Travel the world for a year: The Dream, the Reality, and Everything In Between
Spending an entire year travelling the world is one of the most exciting things you can do in life. The promise of exploring new cultures, meeting people from all walks of life, and experiencing places you’ve only ever read about is genuinely thrilling. But travelling for a year is about far more than simply choosing where to go. You are, in effect, packing up your life and setting off with everything you need on your back — and that requires some serious consideration.
A year on the road is not for the faint-hearted. It’s rewarding, life-changing and unforgettable, but it also demands planning, flexibility, resilience and an ability to think ahead. Below, we break down the key things to consider before you take the leap.
1. Practical Considerations
Passport Essentials
Check your passport well in advance. Ensure it has enough validity left for the entire trip.
Page requirements vary. Some countries require more than one blank page, so even if you have several spare, consider renewing your passport before you go.
Allow time for processing delays.
Luggage: Pack Smart, Not Heavy
Avoid overpacking. What works for a two-week holiday doesn’t work for a year on the road.
Limit clothing to 4–5 days’ worth. As the seasons change, it’s often cheaper to buy a few extra clothes along the way than to haul around a full wardrobe.
Minimise toiletries. They add weight; most hotels have basics, and everything else can be bought as you go.
Hand luggage vs checked luggage.
Keep electronics in hand luggage.
Pack enough essential clothing in your carry-on for two days in case the airline loses your bag.
Aim for one carry-on bag to keep costs down and transitions smooth.
Build in Rest Days
Constant travel is exhausting. You’re booking transport, meeting people, sightseeing, and eating out daily — it takes its toll.
Plan rest days every so often to do laundry, catch up on admin, reconnect with home, or simply lie down and breathe.
Wi-Fi and Mobile Data
Free Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels, cafés and bars around the world.
Ensure your phone is unlocked so you can use local SIMs.
Consider a multi-country international travel SIM. They may seem expensive upfront, but they’re cheaper overall than buying a new SIM in every country.
Don’t Plan Too Far Ahead
Book only 1–2 countries in advance. Plans will change — and they should.
Check onward-travel requirements. Some countries require evidence of your next destination before granting entry.
Leave room for spontaneity. You might want to stay somewhere longer, or change direction entirely.
2. Money
Bank Cards & Expiry Dates
Check expiry dates before travelling — replacing a card abroad is extremely difficult.
Carry more than one card. ATMs swallow cards, machines fail, and things get lost.
Don’t rely solely on phone payments. Not all countries (or small local shops) accept contactless.
Multi-Currency Bank Cards
Use providers such as Revolut, Monzo, Wise, etc.
Hold multiple currencies.
Withdraw from ATMs at competitive rates.
Freeze cards instantly if lost.
Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)
Understand what DCC is. When paying abroad, merchants sometimes ask if you want to pay in your home currency rather than the local one.
Pros and cons apply. (See our separate blog post for a deeper breakdown.)
Choose wisely — the “home currency” option often costs more.
Travel Insurance
Get comprehensive cover that matches your destinations.
Check trip-length limits. Many policies only cover trips up to 90 days per journey.
Make sure high-risk activities are included if you plan to do watersports, trekking, or adventure sports.
Avoid travelling to countries your government advises against. Your insurance may be invalid.
One-Time Passcodes (OTPs)
Plan for technological issues.
What if your phone is lost?
What if the SIM linked to your bank doesn’t work?
Some regions block Western SIM cards. For example, Western SIMs often don’t work in Laos — meaning you won’t receive bank verification messages.
Solution:
Use banking apps that allow OTPs via email, or
Register a number in your home country used by a trusted family member who can relay codes when needed.
3. Planning for the Unexpected
Things Will Go Wrong — Prepare for It
Flights get cancelled and you may need to book last-minute alternatives.
Hotels sometimes can’t honour reservations.
Bank cards stop working or get eaten by cash machines.
Luggage gets lost — sometimes permanently.
Always Carry Emergency Cash
Keep a few days’ worth of physical cash hidden separately from your wallet.
Have a reserve bank balance that you can access instantly if needed.
Expect the unexpected. It’s not a matter of if problems arise, but when.
4. Where to Go: Ideas for a One-Year Round-the-World Route
Where you travel — and when — depends heavily on weather and seasons. Some travellers chase summer; others want winter sports along the way. One key rule: it’s cheaper to travel in a straight line, rather than constantly doubling back across continents.
Below are broad, high-level ideas, broken down by continent, with notes on timing and highlights.
Europe
Best seasons:
Western & Southern Europe: April–October
Central & Eastern Europe: May–September
How long: 1–3 months
Key ideas:
France: Paris’ landmarks, Loire Valley châteaux, Côte d’Azur beaches
Italy: Rome’s history, Florence’s art, the Amalfi Coast, the Dolomites
Spain & Portugal: Barcelona’s architecture, Andalusia’s culture, Lisbon and Porto
Central Europe: Vienna’s classical music, Prague’s old town, Munich & the Bavarian Alps
Eastern Europe: Croatia’s islands, Budapest’s thermal baths, Poland’s medieval cities
Explore some of our suggested itineraries to help you plan a trip to Europe.
Middle East
Best season: October–April
How long: 2–4 weeks
Key ideas:
Jordan: Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea
UAE: Dubai’s modern skyline, Abu Dhabi’s Grand Mosque
Oman: Desert landscapes, Muscat, wadis and mountains
Israel: Jerusalem’s old city, Tel Aviv’s beaches
We’ve put together some Middle East trip ideas as a guide.
Africa
Best season: Generally June–October for East & Southern Africa
How long: 1–2 months
Key ideas:
Morocco: Marrakesh, the Atlas Mountains, Sahara tours
Kenya/Tanzania: Safari in the Serengeti or Maasai Mara, Mount Kilimanjaro
South Africa: Cape Town, the Garden Route, national parks
Namibia: Etosha National Park, Sossusvlei dunes
Here’s some Africa travel itineraries to help you along.
Asia
Best seasons:
Southeast Asia: November–March
East Asia: March–May and September–November
India: November–March for most regions
How long: 2–3 months
Key ideas:
India: The Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur), Kerala’s backwaters, Goa’s beaches, the Himalayas
Thailand: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, southern islands
Vietnam: Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City
Indonesia: Bali, Komodo National Park, Java’s volcanoes
Japan: Tokyo, Kyoto temples, cherry blossom season (spring)
South Korea: Seoul, Busan, Jeju Island
We’ve put together some itineraries for South & East Asia as well as Central Asia.
Central America
Best seasons: December–April (dry season)
How long: 3–6 weeks
Key ideas:
Mexico: Mexico City, Yucatán Peninsula, cenotes, Mayan ruins
Guatemala: Lake Atitlán, Tikal, Antigua
Belize: Barrier reef, snorkelling/diving, Mayan temples
Costa Rica: Rainforests, volcanoes, wildlife, surfing beaches
Panama: Panama City, San Blas Islands
Here’s a few itineraries covering Central America.
Oceania (Australia & New Zealand)
Best season: November–April
How long: 1–2 months
Key ideas:
Australia: Great Barrier Reef, Sydney landmarks, Uluru, national parks, the Great Ocean Road
New Zealand: Fiordland National Park, Queenstown adventure sports, geothermal Rotorua
We’ve prepared a couple of itineraries for Australia and NZ.
North America
Best season: May–September for most outdoor routes
How long: 1–2 months
Key ideas:
USA: West Coast road trip, Yosemite and Zion, New York & Washington DC
Canada: Banff & Jasper National Parks, Vancouver & the Rockies
Here’s a few ideas we’ve put together for North America trips.
South America
Best season: Generally October–April
How long: 1–2 months
Key ideas:
Peru: Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Cusco
Chile: Atacama Desert, Patagonia
Argentina: Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls, Patagonia
Colombia: Cartagena, Medellín, coffee region
Here’s some sample South America itineraries.
Conclusion
Travelling the world for a year is one of the most extraordinary adventures you can undertake. It opens your eyes, challenges you, and rewards you in ways you can’t imagine before setting off. But it isn’t as simple as booking a few flights — it requires thought, preparation, flexibility, and the ability to adapt when things go wrong.
With the right planning, the right mindset, and a willingness to embrace the unexpected, a year on the road is not just possible — it can be the best year of your life.
