One Year of Full-Time Travel: 6 Countries, 30 Destinations, and What It Cost Us
Traveling full-time for an entire year sounds like a dream, but how much does it actually cost? Can you do it on a budget while still enjoying a comfortable lifestyle?
We spent 52 weeks exploring six countries and 30 destinations, focusing on slow travel, avoiding tourist traps, and embracing affordable, everyday experiences. In this post, we’ll break down where we went, how long we stayed, and—most importantly—how much we spent.
Where We Traveled: 6 Countries, 30 Destinations, 52 Weeks
We focused on Southeast Asia for its affordability, ease of travel, and fantastic mix of culture, food, and scenery. Our goal was to experience each place deeply rather than rush from city to city.
The Philippines (11 weeks, 10 locations)
Manila – 1 week
Cebu – 1 week
Camotes Islands – 1 week
Bantayan Island – 2 weeks
Bohol – 3 weeks
BGC (Bonifacio Global City) – 1 week
Angeles City – 1 week
Boracay – 1 week
El Nido – 1 week
Singapore (1 week, 1 location)
Singapore – 1 week
Malaysia (12 weeks, 5 locations)
Kuala Lumpur – 3 weeks
Malacca – 2 weeks
Ipoh – 2 weeks
Penang – 2 weeks
Langkawi – 3 weeks
Thailand (8 weeks, 4 locations)
Hat Yai – 2 weeks
Phuket – 2 weeks
Bangkok – 2 weeks
Chiang Mai – 2 weeks
Vietnam (10 weeks, 6 locations)
Hanoi – 1 week
Tam Coc – 1 week
Hue – 1 week
Da Nang – 3 weeks
Hoi An – 1 week
Nha Trang – 2 weeks
Ho Chi Minh City – 3 weeks
Indonesia (4 weeks, 4 locations)
Kuta & Legian (Bali) – 1 week
Sanur (Bali) – 1 week
Nusa Lembongan – 1 week
Seminyak (Bali) – 1 week
How Much Did It Cost to Travel Full-Time for a Year?
We tracked every dollar we spent over 12 months. Here’s the full breakdown for two people:
Total Spend: $19,171.88 for 2 people
That’s $1,597 per month or $52.53 per day for both of us combined.
1. Accommodation – $6,087.88 ($507/month, $16.68/day)
We stayed in apartments, budget hotels, and occasional splurges, prioritizing our own space with a private bathroom.
71% in apartments ($14/night)
25% in mid-range hotels ($19.50/night)
4% in expensive hotels ($48/night)
2. Food & Beer – $7,728 ($644/month, $21.17/day)
Food was our biggest expense, but we balanced cheap street food, local restaurants, and occasional Western meals.
Eating Out (Local Food) – $2.50/meal
Eating Out (Western Food) – $8.00/meal
Groceries – $2.00 per person per meal
Beer/Wine – $1 per drink
3. Transportation – $1,272 ($106/month, $3.48/day)
We avoided flights when possible and used buses, trains, and ferries to keep costs down.
Flights – $30/trip (only 6 flights in a year!)
Public Transport – $0.50 per ride
Ferries & Trains – $12 per ride
Grab (Rideshare) – $5 per ride
4. Entertainment – $2,040 ($170/month, $5.59/day)
This included entrance fees, day trips, and fun experiences.
Entrance fees – $25/month per person
Nights out (drinks, live music, events) – $20 per night, 3 times per month
5. Miscellaneous – $1,444 ($120/month, $3.96/day)
Covers clothing, visas, SIM cards, cloud storage, subscriptions, and banking fees.
Clothing – $340
Visas – $260
SIM/Data – $120
Cloud/Software – $240
Bank Fees – $184
Subscriptions – $300
6. Health & Wellness – $600 ($50/month, $1.64/day)
This includes all medical expenses.
We don’t have insurance.
How We Kept Costs Low Without Sacrificing Comfort
1. Slow Travel Saves Money
Staying 2–3 weeks per destination meant lower accommodation costs.
Fewer transport costs since we moved less often.
2. We Cooked and Ate Local Food
Local street food for $2–$3 per meal saved a ton compared to Western food.
Grocery shopping kept costs down in expensive cities.
3. We Avoided Flights
Only 6 flights all year—we used trains, buses, and ferries instead.
4. No Expensive Tours or Activities
We walked, took public transport, and explored neighborhoods instead of booking pricey day tours.
5. No Long Visa Extensions
We moved to a new country before our visa expired to avoid extension fees.
Would We Do It Again?
Absolutely! For under $20,000 for two people, we lived in some of the world’s most beautiful places without rushing, without stress, and without breaking the bank.
If you’re dreaming of full-time travel, this proves you don’t need a massive budget—you just need a plan.
Would you ever try a year of slow travel? Let us know where you’d go first!