Ever wondered how much it would cost to travel the world? Well, I’ve been there, done that, and I’m here to tell you it’s not as expensive as you might think. Of course, you’ll need to make some sacrifices, but it’s totally doable.
Let’s say you’re interested in the cheapest way to see the world. When I first started my global adventure, I was teaching English in Thailand for $700 a month, so I was pretty strapped for cash. I started my journey in some of the cheapest countries to travel in, like Bangladesh, India, and Nepal, surviving on just about $7 a day. It was tough, but it was worth it.
As I got older, I decided to visit every country in the world, which took me over 10 years and cost me over $250k. The costs increased as I ventured into more obscure places. But if you’re not interested in ticking off all 197 countries and just want to travel for a few months, you can get by on about $1k a month if you choose the right countries.
So, how much would it cost to travel the world for 6 months? Let’s break it down.
First, let’s consider a standard 6-month trip, starting from Europe, spending 4 months in Southeast Asia, 1 month in Australia and Fiji, and 1 month in the US. This is a typical gap-year trip for many young travelers.
The biggest expense is usually airfare. You might consider a Round-the-world (RTW) airfare ticket, which is a multi-leg plane ticket that can be cheaper than booking each flight separately. However, it lacks flexibility, which can be a downside if you want to change your plans along the way. Personally, I prefer the freedom of booking individual flights, even if it costs a bit more.
Here’s a rough breakdown of the costs for a 6-month trip:
- RTW ticket: $1000-$1500
- Travel insurance: $200
- Visa fees: $200
- Travel gear: $200
- Daily budget (180 days at $30/day): $5400
So, the total cost for a budget 6-month trip would be around $7,000. You can reduce this by $1k if you skip the RTW ticket and stay in one region.
Now, let’s talk about your daily budget. In Asia, you can get by on about $20 a day if you eat street food and share rooms. In Western countries, you’ll need to be more careful with your spending. If you’re frugal, you can manage on about $40 a day.
So, how much does it cost to travel the world? If you’re willing to backpack, take long bus rides, eat at supermarkets, and avoid flying too much, you can travel for 6 months on about $7,000. It won’t be a luxury trip, but it’ll be an adventure you’ll never forget.
If you’re really broke and still want to travel, you can survive on $300 to $500 a month by choosing the cheapest countries to visit and being willing to endure some discomfort.
So, start saving and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime! Just remember to get travel insurance before you go. Happy travels!
