How much does it take to travel around the world?

Question

I love traveling. But, I'm 30 and I've never been traveled internationally. There are 15 to 30 places that I would really like to see in my lifetime. But, I am woefully ignorant on the cost and preparation involved in such travels. I need some feedback on exactly what it takes to be a polished world traveller. P.S. Realistically it would be helpful to know what kind of income it takes to be a world traveller.

Answer 1

Where to Stay:
You should plan on staying in hostels, that way you will only have to pay about €10 to €15 euros a night for a bed in a comfortable, safe, clean place (usually close to the sights) plus you will meet loads of other like minded travellers like yourself who want to see the same things as you...and have fun too!

For working:
Ask in the hostels, you can hopefully either do a few days work and sleep for free, or they'll tell you about jobs in local bars!

What to Bring:
A good rucksack, some lightweight, durable quick-drying clothes (3 of each!), a good guidebook, phrasebook, deck of cards, a yearning to see more and more, have fun, meet people, and a sense of adventure!

Budget:
you can assume an average of around $1200 USD a month...

Normally what I do to work out how much a particular country will cost me is I look at the price of a bed in a highly rated hostel on Hostelworld.com and multiply by 3.

So if the best hostel in Beijing is €10 euros a night (for a 3-bed mixeed dorm with ensuite bathroom!) then I assume the cost of Beijing to be around €30 euros a day ... that's eating 2 cheap meals and one good one aday, travel around the town, sightseeing etc...

So a month in China (bearing in mind that SW China is half the priice of Eastern China) would cost around €900 to €1000 euros ...

Conversly, the cost of the best hostel in London is €30 euros a night (that's for a 4-bed mixed dorm with ensuite bathroom) - so I know London will be around €90 euros a day ... expensive isn't it!

But of course, you can trim that down by sleeping in a 12 bed dorm, and eating cheap by buying food in supermarkets and so on...

Then add the cost of flights, insurance, visas, medical shots, some emergency money...

For advice on travelling, the best site in the world is the Lonely Planet Thorntree (worlds largest backpacker and independant travellers forum) - link below.

Also, try to plan your trip as a circle, one way... suppose you want to see Europe, Asia, and SE Asia ... well a good option is to fly into London, travel Europe, then take the Trans-Siberian Express to Asia overland (or the Silk Route), then travel Asia / SE Asia, and fly back ...

Same with the Middle East and Africa...

That way you'll save on airfares ...

What kind of overall budget - I wouldn't plan on taking a year off without working, and travelling unless I had €20,000 euros ...but that includes everything - flights, insurance, the whole shebang!

But you don't need to take a year, and you can work while you're travelling ...you could save enough for 5 months travel, then get a job teaching English in Vietnam to save enough to travel back...

First thing, do your research - buy the Lonely Planet or Rough Gudie First Time Around the world, ask questions on the LP Thorntree ...

then go for it:)

Lot's of links below...

Hope that helps

Philip

Answer 2

It costs a one time investment of 350 bucks... About 40 bucks a month to maintain your privileges to get up to 58% off of travel any and everywhere in the world and simply by referring others, you get to travel for free.. and it gets better, they refer people and you make a significant ongoing profit.

Interested? Thousands are already traveling the world at your age with this program.

Answer 3

The income doesn't really matter. You can save money by staying over at your family's or friend's place where ever you go, go to different countries at the right time of the year, book with the right company, get great deals, know exactly where and what you want to see...

Answer 4

on the cheap check out hostels and working your way around on a freighter