How to Take a 6 Month Trip Around the World

When it comes to planning a 6 month adventure, there are a few approaches.

You could book a round-the-world (RTW) ticket, meaning you choose your route in advance. Or you could arrange your transport as you go, which gives you maximum freedom but can be expensive if you're booking last minute flights.

I used an RTW ticket for my own trip, with flexible timing on most flights and a ticket valid for up to twelve months. This gave me a useful structure without locking me into a rigid schedule.

One of my biggest fears while planning my trip was running out of money halfway around the world. This is one of the biggest psychological barriers to long-term travel.

In my blog post here, I outline how to calculate the cost of your trip.

Slow travel to fewer destinations is more cost-effective. I spent a month or more in most countries I visited. This was also calmer for my nervous system as I could settle in each place and get to know it.

Six months of travel is definitely enough time to allow you to forget your usual routines and gain perspective that you can't from a two-week holiday.

Some people prefer to only take three months, but find it goes by quickly. If you feel you will miss too much at home or at work by being away for a year, a 6 month trip around the world could be the sweet spot.

That said, the world is a big place and six months may not be enough time to see all the destinations you dream of visiting. You may need to compromise by focusing on one continent or region.

One of the biggest unknowns when taking time away from your work and homelife is what happens to what you leave behind.

I gave up my rented flat before I left and sold clothes I didn't need on eBay. If you have furniture, a storage unit is a practical solution. I was lucky enough to have family members willing to look after some of my belongings. The administrative hassle of ending my lease, quitting my job and sorting out my belongings felt overwhelming (I even had a small panic attack). In the end, it took a few focused weeks and then it was done.

With some employers you can negotiate a sabbatical or unpaid leave, particularly if you've been there several years and have built up goodwill. I ended up leaving my job, which was terrifying but turned out to be a relief. A friend did a very similar trip as a sabbatical. While she had the security of being able to return to her job afterwards, she acknowledged that psychologically it's very different as your job is still there in the back of your mind.

Long-term travel isn’t a continuous high. There are stretches of boredom, homesickness, loneliness and second-guessing.

On more than one occasion I had the travel blues or felt lonely, even though I absolutely loved travelling by myself 99% of the time.

These moments are normal and will pass. It’s part of the experience for most solo travellers. However, you are more likely to find you meet far more people while travelling than you expect. These fellow travellers can enrich your experience in many ways.

Yes, standard travel insurance typically only covers trips up to 30-90 days. For six months you’ll need extended travel insurance or an annual multi-trip policy. Make sure it covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost belongings and adventure activities like scuba diving. Emergencies abroad can be expensive so it’s better to take precautions.

Being comfortable with uncertainty helps — plans will shift and things will go wrong. And if you accept that you won't see everything and resist the urge to cram in every must-see destination, a six month trip becomes considerably more attainable.

Once you've decided whether a 6 month trip around the world is feasible, the next step is choosing a route — or at least a first stop. From there, you can work out the style and pace of travel that suits your energy and budget. This is what I help with in my 1:1 sessions.