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So, you’re thinking about travelling the world? Maybe you’re planning a grown-up gap year, looking at using your annual leave allowance in one go for a month-long trip, or just daydreaming about swapping your office desk for airport lounges. Whatever your reason, covering six continents in one year is both exhilarating and completely overwhelming.
I should know - I did it.
And while I’d love to say it was all effortless and glamorous, the reality is that long-term solo travel takes planning, flexibility, and a good sense of humour. Here’s how I survived (and even thrived!) while hopping across six continents - and how you can too.
1. Spreadsheets Are Your Friend
If you think long-term travel is all about spontaneity, let me introduce you to my beloved spreadsheets.
When you’re juggling multiple countries, different climates, visa restrictions, and whatever currency is in use this week, a little organisation goes a long way.
How to Keep Travel Plans Sane
✅ Use a simple calendar – Map out the rough order of your destinations so you don’t accidentally book a flight from Tokyo to Buenos Aires with a four-hour layover (your future self will thank you). Plus you can keep an eye on any upcoming bank holidays which may affect your trip (I’m looking at you Lunar New Year).
✅ List your priorities – What’s non-negotiable? A world wonder? A Michelin-star meal? An iconic hike? Prioritising “must-dos” keeps you focused and stops you from feeling like you’ve missed out.
✅ Stay flexible – Have a loose plan, but leave space for spontaneity—because some of the best moments happen when you least expect them.
Pro tip: Google Sheets is your best friend. Accessible anywhere and perfect for storing everything from flight details to bucket list activities.
And for when your inbox becomes a dumping ground for booking confirmations? Try TripIt - the app scans your inbox and puts it in a full timeline so you can see everything you've booked at a glance.
2. eSIMs Will Change Your Life
Gone are the days of landing in a new country and immediately hunting for a dodgy airport SIM card kiosk. Enter: eSIMs—the easiest way to stay connected everywhere.
Why You Need an eSIM
✔️ They’re cheap and accessible – No more overpriced tourist SIMs or surprise roaming charges. Just download, activate, and you’re online.
✔️ You’re always connected – Whether it’s ordering an Uber, checking Google Maps, or panic-Googling “can I drink the tap water here?” - having data is a lifesaver.
Best options: Airalo and Holafly are two solid choices for global eSIMs, with packages for multiple destinations. Use code STEPH6646 for £2.50 off your first SIM with Airalo.
3. Forget Perfection
Repeat after me: You won’t see everything, and that’s okay.
No matter how carefully you plan, something will go wrong - bad weather, closures, or just sheer exhaustion. And honestly? That’s part of the adventure.
How to Manage Travel FOMO
⏳ Prioritise “must-sees” – If something is really important to you, plan around it. But if you miss out on a museum or a famous viewpoint, remember - you’re still having an incredible experience. I was really ill while I was in Japan which meant I got to see hardly any of Kyoto but that was just a few days in my overall travels. And anyway, Japan is still there! You can always go back to a place if you really really want to see it.
🌦️ Pack for all weather – Travelling out of season means fewer crowds, but also unpredictable weather. Bring layers and embrace the elements. I certainly wasn’t expecting to wake up from a nap in Queenstown to find it covered in snow - eternally grateful for my Marks and Spencer heat-tech layers!
🚀 Be realistic about distances – That cute village might look close on a map, but if it requires four buses and a donkey ride to get there, maybe rethink it.
4. Go With the Flow
Things will go wrong. That’s just part of long-term travel. I’ve had flights cancelled, bags go missing, and once even crashed a campervan in New Zealand (10/10 do not recommend). It wiped out two days of my itinerary, and at the time, I was devastated. But guess what? I still had a great time in New Zealand, even if I had to rethink a few things.
How to Build in Buffer Time
🗓️ Schedule downtime – Don’t pack every day with activities. Leave space for rest (or unexpected disasters). When you’re walking between 10,000 and 20,000 steps a day, you literally need to put your feet up from time to time.
✈️ Avoid back-to-back travel days – A missed flight or train delay can throw your whole schedule off. When a hurricane hit New Orleans and I had a flight cancelled, I was able to rearrange my connecting flights so I had a couple of days in Austin, Texas - an unexpected stop and it ended up being one of my favourite cities in the US.
💆 Accept the chaos – Sometimes, you just have to laugh it off and move on.
Not a Fan of Planning? Try an Escorted Tour
If the thought of spreadsheets and itinerary juggling makes you break out in hives, don’t worry - escorted tours are a great alternative. Whether you want the convenience of pre-arranged transport and accommodation or just prefer the social side of group travel, there are plenty of options to suit your style.
In countries where I wanted to visit a lot of sites in a short space of time, or simply thought navigating the country solo was a bit too daunting, I booked onto group tours.
Platforms like TourRadar let you compare tours from multiple operators, while companies like G Adventures offer incredible small-group experiences - including trips to the elusive seventh continent, Antarctica. So if stepping foot on the White Continent is on your bucket list but the logistics seem overwhelming, a guided expedition might be the perfect way to do it!
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?
Absolutely.
A year of solo travel will push you, challenge you, and sometimes make you question your sanity - but it will also be one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do.
So grab your spreadsheets, download an eSIM, and get planning - because the world is waiting.
Have you ever taken a long-term trip? What’s your best travel survival tip? Drop it in the comments!
Ai Generated Stock photos by Vecteezy Travel Stock photos by Vecteezy Rail Stock photos by Vecteezy Adult Stock photos by Vecteezy Planning Stock photos by Vecteezy
2 comments
It has been fantastic following you around the world. I have learnt a lot . If I am in a position to travel I will be in touch.
I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing all your amazing adventures and cany quite believe you have achieved so much.