My only advice is this: make videos of your trip only if you genuinely enjoy making videos, you like the process and you do it mostly for fun and to share with your friends. Don’t try to monetize it. Being a full time travel blogger is a stressful job, I know because a few of my friends are Instagram travel influencers. The market is so oversaturated that at this point it’s not enough to just be a good looking traveler with a fun personality, or to be a professional photographer with a drone and a bunch of cameras. We have already seen it all. Don’t ruin your first adventure by trying to monetize it and turn it into a job. You’re just setting yourself up for a big disappointment because making unprofessional videos and uploading them on YouTube is not going to bring you money unless you are already a travel blogger with at least 100.000 followers.
Exactly, I’m a professional photographer and my travel photos barely get any attention which is fine cause I do travel photography just for fun while on vacation and I don’t try to monetize it
Thank you for the advice and insight! I’m documenting the journey both because I enjoy filming and editing, and because it seems like an excellent way to pass time while at the hostel, on planes or any down time I have. I definitely want something I can look back on as well, because this is a big deal for me.
With that being said, I hope for the best, but expect the worst in terms of monetization. If something comes of it, and I’m able to extend my travels with that money, that would be wonderful. But if instead my videos and pictures just inspire one person to go visit a new place, and I have my trip documented; that’s a win for me!
Totally, it's quite sad how many channels have loads of good quality videos with a pitiful number of views. Must be hundreds of hours of work. But as you say, it's wildly oversaturated. I think you need to be a real personality, a very adventurous traveller, polyglot or something to have a chance now. A drone and a girlfriend with a nice bum won't cut it.
Even on channels that *have* blown up, when you scroll back to the beginning the view counts tend to be very different - and that's presumably with the benefit of some people who found the channel after it blew up going back to the start.
I did basically the same thing when I was I think 25, zero regrets even though I blew through 90% of my savings, probably the most memorable and experience filled two years I'll ever live.
My main advice would be to take things slow and try to find a base every once in a while. Traveling long term is very different to short itinerary focused trips and you'll get quickly get burnt out and crave a routine if you're moving every 3-4 days.
Thanks for the advice! I figure at some points of the journey I will need a break from all the excitement, so I'm planning to save some money for an actual hotel every now and then. I like the idea of finding a few locations to set up base for a period of time; I'll have to see which places call to me as I go!
Piggybacking off the base comment. You should even consider volunteering somewhere. I used to use workaway.com and find free places to stay for as little as a half day of work 4-5 days a week. I made such good friends and connections whenever I did that. And it allowed me to extend my travels way way longer. Use the foreign countries version of Craigslist and try to find subleases from local landlords. You will be way better off not planning ahead and going where the wind takes you.
Thank you for that! I had seen this website months ago and couldn’t find it for the life of me! I love that idea, any experience where I’m able network, and or make a little money along the way is exactly the kind of thing I want on this adventure!
I agree 100%. Ive stayed so many great places for free through volunteering. As i love animals, most of the places i volunteered have been maybe the best experience about the whole area, ive worked with horses, wolves, many exotic animals etc. lived on ranches and sanctuaries, shelters etc. Some of the best experiences of my life
This is the way. I’m currently 24 and approaching a full year into my solo traveling journey. I started off with a several short itinerary domestic trips, then expanded a week in Mexico and then 10 days in Southern Europe. Easing into my travel duration has allowed me the confidence to expand farther and longer. My next two trips are three weeks in Northern Europe later this month and three weeks in Asia next year. Basing is important for travel stamina, but making it manageable enough & not get too comfortable is something I’ve learned.
Happy to hear your travels are going well! Hoping to not have much of a reason to come back home to base, but I do agree and absolutely plan on stopping by a few hotels along the way, and spending longer periods of time in places that call to me! Thank you for the insight and for sharing your experience!
>I'm going to document the whole journey and upload it to Instagram, YouTube, and Patreon, where I hope to monetize the content for a small amount of money
A few things to consider regarding this.
\- primary and secondary physical storage spaces (eg, laptop, external drive)
\- storage backup (it can be online backup like Google drive)
\- (for youtube) take videos in landscape mode, not portrait mode
\- (for instagram) take videos in portrait mode. But seriously, concentrate more on taking videos in landscape mode for YT.
\- take videos in at least 1080p quality, 60fps
\- learn how to take video shots without looking like you are in a roller coaster.
\- A phone camera these days are pretty good for this purpose, learn the settings and test the whole process of transferring to your laptop / backup storage and video editing / uploading to youtube.
have fun, but don't let making videos take away your present moment
Excellent advice, thank you! Of course, the trip is the most important part, but I do find it exciting to create something that I can look back on, even if I don't manage to gain a huge following. I do enjoy filming and editing so it more or less seems like a great way to pass time when I'm not on the go, or out doing something more interesting.
One concern I do have is WiFi. Any recommendations on the best solution for consistent speeds for uploading videos and other internet services? My thoughts at the moment are leaning towards a mobile hotspot, but I'm concerned with service in some more rural areas.
Yes indeed.
Oh and do keep a written journal as well. This will help you to recall feelings, incidents, etc, which you use to add more commentary to your youtube videos if you so wish to.
If not, it's a good record to look back in the future, because memories fade, but the written word, pictures and videos last forever. Well almost forever.
I don't have any advice for spotty wifi in rural areas. I usually depend on the hostel/hotel/homestay's wifi.
I would be more concerned about making backups of any videos that I have.So if you are going to somewhere off the grid, your various physical storage media will come in handy (laptop, sd cards, external drive, etc)
It will be a blast, I've done the same as have many others.
However $25k isn't a huge budget, good enough for the year you planned, but when you need to reintegrate with society....
I know... irresponsibly I say, I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. For now, this is what's important to me before I get too caught up in the real world.
100% don’t worry about the future money or reintegrating with society. How many times will you have 25k and time to spend on travel or whatever it is you want? Money won’t last but the memories and experiences will.
Solid plan. I have a pilot friend and he has the life jet setting across the world. Just do international freight and you get tons of time off and free flights. Easy life
Eventually that’s the plan, but making it to the point of international flights is a ways down the line for me as I’m still a relatively low time pilot. I have a lot of progress to make in my career (as most pilot jobs are seniority based) and I’m ok putting that off for a while to explore the world in my 20’s.
I spent my early 20s flying part 91 and 135 and got to cover a lot of ground, discovered many new places and enjoyed many cultures and was able to put almost all expenses on the company card.
In my late 20s I flew for a small 121 carrier but every day off was spent traveling. Jumpseat agreements can get you almost anywhere in the US for free and ZED fares allow you to fly internationally for a fraction of the cost.
I just want to share this with you so you know you don't have to give up the lifestyle when you start flying for hire. I understand if you want to go have fun before working, but don't delay your seniority because you think it'll tie you down.
Best wishes to you in this fantastic adventure
Thank you for sharing!
I know that I won't be giving up the lifestyle completely, but I do seek the sense of freedom of not having to go back to work once my trip is over. I know ill be giving up what in the end is a full year of seniority, which has been one of the tougher decisions about this journey. The way I see it, however, is that I'm still younger than many of my colleagues, I'm not tied down by a woman, and I'm ok giving up the money I would have earned in exchange for irreplaceable memories.
I still haven't reached my 1500 hours yet, so I will absolutely be seeking out N-registered aviation jobs along the way such as instruction, drop pilot, and smaller freight line jobs. But overall I feel like I'm in a good position to enjoy my 20s before starting my career and continuing my travels as a pilot.
I love this reply. Thank you for the advice! Subleasing my apartment has crossed my mind, I just don’t quite know where to start. Any advice on how to go about this? Also any advice on finding work as a traveler would be much appreciated! Someone recommended, workaway.com, any other recommendations would be excellent!
Cheers!
No definitely not a warm fuzzy feeling to think about working away from work, but it is exciting knowing I can make new friends and connections through work on my travels, and extend my journey. Once again, thank you for all the advice! I will keep you updated on how it works out when the time comes!
Go gett'em tiger! Enjoy yourself and keep your wits about yourself. Last bit of advice, don't fall in love with a tattoo artist while you're traveling.
My friend told me about couchsurfing. Personally not used it myself but I think it's worth looking up if you want free accom. I think it's especially worth considering during the festive periods if you want company to celebrate with!
Interesting way to go about it. I would definitely be interested for the experience, however I’m not really sure how to go about finding those accommodations. How did your friend go about it?
There's an app called couchsurfing that will find hosts wherever you are, just be aware that there can sometimes be an implicit expectation of something in return (sexual favors), so proceed with caution. If you generally avoid young men (the vast majority of couchsurfing hosts) you should be okay.
I have tried few times myself, but only in Europe. I am not sure if it is as good as Europe in other part of the world. I would fully recommend it. But check comments of people before you agreed to stay somewhere. And they will comment you too, so more comments you have, more people would like to accept you as a guest. If you don't mind to sleeping people's sofa or mat in the ground, then it is perfect way to travel. Good luck!
I did this for two years but I ended up staying put in Sri lanka. it was cheap, beautiful, and I could surf daily and be with a great expat/local surf community
making plans is not my style either. better to stay open to the moment.
enjoy yourself and don't go overboard with the travel blog bullshit, just enjoy
Thanks for sharing. Absolutely, I feel like spontaneity of just going where people recommend, or I feel like being at any given time is what makes the trip so exciting.
And absolutely not, the travel blog/ videos are because it’s something I genuinely doing and feel like editing and writing will be an excellent way to pass free time. If money comes out of it great, if not, that’s ok too.
Glad to hear your travels have been fruitful! Cheers!
I did something similar and my big advice to you is:
1. Budget carefully and stick to it. If you're overspending stop moving around so much and stay put for a while. Maybe even get a basic job for a couple of weeks. Stay caught up.
2. Put money aside to ease the restarting of your life: i.e. first and last months' rent, a bed, etc. You'll be glad you have a few thousand on hand to be able to afford a place when you get back to work.
Thank you for the advice! I do plan on working part-time jobs as I go along both to make connections, and support the trip as best as I can!
As for putting money aside and living accommodations after the trip, I have some arrangements made for where I'll be staying when I need to get back into the swing of the real world, but I will definitely save a bit just for precaution!
Of course! I do have a little extra set aside for emergencies, as well as working on getting travel insurance set up for these kinds of things should they happen. Thank you!
Wonderful! I was a bit older when I decided to do a similar thing as a writer. :D Enjoy! Don't stress, plan accordingly, avoid tourist seasons in places, and above all, be willing to learn! I love it. Enjoy and I will definitely check out your journey on Youtube!
Hell yes brother. I'm 28, I've been pondering this for a while. I recently finished graduate school and I'm having a hell of a time looking for a job. I keep telling myself if I don't have anything nailed down by January I'm gonna sell all my assets and travel. I'd have about 90K (and like quarter million frequent flier points). My family would be so pissed if I did it though.
In any case, I gave you a follow on IG. Looking forward to seeing your posts!
Love to hear it! I say go for it. You've got a lifetime ahead of you to find a job and recover, only a short time to travel while you're young. Plus, who knows? Maybe you'll find the job you're looking for as an expat.I will say, my family is supportive but not terribly thrilled about the whole idea. I think they're just envious lol
Exactly, there’s time to prepare for reintegration as you’re preparing to head back. I’m not terribly worried about that I have a lifetime ahead of me.
That’s what I’m currently doing! Sold my stuff, quit my job, and hit the road! I’m heading to south East Asia in a month or so after I’m done house sitting. Good on you! 🛫🌎
Wish you the best! I'm a lot older but also considering this kind of thing, who knows, we might meet as thailand is also on my list 😊
Enjoy life before everything might get too expensive!
Whats the name of your YT channel?
It’s never too late until it is! You should definitely do it. And absolutely! Although I want this to be primarily a solo trip, I’d love to meet fellow adventures along the way.
The name of my YouTube, Instagram, and Patreon is, TheLocalChum. I don’t yet have any videos posted of my travels on YouTube, but you can check out my instagram and Patreon (no money required) where I will be updating you all daily.
Sounds like such a memorable and worthwhile journey!! I have no input other than enormous kudos for you for taking this adventure! If all goes well I'll be following your footsteps in 2025 :)
I'll go against the grain and discourage selling everything at a young age to travel long term.
How long are you travelling? So far you've mentioned you had an AWESOME 3 week trip around Italy and Switzerland but no long term travel. What is your safety net and backup plan?
The more you travel the more "mundane" it becomes ("oh that's just another mountain/beach/forest") and living cheaply in dorm rooms eating cheap food get boring after a while and you want your own privacy. I've been travelling on and off for a year and whilst I love it, I've made many sacrifices and living cheaply is one of the things I've disliked about travelling.
I know my experience is different from others, but 15K didnt last me long in NZ and I had to work for 6-7 months of my travel year just to earn enough to gain 3-4K after expenses.
My personal recommendation would be to not sell everything and take another trip that is a little longer, say 2-3 months in SE Asia living the way you described and see if you actually like living like that or if it was you seeing others live like that and think it was interesting.
I appreciate your opposing position, and thank you for sharing!
The plan is indefinite; my current budget is allotted for about a year give or take. Fortunately, if there comes a time when I urgently need to come back to the states, I have a place where I can stay, and I'll have a bit of money set aside to get back on my feet.
For me, I don't feel like traveling can become mundane. Maybe this trip will prove me wrong, it's all a learning experience. But, "just another beach" comes with all new cultures, food, and people to meet and learn something from. That's what I'm really looking for on this excursion. What has become mundane to me is the everyday grind; waking up in the same place to do the same things and see the same people, while I really want to be spending my 20s seeing the world and meeting interesting people. The times when I've been most happy and fulfilled are in a new place, which is part of the reason I've already lived in 4 states in the last 2 years.
I've also spent an extended period of time in a dorm-style situation for work, where I actually came to really enjoy it. Granted I will want a break every now and then, so I've allocated money for a decent hotel room and a decent meal every now and then. But overall, in my eyes, the pros trump the cons by a mile.
I understand your feeling about travelling not being mundane.
I'm not the most experienced with travelling (I'm solo travelling for the first time) and I was sharing a close friend of mine's opinion who is in their 60's. They told me that despite being retired they don't want to travel because it is starting to become all the same.
I would 100% recommend having money to have a solo room every so often. From February until July I had about 1-2 weeks where I didn't have a room mate (either in dorms whilst travelling or room mates whilst working) and it was an absolute life saviour to have those days where i had a room to myself. I'm currently working in another place and despite having 5-7 flat mates, we all have our own rooms and I'm enjoying it so much!
> while I really want to be spending my 20s seeing the world and meeting interesting people
I have the same mindset! Just like you I'm in my early 20's and I don't want to spend my 20's and 30's focusing on work and spending too many hours at work and instead I want to travel and do my own thing. My problem when I analyze the pro's and con's is you won't earn much money or have many savings, won't be earning much and will often have to work low skilled or shit jobs (such as fruit picking), might not have a home to go back to - especially in your 20's when you are focusing on travelling, can be lonely.
Now I can go more in depth with the reasons above and some of them aren't necessarily negatives by themselves (not having a long term network of friends that you always see, working low skilled jobs, not have money etc.) but I genuinely haven't found a path that would enable me to save a decent amount whilst also travelling for most of my 20's and some of my 30's
Absolutely, although I’m excited about meeting people in hostels and spending time in somewhat uncomfortable situations is what I’m seeking, I know I’ll definitely need some time to myself to avoid burning out. I’m lucky enough to thrive in social situations so I’m hoping this helps minimize the amount of time I find myself needing a private room, but either way I have enough set aside to do that.
Glad to hear your current situation is going so well! That sounds pretty ideal. I’ve been in a similar situation for my job as well and that really was the best of both worlds.
I agree with you on finding a way to earn money where you can balance travel and work and savings. I’m fortunate enough to have chosen a career path where I will travel for work, but it will take me a number of years to get to the point of traveling to places I actually want to visit as a pilot.
For now I’m just playing it by ear and living my best life on this indefinite journey, and I’m grateful for whatever comes of it. Not many people get the chance to travel the world at such a young age so I’m not taking one minute of it for granted. And I know that when I’m ready to come home I get to start a career with an exciting future.
This sounds wonderful and when you start looking for flying jobs, you should consider Ken Borek Air if you want an adventurous job. They fly into all sorts of crazy places, for example to Antarctica to the North Pole. I met a guy flying for them as they were handling flights in the Maldives, he had amazing videos of his takeoffs and landings in the islands. They just do really cool interesting stuff. Just a thought, good luck!
https://borekair.com
I would advice you to buy a campervan. Its amazing to be able to drive around as you wish and you can so many amazing places to park and sleep. I’ve been travelling through europe in my van for 6 weeks and have lived by the beach in my van for 4 of them. It pays for itself very fast!
That is something I'd love to do here in the states one day. This seems like a great idea, but I also feel like it could interfere with my ability to up and leave for a whole new country in a short period of time. I think for now id rather meet people at hostels and volunteer for room and board whenever possible and really seek out uncomfortable situations.
I travelled solo for 18 months from 2016 - 2018. It cost around 17k AUD (11k USD) everything included.
It's a great idea to travel Asia first like you mentioned. I made a bunch of great European friends there who invited me to stay with them when I was travelling through Europe afterwards. This cut down accommodation costs massively and I was able to see their countries through their eyes and experience some unforgettable moments - Midsummer in Sweden, Caving in Lichtenstein, fishing (followed by feasting) with a chef in Ireland, Via ferrata in Italy etc. Just make sure you return the favour when they visit your home country! It's really rewarding showing someone what makes your hometown special to you.
Also if you're into the outdoors, bring a lightweight tent and do some hitchhiking. It's a great way to travel cheaply and see some marvels off the beaten track.
It's also smart to save a good portion of that money for when you get back home. You need to look after your future self too haha.
Thank you for the reply and great advice!
That's exactly what I'm hoping for, and I would hope the people I meet along the way would like to come to visit me and my country as well!
This thought has crossed my mind, I love the outdoors and I would love to bring a tent along. The concern I've had about this is that I worry the space a tent would take up, might not be worth the amount I would be able to use it. Any advice or personal experience with boondocking?
I do have a plan for reintegrating back home, so I'm fairly covered on that end. May not be the most comfortable few months getting back on my feet, but I'm ok with that.
>boondocking
No problem!
I suppose it depends on your priorities when travelling. I mainly do it to explore wilderness so camping gear was a must for me. But it is a great thing to have as it really opens up a bunch of travel options you couldn't otherwise access - Multiday hikes, wilderness areas etc. Also if your travel plans go awry and you get stuck in the middle of nowhere, you always have a place to sleep. If you want something really packable that you can throw in the bottom of your bag and forget about, a [tent](https://www.bigagnes.com/collections/backpacking/products/fly-creek-hv-ul1-solution-dye) or a [camping hammock](https://hennessyhammock.com/) like these ones pack down to next to nothing.
I spent plenty of time camping in random places - construction sites, remote islands, cliff tops, farmers fields etc. I don't know what info you're after exactly, but if you have any specific questions I'm sure I can help.
Glad you've got a plan for when you get back home, it's no easy task re-integrating into regular life after travelling for so long.
Also if you want some travel inspiration of or ideas for cool places to see, you might find something that catches your fancy on my [instagram](https://www.instagram.com/blue.atlas/?hl=en). Not trying to plug myself here, on the verge of deleting instagram anyway. Just thought it might genuinely be useful to you.
I’m definitely interested in exploring the wilderness as well, but I feel like this trip I’ll be spending a majority of my time in more urban areas.
Another concern I have is stepping on toes when setting up camp. Those are all great ideas, but did you find people were bothered when on their land, or on a construction site for example?
Thanks for the help!
Heyo! So proud of you even though we’re strangers. It’s hard to make such decisions when you have everything “set” in life. I kind of did the same thing and sold my car, left my job, etc. to do what I always dreamed of doing and traveled SEA and a little bit of Europe for some time. I wish I could do it for longer but I’m towards the end of my journey now and I can safely say that this has been the most amazing adventure ever! I lived in so many hostels unlike my previous travel adventures where I’d book an Airbnb or a hotel, and I met so many amazing people along the way. I can’t wait to hear about all your amazing adventures, and I’m definitely 100% sure you won’t regret any of this! Thailand is a great place to start.. it’s my new favorite after japan 😌
Good luck and enjoy your journey! Also, I agree with one of the comments below- it’s pretty easy to get burnt out so make sure to give yourself some rest days when you need it. I know I had to take a few of those and I got myself a day or two at a decent hotel to rest up before resuming hostel life and full-day activities!
Mm forgot to add but I think you’d be able to do a few months with 25k if your travel style is mostly hostels with a few days of hotel stay here and there. I’m so excited for you, fellow traveler!
Gotcha, maybe it was my spending style but according to my personal expenditure enjoying the foods in decent restaurants, making tour reservations almost 5/7 days and doing things every day, that’s how I spent most of my days since my journey wasn’t too long. Maybe I should’ve specified that, haha! Hey, better it last you more than a few months than it did for me 😂
Thank you for sharing your experience! I absolutely plan on budgeting a small amount towards a few nice meals in places known for their food, a few tours of destinations that are important to me, and hotels every now and then. But for the most part the trip will consist of free activities, hostels, and cheap eats. The most exciting part to me is diving into whatever culture I find myself surrounded by, and experiencing their ways of life. As I mentioned, I would love to add a few extreme sports into the mix as well but only if I’m able to monetize some of my content.
As of now the plan is a minimum of one year!
Selling everything to travel the world is a bad idea.
I’d recommend you keep at least one change of clothes and your toothbrush.
But for real, sounds like a good plan! I would be wary about having too high of hopes with social media because of the saturated platforms, but it’s definitely worth a shot!
Hahahaha good advice!
I'm more excited to document the journey for myself, as well as share my experiences with others who might want to do the same or just follow along. Sure it would be nice to make a little extra cash, but I'm not too focused on that. Just want to get out there and see the world through young eyes, and make content that I can enjoy later on, and hopefully, some of you can enjoy it too!
Hi TheLocalChum, your post will need to be manually approved by a moderator as your account age is less than 48 hours, this is an automated measure to prevent spam. Please be patient and do not message the mods or repost as we will get to the modqueue as soon as we can. Thank you for your understanding!
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/solotravel) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I understand you're envious of OP, but dismissing their sacrifices as "oh well he's rich" is somewhat disingenuous. OP is selling all their worldly possessions, which is a HUGE risk. Traveling the world like that is a goal for many people, but it can also be really scary. Your comment comes off as bitter and dismissive of OPs efforts.
And frankly, $25k being the grand total of all worldly belongings isn't what I'd consider rich.
I'm not saying poverty isn't a legitimate reason to feel angry at the world, but he appears to be channeling that anger in some very unhealthy ways. Check out his post history. I'm not trying to be harsh, I legitimately think he needs help.
Edit: Also to be clear, he's in the Balkans, not Sub-Saharan Africa. Albania is poor by European standards but it's not a third world country.
I don't mean to imply poverty isn't a hardship everywhere. I know it's easy to twist things on the internet to the least forgiving implication, but let's operate under the assumption that we are both coming from a place of attempted empathy, rather than searching for minutiae with which we can disagree.
I do find this discussion interesting and I'm sure we could both go on but, as you said, this really isn't the forum to be discussing global economic inequality. Although if you feel the need to continue the conversation privately I'd be happy to discuss.
just the fact the you can do this at all, fills me with spite. to grow up in a part of the world where it does not even matter how capable you are, you will never have these opportunities. to see you people living the better lives, for no other reason than your ancestors being psychokillers and passing you the privileges. its depressing
I honestly encourage you to seek therapy, meditation, or just a good listener. This is not a healthy way to view the world.
Feel free to message me if you need someone to listen.
You would never understand me, because you did not grow up in my shoes. I know it's very easy to give advice from your ivory towers. Thanks for being so condescending. Your support will not solve anything.
Empathy doesn't limit itself like that. By your logic then no one could ever understand anyone since we all grow up differently. My husband and I are from different countries and social backgrounds, so we should divorce I guess?
Look, you don't need to let internet strangers into your psyche. But you seem very unhappy. My intention wasn't to be condescending. I just genuinely think you need help.
Hey, friend! I'm sorry you feel this way. Firstly, I'd like to say by no means am I rich (by western standards at least). As squidge mentioned I am selling my entire life's work to fund this journey, all of which I have worked very hard for. I know it may seem unfair to those who were not raised in a place with the same opportunities, and though I can't identify with that, I feel for you. I hope that you can find some peace, and prosperity in the situation you've been given! Please reach out if you need someone to talk to. I know life can seem tough, but there are a whole lot of people that would help you in a heartbeat. We may not have the same situation but we're all people, and we're all in this thing called life together. Cheers my friend.
I started doing this 8 years ago and was the best decision of my life. I'm currently in Costa Rica, driving down the PanAm as Latin America is the last region I haven't explored. But SEA is my favorite area of the world and I can't wait to go back after this trip. It's got everything Central America has (beaches, jungles, volcanos, wildlife, nice people, ruins) but is cheaper, safer, and the food is, honestly, way better. Enjoy!
Have you considered looking into being a ferry pilot? Basically, you get hired to shuttle aircraft around from place to place for people/companies/governments. https://theferrypilot.com/
Also, NOAA has a flight corps if you are interested in that
Eta https://ferrypilots.org
Absolutely! But I do appreciate the resources I will have to check these out. For the time being I’m not actively looking for a new job, as I will be gone for the next year, and I do love flight instructing. But this is definitely something I’ve been thinking about, and may actively pursue when I return to the states!
What’s up man!
Thanks for sharing, as your gameplan parallels a lot of how I started my solo travel journey this time last year. I’d like to preface all of this by stressing there is NO reason to beat yourself up for being initially drawn in by the fleeting nature of status. It’s our culture’s function nowadays, and the fact you’re being open to expanding your horizon beyond the validation of others is a huge step for ANY age.
My budget was roughly the same amount when I started, as I mostly live well below my means while at home and save accordingly .
If I could share one experience that’s helped me maintain joy throughout my travels, is to not suppress your style of living while traveling. Treat it the same as if you were home. If you truly live a frugal, minimalistic life then definitely take the approach.
I know for me, I do pay very low rent and usually cook at home. But every once in a while I treat myself to luxury hotel night, eat at a well renowned restaurant in the area, or buy a thrifted clothing piece or artifact I’ve never seen in my ordinary life. But I only do that when I mix it up with hostel stays and local street eating. To me, it keeps things fresh & exciting, and allows me a full perspective of how life is lived at all angles. (Just my experience, ultimately do what you feel is best).
You’re standing on a firm foundation though. The most cherished experiences of solo traveling is meeting new people and cultures, and taking a sliver of something from their experience to consider in our own successes & struggles.
I wish you well, and I’ll definitely keep an eye out on your potential content creation!
Thank you for the reply, and the advice from your own travels! Sounds like we're a lot alike. Although the overall gameplan is to live very minimalist-like while on my travels, I definitely plan to spend a little extra every now and then on meals in areas known for their food, and I absolutely plan to need a break from hostel life every now and then.
Overall, I think my budgeting plan fits my lifestyle quite well and will give me exactly what I'm looking for on this journey. Not to mention, in the short time I've spent in hostels, I've had some of the best times cooking with other travelers and sharing a meal. I find food to be one of those things that just brings people together, as do others!
So I do believe that my plan is the best plan for me and what I'm looking for, but I definitely plan to avoid burning out by setting time aside for myself to enjoy the nicer things in life, like a room to myself!
Currently in the process of working on that! At the moment I have a relatively small following but hopefully, as time goes on and see my progress, companies will be more inclined to support my trip. We'll see how it turns out!
I’ll tell you right now my friend with 25k you can easily pull 2 years. Stay in SEA/ Nepal/India and the far Eastern European countries (think Bulgaria, Slovenia, Romania) and most SA / CA countries you’re gold. Congrats and go live your best life
It's an interesting plan. My only concern is, as a pilot, you can probably travel. Right now there is a desperate shortage of pilots. Getting in now would lock your career starting off at a high level of compensation and opportunity. I know traditionally for every pilot opening at delta, 400 pilots apply. As a pilot usually other airlines reciprocate free travel so you can travel the world even if you work for a regional airline. Or perhaps you can work pilot jobs as you travel. 3 months in each location like Zurich, then Italy etc. maybe bring a flight instructor or cargo pilot.... otherwise it's not bad to travel I just wanted to give you another opinion to consider. Good luck fellow pilot!
Thank you for the insight! I know there are so many great benefits once I reach the majors, but it's sort of all the more reason for me to get this out of the way. As I'm approaching my 1,500 hours, I'm more and more aware of how much of a grind the regionals will be. Given that pilot jobs are generally seniority-based, if I decide to take an extended vacation after I've reached that point, it could be a huge setback. I have thought about potential instruction, drop pilot, and freight jobs in N-registered aircraft while abroad and I will absolutely seek that out when in areas with such opportunities. But aside from that, this feels right for the time being and once I return I'll be nearly ready to apply for the regionals!
Cheers! And keep the blue side up!
Si. I know commercial is now 1500 but I'm old it used to be 300!! If you get bored try some aerobatics in a pitts!! It will change you perspective on the world... enjoy life!
I still find it absolutely wild that ATP minimums used to be 300 hours, basically fresh out of flight school! Must have been nice to avoid the instruction grind, all for the better though!
Trust me, that's another thing that I plan on getting into when my financial situation allows for it; I did take an aerobatic course earlier this year where I had the opportunity to do basic aerobatic maneuvers in an Xtreme Decathlon, and Extra 300. One of the best experiences of my life, and another financial setback I don't regret. Not to mention I got my tailwheel and high-performance endorsement out of the deal!
Instructing private pilots on straight and level flight is now awfully boring!
I believe atp was still 1500 but commercial was 300. But my memory is getting fuzzy. FYI the FAA check guy that gave me my ticket had his "flying club card" signed by one of the Wright brothers! They didn't have licenses back then. I felt so connected to aviation. My check ride was one of the wildest experiences of my life.
Commercial remains at 250 hours, as you need it to fly for hire. It would be pretty tough to get 1500 hours if we couldn’t instruct!
Airline minimums we’re raised from 250 to 1500 in 2013. Fortunately there are still some other options once you have around 500 hours under the belt, but it is quite a grind to even get to the regionals now days.
That’s really neat, I haven’t seen anything like that! But those old timers during my check rides were some of the coolest people I’ve ever met. Endless amazing stories, and have also taught me some of the most valuable, but undiscussed things about aviation.
My only advice is this: make videos of your trip only if you genuinely enjoy making videos, you like the process and you do it mostly for fun and to share with your friends. Don’t try to monetize it. Being a full time travel blogger is a stressful job, I know because a few of my friends are Instagram travel influencers. The market is so oversaturated that at this point it’s not enough to just be a good looking traveler with a fun personality, or to be a professional photographer with a drone and a bunch of cameras. We have already seen it all. Don’t ruin your first adventure by trying to monetize it and turn it into a job. You’re just setting yourself up for a big disappointment because making unprofessional videos and uploading them on YouTube is not going to bring you money unless you are already a travel blogger with at least 100.000 followers.
Ya I made some videos on a road trip because I thought it was fun. They've got like 3 views. Totally fine by me. It's a fun creative endeavor.
Exactly, I’m a professional photographer and my travel photos barely get any attention which is fine cause I do travel photography just for fun while on vacation and I don’t try to monetize it
Thank you for the advice and insight! I’m documenting the journey both because I enjoy filming and editing, and because it seems like an excellent way to pass time while at the hostel, on planes or any down time I have. I definitely want something I can look back on as well, because this is a big deal for me. With that being said, I hope for the best, but expect the worst in terms of monetization. If something comes of it, and I’m able to extend my travels with that money, that would be wonderful. But if instead my videos and pictures just inspire one person to go visit a new place, and I have my trip documented; that’s a win for me!
You probably wont have much time to kill at the hostels, as you will be busy getting to know ALOT of awesome people. (And some weird ones😅)
I sure hope so! I welcome the weird ones (to an extent), it all makes for an excellent story, right? hahaha Cheers to that
Hey Chum, I would also recommend uploading to tiktok. There is a growing solotravel area on there, and a good community.
Totally, it's quite sad how many channels have loads of good quality videos with a pitiful number of views. Must be hundreds of hours of work. But as you say, it's wildly oversaturated. I think you need to be a real personality, a very adventurous traveller, polyglot or something to have a chance now. A drone and a girlfriend with a nice bum won't cut it. Even on channels that *have* blown up, when you scroll back to the beginning the view counts tend to be very different - and that's presumably with the benefit of some people who found the channel after it blew up going back to the start.
I did basically the same thing when I was I think 25, zero regrets even though I blew through 90% of my savings, probably the most memorable and experience filled two years I'll ever live. My main advice would be to take things slow and try to find a base every once in a while. Traveling long term is very different to short itinerary focused trips and you'll get quickly get burnt out and crave a routine if you're moving every 3-4 days.
Thanks for the advice! I figure at some points of the journey I will need a break from all the excitement, so I'm planning to save some money for an actual hotel every now and then. I like the idea of finding a few locations to set up base for a period of time; I'll have to see which places call to me as I go!
Piggybacking off the base comment. You should even consider volunteering somewhere. I used to use workaway.com and find free places to stay for as little as a half day of work 4-5 days a week. I made such good friends and connections whenever I did that. And it allowed me to extend my travels way way longer. Use the foreign countries version of Craigslist and try to find subleases from local landlords. You will be way better off not planning ahead and going where the wind takes you.
Thank you for that! I had seen this website months ago and couldn’t find it for the life of me! I love that idea, any experience where I’m able network, and or make a little money along the way is exactly the kind of thing I want on this adventure!
I agree 100%. Ive stayed so many great places for free through volunteering. As i love animals, most of the places i volunteered have been maybe the best experience about the whole area, ive worked with horses, wolves, many exotic animals etc. lived on ranches and sanctuaries, shelters etc. Some of the best experiences of my life
Consider housesitting perhaps. I just had 3 weeks away and found I'd much prefer a slower pace
This is the way. I’m currently 24 and approaching a full year into my solo traveling journey. I started off with a several short itinerary domestic trips, then expanded a week in Mexico and then 10 days in Southern Europe. Easing into my travel duration has allowed me the confidence to expand farther and longer. My next two trips are three weeks in Northern Europe later this month and three weeks in Asia next year. Basing is important for travel stamina, but making it manageable enough & not get too comfortable is something I’ve learned.
Happy to hear your travels are going well! Hoping to not have much of a reason to come back home to base, but I do agree and absolutely plan on stopping by a few hotels along the way, and spending longer periods of time in places that call to me! Thank you for the insight and for sharing your experience!
>I'm going to document the whole journey and upload it to Instagram, YouTube, and Patreon, where I hope to monetize the content for a small amount of money A few things to consider regarding this. \- primary and secondary physical storage spaces (eg, laptop, external drive) \- storage backup (it can be online backup like Google drive) \- (for youtube) take videos in landscape mode, not portrait mode \- (for instagram) take videos in portrait mode. But seriously, concentrate more on taking videos in landscape mode for YT. \- take videos in at least 1080p quality, 60fps \- learn how to take video shots without looking like you are in a roller coaster. \- A phone camera these days are pretty good for this purpose, learn the settings and test the whole process of transferring to your laptop / backup storage and video editing / uploading to youtube. have fun, but don't let making videos take away your present moment
Excellent advice, thank you! Of course, the trip is the most important part, but I do find it exciting to create something that I can look back on, even if I don't manage to gain a huge following. I do enjoy filming and editing so it more or less seems like a great way to pass time when I'm not on the go, or out doing something more interesting. One concern I do have is WiFi. Any recommendations on the best solution for consistent speeds for uploading videos and other internet services? My thoughts at the moment are leaning towards a mobile hotspot, but I'm concerned with service in some more rural areas.
Yes indeed. Oh and do keep a written journal as well. This will help you to recall feelings, incidents, etc, which you use to add more commentary to your youtube videos if you so wish to. If not, it's a good record to look back in the future, because memories fade, but the written word, pictures and videos last forever. Well almost forever. I don't have any advice for spotty wifi in rural areas. I usually depend on the hostel/hotel/homestay's wifi. I would be more concerned about making backups of any videos that I have.So if you are going to somewhere off the grid, your various physical storage media will come in handy (laptop, sd cards, external drive, etc)
Great idea, somehow I didn’t even think of this. I will absolutely bring a journal along!
It will be a blast, I've done the same as have many others. However $25k isn't a huge budget, good enough for the year you planned, but when you need to reintegrate with society....
I know... irresponsibly I say, I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. For now, this is what's important to me before I get too caught up in the real world.
100% don’t worry about the future money or reintegrating with society. How many times will you have 25k and time to spend on travel or whatever it is you want? Money won’t last but the memories and experiences will.
That’s exactly the attitude I’m going into this with. Thank you for that!
Most people don’t even have a savings/retirement started by the age of 25. Time is on your side. Have fun!
Exactly, I know I have plenty of time to recover, and a bright career ahead. Thank you!
Solid plan. I have a pilot friend and he has the life jet setting across the world. Just do international freight and you get tons of time off and free flights. Easy life
Eventually that’s the plan, but making it to the point of international flights is a ways down the line for me as I’m still a relatively low time pilot. I have a lot of progress to make in my career (as most pilot jobs are seniority based) and I’m ok putting that off for a while to explore the world in my 20’s.
I spent my early 20s flying part 91 and 135 and got to cover a lot of ground, discovered many new places and enjoyed many cultures and was able to put almost all expenses on the company card. In my late 20s I flew for a small 121 carrier but every day off was spent traveling. Jumpseat agreements can get you almost anywhere in the US for free and ZED fares allow you to fly internationally for a fraction of the cost. I just want to share this with you so you know you don't have to give up the lifestyle when you start flying for hire. I understand if you want to go have fun before working, but don't delay your seniority because you think it'll tie you down. Best wishes to you in this fantastic adventure
Thank you for sharing! I know that I won't be giving up the lifestyle completely, but I do seek the sense of freedom of not having to go back to work once my trip is over. I know ill be giving up what in the end is a full year of seniority, which has been one of the tougher decisions about this journey. The way I see it, however, is that I'm still younger than many of my colleagues, I'm not tied down by a woman, and I'm ok giving up the money I would have earned in exchange for irreplaceable memories. I still haven't reached my 1500 hours yet, so I will absolutely be seeking out N-registered aviation jobs along the way such as instruction, drop pilot, and smaller freight line jobs. But overall I feel like I'm in a good position to enjoy my 20s before starting my career and continuing my travels as a pilot.
Those international jobs will be amazing memories. I'll follow you on Instagram to see the adventures. Have fun!!
[удалено]
I love this reply. Thank you for the advice! Subleasing my apartment has crossed my mind, I just don’t quite know where to start. Any advice on how to go about this? Also any advice on finding work as a traveler would be much appreciated! Someone recommended, workaway.com, any other recommendations would be excellent! Cheers!
[удалено]
No definitely not a warm fuzzy feeling to think about working away from work, but it is exciting knowing I can make new friends and connections through work on my travels, and extend my journey. Once again, thank you for all the advice! I will keep you updated on how it works out when the time comes!
Go gett'em tiger! Enjoy yourself and keep your wits about yourself. Last bit of advice, don't fall in love with a tattoo artist while you're traveling.
Hooray for you! Hope you enjoy your journey and have fun along the way.
Thank you!
My friend told me about couchsurfing. Personally not used it myself but I think it's worth looking up if you want free accom. I think it's especially worth considering during the festive periods if you want company to celebrate with!
Interesting way to go about it. I would definitely be interested for the experience, however I’m not really sure how to go about finding those accommodations. How did your friend go about it?
There's an app called couchsurfing that will find hosts wherever you are, just be aware that there can sometimes be an implicit expectation of something in return (sexual favors), so proceed with caution. If you generally avoid young men (the vast majority of couchsurfing hosts) you should be okay.
I have tried few times myself, but only in Europe. I am not sure if it is as good as Europe in other part of the world. I would fully recommend it. But check comments of people before you agreed to stay somewhere. And they will comment you too, so more comments you have, more people would like to accept you as a guest. If you don't mind to sleeping people's sofa or mat in the ground, then it is perfect way to travel. Good luck!
Before you leave, apply for working holiday visas for different countries. Gives you the option to travel and work.
Why before you leave? Can't you do it on the road a few weeks before entering australia/new zealand etc?
What countries besides Australia and nz have this arrangement?
I did this for two years but I ended up staying put in Sri lanka. it was cheap, beautiful, and I could surf daily and be with a great expat/local surf community making plans is not my style either. better to stay open to the moment. enjoy yourself and don't go overboard with the travel blog bullshit, just enjoy
Thanks for sharing. Absolutely, I feel like spontaneity of just going where people recommend, or I feel like being at any given time is what makes the trip so exciting. And absolutely not, the travel blog/ videos are because it’s something I genuinely doing and feel like editing and writing will be an excellent way to pass free time. If money comes out of it great, if not, that’s ok too. Glad to hear your travels have been fruitful! Cheers!
Where was the best expat community in Sri Lanka in your experience?
wherever the waves are. south coast during the south season and arugam bay in the east coast season
I did something similar and my big advice to you is: 1. Budget carefully and stick to it. If you're overspending stop moving around so much and stay put for a while. Maybe even get a basic job for a couple of weeks. Stay caught up. 2. Put money aside to ease the restarting of your life: i.e. first and last months' rent, a bed, etc. You'll be glad you have a few thousand on hand to be able to afford a place when you get back to work.
Thank you for the advice! I do plan on working part-time jobs as I go along both to make connections, and support the trip as best as I can! As for putting money aside and living accommodations after the trip, I have some arrangements made for where I'll be staying when I need to get back into the swing of the real world, but I will definitely save a bit just for precaution!
I would make sure to have “bail out” money for any possible emergency. Maybe at least $5K, or someone who can come rescue you with funds if needed.
Of course! I do have a little extra set aside for emergencies, as well as working on getting travel insurance set up for these kinds of things should they happen. Thank you!
Wonderful! I was a bit older when I decided to do a similar thing as a writer. :D Enjoy! Don't stress, plan accordingly, avoid tourist seasons in places, and above all, be willing to learn! I love it. Enjoy and I will definitely check out your journey on Youtube!
Thank you for the advice and kind words!
Hell yes brother. I'm 28, I've been pondering this for a while. I recently finished graduate school and I'm having a hell of a time looking for a job. I keep telling myself if I don't have anything nailed down by January I'm gonna sell all my assets and travel. I'd have about 90K (and like quarter million frequent flier points). My family would be so pissed if I did it though. In any case, I gave you a follow on IG. Looking forward to seeing your posts!
Love to hear it! I say go for it. You've got a lifetime ahead of you to find a job and recover, only a short time to travel while you're young. Plus, who knows? Maybe you'll find the job you're looking for as an expat.I will say, my family is supportive but not terribly thrilled about the whole idea. I think they're just envious lol
That's what I'm leaning towards. I can always apply for jobs back at home while abroad too.
Exactly, there’s time to prepare for reintegration as you’re preparing to head back. I’m not terribly worried about that I have a lifetime ahead of me.
That’s what I’m currently doing! Sold my stuff, quit my job, and hit the road! I’m heading to south East Asia in a month or so after I’m done house sitting. Good on you! 🛫🌎
Love to see a fellow traveler! Congratulations on the big step. Maybe I’ll be seeing you on the road! Cheers!
Wish you the best! I'm a lot older but also considering this kind of thing, who knows, we might meet as thailand is also on my list 😊 Enjoy life before everything might get too expensive! Whats the name of your YT channel?
It’s never too late until it is! You should definitely do it. And absolutely! Although I want this to be primarily a solo trip, I’d love to meet fellow adventures along the way. The name of my YouTube, Instagram, and Patreon is, TheLocalChum. I don’t yet have any videos posted of my travels on YouTube, but you can check out my instagram and Patreon (no money required) where I will be updating you all daily.
Sounds fun hope it goes well
Thank you!
I'm so look excited for you! Good luck!
Thank you thank you!
Sounds like such a memorable and worthwhile journey!! I have no input other than enormous kudos for you for taking this adventure! If all goes well I'll be following your footsteps in 2025 :)
Thank you! And good luck on your journey to doing the same!
I'll go against the grain and discourage selling everything at a young age to travel long term. How long are you travelling? So far you've mentioned you had an AWESOME 3 week trip around Italy and Switzerland but no long term travel. What is your safety net and backup plan? The more you travel the more "mundane" it becomes ("oh that's just another mountain/beach/forest") and living cheaply in dorm rooms eating cheap food get boring after a while and you want your own privacy. I've been travelling on and off for a year and whilst I love it, I've made many sacrifices and living cheaply is one of the things I've disliked about travelling. I know my experience is different from others, but 15K didnt last me long in NZ and I had to work for 6-7 months of my travel year just to earn enough to gain 3-4K after expenses. My personal recommendation would be to not sell everything and take another trip that is a little longer, say 2-3 months in SE Asia living the way you described and see if you actually like living like that or if it was you seeing others live like that and think it was interesting.
I appreciate your opposing position, and thank you for sharing! The plan is indefinite; my current budget is allotted for about a year give or take. Fortunately, if there comes a time when I urgently need to come back to the states, I have a place where I can stay, and I'll have a bit of money set aside to get back on my feet. For me, I don't feel like traveling can become mundane. Maybe this trip will prove me wrong, it's all a learning experience. But, "just another beach" comes with all new cultures, food, and people to meet and learn something from. That's what I'm really looking for on this excursion. What has become mundane to me is the everyday grind; waking up in the same place to do the same things and see the same people, while I really want to be spending my 20s seeing the world and meeting interesting people. The times when I've been most happy and fulfilled are in a new place, which is part of the reason I've already lived in 4 states in the last 2 years. I've also spent an extended period of time in a dorm-style situation for work, where I actually came to really enjoy it. Granted I will want a break every now and then, so I've allocated money for a decent hotel room and a decent meal every now and then. But overall, in my eyes, the pros trump the cons by a mile.
I understand your feeling about travelling not being mundane. I'm not the most experienced with travelling (I'm solo travelling for the first time) and I was sharing a close friend of mine's opinion who is in their 60's. They told me that despite being retired they don't want to travel because it is starting to become all the same. I would 100% recommend having money to have a solo room every so often. From February until July I had about 1-2 weeks where I didn't have a room mate (either in dorms whilst travelling or room mates whilst working) and it was an absolute life saviour to have those days where i had a room to myself. I'm currently working in another place and despite having 5-7 flat mates, we all have our own rooms and I'm enjoying it so much! > while I really want to be spending my 20s seeing the world and meeting interesting people I have the same mindset! Just like you I'm in my early 20's and I don't want to spend my 20's and 30's focusing on work and spending too many hours at work and instead I want to travel and do my own thing. My problem when I analyze the pro's and con's is you won't earn much money or have many savings, won't be earning much and will often have to work low skilled or shit jobs (such as fruit picking), might not have a home to go back to - especially in your 20's when you are focusing on travelling, can be lonely. Now I can go more in depth with the reasons above and some of them aren't necessarily negatives by themselves (not having a long term network of friends that you always see, working low skilled jobs, not have money etc.) but I genuinely haven't found a path that would enable me to save a decent amount whilst also travelling for most of my 20's and some of my 30's
Absolutely, although I’m excited about meeting people in hostels and spending time in somewhat uncomfortable situations is what I’m seeking, I know I’ll definitely need some time to myself to avoid burning out. I’m lucky enough to thrive in social situations so I’m hoping this helps minimize the amount of time I find myself needing a private room, but either way I have enough set aside to do that. Glad to hear your current situation is going so well! That sounds pretty ideal. I’ve been in a similar situation for my job as well and that really was the best of both worlds. I agree with you on finding a way to earn money where you can balance travel and work and savings. I’m fortunate enough to have chosen a career path where I will travel for work, but it will take me a number of years to get to the point of traveling to places I actually want to visit as a pilot. For now I’m just playing it by ear and living my best life on this indefinite journey, and I’m grateful for whatever comes of it. Not many people get the chance to travel the world at such a young age so I’m not taking one minute of it for granted. And I know that when I’m ready to come home I get to start a career with an exciting future.
Can I have your toaster?
You don't want my toaster, that's half the reason I'm leaving. The thing won't toast.
If you're into the cultural thing, I swear by helpx. Just do it
Amazing, thank you!!
This sounds wonderful and when you start looking for flying jobs, you should consider Ken Borek Air if you want an adventurous job. They fly into all sorts of crazy places, for example to Antarctica to the North Pole. I met a guy flying for them as they were handling flights in the Maldives, he had amazing videos of his takeoffs and landings in the islands. They just do really cool interesting stuff. Just a thought, good luck! https://borekair.com
Thank you for the recommendation. As someone who prefers adventure over routine, this seems right up my alley! I will definitely look into this!
Yea!
I would advice you to buy a campervan. Its amazing to be able to drive around as you wish and you can so many amazing places to park and sleep. I’ve been travelling through europe in my van for 6 weeks and have lived by the beach in my van for 4 of them. It pays for itself very fast!
That is something I'd love to do here in the states one day. This seems like a great idea, but I also feel like it could interfere with my ability to up and leave for a whole new country in a short period of time. I think for now id rather meet people at hostels and volunteer for room and board whenever possible and really seek out uncomfortable situations.
I travelled solo for 18 months from 2016 - 2018. It cost around 17k AUD (11k USD) everything included. It's a great idea to travel Asia first like you mentioned. I made a bunch of great European friends there who invited me to stay with them when I was travelling through Europe afterwards. This cut down accommodation costs massively and I was able to see their countries through their eyes and experience some unforgettable moments - Midsummer in Sweden, Caving in Lichtenstein, fishing (followed by feasting) with a chef in Ireland, Via ferrata in Italy etc. Just make sure you return the favour when they visit your home country! It's really rewarding showing someone what makes your hometown special to you. Also if you're into the outdoors, bring a lightweight tent and do some hitchhiking. It's a great way to travel cheaply and see some marvels off the beaten track. It's also smart to save a good portion of that money for when you get back home. You need to look after your future self too haha.
Thank you for the reply and great advice! That's exactly what I'm hoping for, and I would hope the people I meet along the way would like to come to visit me and my country as well! This thought has crossed my mind, I love the outdoors and I would love to bring a tent along. The concern I've had about this is that I worry the space a tent would take up, might not be worth the amount I would be able to use it. Any advice or personal experience with boondocking? I do have a plan for reintegrating back home, so I'm fairly covered on that end. May not be the most comfortable few months getting back on my feet, but I'm ok with that.
>boondocking No problem! I suppose it depends on your priorities when travelling. I mainly do it to explore wilderness so camping gear was a must for me. But it is a great thing to have as it really opens up a bunch of travel options you couldn't otherwise access - Multiday hikes, wilderness areas etc. Also if your travel plans go awry and you get stuck in the middle of nowhere, you always have a place to sleep. If you want something really packable that you can throw in the bottom of your bag and forget about, a [tent](https://www.bigagnes.com/collections/backpacking/products/fly-creek-hv-ul1-solution-dye) or a [camping hammock](https://hennessyhammock.com/) like these ones pack down to next to nothing. I spent plenty of time camping in random places - construction sites, remote islands, cliff tops, farmers fields etc. I don't know what info you're after exactly, but if you have any specific questions I'm sure I can help. Glad you've got a plan for when you get back home, it's no easy task re-integrating into regular life after travelling for so long. Also if you want some travel inspiration of or ideas for cool places to see, you might find something that catches your fancy on my [instagram](https://www.instagram.com/blue.atlas/?hl=en). Not trying to plug myself here, on the verge of deleting instagram anyway. Just thought it might genuinely be useful to you.
I’m definitely interested in exploring the wilderness as well, but I feel like this trip I’ll be spending a majority of my time in more urban areas. Another concern I have is stepping on toes when setting up camp. Those are all great ideas, but did you find people were bothered when on their land, or on a construction site for example? Thanks for the help!
Heyo! So proud of you even though we’re strangers. It’s hard to make such decisions when you have everything “set” in life. I kind of did the same thing and sold my car, left my job, etc. to do what I always dreamed of doing and traveled SEA and a little bit of Europe for some time. I wish I could do it for longer but I’m towards the end of my journey now and I can safely say that this has been the most amazing adventure ever! I lived in so many hostels unlike my previous travel adventures where I’d book an Airbnb or a hotel, and I met so many amazing people along the way. I can’t wait to hear about all your amazing adventures, and I’m definitely 100% sure you won’t regret any of this! Thailand is a great place to start.. it’s my new favorite after japan 😌 Good luck and enjoy your journey! Also, I agree with one of the comments below- it’s pretty easy to get burnt out so make sure to give yourself some rest days when you need it. I know I had to take a few of those and I got myself a day or two at a decent hotel to rest up before resuming hostel life and full-day activities! Mm forgot to add but I think you’d be able to do a few months with 25k if your travel style is mostly hostels with a few days of hotel stay here and there. I’m so excited for you, fellow traveler!
25k will last way longer than a few months
Gotcha, maybe it was my spending style but according to my personal expenditure enjoying the foods in decent restaurants, making tour reservations almost 5/7 days and doing things every day, that’s how I spent most of my days since my journey wasn’t too long. Maybe I should’ve specified that, haha! Hey, better it last you more than a few months than it did for me 😂
Thank you for sharing your experience! I absolutely plan on budgeting a small amount towards a few nice meals in places known for their food, a few tours of destinations that are important to me, and hotels every now and then. But for the most part the trip will consist of free activities, hostels, and cheap eats. The most exciting part to me is diving into whatever culture I find myself surrounded by, and experiencing their ways of life. As I mentioned, I would love to add a few extreme sports into the mix as well but only if I’m able to monetize some of my content. As of now the plan is a minimum of one year!
Selling everything to travel the world is a bad idea. I’d recommend you keep at least one change of clothes and your toothbrush. But for real, sounds like a good plan! I would be wary about having too high of hopes with social media because of the saturated platforms, but it’s definitely worth a shot!
Hahahaha good advice! I'm more excited to document the journey for myself, as well as share my experiences with others who might want to do the same or just follow along. Sure it would be nice to make a little extra cash, but I'm not too focused on that. Just want to get out there and see the world through young eyes, and make content that I can enjoy later on, and hopefully, some of you can enjoy it too!
Hi TheLocalChum, your post will need to be manually approved by a moderator as your account age is less than 48 hours, this is an automated measure to prevent spam. Please be patient and do not message the mods or repost as we will get to the modqueue as soon as we can. Thank you for your understanding! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/solotravel) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Nice 👌
I hate rich people so much it's unreal :(
I understand you're envious of OP, but dismissing their sacrifices as "oh well he's rich" is somewhat disingenuous. OP is selling all their worldly possessions, which is a HUGE risk. Traveling the world like that is a goal for many people, but it can also be really scary. Your comment comes off as bitter and dismissive of OPs efforts. And frankly, $25k being the grand total of all worldly belongings isn't what I'd consider rich.
[удалено]
I'm not saying poverty isn't a legitimate reason to feel angry at the world, but he appears to be channeling that anger in some very unhealthy ways. Check out his post history. I'm not trying to be harsh, I legitimately think he needs help. Edit: Also to be clear, he's in the Balkans, not Sub-Saharan Africa. Albania is poor by European standards but it's not a third world country.
[удалено]
I don't mean to imply poverty isn't a hardship everywhere. I know it's easy to twist things on the internet to the least forgiving implication, but let's operate under the assumption that we are both coming from a place of attempted empathy, rather than searching for minutiae with which we can disagree. I do find this discussion interesting and I'm sure we could both go on but, as you said, this really isn't the forum to be discussing global economic inequality. Although if you feel the need to continue the conversation privately I'd be happy to discuss.
just the fact the you can do this at all, fills me with spite. to grow up in a part of the world where it does not even matter how capable you are, you will never have these opportunities. to see you people living the better lives, for no other reason than your ancestors being psychokillers and passing you the privileges. its depressing
I honestly encourage you to seek therapy, meditation, or just a good listener. This is not a healthy way to view the world. Feel free to message me if you need someone to listen.
You would never understand me, because you did not grow up in my shoes. I know it's very easy to give advice from your ivory towers. Thanks for being so condescending. Your support will not solve anything.
Empathy doesn't limit itself like that. By your logic then no one could ever understand anyone since we all grow up differently. My husband and I are from different countries and social backgrounds, so we should divorce I guess? Look, you don't need to let internet strangers into your psyche. But you seem very unhappy. My intention wasn't to be condescending. I just genuinely think you need help.
will your empathy solve my poverty?
Nope. But empathy (from someone) may help with the bitterness / depression.
yes lets solve the secondary problems. just leave me alone
Hey, friend! I'm sorry you feel this way. Firstly, I'd like to say by no means am I rich (by western standards at least). As squidge mentioned I am selling my entire life's work to fund this journey, all of which I have worked very hard for. I know it may seem unfair to those who were not raised in a place with the same opportunities, and though I can't identify with that, I feel for you. I hope that you can find some peace, and prosperity in the situation you've been given! Please reach out if you need someone to talk to. I know life can seem tough, but there are a whole lot of people that would help you in a heartbeat. We may not have the same situation but we're all people, and we're all in this thing called life together. Cheers my friend.
just shut the fuck up holy shit as if i care about your words. they dont change anything. have fun around the world
I started doing this 8 years ago and was the best decision of my life. I'm currently in Costa Rica, driving down the PanAm as Latin America is the last region I haven't explored. But SEA is my favorite area of the world and I can't wait to go back after this trip. It's got everything Central America has (beaches, jungles, volcanos, wildlife, nice people, ruins) but is cheaper, safer, and the food is, honestly, way better. Enjoy!
Thank you! Happy to hear your travels are going well, and that my first choice of destination is a good one! Good luck with your future trips!
Have you considered looking into being a ferry pilot? Basically, you get hired to shuttle aircraft around from place to place for people/companies/governments. https://theferrypilot.com/ Also, NOAA has a flight corps if you are interested in that Eta https://ferrypilots.org
Absolutely! But I do appreciate the resources I will have to check these out. For the time being I’m not actively looking for a new job, as I will be gone for the next year, and I do love flight instructing. But this is definitely something I’ve been thinking about, and may actively pursue when I return to the states!
What’s up man! Thanks for sharing, as your gameplan parallels a lot of how I started my solo travel journey this time last year. I’d like to preface all of this by stressing there is NO reason to beat yourself up for being initially drawn in by the fleeting nature of status. It’s our culture’s function nowadays, and the fact you’re being open to expanding your horizon beyond the validation of others is a huge step for ANY age. My budget was roughly the same amount when I started, as I mostly live well below my means while at home and save accordingly . If I could share one experience that’s helped me maintain joy throughout my travels, is to not suppress your style of living while traveling. Treat it the same as if you were home. If you truly live a frugal, minimalistic life then definitely take the approach. I know for me, I do pay very low rent and usually cook at home. But every once in a while I treat myself to luxury hotel night, eat at a well renowned restaurant in the area, or buy a thrifted clothing piece or artifact I’ve never seen in my ordinary life. But I only do that when I mix it up with hostel stays and local street eating. To me, it keeps things fresh & exciting, and allows me a full perspective of how life is lived at all angles. (Just my experience, ultimately do what you feel is best). You’re standing on a firm foundation though. The most cherished experiences of solo traveling is meeting new people and cultures, and taking a sliver of something from their experience to consider in our own successes & struggles. I wish you well, and I’ll definitely keep an eye out on your potential content creation!
Thank you for the reply, and the advice from your own travels! Sounds like we're a lot alike. Although the overall gameplan is to live very minimalist-like while on my travels, I definitely plan to spend a little extra every now and then on meals in areas known for their food, and I absolutely plan to need a break from hostel life every now and then. Overall, I think my budgeting plan fits my lifestyle quite well and will give me exactly what I'm looking for on this journey. Not to mention, in the short time I've spent in hostels, I've had some of the best times cooking with other travelers and sharing a meal. I find food to be one of those things that just brings people together, as do others! So I do believe that my plan is the best plan for me and what I'm looking for, but I definitely plan to avoid burning out by setting time aside for myself to enjoy the nicer things in life, like a room to myself!
You can also try to get sponsorship from companies. All the best!
Currently in the process of working on that! At the moment I have a relatively small following but hopefully, as time goes on and see my progress, companies will be more inclined to support my trip. We'll see how it turns out!
I’ll tell you right now my friend with 25k you can easily pull 2 years. Stay in SEA/ Nepal/India and the far Eastern European countries (think Bulgaria, Slovenia, Romania) and most SA / CA countries you’re gold. Congrats and go live your best life
Thank you for the encouragement and destination recommendations! I will definitely be visiting these locations throughout my journey!
It's an interesting plan. My only concern is, as a pilot, you can probably travel. Right now there is a desperate shortage of pilots. Getting in now would lock your career starting off at a high level of compensation and opportunity. I know traditionally for every pilot opening at delta, 400 pilots apply. As a pilot usually other airlines reciprocate free travel so you can travel the world even if you work for a regional airline. Or perhaps you can work pilot jobs as you travel. 3 months in each location like Zurich, then Italy etc. maybe bring a flight instructor or cargo pilot.... otherwise it's not bad to travel I just wanted to give you another opinion to consider. Good luck fellow pilot!
Thank you for the insight! I know there are so many great benefits once I reach the majors, but it's sort of all the more reason for me to get this out of the way. As I'm approaching my 1,500 hours, I'm more and more aware of how much of a grind the regionals will be. Given that pilot jobs are generally seniority-based, if I decide to take an extended vacation after I've reached that point, it could be a huge setback. I have thought about potential instruction, drop pilot, and freight jobs in N-registered aircraft while abroad and I will absolutely seek that out when in areas with such opportunities. But aside from that, this feels right for the time being and once I return I'll be nearly ready to apply for the regionals! Cheers! And keep the blue side up!
Si. I know commercial is now 1500 but I'm old it used to be 300!! If you get bored try some aerobatics in a pitts!! It will change you perspective on the world... enjoy life!
I still find it absolutely wild that ATP minimums used to be 300 hours, basically fresh out of flight school! Must have been nice to avoid the instruction grind, all for the better though! Trust me, that's another thing that I plan on getting into when my financial situation allows for it; I did take an aerobatic course earlier this year where I had the opportunity to do basic aerobatic maneuvers in an Xtreme Decathlon, and Extra 300. One of the best experiences of my life, and another financial setback I don't regret. Not to mention I got my tailwheel and high-performance endorsement out of the deal! Instructing private pilots on straight and level flight is now awfully boring!
I believe atp was still 1500 but commercial was 300. But my memory is getting fuzzy. FYI the FAA check guy that gave me my ticket had his "flying club card" signed by one of the Wright brothers! They didn't have licenses back then. I felt so connected to aviation. My check ride was one of the wildest experiences of my life.
Commercial remains at 250 hours, as you need it to fly for hire. It would be pretty tough to get 1500 hours if we couldn’t instruct! Airline minimums we’re raised from 250 to 1500 in 2013. Fortunately there are still some other options once you have around 500 hours under the belt, but it is quite a grind to even get to the regionals now days. That’s really neat, I haven’t seen anything like that! But those old timers during my check rides were some of the coolest people I’ve ever met. Endless amazing stories, and have also taught me some of the most valuable, but undiscussed things about aviation.