Is full-time travel your dream? Here are 13 practical ways to learn how to travel full-time and become a full-time traveler.
Full-time travel and long-term adventure appeal to many people, but it doesn’t have to remain just a dream.
We sold our house, moved into an RV, and began traveling about four years ago. Last year we sold the RV and now live on a sailboat. Over the past few years I’ve met many full-time travelers: those who saved up for long trips, retirees who chose to see the world, people taking odd jobs on the road, those who work remotely while traveling, and more.
I’ve met a lot of interesting, inspiring people along the way, and they demonstrate that anyone can make full-time travel possible. It ultimately depends on how much you want it.
And yes, you can travel full-time with a family. If you don’t believe me, see examples of families traveling full-time with kids and pets.
Not everyone wants to travel long-term, but if you do, read on. While living in an RV and now on a sailboat I’ve met people from many backgrounds who make full-time travel work, including:
- A couple nearing retirement who bought an RV and worked at campgrounds in exchange for free stays.
- Employees who keep a traditional job but work remotely from their RV using internet access.
- A traveler who sourced antiques and resold them while on the road.
- Several full-time travel bloggers, including myself.
- Sailors who have circumnavigated the globe.
- Filmmakers, photographers, graphic designers, and virtual assistants who work remotely.
- People who work at hotels and campgrounds while traveling.
- Rock climbing and river rafting guides.
- Retirees exploring the world.
- People who work intensely for part of the year and travel the rest.
- Those who combine long-term travel with au pairing or tutoring.
Most of the travelers I’ve met are not online freelancers or bloggers. Everyone finds unique ways to make full-time travel work, so you can likely find options that suit your situation.
Many people are worried about the cost, but if you truly want to travel full-time, there are strategies to make it feasible. Below are 13 practical approaches to help you make full-time travel a reality.
Here are 13 ways to make full-time travel a reality.
1. Figure out how much money you need.
How much does it cost to travel full-time?
Start by estimating your monthly travel budget — similar to a household budget but with different expense categories depending on your chosen mode of travel (RV, car, sailboat, etc.) and destination. Research typical costs for the places you plan to visit and the type of travel you’ll do so you can estimate average monthly expenses for living and enjoyment.
Everyone travels differently, so budgets will vary. Decide whether you’ll travel frugally or more luxuriously to determine your monthly target. Then calculate the total you need in a travel fund by considering:
- How many months or years you plan to be on the road.
- Your destinations and their living costs.
- Whether you’ll return home periodically.
- If you’ll keep a home or vehicle while traveling.
- How fast you’ll move between places.
- Activities and experiences you want to pursue.
Understanding your financial limits is essential. If traveling with a partner or family, align expectations early so you can plan and afford the lifestyle together.
2. Put money into savings before you spend it.
After covering essentials and retirement contributions, prioritize putting money into a travel fund before spending on discretionary items. Paying yourself first helps you build the fund faster and forces you to curb unnecessary spending.
Using financial aggregation tools can help you track progress toward your travel goals by consolidating accounts and showing whether you’re on track for travel, retirement, and other priorities.
3. Follow a budget to prepare for full-time travel.
Budgets keep you aware of income and expenses, helping you see how much you can save each month. Starting a budget before you leave will train you to manage money while traveling and reveal categories where cuts are possible. There are many effective strategies to reduce household spending and redirect savings into your travel fund.
4. Pay off debt.
Traveling without the burden of monthly debt payments reduces stress and broadens your options. Eliminating debt lowers your monthly expenses, which can make full-time travel more affordable and give you freedom to work less or pursue lower-paying, location-independent opportunities. If possible, pay down debt before you depart to make the lifestyle simpler and more enjoyable.
5. Create a vision board.
Visualizing your travel goals boosts motivation and makes saving feel more tangible. Display images of destinations, vehicles you plan to use (RV, sailboat), or quotes that inspire you. Create a Pinterest board, a poster, or even start a blog to document progress — public accountability can help you stay committed.
6. Work while you travel and become location independent.
There are many ways to earn money on the road. Location independence is achievable for many people. Options include:
- Running a website or blog and monetizing through advertising, affiliate marketing, sponsorships, digital products, and services.
- Freelance writing, virtual assistance, or remote contract work for online business owners.
- Selling products or crafts you make or source while traveling, using platforms like Etsy or marketplaces that fit your needs.
- Housesitting to secure free places to stay (sometimes paid).
- Working remotely for a traditional employer if they allow telecommuting.
- Photography and content creation, selling stock images or commissioned work.
7. Find seasonal or local work where you stay.
If you choose to stay in one place for a while, look for temporary local jobs to offset costs: bartending, restaurant work, positions at hotels or campgrounds, farm help, cruise yacht work, tutoring, teaching English, or au pairing. Local employment can lower your travel expenses while allowing you to experience communities more deeply.
8. Work intensely before you leave.
Some travelers prefer to build a large travel fund by working long hours or running a side business before they depart. Getting ahead on work, content, or finances can provide breathing room on the road. Consider side gigs, freelancing, or seasonal jobs to accelerate your savings.
9. Sell your car.
If you won’t use a vehicle while traveling long-term, selling it eliminates ownership costs and frees cash. Some travelers keep one vehicle for occasional use, but many find car sharing, ride-hailing services, or occasional rentals work well and reduce expenses related to insurance, maintenance, storage, and depreciation.
10. Let go of your home.
If you plan to be away for an extended period, selling your home eliminates housing expenses and administrative burdens. If you prefer to retain the property, consider renting it out short-term or long-term and factor in property management, cleaning, and maintenance costs into your travel budget.
11. Make your dollars stretch.
Full-time travel can be as costly or as inexpensive as you choose. Practicing frugality before and during travel helps you save more and extend your trips. Frugal habits include couchsurfing or staying with friends, using hostels or budget accommodations, tracking food spending, cutting recurring memberships, and selling unneeded possessions. Stretching each dollar also helps you adjust to living with less and makes long-term travel more sustainable.
12. Use travel rewards and points wisely.
Travel hacking — responsibly using credit card and loyalty programs to earn points and miles — can lower transportation and accommodation costs. For disciplined travelers who manage cards carefully, points can fund flights, hotels, and other travel expenses. Avoid getting in over your head with debt while pursuing rewards.
13. Travel slowly.
Traveling slowly is often more affordable and less exhausting than constantly moving from place to place. Slower travel reduces transportation costs, gives you time to immerse yourself in destinations, and makes it easier to find temporary work or negotiate longer-term accommodation discounts. Fast-paced travel lets you visit more places, which may suit those with time constraints or remote work flexibility, but for many long-term travelers, taking time to linger is both economical and more enjoyable.
How do I become a full-time traveler?
There are many ways to fund and sustain full-time travel. Combine approaches — save aggressively, reduce expenses, pursue location-independent income, and be flexible about where and how you work — until you find a system that fits your life. Whether you want to explore Europe, Southeast Asia, India, South America, or anywhere else, the full-time travel lifestyle is achievable with planning and commitment.
Are you interested in full-time travel? Why or why not?