I've been thinking about how long-term travel is often portrayed as the ultimate escape from the usual routine. No office, no repetitive days, new places whenever you feel like moving.

But I wonder what happens once the excitement wears off and traveling becomes your normal everyday life.

Do you eventually start missing having a home, familiar faces, and a stable routine? Or does the freedom genuinely make up for all of that?

I'm especially curious to hear from people who've been traveling for a year or longer.

Looking back, are you actually happier than before you started traveling? And what's something about this lifestyle that nobody really warned you about?

Hi,

I often see that people who travel long term either have remote jobs, own companies, have investments that allow them to stop working, have large savings to keep them going, or have houses/apartments they rent.

I used to work remotely which allowed me to travel a bit, but I burnt out badly. The longing for travel isn’t gone though.

So I’d love to hear from those of you who have different ways of finding your travels - seasonal jobs, crafts, creative ways of earning money, etc. just curious to learn about all the different ways of making it work and perhaps get some inspiration for myself:)

Doing 4 weeks in Southeast Asia and trying to stay carry-on only with a 35L. Some people swear they've done months out of 30L, others say 35L barely covers a weekend. For anyone who's actually done 3+ weeks at this size, how many outfits, what did you skip, what was a waste of space?

Doing 4 weeks in Southeast Asia and trying to stay carry-on only with a 35L. Some people swear they've done months out of 30L, others say 35L barely covers a weekend. For anyone who's actually done 3+ weeks at this size, how many outfits, what did you skip, what was a waste of space?

What’s been the best place to stay in Italy for a few months, to learn Italian and live a chilled life? Not too busy not too quiet

Hello! My girlfriend and I are travelling to the EU at the end of December with family for a month. We want to spend April, May and June back there for summer travelling. We are trying to find the cheapest places in February and March to save our 90 days.

Open to balkans and countries around Europe and also places like Thailand if that’s more feasible even with the flight cost. We are pretty happy just laying low for those 2 months to live as cheap as possible. Would also do pet or housesitting and wwoofing.

Any advice is appreciated!

Hello, I have 20k in savings. How do I plan a long-term trip through Asia? Where should I start?

I’ve interviewed A LOT of my Asian friends (I’m Asian myself, haha) on traveling and living in Asia. Asked for landmarks, places, etc. I have a good list of recommendations, but most people told me to not plan anything then experience traveling freely.

I’ve never traveled solo, never been in a hostel, etc. So, I’m worried about transportation, housing, and the language barrier. Likewise, I’m also a woman so I’m worried about safety.

I enjoy… nature, swimming, running, warm-weather, music, and art/design.

I need to go to Japan. Anything else, I’m open to suggestions!!!

Cuando empecé a viajar me propuse estar un montón de tiempo fuera de casa. Tenía un plan inicial pero poca conciencia de que ese plan iba a mutar muy rápidamente, estar de viaje hace que las cosas cambien constantemente. Nada permanece, ni las personas, ni las vibras de los lugares donde uno está, nada. Viajar es hermoso en mil sentidos, pero también es un curso acelerado de desapego. Estar de viaje te obliga a tener que resolver cosas todo el tiempo, a estar en movimiento, a socializar más de lo que quizás socializarías en un estilo de vida convencional, a tener que cortar con cosas abruptamente, a tomar decisiones apresuradas sin pensar en el giro total que darán a nuestra vida, etc. Viajar es excitante, pero también agotador.

A veces uno choca con los cambios constantes y simplemente quiere estar en un lugar donde se sienta en paz, dónde sienta que no tiene que resolver nada urgentemente, y vuelve a casa.

Volver a casa te tranquiliza y vuelve loco a la vez. Volves a ese lugar donde el lío es conocido, y eso te trae cierta paz. Volver a casa, en un principio, es como ver esa película que ya viste mil veces y te transmite esa sensación de ya saber de que va la cosa. El problema es que después de reflexionar un poco, te das cuenta de que no volviste a la misma casa, y peor, que no sos la misma persona, perteneces, pero no perteneces. Pasas una semana y querés volver a viajar urgente. Resignificas demasiadas cosas, y te das cuenta de que no es como pensabas al principio del viaje, volver a casa no fue un fracaso. Volver a casa fue un respiro, una necesidad, y por sobre todo una sorpresa. La sorpresa fué que tenías miedo de volver porque tenías miedo de volver a ser la misma persona, pero ya no lo sos.

Hey, TLDR, I have 10k in savings. I recently lost my job. I want to travel through Asia while applying for jobs and applying for my Japanese Ancestral Visa.

How long do you think I can travel with 10k? Should I try saving up more money before I head to Asia?

After switching to packing cubes and compartmentalizing my items, it takes far less time to repack then unpack.

If I need to, I can be packed in 10 minutes. But these days I take my time and I’ll be packed in 30 minutes. The same with unpacking. It takes me about 30 minutes to have my stuff organized for what I’ll need right away.

These are times when I stay in a hostel or if I’m only staying a few days. If I stay a week or more or in a hotel/private room, it takes me an hour to pack then unpack for a private room.

It think it takes longer because in a private room, I like to unpack and sort of move into the place. Like have all my books out, a small kitchen stash and electronics out.

What are some of your repacking and unpacking times? Is your experience similar? What causes you to take a bit more time?

Could 300,000 USD make me rich enough to travel the world?
I'm a single female and plan to start my journey at 40 years old. I'm currently 20 years old. My budget is roughly 300,000 USD. If there are any special places that capture my heart, I might increase the budget a bit. I also want to explore the entire world thoroughly, including Antarctica. It would be even better if I could go to the Arctic. I don't want to just visit popular tourist attractions. My travel destinations also include Madagascar, where there are some primitive villages with wild animals. Of course, Machu Picchu, Easter Island, and those are all essential. In short, I want to try to light up the map of \[the entire world\] as much as possible.
Even in economy class on the plane, I plan to carry only one backpack the whole time, so I don't need to purchase luggage allowance.
The most important expense is because I don't speak English and I'm also used to traveling with small groups. Additionally, considering that my physical condition might decline when I'm 40 years old, I plan to book a small group tour of 1 to a maximum of 6 people for the entire trip, or hire a local guide and driver who speaks Chinese.
Accommodation in some countries with good value for money can be very good, such as some expensive countries like Switzerland. Choose affordable options, even hostels.
When eating, try to choose local specialties. Bring a hot pot to go shopping at the supermarket and cook.
Is 300,000 dollars like this enough to allow me to complete the above requirements?

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Because I don't speak English, the above version is translated using Google Translate. Below is the original Chinese version.

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我一個女生 預計在40歲開始我的行程 現在20歲 我的預算大概是300,000USD 如果有特別心動的部分可能會再增加一點預算 並且我想把全世界都走透透 包含南極 如果我能去到北極就更好的 我不想只去那些大眾的景點 我的旅遊目的地還包括馬達加斯加 還有一些會有野人的原始村落 當然馬丘比丘 復活節島那些都是不可少的 總之我想要把［全世界］的地圖都儘量點亮
在飛機都坐經濟艙的情況下 我全程都打算只背一個背包 不用購買行李額
最重要的花銷 因為我不會英語 並且也習慣了跟小團的旅遊方式 加上考慮到我那時40歲體力可能會下降 所以我打算全程都報名1-最多6人的小型旅行團 或者請當地會說中文的嚮導+司機
住宿在一些很有性價比的國家能住很好的 像一些很貴的國家瑞士之類選擇平價甚至青旅
吃飯儘量選擇當地特色菜 會帶著快煮鍋逛逛超市烹飪
這樣 30萬美元有辦法讓我完成上述的要求嗎？

Hi everyone! I'm 29 and I'm thinking about traveling abroad to explore different countries and look for job opportunities.

I'm considering destinations in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and other regions. I'd like to connect with someone who has similar plans and might be interested in traveling together, exchanging ideas, and supporting each other along the way.

If you're also thinking about going abroad to look for work and would like a travel partner, feel free to message me. We can discuss our plans and see if they match!

I want to travel from Guatemala to Mexico. I read that if I fly with an airplane, I can use the SAE (Sistema de Autorización Electrónica) and I don't need a Visa. But it depends on the airline if they will accept the electronic authorization at the moment of check-in.

Has anyone tried that? This option only applies to Turkish and Ukrainian passports I think. Do you know if Volaris accepts the SAE?

Thank you. Any help is very appreciated. I really want to visit Mexico during the Día de los muertos 🌸

I'm looking to spend at least a year traveling. I had thoughts about sailing through the Caribbean, backpacking eurasia, maybe sailing around the world. I'm looking to plan a trip and just figure it out as we go. 16-whatever comment or dm me I'm open to almost anything.

I’m planning on selling everything and leaving the US, gonna live out of a backpack through SEA and wherever else that triggers a dopamine rush (long term). For those in this group who are experienced long term solo travelers, will you please look over my plan and let me know if I’m not thinking of something important? Leaving out any unknown costs?

I will have a guaranteed monthly income of about $830 tax free dollars (Adjusted yearly for COL) deposited in my bank account every 1st of the month. I will have guaranteed healthcare no matter where in the world I am, and the Philippines has a VA facility I can visit if I need to see American doctors.

I have less than 10k in debt as of now, it’ll be less by the time my lease ends in May. Once I sell my car and belongings I will have a little savings, nothing huge.

I will be taking one 40L bag with everything I need (wardrobe, legal papers, IFAK, toiletries)

To have housing and food my plan is to volunteer where I can, do Worldpackers, Workaway, any type of exchange that will keep costs low, and grab cheap hostels when I can’t find those options.

How realistic is it to find consistent month to month work exchange opportunities? I’m a veteran and I’m very accustomed to roughing it out if I have to. I’ve been to Europe, Africa, and the Middle East and I’m very familiar with travel and being in different cultures, and living like a dog if I have to.

I speak only English. I have a bachelors, a masters (don’t care to ever use either of them but I will if it means survival in a foreign country) and plenty of experience working in bars/restaurants.

I want as much flexibility and freedom as I can get in a foreign country and would prefer short term gigs where I’m not tied down. Any suggestions??

A short term work visa would be nice but I‘m not sure how easy it is to get a sponsor in most countries.

Am I not thinking of something important? Any advice to give or should I just go for it May when my lease ends?

edit: thank you everybody for your honesty!! I think a few more years of saving up would be the wisest choice.