACCOMMODATION
There are a plethora of options to choose from as far as accommodation is concerned. Again, if you have all the money in the world then you can afford 5-star accommodation wherever you go. But if you are on a budget, you have a lot of options.
Hostels and guesthouses are going to be your go-to for most of the trip. In some countries, you may have to book ahead, while you don’t have to in others. Couchsurfing is another idea. If you don’t mind spending time in someone’s house and sharing meals with them and their family, then you can give CouchSurfing a shot.
Another alternative is to offer your services in exchange for accommodation. Other options include sleeping on the night bus, sleeping at airports, or even in tents (on campgrounds).
FOOD
Part of the pleasure of traveling the world is the joy of experiencing new cuisine. Hopefully, you don’t have a weak stomach, so you can enjoy a variety of dishes wherever you go.
Be sure to do the bare minimum of washing your hands and eating from places where other people (locals) are eating. If you come across a restaurant where there are lots of people, that is a good sign because people typically flock to places where the food is good.
Above all, remain open-minded, and give new dishes a shot. Who knows, you may come across your new favorite dish.
GEAR
The first decision you will make when it comes to gear is deciding between a backpack or a suitcase. For most people, you can’t beat the flexibility of a backpack. Depending on the type of trip you are having, you may not need to carry a lot with you.
For those who are affluent, just packing your clothes and camera gear is usually enough. For backpackers and people on a budget, you will have to lug around more stuff. These include cooking equipment, sleeping equipment, and a host of other things.
DOCUMENTS
Your passport is the key that unlocks doors. However, some countries will require a stronger key (visas). For a lot of countries, you can get a visa on the spot. For others. It can be more complicated. Just do your research.
There you have it guys. So, what did you think about our travel around the world guide? Did we cover all the important points? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Cheers.
