Plan World Travel
in 8 Easy Steps

Step 1: Gather the Destinations

a) Make a Bucket list

Travelling the world is a thrilling and unforgettable experience, but it can seem quite daunting at first. A simple and fun starting point is to make a wish list, also known as a bucket list. Don't look into any travel books or websites for inspiration yet, be sure to always start with your own ideas because you want to develop a plan that is uniquely yours. Be creative and don't let any doubts stop you from writing down whatever comes to mind. Dream big because you can always justify what is feasible at a later point. 

b) Draw from Inspiration

Notice any themes that you are interested and feel free to branch off into wherever area you want, you don't need to write in a certain format at this stage, for example you can list countries, or decide to jump straight into a particular cities or places. Be sure to add activities, attractions or festivals you have heard of. Consider everything from current times to history, art, culture, food anything that you interested. Finally think of your favorite movies, books and documentaries because they are a common source inspiration for travellers.

Sources of inspiration: Maps, Movies, Books, History, Food, Documentaries, 

c) Add from Travel resources

Once you have exhausted all you can think of only then should you look at travel resources such as this website, more just to jog your memory about something you overlooked. Always be sure to develop your own travel style, don't be tempted to blindly add everything on these lists and definitely look into something that's not!

• 📸 World Attractions

• 🌆 Famous Cities

• 🎎 Most Influential Cultures

• 🏞️ Beaches, Islands and National Parks

• 
  

d) Organise the list

Once you have a list of ideas to draw from you should then organise them into logical categories which will help for comparing and weighting up your options as you plan. At this point it will be useful to put your ideas into a spreadsheet so you can shuffle the order around, however you can stick to writing if that's your preference. Some people start a travel journal even at the planning stages so if you find that more creative then it's up to you. Whether you have gone with a spreadsheet or are writing you should draw up a table with these columns:

[Day #] + [Activity] + [City] + [Country] + [Continent] + [Season]

The next section is about scheduling but when considering each line you need to think of them as being a full day and the experience / attraction is the highlight of that day. It doesn't however need to take the whole day because you will work out each day's itinerary later, point being don't get lost in the details.

At this stage make you are stick to single lines about each attraction, for each city you should add 2 lines / days on either side, this is to allow for time to enter and exit.

Example:

Day 1: Fly in, Paris, France, Europe, Summer Time.
Day 2: See Eiffel Tower, Paris, France, Europe, Summer Time.
Day 3: Fly out, Paris, France, Europe, Summer Time.

Step 2: Decide when and how long

It's recommended to allocate 2 Days per city minimum unless you are not planning to stay overnight, this is so you can have 1 full day and a half day on each side to travel in and out. This however is still very tight so I would have a full day on either side making it 3 days per city to be less rushed. If you want to see more than one place in a country then you should allocate 1 week per country minimum based on 3 days each city and a contingency day. For a more full experience of a country it's better to allocate at least 2 weeks so you can see about 4-5 places. Even at this stage you still don't even need to know exactly how you will spend those days, the objective here is to work out how many days you plan to travel for.

There are many decisions that will affect the overall cost of your trip but the most significant is how many days overall you are planning to travel for. It is therefore crucial that you decide upon this early in the planning because it will allow you to determine your budget which will be the following step in the planning process.

Are you embarking on a brief excursion for a week, or will you be globe-trotting for a month, or perhaps even a whole year? The length of your trip will dictate how much money you will need to save so take some time to carefully consider your ideal travel duration.

Calculate the total days you have then work backwards about how many days you can be in each country. 1 Week  per country is a suggested minimum. 3 Days for each city / stop is a suggested minimum, especially when flying in and out however it will all depend on the type of travel and distances.

If it becomes apparent you don't have a time to fit in all the destinations you hoped for, which is often the case you will need sacrifice items in your bucket list, at least for the trip your planning. This is always hard but it's really important not to squeeze in too much because quite often once you go on the trip things can take longer than expected plus delays can happen.  If your timing is too tight the trip can feel very rushed and in the case of delay it can have a domino affect on all your plans, breathing room is good.

If you are finding it tricky to decide,  you could list the destination within a country by how important they are , and not how many days you think you need for each.

Tip: Consider the seasons

Remember to consider the time of year you that want to travel, what season will it be where are are travelling? Or perhaps you are trying to escape the season in your home, for example winter. Don't forget about 'peak tourist seasons' as well, you could purposely go during the shoulder of the season to avoid crowd but the weather mine not be optimal. Where possible check for local events that could make travel harder, such as local holiday seasons or festivities. Flexibility may assist in cheaper flights, peak season can also affect price of flights.

Step 3: Determine your budget

Once you have the destinations and timeframe in mind, you will need to validate if it fits within your budget constraints. If it doesn't then you will need to adjust the length of your overall trip or destinations so it's wise to confirm you are being realistic early on and avoid any major reshuffling.

It will be hard to know exactly your costs until you make the actual bookings and are on the trip anyway, but you don't need to go into exact details even at this stage as long as you can be confident you have enough savings and are happy with what you will need to spend. Most of the cost is consumed on flights and accommodation.

The average international flight is $500 usd, however if you are doing a world trip provided each country is close to each other your flights will be much less.  Domestic flights will also be much less. To get a very rough estimate, allocating around $250 per stop should be sufficient.

Next you will need to figure out your average cost per day including accomodation, there is no need to figure this out by looking to actual examples its better to just average out the whole thing out. If however you are focusing on a particular region in the world then the cost of living there is a major factor, for example scandinavia is particularly expensive.

Do you prefer to stay in luxury hotels or backpack? What are the prices of hostels, hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions? Knowing the answers to these questions can help you determine how much money you will need for your trip. Here are some ways to research costs. Here are some world travel averages to get you started:

• Shoestring = $50 USD per day x 365 Days = $18,250 USD/year

• Economy with Hotel = $150 USD per day x 365 Days = $54,750 USD/year

• Luxury =  $450 USD per day x 365 Days = $164,250 USD/year

Accommodation %60 + Food %20 + Attractions %10 + Local Transportation %10

Tip: Saving Money for Your Trip

To start saving money for your trip, you first need to assess your current financial situation. Keep track of your expenses and figure out where you are spending money unnecessarily. Small purchases, like a cup of coffee or a snack, can add up over time and drain your funds. By understanding your spending habits, you can make changes and save money.

Create a list of your expenses and see where you can cut back. For instance, if you need to save $2,000 USD for your trip in eight months, you only need to save $8.33 USD per day. Can you find ways to cut back on expenses and save $8 USD per day? Skipping that daily cup of coffee can go a long way!

Tip: Apply for a Travel Rewards Credit Card

A travel rewards credit card can be your ticket to free flights, hotel stays, and other travel perks. By earning sign-up bonuses and collecting points or miles, you can travel for free without spending any extra money. Here are some tips on how to get started:

First, research which travel credit card will work best for you. Do you want to earn points for free flights or hotel stays? Do you prefer a card with no annual fee or one with better rewards?

Most travel credit cards offer welcome bonuses of up to 100,000 points or more when you meet their minimum spending requirement. That’s enough for a free flight to almost anywhere in the world!

To make the most of your travel credit card, make sure you can pay off your balance each month. If you carry a balance, you’ll pay interest charges that can cancel out the benefits of earning points or miles.

You don’t need to apply for multiple cards at once; choose one or two and focus on earning rewards with those. Start as soon as possible so you don’t miss out on any opportunities to earn points or miles.

While the best travel credit cards are typically only available in the US, there are still options for travelers in other countries. Research the options available to you and start earning rewards for your next trip. Travel hacking can be a great way to save money and travel longer.

Tip: Free yourself from belongings

If you are planning to travel for six months or more, you will need to free yourself from any belongings which is actually a very liberating feeling. If you want to keep some belongings you can store them at a friend's house or a storage facility. Else if you are not particularly attached to your belongings consider selling anything of value because it will also help you gain some extra money for the trip, then simply giveaway the rest. Begin this process around 60 days before your departure date so you don't need to make any rushed decisions. There are several websites you can use to sell your items: Gumtree, Amazon, Craigslist, eBay and Facebook Marketplace.

Tip: Have access to money ready

When traveling abroad, having access to cash is crucial. While credit cards are accepted in many countries, cash is still the preferred payment method in most places. This means you’ll need to withdraw local currency from ATMs, which unfortunately come with fees.

While a few dollars in fees for a week-long trip may not seem like a big deal, those fees add up quickly if you’re traveling for an extended period. These fees can easily eat away at your travel budget, which is why it’s crucial to avoid them.

One way to do this is by using a no-fee ATM card. By doing this, you avoid giving away your hard-earned money to banks. Several banks offer no-fee ATM cards, and it's also worth checking with your local bank to see if they offer this service. Moreover, you can join a bank in the Global ATM Alliance for additional benefits.

Using a no-fee ATM card can help you save money and leave more funds for your travel expenses, rather than spending it on unnecessary fees.

Pro Tip: Sort out your Bills

• Make sure you can pay your bills while away.

• For longer trips, it's best to cancel any plan and purchase local SIM cards for cheaper rates.

Pro Tip: Have enough money

As much as people want to hear an exact number, there is no specific amount of money you need for your travels given the myriad of variables. Be sensible, if you have never been somewhere before don't make assumptions of living on next to nothing way outside the framework of US$30-50/days. Actual travelling, doing all the great things available and enjoying the odd beer or two all adds up. If you are on a budget be mindful of your tendency [as a human] to underestimate costs and one-off expenses.

Step 4: Get the Flights and Travel Documents

Once you're happy with your budget, you can start purchasing flights but be sure to confirm if you need a visa or not. Some countries offer a visa on arrival, however some require you to obtain a visa beforehand.  If you need to apply for a via is might be wise to secure this before buying the flights.

There are still several ways to get flights including travel agents and round the world flights, however the cheapest is usually doing it yourself directly from the airline. 

• Skyscanner - Excellent for open searches to multiple destinations. Search by month of choice

• Google Flights - The Maps view is amazing for investigating possible routes. The Maps view is amazing for plan possible routes.

• World Maps - See this page for suggested world travel routes

Tip: Save money on airfare

• It's best to purchase flights in advance to save money and avoid last-minute price hikes. Get the best flight deals, it is advisable to book your flight two to three months in advance. This way, you'll have enough time to research and compare prices, ensuring that you get the most affordable option for your trip.

• Another important factor to consider when booking your flight is the time of day you choose to travel. Early morning and late-night flights are often cheaper than mid-day flights, so keep that in mind when selecting your flight.

• When searching for flights, be sure to compare prices across multiple airlines and travel websites to find the best deal. Don't forget to also check for any additional fees, such as baggage fees, that may not be included in the initial price.

• If you're flexible with your travel dates, consider using fare comparison websites that allow you to search for the cheapest days to fly. Websites like Kayak and Hopper offer tools that allow you to track flight prices and alert you when the price drops, making it easier to find the best deal.

• Once you've found the right flight, book it as soon as possible to avoid any price increases. Don't forget to also book any necessary transportation to and from the airport, such as a shuttle or taxi.

With your flight booked, you're one step closer to your dream trip! Now it's time to start planning the details of your itinerary and making arrangements for accommodations and activities.

Tip Figuring out round the world flights:

• Round-the-World

Tip: Ensure you understand the Visa requirements

Be sure to also check the visa requirements for each destination on your itinerary and apply for visas well in advance.

Tip: Travel Insurance

Many people think that they do not need travel insurance if they are healthy and unlikely to get sick. However, travel insurance offers more than just medical protection. It covers unforeseen events such as flight cancellations, loss or theft of personal belongings, or the need to come home if a family member dies.

While it is an additional expense, it is better to be safe than sorry. These situations are fairly uncommon, but they can be extremely costly if you are not prepared. Travel insurance can save you thousands of dollars in such instances. Common offers cover medical emergencies, cancelled flights, injuries, theft, and trip delays.

In addition to purchasing travel insurance, it's good to know your rights as an airline passenger.

Step 5: Book Accomodation

Once your flights and visas are sorted, you can start booking accommodation for each destination on your itinerary. You can use websites such as Booking.com or Airbnb to find accommodations that fit your budget and preferences.

If you are traveling for less than two weeks with a fixed itinerary, it is advisable to book your accommodation for the entire trip. This will provide you with peace of mind, particularly during the high season. However, for long-term trips exceeding two weeks, it is best to book only your initial lodging for the first few days to ensure you have a place to stay upon arrival. Once you arrive, you can obtain insider knowledge from your hotel or hostel staff, as well as other travelers, to plan your future moves. The airline and customs in some countries require you to show your accommodation booking so be prepared to show this so not to draw suspicion.

When backpacking you may want to modify your plans after arriving. Flexibility is crucial, so definitely consider only booking the first few nights and to go from there.

These are the websites for finding accommodation,

• Booking.com – This platform is the best overall for finding budget hotels and guesthouses.

• Hostelworld – Sometimes overlaps with booking.com but focuses on hostels, you may sometimes find a cheaper deal here.

• Agoda – Again sometimes overlaps with booking.com but you may sometimes find a cheaper deal here on the same item.

Alternative Platforms:

• Airbnb - For exploring more unique options, especially if hosted my a local.

• Couchsurfing or BeWelcome. Stay with locals for free in exchange for cultural exchange.

• Housesitting or WWOOFing. Free accommodation in exchange for pet-sitting or farm work etc

Step 6: Plan activities and excursions

Now that your transportation and accommodations are sorted, you can start planning activities and excursions for each destination on your itinerary. Research the top attractions, tours, and activities for each destination and book them in advance to avoid missing out.

Knowing what you want to see before you get there will help you focus on the attractions that matter most, ensuring you don't miss anything. Try not to be tempted to fit too much in, decide on your top priorities for activities and allow flexibility. That way, if you run short on time or money, you can adapt. Where possible see if ther are any holidays or other obstacles that could prevent you from participating in certain activities.

To ensure that you stick to your budget, create a list of the major activities you want to experience during your trip and their associated costs. This will help you determine if you need to adjust your savings and if any reservations are required for your chosen tours or activities.

• Purchase a popular guidebook such as Lonely Planet

• Check Tripadvisor - Good for browsing, but can be commercially biased results.

• WikiTravel - Free Guides

• Check out a specific travel guide for the city

• Search for prices of specific activities you want to do such as scuba diving, bungee jumping, or winery tours on websites like Get Your Guide.

• Guidebooks, Blogs, Forums, Itineraries

• Photos

• Join travel groups and forums, connect with fellow travelers

• Share your experiences and insights, and learn from others' experiences.

• Start writing a travel journal even as you plan to document your progress and ideas

Need Inspiration? See 💡 Experiences

Tip: Online discounts 

Some attractions offer cheaper prices in person, while others provide discounts for those who book early or online. Some research can save you money. For shorter trips, you can book your activities in advance to secure tickets, but for longer trips, it's best to book as you go.

Pro Tip: Don't obsess with planning, guidebooks and the recommendations made in them.

There is no simple, perfect, one size fits all itinerary - so don't obsess over it. The answers to which places are the best for you can only be decided by you. Sometimes the only way you can fully understand if somewhere is worthwhile to visit is by being there following what takes your interest at the time. As you develop your own travel style what sort of places you want to visit you will find that it's not the same as what's ‘Recommended’ in a guidebook. Just because it is not well known or not in ‘the book’ does not mean it not worth it – plus you can't see it all. Guidebooks are guidance only, a seasoned traveller develops their own style and follows their intuition.

Pro Tip: Don't focus soley on the famous sights or attractions

In-between the must-see attractions try to get other perspectives such as culture, food, scenery or people). Do some research, open your mind. Munich is not the only beer festival in Germany, Rio is not the only Carnival in South America and the Thai islands are not the only beaches in Asia.

Pro Tip: Stay flexible

Exciting as travelling is your motivation can still have ups and downs, especially in the moment there can be unforeseen circumstances.  A delayed bus journey, bad weather, sickness or perhaps you have simply seen enough temples to last. a lifetime. Stay flexible and don't feel you have to see everything or pack too much in. This matters more if you are planning to be away for months rather than days or weeks. This matters more if you are planning to be away for months rather than days or weeks.

Best Guidebook Brands with Free Online Info - Google is your friend!

It's best to get a guidebook if you are travelling extensively in one country, in which case Lonely Planet is known to be the best in the business. If you are only visiting just for a day or two then you can get most of what you might need by googling the name of the guidebook brand plus the name of the destination.

Example 1: https://www.google.com/search?q=things+to+do+in+sydney
Example  2: https://www.google.com/search?q=rough+guides+sydney

Example 3: https://www.google.com/travel/explore (Google Travel Planning Map)

Step 7: Pack Smart

Make sure to pack smart for your around the world journey. Pack light and only bring what you need, as you will be carrying your luggage with you for the entire trip. Make sure to also pack for the weather in each destination on your itinerary.

Now it's time to pack for your trip! Although it is tempting to bring as much as possible, it's better to pack less. Packing light can actually be quite freeing, and you will glad to have less when moving from place to place.

A 45L backpack and a smaller day bag should suffice for 3 seasons, unless you need  winter gear which is significantly bulky.

While what you pack will depend on where you're going, remember that you don't need to pack everything you own. You can buy things you need on the road, and do laundry overseas. At the end of the day, you'll have to carry everything you bring, so pack light!

Besides your everyday clothes, there are a few additional items you might want to pack, such as a first aid kit, a LifeStraw bottle with a built-in filter, packing cubes for organization, a travel lock for hostel lockers, a travel adapter, and a quick-dry towel.

Furthermore, make sure to bring enough prescription medicine for the duration of your trip. If that's not feasible, bring a doctor's note and prescription with you so you can fill it abroad.

Tip: Pack small

There is a huge difference between what you think you need and what you actually need, trying to consider every eventuality will lead you to waste money and fill your bag with excessive items. Consider how often you might in reality need such an item, how useful it would be in relation to the effort of carrying it everywhere. Think in terms of 3 seasons since only winter gear is bulky. Almost everything can bought when on the road if forgotten, or often rented or borrowed. It's important that to carry your bag without too much strain for long periods, and can keep it close to you on public transport (and ideally carry-on when flying). You don't want to regret carrying too much stuff and it's a common story to see people simply dumping stuff at a hostel upon concluding they are carrying too much.

Step 8: Hit the Road

The moment has finally arrived, it’s time to embark on your world journey. You are about to have an incredible adventure so It’s natural to feel nervous or anxious, but don’t worry because every traveler goes through this and you can rest assured that you’ve prepared well.

Head to the airport, board your flight, and of course don't forget your passport! It's time to enjoy the fruits of your hard work and planning. You deserve it.

Some final tips during the journey:

• Document your trip. Take plenty of photos, write in a journal, or even start a travel blog. This will allow you to remember all the amazing experiences and share them with others.

• Enjoy each destination to the fullest. Take time to connect with the local culture and people. Eat new and local foods, learn a few words of the local language, and participate in cultural activities.

• Try new things and experiences. This will enhance your travel experience and allow you to learn and grow as a person. Make memories that will last a lifetime.

• Stay flexible and during your trip. Things might not always go according to plan, but that's okay. Embrace the unexpected and try to find the silver lining in any situation.

• Always be open-minded. 

• Download offline maps and guides. MapsMe is a great app perfect for border crossings where when your internet sim no longer works.

• Trust your instincts: Stay safe, stick to your plans where possible. Be relaxed and try trust people, but at the same time stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings.

Pro Tip: Invest a little time in, get much more out.

Whatever you can do to try and understand a little more about the destination(s) you get to will pay great dividends in return. Forget learning the language or having a degree in the history, but knowing a couple of words and being aware of what ‘shapes’ the country with a little reading will give you the background to dive deeper into the environment and better understand what you see/hear and in the worst case will allow to try some really great food and drink. In short try as much as your time/attention allows not to be an ignorant tourist!

Pro Tip: Don't be fearful, trust in people

If you were to believe the news the world seems like a pretty scary place but when in reality it is actally very safe. It is normal to feel scared of new places, but there are very few places are actually dangerous. No matter how remote and adventurous you might think your trip is, most roads have seen thousands pass through them and so can you. The vast majority or people want you to feel welcome in their country and many will go out of the way to help you if they think you are in danger.

Pro Tip: Don't flaunt your wealth or take silly risks

Remember to use some common sense. If you are somewhere poor take off that jewellery, if the car has a seatbelt, why not put it on. Stay organised and with one eye on your things and security. There is no need to be anxious or paranoia, however in some places places such as border crossings a total state of relaxation might to too far.

Pro Tip: Rest your expectations

Blessed is he who expects nothing for he is never disappointed. It's the journey not the destination that you will remember.

Traveling is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have, and with proper planning and preparation, you can make it even more amazing. I hope this guide has been helpful.