What 6 months of travel around the world really costs: My budget breakdown
When I first started planning my six month trip, the biggest question on my mind was: How much will this actually cost?
A big part of the journey was learning to let go and trusting that I had enough. But hearing from friends who had done something similar was invaluable - understanding not just how much they spent, but also where they went, their travel style and the experiences they prioritised.
Now that I’m back, I’m spilling the tea on exactly how much I spent, the category breakdown, and the strategies I used to make my savings last - without missing out on experiences that mattered to me.
Whether you’re planning a long-term trip or just curious about the real cost of extended travel (aka how much I spent), this detailed budget breakdown will give a clear picture - along with some useful tips to help you plan your own adventure.
Setting the context: My travel style
Every traveller is different, so let me give you a bit of context before I give you the numbers.
Travel pace: Whilst my pace was still fast (3-7 days in one place), I opted to stay in a region or country for at least a week, sometimes several, and made use of buses or trains to cut down on flight costs.
Accommodation: Shared with my partner or friends and stayed in a mix of Airbnbs, apartments, hostels and the occasional hotel. Stayed with friends and family a few times (you know who you are, thank you x100).
Food: Ate at a mix of local markets, street food, restaurants and home-made meals (groceries).
Transportation: Avid searcher for good deals and rewards flights. Big fan of public transport (buses, trains, ferries) and lots of walking - best way to experience a place!
Destinations: I spent the peak summer months (July & August) in the Balkans, Germany, Eastern Europe and the south of Spain, which are cheaper than Central/Western Europe.
Breakdown of the total cost: What 6 months of travel really cost me
Costs for Europe
Over four months, I spent AU$24,100 in Europe (and Morocco, but we can debate whether it’s an extension of Europe or not 🤭).
Here’s the breakdown (AUD):
Flights & Transportation: $3,950
Accommodation: $7,600
Food & drinks: $4,500
Activities & tours: $1,550
Music festivals: $2,350
Dance teacher course/festivals: $2,350
Shopping: $1,150
Insurance and other essentials (e.g. mobile data): $650
Europe Total: $24,100
Costs for Asia & UAE
Over two months, I spent AU$7,950 in Asia and our stopover in Dubai & Abu Dhabi. The breakdown (AUD):
Flights & Transportation: $2,150
Accommodation: $1,250
Food & drinks: $1,500
Activities & tours: $1,200
Scuba diving: $1,000
Shopping: $500
Insurance and other essentials (e.g. mobile data): $350
Asia Total: $7,950
Total spend for 6 months: AU$32,000
Note: Numbers have been rounded for readability.
Strategies I used to keep the costs down
You might be wondering - was I being frugal the whole time? Was I working? (The answer is no to both 😂)
Whilst I was sticking to a budget, I prioritised some experiences that others might say no to e.g. last minute Tomorrowland tickets (AU$2,000) - and to compensate I did use a few tricks that you can use too.
How to fly for cheap
Learn how to collect points through credit cards.
I’ve been collecting Qantas Frequent Flyer (QFF) points since 2020 and this was a game changer.
Ways you can collect points:
Bonus points from opening a new credit card - after 6-12 months I take a look on Points Hacks to see if there’s better deals
Points from everyday spend
Points transfer from other programs like Everyday Rewards (Woolworths)
Walking - Qantas Wellbeing gives points for your steps! You can use my referral code WUSARA for an extra 150 points.
Shopping, hotel/Airbnb stays and insurance.
My only call out - be responsible with your spending and don’t go into credit card debt buying stuff you don’t need or can’t afford. Most credit cards also charge an annual fee, so make sure the benefits are worth it (bonus points, travel credit, free airport lounge access).
The QFF program gives you access to Classic Rewards flights where you pay for flights with points plus taxes - this is the main reason why my flights were so cheap! The Velocity Frequent Flyer program also offers something similar in Australia.
Examples of my flights (taxes only):
London to Dubai with Emirates $330
Singapore to Krabi with Jetstar $20 - I couldn’t believe it either!
Munich to London with British Airways $90
Singapore to Cebu with Cathay Pacific $160
Manilla to Sydney with Qantas $135
Being flexible with dates for flights and using comparison websites.
I found my one-way $600 flight with China Southern from Sydney to Rome in June 2024 after trying different dates and routes to get to the Amalfi Coast on Google Flights - the next option was $1,100 with Scoot!
Google Flights also has a ‘Fly to Anywhere’ option for finding cheap flights if your destination is flexible.
I booked in advance for the Sydney to Europe flight (booked in Jan 2024 for June 2024) but the rest I booked as I went. Booking one-way also gives more flexibility and avoids date change fees in the future.
Choosing cheaper transportation
Opting for land travel (bus, train, ferry) over flying is not just better for the environment - it’s also good for your wallet.
It eliminates extra luggage fees especially on budget carriers - most bus, train and ferry routes include a bag in your ticket price and are far less strict about weight limits. Public transport, biking or walking is also cheaper than Uber or taxis.
I took buses and trains from Belgium across to Germany, Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary, and similarly used trains to get from Chongqing to Hong Kong.
Taking the longer route is also an option if there’s a significant saving.
Instead of flying direct from Singapore to Cebu, I saved $200 and flew via Hong Kong instead as I could redeem rewards flights - and I’m lowkey obsessed with the breakfast at Hong Kong McDonalds (you gotta try it yourself).
Packing light
Travelling with just a backpack and a carry-on suitcase was incredibly liberating.
Not only does packing light help with avoiding excessive baggage fees, it also makes getting around much easier. I did end up paying for checked luggage on flights, as I had to check my carry-on suitcase due to contact lens solution.
If you’re curious about what I packed, I’ve put together a packing list with my recommendations: How to Pack for Six Months of Travel | Packing List
Free and cheap activities
Walking tours, hikes and exploring different neighbourhoods cost next to nothing - and they’re a great way to get to know a place.
For longer trips, I used Lime Passes (prepaid minute bundles) for Lime bikes which made getting around quicker and more convenient. Biking was also a fun way to squeeze in some exercise - you can sign up using my referral link to get free ride credits!
How to save on accommodation
Staying longer in each place, book direct and negotiate. Many Airbnbs and apartments offer discounts for longer stays - or if not you can ask, especially if you’re staying for 5 days or more.
Some hotels/apartments/bnbs will list on multiple accommodation aggregators but offer discounts if you book direct, so it’s worth checking.
Use cashback and loyalty programs - both my partner & I are Booking.com Genius Level 3 Members, which meant we got extra discounts, free upgrades or free breakfast. We also made use of Cashrewards and Shopback cashback programs to save on accommodation, transport and activities. We also tried to stick to a budget of AU$50-100 per person / night in Europe - our average was $70 per person / night, and if you’re going even more budget with hostels you could do this for less.
Booking sites like Klook, Get Your Guide and Trip.com also offer great deals on accommodation, transport and activities in Europe & Asia - Trip.com in China especially.
Ask your friends and look on Facebook groups for spare rooms or sublets. These are cheaper than hotels or Airbnbs, especially if someone is renting out a room while they’re away on holidays. I trawled the Aussies in London FB group ahead of visiting London and found lots of sublet listings.
Hosting your friends when they visit your home city is also a great exchange for when you stay in theirs.
House-sitting or pet-sitting gigs are another great option for those with flexible dates and locations.
I chose to stay at Selina Secret Garden Lisbon rather than an Airbnb - it’s a coworking hostel with free yoga classes and a beautiful rooftop space where I could do some writing.
How to save on FX fees and cash withdrawals when abroad
As Australians, we’re lucky that we have a lot of options for debit and credit cards that don’t charge foreign exchange (FX) transaction or international fees - and if you’re not using one then you could be paying an extra 3% on each transaction!
I personally use Up Bank (debit), Macquarie Bank (debit) and ANZ Travel Adventures Rewards credit card (sadly, grandfathered).
Wise and Revolut are also provide great FX rates for paying and transferring foreign currency to your friends when you split bills.
When withdrawing foreign currency, use no FX fee debit cards to avoid cash advance fees. Since ATM withdrawal fees are charged per transaction, I minimise the number of withdrawals by taking out enough cash to cover my needs in cash-heavy countries like the Philippines and Thailand.
While the cards above don’t charge foreign transaction fees, ATM withdrawal fees are charged by the ATM provider. Some countries have fee-free ATMs, but I still encountered fees occasionally.
Make sure you DECLINE their conversion rate! In my experience, their conversion rate is WORSE than what your card will offer you.
Using local sims or eSIMs to stay connected
I’m a big fan of using eSIMs to stay connected - they’re quick to install and can cover a single country or an entire region.
In Europe, I used MobiMatter for seamless coverage across the continent. When my phone got stolen, replacing the eSIM cost just $5 - a real lifesaver. (You can use my referral code SEERA13389 for 50% cashback - up to $5 - on your first purchase.)
I also prefer buying local SIM cards over using Australian roaming services.
For example, Vodafone Australia charges AU$5/day for international roaming. In Singapore, you can get a 14-day 100GB SIM with roaming in Malaysia & Thailand for AU$14 - a way better deal if you’re staying longer than a couple of days.
Eating local
Street food, local restaurants and home-cooked meals not only save money but also offer a more authentic experience - plus exploring local supermarkets becomes a fun adventure! (I absolutely love going to the jamón deli at Mercadona in Spain, iykyk.)
Eating out for every meal over 6 months can take a toll on your diet and health, so having access to a kitchen was a welcome change. It felt really nice to pick up fresh local produce and enjoy a home-cooked meal whenever we had the chance.
Taking care of your health
Riding escooters down an old airstrip in Berlin!
Before leaving, I visited my dentist, optometrist and doctor for check-ups, and got all the necessary travel vaccinations. These are important steps in preventative health, helping you avoid potential health issues (and costly hospital visits) while abroad. I also packed a small case of medicine including alcohol wipes & band-aids, paracetemol, ibuprofen, Zyrtec (allergies), Po Chai pills (stomach) and electrolyte tablets.
To incorporate exercise during my travels, I used active modes of transport (walking, biking) and ClassPass, which allowed me to try classes like Aerial Yoga in London. Many gyms also provide worldwide access - a great option for keeping up with fitness on the go.
Is travel insurance worth it?
Yes. Travel insurance is absolutely worth it.
It gave me peace of mind for delayed flights or baggage, and I was able to make a claim when my phone was stolen.
For my six month trip, I used:
Travel insurance through my ANZ credit card for the first 3 months
World Nomads for the last 3 months as they cover Australians who are already overseas and allow you to extend your policy when you’re on your trip.
Could you do it too? My advice for long-term travel
With some planning and intentional choices, long-term travel can be more achievable than you think.
Start by figuring out:
Where you want to go, how long you want to travel, and what season you’ll visit. These factors will shape your budget and how much you’ll need to save before you leave.
What kinds of experiences matter most to you. Prioritising certain activities (like food, adventure or cultural experiences) helps you allocate your budget wisely.
For me, I was willing to spend more on scuba diving, dance festivals and music festivals but not as much on guided tours or tourist attractions.
Your flexibility. If you’re working or studying, consider how much time you can take off - if you’re in between jobs or looking to do a working holiday, you’ll have even more freedom.
Long-term travel on a budget often involves trade-offs, so decide what you’re comfortable with - whether that’s sharing common spaces in accommodation (like a private room in an Airbnb), slower but cheaper transportation, or travelling during the off-season.
If you’re looking for more practical tips, check out my other posts:
I hope this breakdown satisfies your curiousity and helps you if you’re planning for long-term travel!
If you have questions or something specific you’d like me to cover, leave me a comment below 😊
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Not sure how to pack for your next trip? Here are some tips on how to pack for a trip that’s anywhere from a few weeks to six months of travel.