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Travel Definition & Meaning – Merriam-Webster

1 of 2

trav·el

ˈtra-vəl

intransitive verb

: to go on or as if on a trip or tour : journey

b(1)

: to go as if by traveling: pass

the news traveled fast

(2)

: associate

travels with a sophisticated crowd

: to go from place to place as a sales representative or business agent

a(1)

: to move or undergo transmission from one place to another

goods traveling by plane

(2)

: to withstand relocation successfully

a dish that travels well

: to move in a given direction or path or through a given distance

the stylus travels in a groove

: to move rapidly

a car that can really travel

: to take more steps while holding a basketball than the rules allow

transitive verb

: to journey through or over

: to follow (a course or path) as if by traveling

: to traverse (a specified distance)

: to cover (an area) as a commercial traveler

travel

2 of 2

: the act of traveling : passage

: a journey especially to a distant or unfamiliar place : tour, trip

—often used in plural

travels plural

: an account of one’s travels

: the number traveling : traffic

: movement, progression

the travel of satellites around the earth

: the motion of a piece of machinery

especially

: reciprocating motion

Phrases

travel light

: to travel with a minimum of equipment or baggage

Synonyms

Verb

journey
peregrinate
pilgrimage
tour
trek
trip
voyage

Noun

expedition
journey
passage
peregrination
trek
trip

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Example Sentences

Verb

The birds are traveling south for the winter.

His job requires him to travel frequently.

She enjoys traveling around Europe.

They traveled cross-country from New York to California.

The pain traveled down his back.

the way that sound travels in an empty room

That car was really traveling when it passed us.

The order is traveling by plane.

Noun

She doesn’t enjoy foreign travel.

Air travel was affected by the storm.

The book discusses the future of travel in outer space.

We extended our travels for another week.

Recent Examples on the Web

With a newborn baby, Ievheniia was unable to travel back to Ukraine for her husband’s funeral.

—Sasha Dovzhyk, CNN, 14 Dec. 2022

The Check-In, our weekend feature focusing on all things travel.

—Catherine Garcia, The Week, 10 Dec. 2022

Bialiatski is jailed in Belarus and was unable to travel to receive the prize, which is due to be formally presented today.

—Arkansas Online, 10 Dec. 2022

Salladay and Yáo Li were in the courtroom, regularly texting updates to Mengqi’s mother – who was unable to travel.

—Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2022

Bialiatski is jailed in Belarus and was unable to travel to receive the prize, which is due to be formally presented on Saturday.

—Jim Heintz, ajc, 9 Dec. 2022

In mainland China, boutiques in second- and third-tier cities have opened to better cater to the tens of millions of shoppers unable to travel far, particularly in places like Chengdu and Hangzhou.

—Elizabeth Paton, New York Times, 7 Dec. 2022

Also called stage four breast cancer, this is when cancer cells travel from the breast to somewhere else in the body such as your organs or bones.

—Paige Stables, Allure, 7 Dec. 2022

Peyton Manning and Eli Manning return for another week of the Manning Megacast on Monday, Dec. 5 when the New Orleans Saints travel to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football.

—Mark Heim | [email protected], al, 5 Dec. 2022

Some proponents of flat Earth theory – the erroneous idea that Earth is flat instead of a globe – also say that space travel is impossible, sometimes claiming to expose inconsistencies in conventional narratives about space and space flight.

—Kate S. Petersen, USA TODAY, 20 Dec. 2022

Ultra-deepwater drilling is so complex that experts liken it to space travel, and the dangers are well known.

—Antonia Juhasz, WIRED, 20 Dec. 2022

With the advent of space travel, the last unknown parts of the earth’s surface would soon be revealed.

—Clay Risen, New York Times, 16 Dec. 2022

After about six months of travel, setup and calibration, the telescope began collecting data and NASA published the first stunning images.

—Daniel Merino, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2022

This collection of essays from astronaut Terry Virts offers an inside look at space travel from a sometimes-humorous, sometimes-philosophical lens.

—Kylee Mcguigan, Popular Mechanics, 12 Dec. 2022

This time, a set of mannequins equipped with various sensors rode in the Orion capsule to gather data about radiation exposure and other conditions of deep space travel.

—Denise Chow, NBC News, 11 Dec. 2022

Space travel has long been the domain of nation states, but billionaires such as Tesla’s Elon Musk and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos have recently spent heavily on making such trips a reality for extremely affluent civilians.

—Andrew Jeong, Washington Post, 9 Dec. 2022

Now, though, engineers and scientists may have come up with a way to speed up space travel exponentially.

—Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 7 Dec. 2022

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word ‘travel. ‘ Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English travailen, travelen to torment, labor, strive, journey, from Anglo-French travailler

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of travel was
in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Dictionary Entries Near

travel

trave

travel

travelable

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Cite this Entry

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“Travel. ” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/travel. Accessed 7 Jan. 2023.

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Kids Definition

travel

1 of 2

verb

trav·el

ˈtrav-əl

: to journey from place to place or to a distant place

: to move or advance from one place to another

the news traveled fast

travel

2 of 2

noun

: the act or means of traveling

air travel is fast

: journey entry 1, trip

—often used in plural

plural

: an account of one’s travels

More from Merriam-Webster on

travel

Nglish: Translation of travel for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of travel for Arabic Speakers

Britannica. com: Encyclopedia article about travel

Last Updated:
21 Dec 2022
– Updated example sentences

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Merriam-Webster unabridged

75 Essential Things to Take On a Trip [Travelling Checklist] — What’s Danny Doing?

I these 75 things to take on a trip help guide your travelling checklist and packing process!

There’s something exciting about travel packing.

I mean, you’re finally getting ready for the road!

It makes the whole situation feel real for the first time. But that doesn’t make it easy.

Honestly, it took me ages to figure out the key things to take on a trip!

Even now, with a fair amount of travelling under my belt, I find myself packing unnecessary items and forgetting the essentials.

That’s why I decided to put this comprehensive travel checklist together.

Having a long list of essential things to take on your travels should help you decide what to pack (without overlooking anything important). Sound good?

Check out these 75 travel packing list items to take with you on the road.

…FYI, I’ve tried to cover everything anybody could need, regardless of their particular trip, so pick and choose from the list depending on your personal needs!

Heads up, this post contains affiliate links.

Get ready for 75 top suggestions for what to pack on a trip.

What to Take On a Trip – 75 Essential Things

The Basics (& What to Pack in Your Carry-On)

Let’s begin with the basics. The following items are fundamental to any trip and, in general, are all good things to pack in your carry-on as well. Check them out:

1. Passport

There’s nothing worse than getting to the airport and realizing you left your passport at home! Check and double-check that you’ve got it in your bag before you leave.

2. Key documentation

Certain key documents will be important to take along as well.

Think about printing your travel itinerary, flight confirmation, visa details, and a copy of your passport (just in case you lose the actual one and need to arrange a replacement while travelling).

3. Mobile phone

Smartphones come in handy at every turn when you’re travelling. From contacting loved ones to navigating around a new place, it’s worth having one in your pocket. Don’t fancy taking your normal phone on the road?

You could buy yourself a cheap alternative to use instead. That way it won’t matter too much if it gets lost, damaged, or stolen.

4. Laptop/tablet

A laptop will be essential for anybody who wants to work online while they travel.

For everyone else, though, I’d think twice about taking one.

Carrying expensive and fragile kit on the road is never fun! You know it could get damaged, lost, or stolen, which makes it harder to relax when you’re on the move.

->> Click here to check out some top travel laptops.

5. Glasses/contact lenses

Travel items don’t get much more essential than glasses and contact lenses! If you need them to see properly, then you need them on the road.

6. Wallet/Purse

Don’t forget your wallet! It’s another key thing to carry on your person at all times.

->> Click here to check out some awesome travel wallets.

7. Bank cards & cash (local currency)

Of course, that wallet should also have the necessary bank cards and cash inside!

My advice? Convert some local currency ahead of time and take it along. You’ll avoid the hassle (and expense) of doing it at the airport upon arrival.

8. Emergency cash

You never know when something’s going to go wrong when you’re travelling by yourself on the other side of the world.

Imagine having your wallet, money, and mobile stolen! Having a little stash of emergency cash pocketed away somewhere in your backpack could get you out of a very sticky situation.

9. Charger(s)

Taking a smartphone, laptop, and any other electronic item’s all well and good. But they won’t last long without their chargers.

Don’t forget to stick them in your backpack to avoid disappointment down the line.

10. Travel adaptor

Those chargers will be useless if you don’t have the right travel adaptor to plug them into first!

Research the power outlets of your chosen destination and bag yourself an appropriate adaptor ahead of time. The ‘universal’ ones are usually best- they come with all the necessary fixtures to function in a wide array of outlets.

->> Click here to view some top universal travel adaptors.

Make sure you have every single thing to pack for vacation that you need!

11. Camera

Your smartphone camera might be good enough for what you need.

However, any budding photographers out there are sure to appreciate having a ‘proper’ camera with which to capture the experience.

12. Spare memory card(s)

I’m always amazed at how many photos I end up taking on a trip. Having a spare memory card or two will make sure you never run out of space.

You can snap away until your heart’s content, recording every aspect of the adventure without having to delete files as you go.

13. Travel pillow

Anybody who struggles to sleep on the plane (or in tents, or on uncomfortable hostel beds) could benefit from a travel pillow.

The inflatable ones are great for providing decent comfort without taking up space in your backpack.

->> Click here to read my guide to the best travel pillows.

14. Headphones

Listening to music is an awesome way to pass the time on long journeys or drown out the noise when you want some peace in busy environments.

Assuming they’re compatible with your mobile, having some headphones also means you can watch Netflix on your phone without disturbing the people around you!

->> Click here to see a selection of top headphones for travel.

15. Books (or Kindle)

I always stick a good book in my backpack too. Like listening to music, it’s great for passing the time and chilling out at the end of (or during) a chaotic day on the road. Want my advice?

Consider getting a Kindle instead! You’ll enjoy unlimited reading opportunities without the space and weight issues that come from ordinary books.

16. Guidebook

A guidebook is sure to come in handy too. It’ll help you plan the trip, learn more about your chosen destination, and figure out your itinerary.

17. Journal and pen(s)

Not everybody keeps a journal on their travels. But I definitely recommend it! Keeping a record of your adventures is the best way I know to truly fix the experience in memory.

You’ll be able to look back on your trip in due course and relive what you did in vivid detail. These travel journal prompts should help you get started.

->> Click here to see a range of top travel journals.

18. Daypack

Most travellers have their main pack on their back and a smaller daypack to take exploring on a day to day basis.

It saves you lugging everything around when you’re sightseeing. Don’t forget it!

19. Sunglasses

With any luck, you’ll have perfect weather and a boat-load of sunshine wherever you go travelling. Save yourself the squinting by remembering to pack your sunglasses!

20. Water bottle

Packing an empty water bottle is sure to come in handy too. You can refill it wherever you go, stay hydrated, and cut down on the number of plastic bottles you buy in the process.

->> Click here to view a selection of top-rated travel water bottles.

21. Snacks for the journey

Slip some of your favourite snacks into your travel pack as well. They’ll be a lifesaver when you get the munchies mid-way through the flight!

No packing list is complete without clothing! Here are all the clothes to pack for your trip.

Clothes to Pack For Your Trip

Onto the clothes. Here’s all the clothing you should remember to pack when you go travelling.

Remember, though, less is more! Try to limit the amount of clothes you carry in order to save space and cut down on weight.

22. Underwear

First thing’s first: undies. Boxers, briefs, panties, thongs, and bras…Whatever you wear, be sure to pack enough pairs.

23. Socks

Pop some socks in too! Just don’t take too many. You’d be surprised at how much space these tootsie-covers take up. My top sock-related tip?

Ball them up and cram them into the footwear you plan to take. That should help save some space.

24. Clothes to sleep in

Can’t bear the thought of sleeping without your usual pyjamas? Pop those in your backpack too! For everyone else, your undies should suffice.

25. Jeans

Jeans are thick, heavy, and generally quite impractical when you’re travelling. But they’re versatile and look nice too, so I always take some along anyway.

26. Comfy, practical trousers

Take some more practical trousers (or pants, depending on where you’re from) as well, such as hiking trousers or tracksuit bottoms. They’ll be better-suited (and comfier) than jeans to being on the move, on the trail, or exploring when the temperature drops.

27. Shorts

If the weather’s good, then you’ll want some travel shorts to keep you cool. I take one pair of practical shorts (suitable for hiking) and another ‘trendy’ pair for going out in.

28. T-shirts

You’ll need a few of your favourite t-shirts too! There’s no magic number here.

I take around 6 or 7 t-shirts with me and ensure they all match whatever I wear on my bottom half. That way, they all get worn and it doesn’t matter which one I pull out of my backpack each day.

29. Dress shirts

Dress shirts are bigger, heavier, and less practical all-around compared to t-shirts.

That’s why I recommend limiting yourself to just one of them. You’re covered on the odd occasion you need to dress up, without taking up too much space in your pack.

30. Swimsuit

Don’t fancy non-stop skinny dipping? Make sure you pack your swimmers!

Don’t forget the weather when putting together the things to pack for a trip. Hot or cold, you need the right clothing for the job.

31. Hoodie/sweaters

Even the warmest countries in the world can get a bit nippy sometimes. Have a sweater or hoodie packed away, just in case the temperature drops. Heading to cooler climates? Take a couple!

32. Warmer jacket

A warm jacket will only be essential for people travelling long term and/or heading to colder countries. If you know the temperature can dip to uncomfortable levels, then a warm jacket can definitely be a useful addition to your backpack.

33. Waterproof jacket

I think a good waterproof jacket is 100% essential for any adventure. You never know when the heavens are going to open! Having a waterproof can make a mighty difference.

->> Check out these rain ponchos if you’d prefer one of those instead.

34. Sun hat

Stick a sun hat in your backpack too! It’ll keep the sun off your face and/or neck, stopping sunburn and sunstroke from ruining your trip.

35. Belt

Do you usually wear a belt? Well, don’t forget to take one along on your travels.

It’s also worth pointing out that travel has a habit of changing your eating patterns and boosting your activity levels. In some cases, that could mean you lose some weight. Having that belt could come in handy even if you don’t normally wear one!

36. Walking shoes

Good, solid, comfortable walking shoes are arguably some of the most important items to take travelling.

They stop your feet from getting sore as you explore new places, keep them dry whenever you hit the trail or it starts to rain, and offer valuable support for your ankles.

Need a new pair? You might like this post about the best minimalist hiking shoes and boots.

37. Trainers

The only trouble with walking shoes is that they tend to be bigger and heavier than standard footwear. If you’re short on space and don’t want to wear walking shoes all the time, then look into taking some trainers/sneakers instead!

38. Sandals/flip flops

A good-quality pair of flip-flops or sandals will always get good use on your travels too. They’re small, lightweight, and versatile- the perfect combination when you’re backpacking.

->> Click here to see some top-rated travel sandals.

39. Jewellery

I’d think twice about taking lots of valuable jewellery on the road. After all, it’s expensive, shiny, and sentimental. In other words, it’s the last thing you’d want to lose, break, or have stolen.

Nevertheless, jewellery’s essential kit for some people, though, who, among other things, wear it to accessorize outfits, feel a sense of connection to home, or as good luck charms.

Love your jewellery and want some good luck on your trip? Click here to discover the best gem stones for travel.

40. Laundry bag

There’s nothing worse than having a backpack full of loose, dirty clothes.

Leave it too long and everything starts to smell. Having a laundry bag stops that happening, keeps your dirty washing in one place, and makes everything feel more organized in general.

41. Travel towel

Travel towels get a tonne of use when you’re on the road! Small, lightweight, and quick-drying, they’re the perfect addition to your backpack.

->> Click here to browse and/or buy some top travel towels.

42. Money belt

Pickpockets run riot in some parts of the world. Wearing a money belt will help stash your cash more securely!

->> Click here to browse and/or buy some money belts for travel.

Travel toiletries are next on this list of suggestions on what to pack for a trip.

Travel Toiletries to Pack

Onto the toiletries. Here’s everything to consider taking along in your travel wash bag:

43. Medication(s)

One thing you definitely don’t want to forget is any medication you take to manage certain health conditions. Make sure you pack it (and ensure you have enough for the duration of your trip).

Of course, pain killers and antihistamine tablets can also come in handy.

44. Toothbrush

It’s never fun when you get to your destination after a long journey and realize you forgot your toothbrush! Be sure to pack a toothbrush.

45. Toothpaste

It’s no good remembering your toothbrush if you forget the toothpaste! Be sure to pack that too.

46. Dental floss

Sling in some dental floss while you’re at it. Remember, you could be travelling for months at a time without seeing a dentist. Flossing your teeth each night should keep your gnashers in good shape.

47. Deodorant

Exploring new places (especially in warm weather) can be hot, sweaty work. Having some deodorant with you should ensure you stay sweet-smelling regardless!

48. Soap

Some people take shower gel with them when they travel. But I prefer soap. It’s one less liquid to worry about exploding in your backpack and it should last longer on the road too.

49. Shampoo (and conditioner?)

You’ll be wanting to wash your hair along the way as well! Now, you can always get some shampoo/conditioner on the road, but you’ll have a much better selection if you buy it beforehand.

Small travel-sized bottles are better if you want the liquid variety.

However, it’s well worth looking into solid shampoos. They’re easier to travel with, have less risk of spilling, and work just as effectively.

50. Hairstyling stuff

Anybody who wants to style their hair should take their favourite hair product(s) too. Wax, gel, clay, or spray- take your pick and put it in your backpack. Just make sure it’s under 100ml if you want to put it in your carry-on.

Cameras are definite essentials for packing lists- no matter where you’re going! And so are hairbrushes…

51. Hairbrush

Want to stop your hair getting all knotted and gross on the road? Don’t forget your hairbrush!

52. Moisturizer

If you’re used to moisturizing at home every day, then you’ll want to take some on your travels as well. Pour some into a smaller bottle if you’ve got limited space in your backpack.

53. Makeup

I can’t say this is something I need when I go travelling! But anybody who wants to wear makeup while travelling should pack the essential bits and pieces they need.

54. Sunscreen (and aftersun?)

Sunscreen is 100% essential when you’re travelling in hot, sunny places. Sunburn and sunstroke will sap the enjoyment from your day like nothing else. Slap on the factor 50 to keep your skin protected at all times!

This Sun Bum Factor 50 sunscreen would be perfect.

55. Lip balm

Lip balm’s one of those items that’s always good to have available. It’ll stop your lips chapping and cracking and causing you discomfort on your trip.

56. Nail clippers

Nail clippers are another must-have item that’s never fun to forget. Slip them into your travel toiletry bag so you can keep your nails in check on your travels.

57. Razor & Shaving Foam

Unless you want to come back from travelling looking like Chewbacca, make sure you take a razor and shaving foam with you too.

58. Tweezers

You might as well bring some tweezers along too. They’re super small and come in handy whether you’re plucking splinters from your fingers or hairs from your mono-brow!

59. Earplugs

Earplugs are, in my opinion, 100% essential items. You’ll thank your lucky stars you remembered them when you find yourself in a hostel dorm room with a chronic snorer.

You can put them in, drown them out, and, with a bit of luck, get a better night’s sleep.

60. Birth control

Definitely don’t forget your birth control! You want to make sure you’ve covered just in case any travel romances arise on the road.

On that note, you might like these quotes about adventure and love!

Here’s what to pack for vacation when you plan on venturing outdoors (plus one or two miscellaneous travel essentials).

Miscellaneous and Outdoor Items to Take On a Trip

Let’s finish with the outdoor items that’d be ideal for anybody planning on hiking, camping, or venturing into the great outdoors on their travels.

61. Hammock

Okay, so it might not be strictly essential. But I always take a hammock with me anyway when I go travelling! Honestly, nothing compares to finding an epic place to sling it up and sway away.

Sound good? Check out the best mosquito net hammocks for camping.

62. Tent

Travelling with a tent strapped to your backpack is epic! For one thing, camping’s always fun. But having a tent also means you always have somewhere to sleep (assuming you can find somewhere to pitch it!).

Of course, it’s a fundamental bit of kit if you’re going on a camping or hiking trip. Just try to make sure you take one that’s small and lightweight enough to justify carrying. Anything too big or heavy will be a nightmare to lug around if you aren’t using it too much.

63. Backpacking knife

Carrying a backpacking knife is useful for any number of reasons- especially when you’re hiking and camping along the way. Chopping firewood, opening packages, and preparing meals are just a few of the occasions they come in handy.

->> Check out this post if you’re trying to find the best one for your trip.

64. Travel torch/flashlight

Make sure you take a travel torch with you too.

They’re vital for anybody who wants to spend nights out in the great outdoors, explore cave systems, take late night walks, or light up the hostel dorm room (without turning on the main light and waking everybody up)!

65. Padlock

Padlocks are great when you’re staying somewhere that seems at all dodgy. There should be lockers available where you can safely stow your things and keep your belongings safe.

->> Click here to browse and/or buy some top padlocks for travel.

66. Backpack rain cover

Getting caught in a downpour is never fun when you’re backpacking. But it’s even worse when you don’t have anything with which to keep your backpack dry. Everything inside, including your clothes and electronics, will get soaked- and potentially ruined.

Taking a separate backpack rain cover (unless your pack already has one) will help you avoid that kind of outcome!

->> Click here to see a selection of high-quality rain covers.

67. Camping stove (and gas)

Want to cook some grub when you’re hiking, camping, or in need of a warm meal on the road? A small camping stove will be perfect for the job. Just make sure you have some gas with it too.

Oh, and don’t forget something to cook on/eat from! Check out this post with the best mess kits for camping.

68. Lighter

Camp cooking becomes a challenge without a lighter (or matches) at your disposal. Make sure you slip one (with plenty of gas in it) into your backpack.

69. Sleeping bag

Sleeping bags are another staple of any camping, hiking, or backpacking trip. If you can find yourself a small-ish one to take with you, then it’s sure to come in handy.

Make sure you take a sleeping bag that’s well-suited to the weather conditions you’re heading into though. For cold weather, you’ll need bigger, thicker, bags with higher-quality insulation.

->> These sleeping bags under $100 might be of interest.

70. Sleeping bag liner

An alternative to a full-blown sleeping bag is to take a liner instead.

They’re much thinner, smaller and lighter, making them ideal for backpackers. Now, you’d be too cold camping with just a liner on all but the warmest nights. However, their value isn’t restricted to nights spent outside!

Liners are also useful whenever you’re sleeping in beds that seem less than hygienic. They provide a nice barrier from any nasties that might be hiding in the sheets.

->> Click here to see a selection of sleeping bag liners for travel.

71. Sleeping/camping mat

Having something to separate your body from the cold hard earth is all-important when you’re camping. It’ll help you stay warm, dry, and more comfortable, ensuring you get a better night’s sleep in the process.

That’s where having a sleeping mat will come in useful. Anybody planning to camp on their travels will benefit from taking one with them!

72. Trekking poles

Planning on hitting the trail on your trip? Well, trekking poles will make your life ten times easier. Grab yourself some lightweight, foldable ones to take along for the ride.

73. Mini First-aid kit

You never know when something’s going to go wrong when you’re travelling! Minor injuries are relatively common. Having a basic (but well-stocked) first-aid kit in your backpack will help.

->> Click here to see a selection of top travel first-aid kits.

74. Insect repellent

I hate mosquitos (and all bitey insects, for that matter) with a passion! Unfortunately, you find then in huge numbers in some parts of the world.

Having some effective insect repellent can be a serious lifeline.

75. Spork and reusable straw

Strange as it might sound, I’ve started to travel with a Spork and reusable straw in my daypack. I know, they’re far from essential. But they definitely come in handy a lot when I’m on the road.

It cuts down on the amount of plastic cutlery and straws that I’d use otherwise and ensures I always have something with which to eat and drink when I’m travelling.

Remember This Travel Checklist of Important Things to Take on a Trip

Packing your bags is one of the most exciting parts of preparing for any trip.

However, it isn’t always a straightforward task! Even seasoned travellers can end up taking more than they need and/or forgetting the essentials.

That’s why I put together this long list of 75 things to take on a trip. I hope it’ll help out as you embark on this packing process.

Keep the travel checklist in mind and, with any luck, you’ll end up taking everything you need (and nothing more!) when you eventually hit the road. Good luck!

Did I miss anything out? Drop a comment below to let me know.

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Would you like to read more travel articles like this one? Check these out:

Around the world for $300: how to drop everything and go on a trip around the world

News

For many, the phrase “around the world” sounds like something incredibly complex, fantastically expensive and unattainable. Traveler Sergei Prostakov debunks this myth. From his own experience, he was convinced that the impossible is possible, you just need not be afraid to take the first step towards a new life and adventures that will be remembered forever.

December 07, 2017

AUTHOR: Sergey Prostakov

12 min

Dear friends, we would like to remind you that we have a super handy app for iOS available in the App Store

Download, try and leave your feedback!

Sergey Prostakov

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Traveler

Any trip needs finances, but if you minimize the three main expenses, such as transport, housing, food, then it turns out that you can travel almost without money. It all depends on your hardening. For example, you can turn on the “tramp” mode in yourself – live in a tent, cook in nature and travel mostly by hitchhiking. Thus, you can travel with virtually no money. It was this path that I chose, because otherwise it would not have been possible to carry out my round-the-world trip. nine0025

It all started with traveling around Europe for your favorite football team. It was the best school for any novice traveler, since there was no money in student days, and the desire to travel to Europe, see new countries and cheer for your favorite team at Eurocup matches was enormous. We went out with 10-20 euros in our pocket and every time we went through an incredible survival challenge.

The idea to go around the world first arose six months before the trip: my friends and I hitchhiked on the highway to Odessa and the conversation turned to travel. Someone talked about the fact that he was going to go to the Balkans, and someone began to tell a story about two guys traveling around the world. In my opinion, they were also from Ukraine, and for some reason it was this story that got into my head so much that when we returned home two days later, we phoned a friend and began to discuss a possible trip around the world. It’s funny: someone is inspired by the books of Jules Verne, Jack Kerouac, Jack London, Jon Krakauer and others; some were influenced by travel movies, we were influenced by a short story of ordinary guys who made a trip around the globe. nine0003

I had just finished my master’s degree in Warsaw and I was faced with a choice: to return to Europe to practice and start working, or to go in search of adventure. I chose travel, and as clichéd as it sounds, it has drastically changed my life. Just recently, I returned from a trip around the United States and I can say that without travel there is no way – it’s an addiction for life.

Start of the trip

We started planning the trip two months before departure. It was a simple monitoring of prices for air tickets to the countries that interested us. We called up every day, discussed some cheap flights and came up with new interesting routes. They decided to act gradually: first to get to Asia, travel through it in about two months, and decide what to do next based on the situation. Although, to be honest, there were many factors that made our plan very difficult. Firstly, money, and secondly, visa problems, especially in the case of the United States, where we really wanted to go after Asia. Nevertheless, we settled on the fact that we will resolve issues along the way. nine0003

My journey lasted 10 months. Initially, according to the plan, it would have taken more than a year, but when we ended up in Brazil, I had already managed to lose 15 kilograms and was very tired from traveling in such an economical mode. Last month we lived, it seems, on 100 dollars for two. For all that, the final route that we planned during the trip was a little unbelievable. We wanted to get to the most southern point of the world in Patagonia, visit the “Tierra del Fuego” – Ushuaia, and from there – get to Antarctica. We were told about the Russian and Ukrainian expedition stations and that if we were lucky they might take us back to the base for a while, but unfortunately we ended up in Brazil. nine0003

What to bring with you

It all depends on which type of travel you choose. If you are like me, in the tramp mode, then you definitely need to take a waterproof backpack and, preferably, some kind of waterproof clothing. Getting caught in the rain at the most inopportune moment is easy, because the less your backpack weighs, the easier it will be to move around. While in Central and South America, we walked about 20 km daily with a heavy backpack.

Be sure to take a small first aid kit with you. Personally, I didn’t even take a band-aid with me, but, fortunately, I didn’t need tablets during the whole trip, but they will come in handy – this is 100 percent. And, of course, a mat, a sleeping bag and a tent. Wherever we just did not sleep – it was gas stations, forests, beaches, train stations, on the street, in someone’s backyard, right by the highway, on rooftops, even in the bushes. Do not take extra clothes – most of you will not even wear. Also, do not take expensive equipment – you will either be robbed or you will ruin it, but, again, this applies to trips in the “hitchhiking tent” format – sheer savings. nine0003

Choosing a route

Our route was great: Thailand-Malaysia-Indonesia-Vietnam-China and, finally, Hong Kong. But, as often happens, a well-planned plan collapses – the purchased tickets from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur, and then to Bali burned down. A friend, buying a lot of tickets for the three of us, made a mistake in my last name, or rather, he wrote a different last name instead of mine. I made a mistake, it happens, but after all, everything that does not happen is all for the better. Already after a week of our trip, while in Bangkok, I realized that I had $250 left and there was no point in buying a new ticket from Thailand to Malaysia. I decided to fly from Bangkok directly to Hong Kong, having bought a ticket for $90. There, as we learned from friends, you can earn money, that’s how I ended up in the city of the future.

Most often we slept in a tent – probably 70% of the time, and the rest of the time we either found options through friends, or couchsurfing saved us, and sometimes social networks helped. On Instagram, for example, people sometimes offered to spend the night with them. There were moments when we were literally picked up on the street in a completely random way and received as their relatives. For example, once somewhere in California, in a large market, we were charging our phones, and a woman came up to us to ask why we were charging them here. When she learned that we were traveling around the world and sleeping in a tent, she immediately said that we needed to have a good rest and offered to go to her place after work. Upon arrival, we were waiting for a homemade buffet and a separate room for each. nine0003

Visa issue

Before the trip, only a Thai visa was made, all the rest were opened along the way. Most often, we dealt with visas that are already opened at the border. I received a US visa when I was in Hong Kong.

How to make money while traveling

My initial budget was almost $300 dollars. It did not last long – after two weeks, due to unforeseen circumstances, I had about $170 left. Therefore, upon arrival in Hong Kong, I lived in a tent on the island. There was a campsite with all amenities – a shared shower, toilet, and the view from there was simply incredible. And waking up to the sound of the China Sea is simply unforgettable.

Continuation of the trip in the States

From Hong Kong I went to Seattle. I didn’t have any specific plan – I didn’t know where I would live and what to do. Along the way, friends told me that they had a friend living in San Francisco, and it turns out I even know him. Therefore, it was decided to get to San Francisco, and there it would already be clear where to go next and what to do.

Having not slept well for 4 days in a row since Hong Kong, I got to San Francisco, met with a friend, he gave me the keys and I went to his house to sleep. From San Francisco, I decided to fly to the capital of the world – to New York, where there are more opportunities and, as it turned out, I also found mutual friends. When I got off the plane in New York I had $10 and couldn’t even leave the airport. As a result, I came to friends who became real friends for me. They received me very warmly, and literally the next day I already earned money helping this friend in his work with machines. A few weeks later I met with a friend and he offered to go around the USA. I agreed, although I missed the whole south, having flown to them already in San Francisco and from there we went by car through all the western and northern states back to New York. nine0003

Back in New York, my friend and I realized that we didn’t want to go home so quickly, so we decided to save some money and go to Central America. Inspired by Che Guevara’s Diary of a Motorcycle, they thought about buying motorcycles and riding them all over America, but the idea collapsed immediately after monitoring motorcycle prices in the United States.

We decided to travel in the simplest and cheapest way – hitchhiking. In a few days, we collected information about countries and soon set off from New York to Mexico, namely, to the resort town of Cancun. There we met a guy who saw us on Instagram and wanted to travel with us. We rented a car for three and set off to explore the mysterious Mexico with its magical pyramids and mystical cenotes. After Mexico, we hitchhiked to all the other Central American countries. Our itinerary included Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama. nine0003

Despite all the horror stories about the dangers of Central America, which we have read on the Internet, we have bypassed it. Only in the capital of Honduras, Tegucigalpa, did the locals want to rob us when we were heading to the highest point of the city through the favelas. But one woman stopped us just in time – there really were several guys waiting for us on a platoon nearby. There was another case in Costa Rica when we ran away from a group of guys. We had to hide from them on the territory of some state institution, after which guards with batons and flashlights ran out to us, thinking that we were robbers. After that, after calling the police, we went to sleep at the station. In the Republic of Nicaragua, the policemen haunted us: no matter how hard we hid in the parks, they found us under the pretense that it was unsafe on the streets at night and that they were worried about us, they took us to the station, where, according to them, we should sleeping rooms were to be provided. It turned out that the sleeping rooms are the plot itself and we slept on the floor. nine0003

How can you save money?

The main savings come from three points:

Transport. We were hitchhiking, so we didn’t spend any money on travel.
Housing. We spent the night mostly in tents where we could. The safest thing was at gas stations, there were guards with weapons, although we were already driven out of there at 5-6 in the morning, but at least we could fall asleep peacefully. We also slept at railway stations just in sleeping bags, and sometimes rented hostels for $3-5. Sometimes we even got lucky on couchsurfing. Well, we washed at gas stations for truckers. nine0108
Food. We ate about 1-2 times a day. It was usually something very cheap—$1 hot dogs at a gas station or local street food. I do not advise anyone to save so hard, because there is very little pleasant in this.

Most of the money was spent on food. I repeat, the tent has become more dear to us than a home bed, and hitchhiking has become the main means of transportation. Once in Honduras, we were given a lift by some police general who, having found out where we were sleeping, said: “If you put up a tent somewhere on the street, you won’t wake up or stay naked.” After that, he took us to a site that looked like a post-war broken fortress with huge gates, and left us to spend the night there. nine0003

Read also

Patagonia: an incredible journey to Tierra del Fuego

January 21, 2017

TOP 5 most vivid impressions during the trip Still, I think the TOP might look like this:

Earthquake in Nicaragua

As we were told, they happen once or twice a year. Here we are “lucky”. One day, while having lunch on the top floor of the shopping center, we felt tremors and realized how scary it really is. At first, I thought that someone was just shaking the table, but when people started screaming and running to the exit, my friends and I froze for a while with spoons in our hands and open mouths, it was very dumb

Skyscrapers of Hong Kong

As soon as we took the ferry to the central island of Hong Kong and saw so many skyscrapers for the first time, I was speechless. It was very impressive, to say the least!

Wildlife in the USA

You won’t find so many wild animals anywhere. For example, in Washington state I chased a deer, and in Wyoming I ran away from a bear and a buffalo. I will never forget this! Even extreme videos remained in memory 🙂

Machu Picchu

Probably the biggest impression on me was made by this mysterious city of the ancient Inca Empire. He is just perfect! It does not fit in my head how in those days they could build it at an altitude of 2450 meters. Everything is interesting – from the history of how this city was found to where all the inhabitants disappeared, and architectural and engineering technologies generally baffle even modern scientists.

Hitchhiking in Chile

Impressions are not always positive. Here in Chile, my friend and I traveled about 20 km in three days, stuck in the desert without food and water. It was the most difficult. Our faces were burned, our eyes were filled with sand, but no one even stopped to help us. We were already beginning to hallucinate, over time we decided to stop rare scheduled buses and ask for money from them. After missing about five buses because they were asking for $100 per person, on the sixth bus we said ok. When they started to go, they gave the conductor only 50 bucks for two, they said that there was no more and passed out to the very capital of Chile – Santiago. Upon arrival, after 20-odd hours, hunger and thirst were already simply unbearable so much that I found someone else’s pack of chips and pounced on it. I have never experienced such hunger and thirst, but we have passed this life quest. After that, the rest of the troubles were just a trifle. nine0003

Read also

10 reasons to fall in love with Peru

February 13, 2020

Tips for those who are going on a trip around the world

Accept that any even the most thoughtful plan is doomed. It will never go exactly as planned, so hope for the best, but be prepared for the worst – there should always be a plan B. You need to try to get in touch with family and friends at least every other day – do not make them worry. Everything is much simpler than it seems, than others say and than they write on the Internet. Collect more information, analyze, because forewarned means forearmed, you will understand this as soon as you go on a trip. Keep a diary, make a video, take pictures – you have no idea how many emotions these few lines can give or a photo when you look at it a year later at home before going to bed – it’s priceless. And, most importantly, don’t let doubts and people stop you on the way to fulfilling your desires, don’t let “crabs in a bucket” stop you 🙂

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