How to Travel the World: 5 Practical Steps to go from Static to Nomadic

How to travel the world? This can seem like an overwhelming question. However, when you break it down to practical steps it is very possible.

I have quit my job and gone on long-term world travels three times. I will use my experience and share actionable steps that I have used to go from wanderlust to worldwide travel!

To travel the world:

1. Generate ideas (dream big for a minute!)
2. Research destinations and travel methods
3. Decide: Where, What, When, How
4. Budget and save for the trip
5. Get visas, documents and paperwork
6. Book your travel
7. Get going!

In this article, I will go through each of the seven steps listed with action items to help you start planning, and embarking on, your world travels.

Generate Ideas

There is no one right way to travel. You may want to do a three-month trip through South America, hopscotch around the world trip over a shorter time using paid time off or you may want to pack it all in at home and do a one-way ticket to the other side of the world!

For me, I usually do 2 – 4 weeks using paid time off and keeping my full-time job or, the total opposite, I will quit my job, secure a visa that allows me to work in another country and head off for 12 months.

You don’t need to know how you are going to do it or even how you are going to afford it, we can figure that out later, but what do you want to do? What dream is burning inside you? What idea makes you feel most alive and excited?

Actions:

1. Brain-dump all your travel ideas onto a piece of paper.
2. Journal on the topic of “How long will I travel for”; Consider your dreams, and responsibilities and get in touch with your intuition and gut feeling.

Research Destinations and Travel Methods

It’s time to start researching! Get on Google and start looking into all of the areas you would like to visit. Visit your local bookstore for travel guides.

First research the destinations:

• How to get there, flight prices etc.
• Things to do
• How long it is recommended to explore the area
• Visa requirements and your eligibility
• The political situation and any social unrest
• Cost of living/travel
• Locations you want to travel to

Next, consider travel methods:

• Are you backpacking, budget travel, mid-range or high-end?
• Will you be working when you travel?
• Digitally or finding work locally?
• Will you do volunteer work?
• Will you be staying for a couple of days or a couple of months at each destination? Or even longer?
• Consider accommodation; hotels, Airbnbs, hostels, work exchanges, house and pet sitting

Decide: Where, What, When, How

Now that you have completed your research it is time to make some decisions.

Decide:

• Where you want to go
• What you are going to do there (the activities you want to do and also if you are going for ‘vacation’ or longer term slow travel)
• When you are going
• How long you are going to travel for

Budgeting and saving

Now that we have a clear idea of exactly what type of travel you will be doing we can start looking at the money aspect!

Using the information gathered above you can put together a budget to see how much will need to save to get going and how much you will need to when travelling the world.

Using these budgets set a savings goal and start working towards it. If the costs are too high consider looking at alternative ways of travelling that will reduce your costs. You can also earn as you travel which means your travel can be endless.

Get visas, documents and other paperwork

Now that you know where you are going and are working towards your savings goals it’s time to start taking some action!

Start the process of applying for visas, apply for your passport or ensure that it is in date, find the right insurance for you and book your first few nights’ accommodation.

Set price alerts for your destination and when you are ready, book the flight!

Get Going!

The time will be here before you know it! It is easy to dream but not always so easy to do. If you have read this far I know that you will be one of the ones that is brave and bold in your life and do it, you got this!

Summary

Travelling the world is one of the best things you will ever do! The memories will enrich your life and remain with you always. How to get started with the planning and first steps can be overwhelming but hopefully these actionable on how to travel the world helped.

See you on the road.