Being a full time traveller is a dream for many, I know it sure is for me.  But like anything in life there is the good and the not so good aspects to full time travel.  I think most of it is amazing!  However, there are some challenges which I will also mention.  Here is everything you need to know about being a full time traveller…

 

EVERY DAY IS AN ADVENTURE

There is nothing like waking up in the morning and not knowing what your day will bring.  Some days I have woken up not even knowing where I will be sleeping that night.  The best surprises are the people you don’t expect to meet who turn your whole day into an amazing one.  Exploring new cities, hiking an unfamiliar track, taking a tour, discovering great food or getting from A to B is all part of the every day adventures.

MINIMALISING

You learn very quickly to get rid of anything you don’t really need.  I love to travel with just carry on luggage but this is not always possible if you are travelling to places hot and cold or including adventures like hiking and camping.  However, it is a great feeling to get rid of unnecessary possessions.  You only need so many pairs of underwear and just that one pair of favourite jeans.  I have even given up on makeup, it is so unnecessary and such a waste of luggage space and weight.

MISSING HOME

As a full time traveller I can say there are moments when I wish I could just have a day back in New Zealand or with family and friends.  Sometimes I just crave a good kiwi pie or feijoas!  But those moments are few and far between and if it really worried me that much I wouldn’t travel for such long periods of time.  Full time travel far outweighs any bouts of homesickness.

LANGUAGE

I was so enthusiastic about learning languages when I first became a full time traveller.  Spain was my first stop so I brushed up on my basic Spanish and tried using it while I was in Barcelona.  But I learnt fast that people will quickly revert to English as soon as they hear your pronunciation and accent.  They don’t really want to help you try which makes it hard work.  After the next stop, France, I gave up.  But that is not to say you shouldn’t learn a little of the local lingo.  I always make sure I learn and use hello and thank you in the native language of any country I visit.  Google Translate should be your go to language website/app.  With the Google Translate app you must try the camera, it is magic how it turns written text from one language to another.  So helpful for reading timetables and menus!

ORGANISING TRAVEL

Being a full time traveller on the move isn’t all about visiting amazing places and meeting wonderful people.  You have to plan a few things before that happens.  There is a lot of time spent booking transport and accommodation as well as researching what you might like to see and do at your next destination.  You get so good at this you pretty much gain the skills and experience needed to be a travel agent!  Finding time to do this is not always easy but if you choose to travel by bus or train this is a great time to plan travel.  My favourite travel websites/apps for organising travel are Skyscanner, Rome2rio, Airbnb and Hostel World.

TRAVELLING SOLO

I would say in most cases a full time traveller is a solo traveller although you do come across couples and families doing it also.  For a solo traveller this can be a challenge if you are an introvert.  However, solo travel does not have to be lonely!  This is why I love staying in hostels but there are many ways to meet people and make friends.  You can join a free walking tour, which most cities offer and I would recommend Sandemans if you are in Europe.  Or you can join online groups like Couchsurfing and attend some of the many events run by members all over the world.  If you are a solo traveller you learn fast how to meet people and make new friends.  For more on solo travel check out Loving Solo Travel.

NO LONG TERM PLANS

This is something I really love about being a full time traveller.  However, this would be unthinkable for many!  For the last two and a half years I haven’t known where I would be or what I would be doing anymore than six months in advance.  It keeps life wonderfully unpredictable. For a full time traveller life becomes one big adventure!

BUDGETING

Full time travellers don’t normally have unlimited funds and budgeting is a big part of travel.  It is really easy to get carried away with eating out all the time and booking more tours than you can necessarily afford.  The biggest expenses are often transport and accommodation which are the necessity for travel.  Finding ways to cut down on these expenses is a bonus.  This just requires good research.  A train might not always be cheaper than a plane.  And that hostel might turn out to be much nicer than the motel you could have paid three times as much for.  Again my favourite travel websites/apps for finding the best transport and accommodation are Skyscanner, Rome2rio, Airbnb and Hostel World.

MAKE FRIENDS WORLD WIDE

Being a full time traveller you get to make so many new friends.  Some will just end up being a friend for a day or a destination but every now and then you will click with someone who will become a friend for a lifetime.  Also you will make friends with people that you can stay with if you end up in their home town.  I have definitely done this a few times and there is nothing like having a local to show you around.

INSPIRING OTHERS

Something I have loved about sharing my travel adventures is how it inspires others and I get inspired by travellers too!  Some of my favourite travellers to follow are:

• Nathan from New Zealand (WorldNate)

• Hannah also from New Zealand (Intrepid Introvert)

• Tom and Anna (Adventure in You)

• Kate who is a solo female traveller (Adventurous Kate)

Wondering how YOLO SOLO began?  Find out more… 

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