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Home » Budget Travel » The ULTIMATE Guide to Overland Travel (2024)

The ULTIMATE Guide to Overland Travel (2024)

It is absolutely without question that my best travel journeys to date have been overland.

Some were on motorbike, others were by way of a cardboard sign on the side of the road, and I have visions of future journeys that involve a big old school bus traversing the lands between Europe and Asia.

Overland travel is inspiring, and it is undoubtedly the best way to hit the road, especially as a backpacker looking to save money and dig deep into countries and cultures. While social media may have you thinking that you need to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a tricked out 4×4 to become an overlander, I’m here to completely dispel that myth.

Sure, van life and Land Rover Defenders are certainly a type of overlanding, but they’re not the end all be all.

Overland travel can be as simple as sticking out your thumb and hitchhiking, or using trains and shared taxis to get from one place to another. But regardless of the rig you choose, I guarantee you the experience of coasting along wide open plains at your own pace, sharing meals of yak yogurt with nomads, and getting to pitch your tent (or park your ride) just about anywhere will be absolutely worth it.

But still, I totally understand that it can all be intimidating. So let’s set the record straight with this ultimate guide to overland travel – where you’ll see that this is very much a “do as you like” adventure.

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What is Overland Travel?

While you most likely already know the literal definition – traveling by land AKA avoiding flights – there’s a lot more to overland travel than just what’s in the name.

Overland travel – whether it be by foot, by bicycle, by rail, by van or whatever method you choose – is an art in and of itself. Closely intertwined with my other favorite form of budget backpacking – slow travel – overlanding allows you to get to know the places you visit far more deeply than a bunch of flights ever could.

Overlanding is TRULY where the journey matters even more than even the destinations themselves. It’s what gave me some of the best moments of my life, something I know virtually all of my favorite adventurers would agree on when reflecting upon their own journeys. 

And once you get started, I promise you you’ll only want to dig deeper and deeper into what it means to become an overlander…

Why YOU Should Overland

Before we REALLY get into this, I want to make something clear.

Overland travel doesn’t HAVE to be an odyssey. While it is for many travellers – like my journey from the UK to Papua New Guinea – you can travel overland without crossing a single international border.

The thing is, there are no rules to this type of travel. There’s no right or wrong way to become an overlander. You don’t need a tricked-out Land Rover Defender, you don’t need a van, you don’t need a bicycle. Hell, plenty of inspiring adventurers have embarked on incredible journeys with nothing but their backpack, a sign, and a stuck-up thumb.

So that, my friends, is one of the reasons WHY you should try overland travel: it’s truly for everyone and anyone.

But beyond that, in all my years on the road, it’s this type of travel that’s kept me addicted to life on the road. It’s absolutely not the most comfortable, but it will teach you the most about the world, and about yourself too. 

Overland travel will push you to your limits, and really make you work for each and every view and experience you attain.

For some – like cyclists – that work may be physical. For others, it may be mental: such as moving past introverted tendencies to get around by hitchhiking or dealing with driving in brand-new countries with insane motorists.

It allows you to experience life on the ground to the fullest: minute by minute, mile by mile.

Ways to Travel Overland

This is no one-size-fits-all all method of travel, as there are so many ways to overland. I’ve even seen people do it completely by foot or on something as crazy as a unicycle.

But the following are the most common, and popular, ways to get around on the ground: 

While I am not a cycling fan myself, those who have done it have nothing but incredible things to say about bikepacking – which is essentially overlanding with a bicycle strapped with a whole lot of stuff. Travelling by bicycle gives you the chance to slow down and see more than virtually any other way of overlanding.

For one your speed (most cyclists don’t do more than 70km per day, depending on the terrain) will allow you to take in just about every village and turn – you’ll get to camp in places far off the tourist trail and meet an incredible lot of locals.

But moreover, cycling is as simple as it is cheap: you don’t need to worry about fuel or engine oil, it’s significantly easier to repair issues, and spare parts don’t tend to weigh that much. It’s also a hell of an accomplishment: unlike all the other forms of overland travel aside from walking, you’ll be physically putting in work every single day.

By Motorbike

As much as I love hitchhiking, traveling by motorbike truly ignites a passion that I have rarely found in other methods of exploring. The feeling of crisp mountain wind on my face as I coast through surreal scenery is one that just doesn’t get old, and it’s certainly something I’d like to try out for longer periods.

The one thing to keep in mind though is that start-up costs will not be cheap. Good bikes that can actually make it across continents are not cheap, and you’ll also need to buy extra tires, tons of fluids, and other parts that likely will not be available in the places you intend to ride.

But still: it’s worth it. You get the benefits of cycling without the intense struggle, and you’ll be able to maneuver in places where cars cannot. You’ll be able to carry a lot more than a bicycle could, and it will still be cheaper than any van or 4×4.

By Van/Your Own Vehicle

Perhaps the most OG form of overland travel is with your own car: whether it be a van, a 4×4 or an old ambulance, I’ve seen adventurous souls carving their own paths in virtually every type of rig you could imagine.

With the popularity of vanlife these days, I’m sure you’ve thought about or at least heard about this craze. I mean, the upsides are many. Your home is with you at all times, you can carry so much more stuff, and you can design your ride exactly as you like. For many, the process of building their house on wheels is just as special as the trip itself.

But there are negatives too: many countries require a carnet de passage that often requires a hefty deposit, repairs can be super expensive, and it’s a whole lot of responsibility. But if you’re determined to make it happen, this is undoubtedly the most comfortable and adventurous way to travel overland, as you can go just about anywhere and won’t be as limited by weather.

By Hitchhiking

My overland hitching journey from UK to Papua New Guinea may not have been completed, but it certainly brought me some incredible (and life-changing) travel memories that I’ll hold on to forever.

Exploring overland by way of the thumb is not for the faint of heart, or for those lacking patience. But it will bring you closer to strangers and teach you more about the world than any other type of travel. When you’re in a vehicle of any kind (even a bicycle) it somewhat separates you from locals: you’re self-sufficient, right?

But when you’re relying on the kindness of random folks to help you see the world, it opens up doors you didn’t even know were in sight. It leads to unexpected family dinners in local homes, to long chats alongside crackling fires, and to hours spent in random places you would have never visited otherwise. Hitchhiking will change you for the better if you let it, and all you need to get started is a smile, a sign and a stuck-up thumb.

Overland Travel Tips

My top travel tips for making your adventure as smooth as it can be…

1. Do your visa research 

While most Westerners are privileged to be able to enter many countries without a visa, you can’t just roll up everywhere. Places like Pakistan, Vietnam, India, and Azerbaijan still require e-visas in advance, and China (often a pain for a lot of overlanders) has a set of very specific rules that usually requires applying for a sticker visa from your home country.

Make sure you read up on every destination you plan to overland through to ensure you don’t find yourself caught out in no man’s land. Sometimes visa rules can change abruptly too, so it’s key to stay on top of them.

2. Bring a LOT of Spare Parts 

I cannot stress this enough: if you’re travelling by way of ANY vehicle, it is absolutely essential that you have a good amount of spare parts in tow. Many of the best places to overland are NOT known for their equipment, which means you could potentially be caught out far, far away from civilization.

Spruce up your rig before heading out into super remote areas, and prepare for the unplanned. It’s far better to be a bit overloaded but have everything you need for a mishap than to travel light and become stranded.

3. Don’t forget the little things

You won’t realize how much you need a laundry bag, an eye mask or a good headlamp until you’re stuck in the middle of nowhere with none of the above to be found.

For little things like these, it’s definitely worth it to double up on your supply. You never know when something can get lost or break on the road. 

4. Bring a first aid kit 

Whether you’re walking, cycling, or traveling in a jacked-out 4×4, the need for a first aid kit remains. You never know when you might need it, but when that time comes, you’ll be incredibly happy you added it to your packing list.

While these honestly aren’t that cheap these days, it’s worth it to splurge on a large, well-stocked one that will actually last you a decent amount of time. If you have any favorite OTC medicines, I highly recommend hoarding them before you head out: pharmacies out in the wild leave much to be desired. 

5. Go slow 

The art of slow travel goes hand in hand with overlanding, but sometimes it can be easy to fixate on the destination rather than the journey.

But unless you have a hard deadline to meet, take it easy out there. The whole point of overlanding is to experience the route, not just each individual destination.

Take some rest days where you do nothing but take it all in. Perhaps dive into some journaling, or park yourself at a nice lake or even a beach. The road has infinite pleasures to indulge in. 

6. Download Maps in Advance

Even if you’re well prepared with a local SIM card, there will undoubtedly be places without service somewhere along your journey.

Unless you have a paper map like the kind I used to travel with back in the day, get all your necessary navigation downloaded and ready for use when you find yourself with a solid data or Wi-Fi connection.

7. Use Google Translate or Dictionaries 

While English speakers are pretty privileged in that we can get by in most of the world, most does not mean everywhere. Take Central Asia for example where Russian rules – you’re going to need some assistance.

While learning a bit of the language in advance is certainly helpful, Google Translate’s offline abilities have truly saved me many times, and it’s a free app you should definitely download. The old-school dictionary method is useful too, especially if you plan to spend time in one place or region for a while. 

Overland Travel Packing List

While your specific adventure packing list may look different depending on your method of overlanding, these are a few universal expedition items that anyone will need on the road.

Osprey Aether 70

• Features: Stow-On-The-Go™ trekking pole attachment >
• > External hydration sleeve in backpanel
• > New IsoForm? CM™ hipbelt

ORIA Combination Lock

• Features: 2 pack : set includes 2 zinc alloy 4-digit re-settable combination travel locks >
• > Offers 10,000 combinations
• > Small volume, light weight, fit through the holes of a lot of suitcases

World Travel Adapter

• Features: Input socket: Euro, USA / Japan, Australia / China, United Kingdom (UK version not in Switzerland) >
• > Retractable plugs: Euro, UK, USA / Japan, Australia / China
• > Charge a laptop and two usb devices at once

• Features: Higher resolution display (300 ppi) – with twice as many pixels >
• > Built-in adjustable light – read day and night
• > A single battery charge lasts weeks, not hours

MacBook Pro

• Features: 2.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor with Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz >
• > 8GB 2133MHz LPDDR3 memory
• > 128GB SSD storage

Where to Start Overland Travel

You can certainly overland anywhere: from somewhere as simple your home state/province to any country that calls to you, but overall I’d say these are the best places for a truly epic overland travel journey.

Central Asia

The 5 Stans are some of the most adventurous places left on this planet, and they’re home to some of the most mesmerizing roads at that. As of 2023, it’s easy for Western passport holders to travel through all of them (save Turkmenistan), and each one (Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan) has something incredible to offer.

Public transport is also expensive and lacking in most of these locales, which makes overlanding that much more valuable.

All four Stans are all interconnected, safe, and essentially a big old playground for overlanders. Do not underestimate the size of this region though: I’d recommend blocking out at least 3 months to get a real feel for what it has to offer.

South/Southeast Asia

Ah, South and Southeast Asia . Home to some of my favourite countries in the world that have made the most indelible marks on my travels and my life.

India, Pakistan, Nepal and the infamous Banana Pancake trail (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam) are perfect places to give overland exploring a try.

Public transport is widespread, and you’ll get a feel for what it’s like to cross borders. But of course, having your own vehicle will make things even more accessible and give you access to rural areas most do not get to see.

When I rode a rickshaw around India , I found myself incredibly off trail in places that had never even seen foreigners before.

Every year, thousands of Europeans head East to Asia in their own cycles, 4x4s or by way of hitchhiking. And while the journey from Europe to Asia is absolutely epic, you can also opt to travel within the continent too.

With so many countries to check out, it may be the easiest (though certainly not the cheapest) place in the world to overland. Border crossings are simple, and so many countries are interconnected, that it’s a breeze to spend months moving about.

For Brits, Americans and other non-EU nationals, it’s key to be aware of the 90-day visa rule within the European Union. Luckily, there are some fantastic countries out East that you can visit once your time is up.

Many van lifers take to the wide open roads of the United States , with 49 to choose from (discounting Hawaii) and the ability to head north into Canada, I can see why this massive country has become so popular in the world of overland adventuring.

Personally, the USA is not at the top of my bucket list for many reasons, but if you’re already living there and want to get a feel for overland travel, incredible landscapes and opportunities await. Just note that public transportation and hitchhiking are definitely not recommended, as the former barely exists and the latter is not safe .

So van lifers, this is your time to shine. I know many folks who have fixed up relatively cheap vans and set out to see virtually all the states in the Union. If you have limited time or money, definitely focus your energy on the West Coast . That’s where you’ll find all the national parks and the scenery that makes the country worth exploring.

Getting Insured BEFORE Hitting the Road

Regardless of where or how you plan to overland, you should definitely sort some solid travel insurance before leaving home.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Final Thoughts on Overland Travel

I hope I’ve now convinced you that your next trip should be an overland one. Ditching flights and committing to crossing borders and provinces on your own wheels (or by way of hitchhiking) will take your travels to entirely new heights.

You’ll have experiences that aren’t possible if you’re jetting about between places, and you’ll get to know each country and region like never before.

With so many ways to make it happen, from cycling to van life to even public buses, overland travel is something that is truly for everyone and anyone.

So what are you waiting for – get to planning and get the hell out there.

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Will Hatton

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Will is a freaking trooper!!! I retained great advises from this articles like: Little things we dont think about, hoard your otc in advances, travel by train, buses, mini vans, bike, download your map is a great one when you out of wifi!! Visas if we go to china or india, google translate a must have and to talk t locals and meet people on the journey, enjoy the journey more than the destination, and to buy a kindle to read if no internet, i myself always have been wanted to explore asia and reading this give me ideas on how to get there cheaper and to see the best of all places.

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Round the world overland

• 1 Understand
• 2.1 Arranged voyages round the world
• 2.2 Shorter tours
• 2.3 On your own
• 2.4 General considerations
• 5 Buses and overland safari trucks
• 6 By small craft
• 7 Trans-Africa overland routes

Overland travel or overlanding refers to a journey performed without the use of flights. This may include:

• Travel to relatively distant or inaccessible points (such as the Australian outback ) with vehicles designed to be capable of off-road use.
• Cross-continental travel without flights or boats – a famous historical example being Marco Polo's first overland expedition in the 13th century from Venice to the Chinese court of Kublai Khan.
• Round-the-world travel using sea travel between continents and road or rail travel ashore, in the Around the world in 80 days tradition.

Since the 1960s overlanding has been a popular means of travel between destinations across Africa , Europe , Asia (particularly India ), the Americas and Australia . In the 1960s and 70s, thousands of young westerners travelled the "Hippie Trail" through the Middle East to India and Nepal . See Istanbul to New Delhi over land .

Understand [ edit ]

Travelling around the world has been a goal for many intrepid explorers ever since humans suspected that the world was round. Ancient Greek mathematicians calculated that the world was round (and despite common myth today, was believed round throughout the Middle Ages as well) and speculated on how to follow it all the way. The first persons generally acknowledged to have made this trip were the survivors of Ferdinand Magellan's crew . After three years under sail, one ship safely returned. With the widespread deployment of locomotives and steamships in the late 1800s, Jules Verne predicted a trip around the world in eighty days to be feasible by land and sea. A pair of rival New York City journalists made the trip in 1889 in 72 and 76 days respectively.

These days, it is easy to buy a number of flights that take you around the world , but many people choose not to fly. One reason is that air travel is an intensely polluting form of transport. Another is that the joy of travelling is the journey itself and the many places and experiences that come from passing through countries rather than flying over them.

Many people plan to travel around the world without using air transport by using a combination of sea, rail and road, although generally it is almost impossible not to include some air transport on the way, due to the cost of covering the oceans and for political reasons in some parts of the world.

In a nutshell: the very minimum requirements for a trip like this are several months of time, good health and, tens of thousands of US Dollars.

Get around/itineraries [ edit ]

Arranged voyages round the world [ edit ].

There are a limited number of arranged overland trips around the world. In practice these trips are cruises circumnavigating the globe from port to port, therefore a more describing name for them would be "over seas". Some travel agents arrange places on freight ships going around the world, the rest on regular cruise ships . These usually last about 100 days, and prices begin at USD 15,000.

A few cruise ship lines package a "world cruise" as a single bundle, with duration typically 110–120 days. These trips typically run once annually.

Shorter tours [ edit ]

Originally overland tours catered to young travellers who were happy to "rough it" and travel in large groups. Since then, the overlanding industry has evolved and now there are arranged trips for all kinds of travellers. In Africa, for example, there are wide range of tours designed for different types of travellers, including families and senior travellers, with primitive as well as quite luxury accommodation and services.

There are many overland tour companies that provide a converted or purpose-built truck or bus and a tour leader. On these guided overland tours the group travels together overland for a period of weeks or months either with their own vehicles or with the provided one.

The tours marketed as overlanding are often quite long, such as six weeks from Kenya to South Africa. A twenty-six weeks tour from London to Johannesburg like in the old days is hard to find nowadays, though, and the itineraries are usually planned in detail, leaving little to improvisation.

On your own [ edit ]

A possibly cheaper and definitely more adventurous way is to combine scheduled intercity bus, train and boat connections to go around the world – or to go all the way by yacht . You could also use any land vehicle, such as a bike, motorcycle, car, or even travel on foot. You plan your trip from scratch and set your own schedule. This will mean a lot more planning than, e.g., flying round the world through ten cities. Remember that your itinerary will very likely include places far off the beaten track and far away from everything. Consult the articles for each of the countries you plan to travel to in order to learn about the connections and travel conditions.

General considerations [ edit ]

Crossing from Europe to Asia or vice versa can be done relatively easy – you can take a train from most major European cities to Moscow and travel by the Trans Siberian to Beijing , Vladivostok and places along the route. Another relatively straightforward train route is from Moscow to Urumqi . Travel through Central Asia or the Middle East is possible but requires more visas and more changes of buses and trains. The security situation also tends to be worse, as many countries in the region are or have been embroiled in violence. The fabled Hippie Trail overland from Europe to India came to a screeching halt when Iran had a revolution and the Soviet military invaded Afghanistan in 1979. The on-going Syrian Civil war is a major obstacle to all travel in the region, as is visa trouble should you enter Israel.

The Pacific Ocean is by far the greatest obstacle to completing a circuit around the world overland; There are no ferries between either Indonesia or New Zealand to Australia, nor are there any sort of regular services from Asia or Australia to the thousands of islands in Polynesia . Further north the Bering strait between Russia and Alaska doesn't have any scheduled traffic crossing it either. Moreover there are no roads on either side of the Bering Strait and a special permission is required to enter Chukotka on the Russian side. This means you either have to shell out more money than a plane ticket on the cruise ships that do cover this route – Japan to Alaska is the most economical option – or opt for the option more in the spirit of such a journey: freighter travel (or trying to combine yacht hitchhikes ). New Zealand, which maintains loose associations with a number of small islands in the Pacific, sometimes allows people to join on the semi regular freight routes supplying these islands, but natives are always given priority, and securing a spot on these trips are not trivial, and requires much perseverance. If you want to cross as many longitudes as possible by land but are willing to fly if absolutely necessary, things get a little easier. Coming from Asia, you can get across the Indonesian islands by ferry and overland to the easternmost of Papua New Guinea. From there you can fly to New Zealand, via Australia if you wish. The North Island reaches all the way to 178°E. From New Zealand you can fly via Hawaii to Anchorage , Alaska from where you can backtrack by ferry to Dutch Harbor-Unalaska , located at 166°W. Alaska is connected by ferry and road to Canada and the Lower 48 .

Traffic over the Atlantic is much more frequent than over the Pacific. Cunard Line's proud historical ocean liners still ply the route between Southampton and New York, and are much more economically feasible than the Trans-Pacific cruises. Some cruise ships spend the summer in Europe and the winter in the Caribbean and offer affordable "re-positioning cruises" across the Atlantic. Lots of freighters cross the Atlantic between Europe and the Americas and journeys on these can be arranged through several agencies. Additionally, quite a few sailors cross the Atlantic in their own vessels for fun (see Hitchhiking boats to tag along with one). If you can get from North America to Iceland , you can take Smyril Line's weekly ferry from Seyðisfjörður to Denmark on the European mainland. Headstrong, experienced travellers with a very loose timetable could attempt to cross the North Atlantic on fishing vessels – Greenland to Iceland is, while in no way easy, possibly doable. But unless you use a cruise ship as ferry or charter small craft, there is no practical way to cover the strait between Canada and Greenland. It may be possible to hire experienced Inuit to cross the strait on dog sleighs during the winter and hopefully to continue by coastal vessels.

Perhaps surprisingly, another obstacle is the Darién Gap : a small 160-km stretch of dense marshy jungle, made even more dangerous by guerrillas fighting in the area, between Panama and Colombia. Yes, this means there are no roads between Central and South America , there are no ferries covering the gap either, but backpacker traffic is so heavy that there is a fairly organised line of private vessels operating between Cartagena and the Portobelo Area or Carti in Panama. Blue Sailing [dead link] have regularly scheduled boat departures for the journey between Carti in Panama and Cartagena in Colombia. It is also feasible to walk along the Caribbean coast line, but unless you have experience in such journeys, this is not something you should take lightly. From Europe, you can go by freighter to Montevideo and some ports in Brazil and some of the cruises in the Caribbean also include ports in Venezuela .

Northern Africa can be easily visited from Europe. However, if you want to travel further south overland you need to cross the Sahara desert, which is a challenging task. You could travel along the west coast, passing through several countries that require visas from almost all foreigners. The easier route would be in eastern Africa, sample routes include Cairo to Nairobi overland and Alexandria to Cape Town by train and bus . Rail transportation and paved roads are uncommon, therefore getting around can be challenging and take time. Also, inform yourself about the situation in the areas you plan to travel through – sadly infectious diseases , armed conflicts and crime are prevalent in much of Africa. Finally, to get out from anywhere in Sub-Saharan Africa your alternatives are to either backtrack north to get to Europe or Asia or fly. Crossing the Indian ocean by boat is dangerous because of pirates, at least unless you take a very southerly route.

Australia and the rest of Oceania require flying if you aren't going by freighter or by an irregular and expensive Trans-Pacific or RTW cruise. While most Indonesian islands are connected to each other by ferry and western Indonesia has several connections to the Asian mainland, there are no scheduled ships between Asia and Oceania. It is possible to arrange a ride from South-East Asia to Australia by working on a sailing boat . Depending on the captain, experience may not be essential, but definitely helpful.

Hitching a ride on a cargo-ship between East-Timor and Darwin is not possible. There is a lack of information on the Internet about this. Even though it looks like the two are the closest points on a map, the shipping companies want nothing to do with passengers. It is not out of any legal considerations, travelling as a passenger is perfectly legal, they just do not want the hassle of the paperwork. This is taken from first-hand experience at Dili port and numerous face-to-face conversations with company reps and port officials. Dili marina is also pretty quiet and not as busy as Bali marinas are. Avoid East Timor if your intention to attempt a crossing to Darwin.

A hypothetical route into Australia, not spoken about much is via the Torres Strait Islands (Disclaimer, this was not attempted by the writer but was researched extensively). Separating Daru , Papua New Guinea and Thursday Island is approximately 150 km of water. While no commercial boats connect them, it is legal for Torres Strait Islanders to freely travel between the Torres Strait Islands (Australia) and PNG. You could hire a captain to sail between the two, or kayak it yourself between Daru and Saibai Island [1] .

The main difficulty is reaching Daru from Indonesia as it may involve traversing the entire PNG coastline to reach it. It may be possible to reach Daru from Merauke but you may not be able to cross the border into PNG from here ( [2] seems to hint there is, but check with official sources). It is possible to cross the border at Jayapura on the north-side of Papau but reaching Daru may be very difficult as it would involve many many ferry rides to reach even Port Moresby . Air travel is the primary means of travel between towns and cities in PNG.

Overall getting from one continent to another in the Southern Hemisphere is in practice an option only if you have your own boat .

By car [ edit ]

In 1907, a car race from Beijing to Paris was arranged, and in 1936 two drivers from Prague drove around the world in 97 days . There are two ways to drive around the world: you can buy and sell vehicles along the way (or rent for at least some stretches), which means that you can fly over difficult and dangerous regions and avoid the hassle and expense of shipping your vehicle. If you drive the same car around the world you will have to drive all the way and arrange with freighters to take the car at least over the Atlantic and the Pacific. Driving around the world means you will need various documents in addition to your passport and visas such as an international driver's license, Carnet de Passage , documents concerning the car's insurances and in some cases even a local driver's license (or a local driver)! Weblogs where RTW drivers share their first hand experiences include My Overland Adventure Transworldexpedition , The world by road and Vw vagabonds . Many other examples of Round the world travel by vehicle (Overlanding) can be found on Overland Sphere [dead link] .

By rail [ edit ]

At 9,288 km (nearly 6,000 miles), the Trans-Siberian Railway is one of the longest overland journeys in existence, taking seven days to reach Vladivostok from Moscow , and providing an alternative to air travel for journeys between Europe and Asia. The Chinese, Russian and other governments are discussing a high-speed (around 320 km/h or 200 mph) line on this route. Europe itself has a comprehensive rail network .

The Indian Pacific Railway , completed in 1970, links Sydney and Perth in Australia. Covering 4,343 km over 4 days, the railway includes the longest stretch of straight railway line in the world.

In the USA Amtrak can carry you overland from New York across the continent to San Francisco on the Pacific Coast and back and forth across the continent using different routes, just a part of their 21,000-mile (34,000-km) train line system, Canada's Via Rail offers similar services; see Rail travel in Canada and Rail travel in the US .

The introduction of Japan 's high speed railway , Tōkaidō Shinkansen, in 1964 changed the face of rail travel. The railway has carried more than 4 billion passengers and its new N700 series trains are capable of 300 km/hr. France's TGV ( train à grande vitesse or high speed train) attains similar speeds, making it faster than air travel for many journeys. Germany was the first European country to respond to the TGV and for a short time, a German ICE held the speed record for trains before the TGV got it back. Today Spain has the longest HSR network in Europe and fast trains crisscross the Benelux, southern England, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy and even Turkey. China has the longest HSR network and is still building more, see High-speed rail in China . More networks are either planned or under construction, slashing travel times to never before seen levels.

Buses and overland safari trucks [ edit ]

The Silk Road historically connects the Mediterranean with Persia and China . Today the route refers to overland journeys between Europe and China, taking either the northern route – through Russia and Kazakhstan to Urumqi or Xi'an in China – or the southern route – through Turkey , Iran , and Pakistan to India and perhaps beyond. These routes are still popular today, with companies such as Oasis Overland and Odyssey Overland offering tours on the southern route.

By small craft [ edit ]

Nowadays circumnavigating the globe by yacht is not the feat it was a hundred years ago – even teenagers have done it solo. But it still requires solid ocean sailing experience, there is much that can go wrong, and there is little help available on the ocean. For some introduction, see Cruising on small craft .

Hitchhiking boats is possible. Hundreds of sailing boats cross the oceans every year (although quite few do all the Pacific). Waiting in busy ports like Grenada, Madeira or Panama can help. Talk to boat owners, be friendly, helpful, and approachable. Something may turn up. The Internet is also a useful resource, there are many websites that match crew with short-handed skippers. They might just be going the right way.

Trans-Africa overland routes [ edit ]

Some of the longest and more traditional overland routes are in Africa. The Cairo to Cape Town route covers more than 10,000 km, usually following the Nile River through Egypt and Sudan, continuing to Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia along the way. From the mid-1980s, the closure of the Aswan-to-Wadi Halfa ferry between Egypt and Sudan, and instability in Sudan, northern Uganda and Ethiopia, made the journey impossible. The Cape to Cairo and Cairo to Cape Town route has again become possible and increasingly popular both with commercial overland trucks carrying groups of 20 or so paying passengers as well as independent travellers on motorbikes or with 4WD vehicles. See Alexandria to Cape Town by train and bus .

The traditional Trans Africa route is from London to Nairobi, Kenya and Cape Town, South Africa. The route started in the 1970s and became very popular with small companies using old Bedford four wheel drive trucks carrying about 24 people each, plus lots of independents, normally run by groups of friends in 4x4 Land Rovers heading out of London from November to March every year. The usual route was from Morocco to Algeria with a Sahara desert crossing into Niger in West Africa, continuing to Nigeria. This was followed by a month-long journey likened to Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness” through the forests of Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo), surfacing into the relatively modern world in Kenya via Uganda. From Kenya the last leg was south through Tanzania to either Zimbabwe or South Africa.

This route has changed dramatically due to border closures and political instability creating no-go zones. The route has reversed itself somewhat over the last few years, with trucks now crossing from the north to the south of Africa, closely following the west coast all the way from Morocco to Cape Town with the biggest change in the route being made possible by the opening of Angola to tourism. The journey then continues through Southern and East Africa from Cape Town to Nairobi and on to Cairo. For the coast of West Africa, there is even a bike trail .

The 2 month long Cape Town to Kenya Overland routing is extremely popular due to the diversity experienced along the route. The range of cultures, fauna and flora experienced allows for a traveller to experience remote regions in Africa yet still allow for a more manageable length of time. Due to the logistics in East and Southern Africa it allows you to travel to areas which are difficult and expensive to access independently.

In Southern Africa the most popular route is Cape Town to Victoria Falls (around 3 weeks long). Companies have trucks leaving almost daily starting the route in Cape Town, South Africa. The Cape to Vic route takes travellers through Namibia, Botswana and ending in either Zimbabwe or Zambia.

These days, overland journeys explore most continents; the only one not yet regularly travelled is Antarctica.

A few companies offer overland expeditions from the UK to Australia. Originated by Exploratory Overland Expeditions in 2006, the expedition is marketed as the longest trans-Asian overland journey available.

The longest overland expedition of any kind is run by African Trails ; their London-Cape Town-Istanbul journey (43 weeks) remains the classic overland expedition for die-hard travellers. Though the longest combination of trips is 50½ weeks run by Dragoman from Helsinki, Finland to Cape Town, South Africa via Russia, China, Middle East, following the Nile and to Kenya and on to southern Africa.

See also [ edit ]

• Freighter travel
• Round the world flights
• Bus travel – one likely mode of transport
• Tips for rail travel – another likely mode of transport
• Around the world in 80 days – for the most famous itinerary

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Here's what you need to know to plan a trip around the world

Dec 29, 2021 • 7 min read

Don't start planning your round-the-world trip without reading this guide © Getty Images

In 1924, a team of aviators from the USA successfully completed the first-ever circumnavigation of the globe by airplane, a feat that took 175 days, 76 stops, a cache of 15 Liberty engines, 14 spare pontoons, four aircraft and two sets of new wings. This achievement ushered in an era of international air travel, and nearly a century later, travelers are still creating their own round-the-world itineraries. 

You might not have the same worries as those early aviators, but planning a round-the-world trip has never been a more complex process. As COVID-19 continues to alter world travel , heading out on a multi-country trip might be more complicated than it has been in decades. While it might not be the right time to hit the road, luckily it's never too early to start figuring out the logistics of a trip around the globe. After all, who doesn't have a lot of pent-up wanderlust at the moment? 

When it comes to booking your trip, there are several options for booking your airfare, as well as flexibility on timing, destinations and budget. But don't let that overwhelm you – start here with our handy guide on how to plan that round-the-world trip you’ve always dreamed of.

Where and how to get a round-the-world plane ticket

The most economical way to circumnavigate the globe is to buy a round-the-world (RTW) plane ticket through a single airline alliance. These are confederations of several different airlines that make it simple to maximize the number of places you can travel and pay for it all in one place or with points. There are three primary airline alliances to choose from: Star Alliance, OneWorld and Skyteam.  Star Alliance is a coalition of 26 airlines that fly to 1300 airports in 98% of the world’s countries.  OneWorld includes 14 airlines traveling to 1100 destinations in 180 territories.  Skyteam is made up of 19 airlines that serve 1000 destinations in 170 countries.  

Read more:   How to save money when you're traveling

Once you pick an airline alliance, whether because of a loyalty program you’re already a member of or because you like its terms, conditions and destination list, you can purchase a single RTW airline ticket made up of several legs fulfilled by that alliance’s partners. The RTW ticket rules vary between each of the airline alliances, with particulars like Star Alliance’s rule that a RTW ticket can include two to 15 stops. But there are some general principles that apply to most RTW tickets, no matter which airline group you go with. 

You typically must follow one global direction (east or west – no backtracking); you must start and finish in the same country; and you must book all your flights before departure, though you can change them later (though this could incur extra charges). Typically you have one year to get from your starting point to the finish line.

How long do I need for a round-the-world trip?

You could whip around the world in a weekend if you flew non-stop, especially with the advent of new ultra-long-haul flights that can clock in at 20 hours of flight time. However, the minimum duration of most RTW tickets is 10 days – still a breathless romp. To get the most out of your round-the-world ticket, consider stock-piling vacation days, tagging on public holidays or even arranging a sabbatical from work to take off at least two months (but ideally six months to one year). Because most airline alliances give you up to a year to use your ticket, you can maximize your purchase if you plan well.

When should I travel on a round-the-world trip?

The weather will never be ideal in all your stops, so focus on what you want to do most and research the conditions there. In general, city sightseeing can be done year-round (escape extreme heat, cold or rain in museums and cafes), but outdoor adventures are more reliant on – and enjoyable in – the right weather.

Research ahead of time if any must-see destinations or must-do activities will mean facing crowds. For example, if you’re hoping to be in Austria for the famous Salzburg Festival, you’ll want to plan ahead and book your tickets months in advance. If you’re hoping to fit a shorter thru-hike into your round-the-world trip, you’ll want to make sure you’re going in the correct season and starting in the right spot. You won’t get far or have as enjoyable an experience if you’re, say, attempting the Tour du Mont Blanc during the dates of the annual winter marathon or headed northbound on the Pacific Crest Trail in July, missing most of the warmer months. 

Accept youʼll be in some regions at the "wrong" time – though this might offer unexpected benefits. For example, Victoria Falls has a dry season each year , which means a slightly less thunderous cascade, but it does open up rafting opportunities and a chance to swim right up to the lip of the falls in The Devil’s Pool. Going to Venice in the winter might mean grayer skies but fewer crowds. Heading to Kenya and Tanzania in April is likely to mean fewer humans, but not fewer chances to spot wildlife, all while saving money on safari.  Also keep in mind that mom-and-pop locations have their downtime and holiday seasons as well; don't be too surprised if your local bakery in Paris is closed for a holiday week or two in August.

Where should I go on my round-the-world trip?

The classic (and cheapest) RTW tickets flit between a few big cities, for example, London – Bangkok – Singapore – Sydney – LA . If you want to link more offbeat hubs ( Baku – Kinshasa – Paramaribo , anyone?), prices will climb considerably. The cost of the ticket is also based on the total distance covered or the number of countries visited.

Remember, you donʼt have to fly between each point: in Australia you could land in Perth , travel overland and fly out of Cairns . Or fly into Moscow , board the Trans-Siberian railway  and fly onwards from Beijing.  Pick some personal highlights and string the rest of your itinerary around those. For instance, if youʼre a keen hiker, flesh out a Peru ( Inca Trail ) – New Zealand ( Milford Track ) – Nepal ( Everest Base Camp ) itinerary with stops in Yosemite , Menz-Gauassa and the Okavango Delta .

If budgetʼs an issue, spend more time in less expensive countries and plan budget city breaks along the way. You’ll spend more in metros like Paris, Dubai and San Francisco than in Nusa Tenggara , Budapest  and Buffalo . 

Tips, tricks and pitfalls of round-the-world tickets

Talk to an expert before you book a round-the-world ticket: you may have an itinerary in mind, but an experienced RTW flight booker will know which routes work best and cost least. A few tweaks could mean big savings in time and money. Hash out a budget well ahead of time, not only for your RTW ticket, but also for the whole trip. Reach out to friends or travel bloggers who have done a round-the-world trip or are full-time travelers because they can offer tips on how to budget for a trip around the world .

Be flexible: moving your departure date by a few days can save money. Mid-week flights are generally cheaper, as are flights on major holidays such as Christmas Day. Avoid days and times popular with business travelers to escape higher prices and more crowded cabins.

Think about internal travel: it can be cheaper to book internal flights at the same time as booking your RTW ticket, but with the global increase of low-cost airlines, you may find it better (and more flexible) to buy them separately as you go.

Be warned: if you donʼt board one of your booked flights (say, on a whim, you decide to travel overland from Bangkok to Singapore rather than fly it) your airline is likely to cancel all subsequent flights.

You might also like: 10 destinations perfect for solo travel Can visiting lesser-known places offer a better travel experience? 6 things I learned from flying 6 days in a row

This article was first published March 2012 and updated December 2021

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Welcome to Nomadic Road

We curate motoring expeditions to the far ends of our planet, it’s not your usual holiday, the urge to explore takes us to the farthest reaches.

Pioneering new roads may seem like a thing of the past. With digital traveltech at our fingertips, adventures are redefined in our age to give us a sense of control. Yet there are remote lands on this earth that invite us to surrender what is “known”, to explore the uncharted, — and that’s where we come in. ‍ With Nomadic Road, you’ll embark on overland motoring expeditions to places never imagined in ways never thought possible. Every journey of ours is unscripted. Think vast expanses of driest deserts, tallest mountains, deepest canyons, largest glaciers, impenetrable jungles - where mother nature has the last word. Live a story you’ve been wanting to tell the world.

Designed for intrepid explorers just like YOU!

See it to believe it.

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Filled with incredible landscapes and stories that make myth seem to be reality, Peru is a country like no other.

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“A travel company that intends to open up the most remote corners of the world with obsessively planned driving expeditions."

“Jaw-dropping overland journeys for guests from all around the world… allowed us to see in ways we wouldn’t have been able to otherwise.”

“It feels liberating, allowing us to feel the thrill of discovery first rather than second-hand, as you would as a passenger.”

“For a motoring expedition that goes beyond the guidebook, Nomadic Road delivers.”

Explorer's Perspective

“Going on this trip, you are allowed to take a little bit of risk, something very different, but you actually feel very comfortable all the time. Because there is always someone to help you in each type of situation. So, it’s like taking all the risk, but completely calm while taking off, which is the best.”

Katie , New York, Mongolia Expedition 2019

“There was a moment during the expedition – endless white on my right and left. That’s the moment I felt, I’m a single small point in this whole universe."

Arda , Istanbul, Lake Baikal Expedition 2022

“The worst moment was not having control over time. Madagascar’s RN5 is not a forgiving road, and a lot can happen there. So, I have taken something positive out of it. Yes, sometimes it’s good to not have control of time. It’s nice to let go and go with the flow.”

Natasha , Delhi, Madagascar Expedition 2022

You are doing things yourselves and not being told by somebody to do this or do that. It’s all about you. You are experiencing it yourselves. It’s unbelievable. It’s totally a different experience.

Deepak , Bombay, Tibet Expedition 2018.

I think one must accept that all adventure trips would have their share of problems. And many of them are unexpected. Looking for a pond in the middle of nowhere and also being warned that there could be crocodiles in it, and we are camping next to it. That was an out of sight experience.

Ashlyn , Dubai, Zambezi Meander Expedition 2021

My advice for those who wish to embark on a journey with Nomadic Road. You should be aware that it’s an experience. It’s not a holiday. It’s really something else. Consider it before you go. But go. Just do it.

Matthijs , Amsterdam, Mongolia Expedition 2022.

“There was a moment during the expedition – endless white on my right and left. That’s the moment I felt, I’m a single small point in this whole universe.”

"You are doing things yourselves and not being told by somebody to do this or do that. It’s all about you. You are experiencing it yourselves. It’s unbelievable. It’s totally a different experience."

Deepak , Bombay, Tibet Expedition 2018

"I think one must accept that all adventure trips would have their share of problems. And many of them are unexpected. Looking for a pond in the middle of nowhere and also being warned that there could be crocodiles in it, and we are camping next to it. That was an out of sight experience."

"My advice for those who wish to embark on a journey with Nomadic Road. You should be aware that it’s an experience. It’s not a holiday. It’s really something else. Consider it before you go. But go. Just do it."

Matthijs , Amsterdam, Mongolia Expedition 2022

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Skin in the game.

Be ready to expect the unexpected during an expedition. Taking the brunt of  a sandstorm,  hailstorm, snowstorm or even a heavy downpour is just one of the many ways you’ll come face to face with mother nature. Keep in mind that this is an expedition and not your usual holiday. You need to be mentally ready to face these challenges which constitute a holistic experience. Be rest assured, our experienced expedition team will be watching you from a distance and will always be there whenever needed.

Be ready to expect the unexpected during an expedition. Taking the brunt of  a sandstorm, hailstorm, snowstorm or even a heavy downpour is just one of the many ways you’ll come face to face with mother nature. Keep in mind that this is an expedition and not your usual holiday. You need to be mentally ready to face these challenges which constitute a holistic experience. Be rest assured, our experienced expedition team will be watching you from a distance and will always be there whenever needed.

When we say we take you to remote places, it entails hot deserts, wet jungles, tall mountains, cold glaciers, or wherever nature is at its best. You can’t script this level of reality. Our expedition programs are designed in such a way that we leave our comfort zones and head out in the back of beyond. We orchestrate eye-opening journeys, with our exclusive insights and access to some of the most uncharted places on Earth. This is as real as ‘real’ can get.

Our expeditions are designed with curious and intelligent people in mind. With us, you’ll see a destination in a different light and discover things you won’t find out about any other way. If you are someone who is open to travel in a niche group of explorers from across the globe, then our Signature Expeditions should be right up your alley. Or if you are someone who prefers to keep things to yourself or prefer to travel in your own natural group, then our Custom Expeditions should be your choice.

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What Is Overland Travel

• February 1, 2022
• One Comment

Table of Contents

So you’re ready to hit the road? Kudos and bon voyage – but before you go, there are a few things worth knowing about this whole long-distance travel business. What is overland travel in the first place, how do you go about it, and it is worth it?

As overlanders who have been living on the road and mucking about for years, we’ve gone through multiple phases of the thing. Both Lennart and I started overlanding on motorcycles, me covering some crazy miles across South America, Lennart exploring Europe.

Then, we kept aiming for new destinations and threw amateur rally racing into the mix, and our newest project is the overland rig journey from Andalusia to Alice Springs.

Over the years, the way we travel has changed, our MO has changed, and even the number of wheels we roll on is changing. What remains constant, however, is our love for overlanding – by any means.

In this post, we’re going to chat about what is overland travel in the first place, how to get started, and why in the world would you want to do this.

History of Overland Travel

Overland travel, in many ways, is as old as… us humans. We started out as nomads, not settlers, and for hundreds of thousands of years, our ancestors happily roamed the earth following animal herds and seasons. Constantly being on the move and exploring the land was a way of life before we began farming and building fences, and in some places around the world, indigenous people still live a nomadic or a semi-nomadic life.

The term “overlanding”, however, cropped up in the Australian Outback at the turn of the twentieth century. “Overland” meant droving large herds of livestock over long distances, either to the market or to new grazing land; in the 50’s and 60’s, overlanding took its more modern meaning.

In dictionary terms, “overland travel” means long-distance journeys in your own vehicle. But it’s not just about eating up the miles: overland also encompasses elements of self-reliance (think camping, cooking your own meals, and repairing your truck or bike), remote destinations, off-roading, and crossing international borders.

In other words, a weekend camping trip to a national park is a fun adventure, but it’s not overland travel. Driving your truck or riding your bike from, say, Alaska to Ushuaia or from Europe to Asia, on the other hand, is.

Modern overland travel started out way back in 1920’s and 1930’s. Between 1924 and 1931, a Brit named John Weston and his family drove their truck from Great Britain to South Africa, then carried on to Egypt and back to the UK overland. When it comes to motorcycle overland expeditions, the first recorded round-the-world bike journey was that of Carl Stearns Clancy who rode his Henderson motorcycle from Dublin to New York in 1912.

In other words, overland travel has been around for a while.

What Is Overland Travel Today

These days, overland travel is gaining traction again. From round-the-world motorcycle expeditions to driving overland rigs over long distances, this is the one mode of traveling that still holds the essence of adventure.

Instead of jumping on a plane and going on a holiday, you’re covering some serious miles on your own, crossing multiple international borders, looking after your bike or truck, surviving in remote places, and relying on your own skills to get to your destination. There are no travel agents, no packaged vacation offers, and no standard itineraries to rely on: it’s up to you how far you’re willing to go, and where.

Overland travel is all about the spirit of exploration, the sense of adventure, and independent travel. You design your own route and decide how long you’re going to stay on the road. Some overlanders aim to circumnavigate the world in a year, others spend six months traveling from Lisbon to Vladivostok or Cape Town to Nordkap, and others still spend years traveling the world at their own pace.

Determining what is overland travel to you is also your own decision. Some people will tell you overland travel is only kosher if you mostly stick to off-road routes, aim for the most remote places on the planet, camp and cook your own food all the way, repair your own vehicle, and circumnavigate the world.

Others will tell you overland travel isn’t about the bare-bones expedition to the most faraway corners of the earth but rather, simply a way of traveling slower, on land, and for as long as you like, regardless of whether you’re always camping in the bush or staying at AirBnBs every once in a while. There isn’t a one-fits-all formula for overland travel, and it’s up to you to design your own journey.

Cycling, Motorcycling, or Driving? Overland Rig Rundown

Wherever you go, overland travel means you’ll need some sort of transport. A bicycle is probably the most economical means of travel, and if you’re made of tough stuff, cycling around the world is an incredible experience.

I’m made of slightly less tough stuff, so for me, a motorcycle was a better option. Lennart and I have been traveling on motorcycles for a while now, our combined routes covering the Americas, some of the Caribbean, and Europe.

A motorcycle is a fantastic overland vehicle: it’s lightweight, fuel-efficient, cheap to ship across oceans, and it gives you a sense of freedom that four wheels just can’t offer. If you’re looking for overland motorcycle travel inspiration, check out the Piki Piki Overland blog : South Africans Michnus and Elsebie have been overlanding on their bikes for nearly a decade now, and they’ve got tons of great information on their website.

If you’re not sure how to get started, check out these articles on motorcycle adventures:

How to Fund a Motorcycle Trip from Zero

What nobody tells you about adventure motorcycle travel.

The only disadvantage of overlanding by motorcycle is that you’re essentially homeless, always having to camp or find shelter. This is a part of why we’re now building our own overland vehicle : we want to have our own space, our own little office, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, and bike garage on wheels. This way, we can be completely self-sufficient and independent, and this is what overland travel is for us: freedom.

When you travel overland in an expedition vehicle, you can hit some truly remote places and have sufficient energy, water, and food resources for weeks, easily cover long distances, and park the thing wherever you please. The moment you close the doors, you’re home, even if you happen to be in the middle of the Gobi Desert or the Serengeti.

How to Start Overlanding

Whatever means of transport you choose, you’ll need to start somewhere. If it’s a motorcycle, forums like Horizons Unlimited and ADV Rider are great resources for information on routes, international borders, paperwork, and shipping. If you’re driving a car, a camper, or a truck, Expedition Portal is a fantastic place to start.

First off, you’ll need to decide on a route. It doesn’t have to be exact, and sometimes, it’s more of a general direction rather than a precise destination. Whichever way you go, it’s usually a good idea to pick an overland route with no vehicle shipping involved, for example:

Europe to Africa

Europe to asia, us or canada to south america.

Vehicle shipping isn’t as big of a hassle as most people think (I’ve shipped my bike from Chile to Poland with zero issues and a small budget), but if you’re driving a huge truck, the costs can add up quickly.

Next, it’s worth doing a little trial run. Before you go off into the sunset to spend months or years roaming the world, go for a ten-day or a two-week trip in your own country. This is a great way to test out your rig and your gear, troubleshoot some issues, and sort out your luggage and set up before you leave for the big journey.

Finally, get your paperwork in order. Some countries require a carnet de passage (a sort of a vehicle passport), others do not; for some places, you may need malaria or yellow fever shots; insurance is always important, and some countries require you to obtain a visa before entering. Do a little bit of research and prep – it’ll pay off in the long run.

Why Travel Overland?

By now, you know overland travel is a tad more involved than booking a flight or a holiday. It’s impossible to plan for every eventuality when you travel this way. Stuff will break, some border officials will be grumpy, there will be road closures, flat tires, bad weather, and unexpected delays; you may need to repair your bike or truck under sketchy conditions, get creative with your routes, and find a way to get unstuck when you hit a patch of deep sand or mud.

You’ll need to think on your feet, be resilient, solve problems on the fly, and be open to whatever comes along. Overland travel isn’t about comfort, it’s about adventure.

And sometimes, adventure may test you.

But that is the beauty of the whole thing.

We live in a world so strictly regulated, so predictable, and so comfortable that we’ve long forgotten what it’s like to simply roll under the stars, destination vague or unknown, exploring the land as it unfurls in front of you, meeting different people along the way, and not quite knowing where you’re going to sleep that night.

Overland travel is an expedition into the world and into yourself, opening your mind to new horizons, new ways of life, and new people. It’s about immersing yourself fully in the moment and in the culture, overcoming obstacles, and staying curious. The sense of wonder is rarer and rarer in our air-conditioned offices and our urban environments, and yes, overland travel may sound scary – but it’s also what makes you feel alive.

So don’t let the potential pitfalls stop you: they’ll only make you more resilient. Jump on your bike, start the engine of your truck, and hit that open road.

Adventure is waiting, and a big wild world is out there.

Stay adventure-bound,

Egle & Lennart

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A Little Advice… Travel Around the World Without Flying

Last updated on January 5, 2024 by Shannon

By Michael Hodson, an overland traveler

One of my primary reasons for taking a trip around the world without flying was because I wanted to get a full appreciation of the size of the world. After exactly one year on the road without leaving the ground, and still having not made it all around yet, I can say—it’s big.

Really big.

And it’s more amazing that I ever would have imagined.

Table of Contents

Why I Decided to Travel Overland Without Flying

Modern plane travel is one of the miracles of modern convenience. One can get on an airplane in the heart of Middle America one afternoon and wake up the next morning in Italy or China . These days, you can get to about anywhere in the world from a major city in the States in 24 hours—give or take a few.

I love the ease of flying, but at least for me, there flying fosters a disconnect there that I wanted to eliminate at least once in my life . I wanted to feel the miles—feel the distance—know that I had actually traveled. In some sense, I wanted to  earn my first journey around the world.

Most of the tips I could give you about an around-the-world trip without planes would be the same sort of tips you’d normally read about any long trip—websites with good hostel/hotel reviews , key phrases you should learn in a language before you arrive, safety issues , and so on.

Instead, I’ll try to make these tips and thoughts more focused on the uniqueness of a ground level circumnavigation—when you just want to get to Europe, China, New Zealand, etc without flying.

Overland Travel Takes Longer: Plan for Perpetual Movement

You move constantly when you’re traveling overland. Assuming you’re traveling on a budget , whether one of time or money, you can’t really stay anywhere for too long. I originally wanted to finish my circumnavigation inside of a year, but it’s going to take me about sixteen months, as it turns out.

The longest I’ve stayed in any one location is roughly a week, and I’ve only pulled that off a few times. My stay at most locations is usually about three or four days. The reason for this is quite simple: ground travel takes a hell of a lot more time than hopping on a plane .

As a recent example, I had to travel from Chiang Mai, Thailand to Hong Kong to catch my freighter to Australia —it took me seven days and I was moving for at least eight hours each and every one of those seven days.

The same mileage could have been taken care of by a six-hour plane ride. If you take a trip similar to mine, it’s going to be primarily about traveling; that is it’s very nature.

One’s Not the Loneliest Number: You Learn About Yourself

You’re going to be traveling solo for most of your trip, unless you have a boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse that is as dedicated to your quixotic quest as you. One of the joys of traveling is meeting people on the road that you get along with, and then traveling together for a while.

Unfortunately, few people will will be traveling as ‘quickly’ as you, so that backpacker tradition of traveling together for weeks becomes more difficult to manage—not impossible, but difficult. Your route around the world is also going to be pretty linear, and you obviously can’t just hop on a plane and jump over a few countries to hook up with some people you want to see.

For a time on this trip, I really wanted to meet up with a few people in Asia, but my times and locations were pretty set, given my freighter’s departure date and places I wanted to see in my limited time, and they couldn’t get away from their obligations (damn the real world) in the time and location window I had available.

The bonus on this front is that you will know yourself better than you have ever imagined—a few hundred hours spent on buses, trains, and boats looking at the sights pass by while in your own company tends one toward self-reflection.

Don’t forget to  book travel insurance for your trip —a great policy provides coverage in case of medical emergencies, lost or stolen gear, adventure sports riders, and more. I’ve used  IMG Global  for more than a decade  highly recommend it !

How to Book Passage on Freighters, Cargo Ships & Cruises

Traveling without flying is surprisingly expensive. People’s initial reaction to my journey is usually a combination of “you never get to see enough of a place,” and “well, at least it must be cheap to travel that way.” The former is true (though I am fine with it—this time). The latter is far from true.

The easiest way to do the oceanic crossings is by cargo freighter. To some travelers, booking passage on freighters and cargo ships seems harder than it is—you have so many options. Plus, if you catch the winds right, you might also be able to hitch a ride on a sailboat for a crossing—try Find a Crew  to sort out possibilities on that front.

Of you can check repositioning cruises too, when the major cruise lines need to move a boat to a different location, you can often book a discounted fare.

Also, few travel agents specialize in booking passages on freighters. I’ve primarily used Hamish Jamison at FreighterTravel.co.nz , but a google search quickly reveals a few others who do the same thing. I understand that you can also book directly with the shipping company, but I haven’t researched the logistics since I had already booked my passages for this trip.

In any case, expect to pay approximately 130-150 Euros a day for passage on a freighter—plus port taxes. Crossing the Atlantic without flying is about a ten-day trip and crossing the Pacific is about double that.

I added Australia and New Zealand to my trip, so I had four total passages covering about forty days total. Do the math and you quickly realize that you can buy an entire round-the-world airline ticket with a dozen stops for just the freighter expense alone.

You then have to add the expense of traveling overland everywhere verses just hopping on a plane and getting there quickly. I have made plenty of legs on this trip via multiple buses or trains that would have cost a fraction of the price, if I’d flown on one of the many low-cost air carriers out there.

Reduce Your Carbon Footprint: Skip the Flights

I’ve talked about overland travel sometimes costing more, but that’s not to say that it is all negative—I’m unbelievably happy with my journey. For one thing, air travel is incredibly damaging to the environment.

As a general rule, a plane emits about as much CO2 as would every passenger if they drove the same distance in their individual cars.

Additionally, since the airplane emits it’s CO2 (and some other pollutants) into the upper atmosphere, there is an additional negative effect. There is a reward, at least in my eyes, for seeing this much of the world with such a relatively small carbon footprint .

I’m not saving the world or anything of the like, but I get some satisfaction from not using the worst environmental mode of travel out there—the jet plane.

Feel Each Footstep Round the World & Soak in the Unique Rewards

This trip has been incredibly rewarding. I’ve enjoyed talking with hundreds of travelers about their own journeys and can only try to explain why my particular route and method satisfies me. I would never claim my trip is any ‘better’ than anyone else’s out there—everyone should plan the trip that is right for them (and there ought to be a lot less judgment on the various forums and blogs out there on others’ choices!).

That being said, for me, the reward for me in my current ground level view is in getting a complete feel for the enormity of our planet. Travel books from decades gone by amaze me—the stories of those who traveled before ATMs, before the internet, before the hostel circuit, before guidebooks, before cell phones and so on and so forth.

Reading books about what they experienced on the road has always fascinated me. They were the first westerner sometimes in off-the-beaten-path places. Getting from place to place meant more than just braving the touts and hawkers at a bus station. The obstacles they had to overcome in their journeys inspired me to plan my around the world trip without flying.

In comparison to those adventurers, my journey has been relatively easy. But at least part of the reward for me has been the challenge—I can’t go back in time to The Great Railway Bazaar , or some of the other great journeys from years ago, but I experienced at least some of those challenges in my own journey.

I’m sure there are many people who can say they experienced every mile around our great planet on the ground in recent times, and I’m simply happy to be a part of the club.

Additional Tips Details on Traveling the World Without Flying

For large swaths of your trip, you’ll use sites like Bookaway and Rome2Rio to discover how you can journey overland and how much it will cost. These sites aggregate route data from trains, buses, shuttles, and the cost of private transfers.

To cross long distances though, you’ll creative ways to cross the ocean. Here are six options.

How to Book Passage on a Cargo Ship

In addition to the tips Hodson shared, here are a few different ways to book passage on a cargo ship:

Contact a shipping company directly : Many shipping companies offer passenger services on their cargo ships and freighters, and you can contact them directly to inquire about availability and booking. You can find a list of shipping companies by doing an online search or by checking with a local port or shipping industry association.

Use a booking agency : There are also agencies that specialize in booking passage on cargo ships for travelers. These agencies can help you find a suitable ship and itinerary, and handle all the booking and travel arrangements on your behalf.

Check with a cruise line : Some cruise lines offer cargo ship cruises, which combine traditional cruise amenities with the experience of traveling on a cargo ship. You can book a cargo ship cruise through a cruise line or through a travel agent.

How to Plan the Route Over Water

Use Ferry Services : Look for ferry connections that can transport you from one coastal destination to another. Many regions have established ferry networks, such as the Mediterranean, Baltic Sea, or Southeast Asia, which offer convenient and scenic ways to cross bodies of water. Research schedules, ticket prices, and duration to make informed decisions.

Consider Cruises : If time and budget permit, consider incorporating a cruise into your journey. Cruises can provide a leisurely and luxurious way to travel between continents or explore specific regions. Look for cruises that align with your desired routes and destinations, and check their itineraries, duration, and pricing.

Plan Transoceanic Journeys : Identify the major bodies of water you need to cross, such as the Atlantic Ocean or the Indian Ocean, and search for cruises or freighter ships that offer transoceanic journeys. Freighters, while less luxurious than traditional cruises, provide a unique and cost-effective option for long-haul ocean travel.

Regardless of which method you choose, it’s important to carefully research the shipping company or agency and the specific voyage you’re considering, and make sure that the voyage is safe and suitable for travelers. It’s also a good idea to purchase travel insurance to protect against any unexpected issues that may arise during your trip.

The Best Overland Journeys in the World

If you travel overland around the entire world, you’ll want to take some of the more iconic routes that cover a lot of land (or ocean), and then connect them with your own plans.

The Pan-American Highway

The Pan-American Highway is the longest road network in the world, stretching from North America to South America. It passes through diverse landscapes, including deserts, rainforests, and mountains, offering opportunities to explore different countries, cultures, and natural wonders.

You’ll need to carve out a few months for this incredible overland trip—you’ll never need to board a plane, but you’ll traverse two continents. The route travels from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, USA to Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. The journey route covers over 25,000 kilometers and can take several months to complete, at minimum.

The Trans-Siberian Railway

The Trans-Siberian Railway is one of the world’s most famous train routes, spanning over 9,000 kilometers across Russia. It traverses vast Siberian landscapes, remote towns, and offers glimpses of the country’s rich history and cultural diversity.

This epic overland train journey covers some serious mileage. It leaves from Moscow, Russia and ends in either Vladivostok, Russia; or Beijing, China. If you don’t stop along the way, you’ll need 6-7 days from Moscow to Vladivostok or 5-6 days from Moscow to Beijing.

The Silk Road

The Silk Road is a historic trade route connecting East Asia to the Mediterranean, passing through several countries, including China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Turkey. It showcases ancient cities, architectural wonders, and a blend of cultures along the way. It’s one of the most popular ways to get from Europe to Asia on an overland around the world trip.

The full route spans thousands of kilometers and can take several weeks (you’d have to be booking it for that) or months, depending on the stops and detours. The Silk Road runs between Xi’an, China and Istanbul, Turkey.

The East Coast of Australia

Once your overland around the world reaches Australia, there’s a lot of land to cover. The East Coast of Australia is know for its beautiful beaches, vibrant cities, and diverse ecosystems. Highlights include Sydney , the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsunday Islands , Fraser Island , and the tropical rainforests of Queensland.

The entire route spans over 2,000 kilometers and you need a few months to really enjoy everything between Melbourne and Cairns.

Coastal Route 1

Coastal Route 1, the Pacific Coast Highway, offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean as it winds along the California and Oregon coastlines. This scenic drive takes you through picturesque coastal towns, pristine beaches, rugged cliffs, and iconic landmarks like Big Sur.

You’ll need about two weeks to enjoy the route that starts in Los Angeles, California and ends in Olympia, Washington.

Cairo to Cape Town

This epic journey takes you from the northernmost point of the continent, Cairo in Egypt, to the southernmost tip, Cape Town in South Africa. It allows you to experience the diversity of Africa’s landscapes, cultures, and wildlife along the way. You’re going to cover an entire continent on this overland journey, so here’s what it could look like, depending on safety considerations at the time and your travel goals:

• Egypt : Begin your journey in Cairo and explore the iconic pyramids of Giza, ancient temples along the Nile, and the vibrant streets of Cairo.
• Sudan : Travel through Sudan, experiencing the unique Nubian culture, ancient archaeological sites like Meroe, and the scenic beauty of the Nile River.
• Ethiopia : Discover the rich history and diverse landscapes of Ethiopia, visiting ancient rock-hewn churches in Lalibela, the Simien Mountains, and the tribal cultures of the Omo Valley.
• Kenya : Explore the Masai Mara National Reserve, witness the Great Wildebeest Migration, and visit Nairobi, the vibrant capital city.
• Tanzania : Experience the world-famous Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Mount Kilimanjaro. Don’t miss the pristine beaches of Zanzibar.
• Zambia : Discover the mighty Victoria Falls, one of the largest waterfalls in the world, and enjoy wildlife encounters in South Luangwa National Park.
• Botswana : Visit the Okavango Delta, a unique wetland paradise, and the Chobe National Park, renowned for its dense elephant population.
• Namibia : Explore the dramatic landscapes of Namibia, including the Namib Desert, Fish River Canyon, and the unique wildlife of Etosha National Park.
• South Africa : Conclude your journey in Cape Town, where you can explore Table Mountain, the Cape Winelands, and the stunning coastline of the Cape Peninsula.

Traveling the world without flying opens up an entirely new way to think about world travel. By embracing alternative modes of transportation like trains, buses, ferries, and cruises, you have no choice but to find those off-the-path hidden gems, connect with diverse cultures, and witness stunning landscapes.

Slow travel becomes a way of life, allowing you to savor each moment and truly soak in the richness of your surroundings. Whether it’s traversing the Trans-Siberian Railway, meandering along the Silk Road, or embarking on a coastal road trip, the journey becomes as important as the destinations themselves.

By opting for overland travel, you contribute to sustainable tourism and reduce your carbon footprint. You have the opportunity to immerse yourself in local communities, sample authentic cuisines, and gain a deeper understanding of the world’s interconnectedness.

Author : Michael Hodson . Hodson traveled around the world for well over a year without a single flight. He was committed to feeling every footstep of his journey—to taking a journey that harkened back to the era of great explorers. His overland trip by land and sea gives his around the world trip itinerary  an intriguing new take—he took a ship to New Zealand and has crossed into Europe.

30 thoughts on “A Little Advice… Travel Around the World Without Flying”

Super comprehensive list! One more thing to remember: download offline maps to navigate your destination without using data. Have a fantastic trip!

Your journey has been inspiring especially as my wife won’t fly anymore . We are following your footsteps a an would appreciate any help getting from russias, China etc to Australia, New Zealand to chile Thankyou in advance

Hi Mar, you know, I never did this route, but instead allowed a friend to share his story. He blogs at https://www.goseewrite.com — he doesn’t have very intuitive navigation to find his overland trip, but he started in 2008, so you could navigate through his archives and find his stories and advice on specific parts of his journey that way.

You have me sold now on these two books. One of the two will likely be the first that I start out with when I leave! I had a really depressing book at the beginning of my last travels, and it was not great – I am all for the laugh out loud funny :-) Thanks for the detailed rec Troy!

Shannon- The first two books (Goliath Expedition & Don't Tell Mom…) are such sweet books to read. If you read anything at all while traveling, I would pack those two with you when ya leave out. They are perfect books to read while sitting on a bus, train or plane. You won't get bored with them and their both ALL TRUE!

I picked up the “Don't Tell Mom…” book in Brisbane at the airport when i was flying back to Dubai. The title was what grabbed me and since it was non-fiction I thought I would give it a go. I was laughing so hard in the terminal, waiting on my flight, that people thought something was wrong with me. I had it read by the time we got to Dubai and didn't sleep a wink because so. :)

Well — I just got off my third freighter — this one from Australia to NZ. The last one back home is going to be the biggie — 20 days. If anyone has any direct questions for me on these series of posts — email me at [email protected] — not the gmail address on my blogspot. Thanks, Michael

That's definitely tough when your specific train route doesn't have good stops – but it is probably worth a second look to check if there's a chance you could train it on shorter distances instead of flights! :-)

I'm so used to taking the plane that when I need a train I panic! I so would like to travel more often by train, but I think in Europe they are not very well organised, or at least, I never find the connection that suits my needs! Maybe I need to sort my priorities first ;-)

here is a book by Jeff Greenwald called “The Size of The World” that he wrote about his travel around the world never taking a flight. It a fun read and you can really connect with his frustrations (esp when he was in the Middle East) about issues with land transportation only.

I did a blog post about it on my website and you can check it out below: .

That is definitely one I will add to my list of books to pick up if I see them :-) I also love those other books in the post! If I was going to stay home for a bit longer I would add several of these to my library queue! Thanks for the rec T-Roy :-) (& sorry if you get this response twice – something crazy was going on w/my comments system :(

I'm really jealous of your trip on the Transmongolian – it's on my bucket list to do it really slowly and explore along the way :-) You're right though, it adds a bit of excitement to the traveling when you add in a variety of it all, rather than the easiest point from A to Z :-)

I love taking different modes of transport (our last few holidays have involved bicycles, ferries, cars, and trains, as well as aeroplanes). When we took the transmongolian railway, I was actually surprised at how little time it took to get from western Russia to eastern China on the train…

Can't wait to read more about overland travel! I think the best part of traveling this way is the fact that not only do you get stories from your destinations, but from your way of getting TO those destinations.

That's so true. Some of my best stories are the overnight bus rides with midnight border crossings in the freezing cold! :-) It really does add to the experience if you're on a more adventurous mode of transport than an airplane!

Thanks for this Shannon! I've been waiting eagerly. Overland does take a while, but I prefer that over flying everywhere. It just feels right, and the people I've met or events I encountered – you just don't get on an airplane.

Glad that you're enjoying the post – his tips next week give a bit more of the specifics on how he's managed this trip without the plane flights, and what sites/people he used to book trips :-)

Glad that you're enjoying the post. His tips are throughout with the specifics on how he's managed this trip without the plane flights, and what sites/people he used to book trips :-)

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My four-day rail and ferry adventure from the UK to Albania

From London to Tirana, via Chambéry’s medieval streets, bustling Bari and Albania’s dynamic capital, this trip across Europe has treats at every turn

M y overriding memories of crossing countries by train, on a trip from London to Albania, are of half-empty carriages and countryside sweeping past windows bathed in the soft orange glow of sunset. I remember cypress trees, red-roofed villages with square churches, farmland in neat strips and row upon row of vineyards.

On my London-Paris-Chambéry-Turin-Bari-Tirana journey over land and sea, there was, for long stretches, little to do. The wifi was patchy. It took a while to adapt to having so much time to simply watch the world go by, travelling through landscapes without having to navigate them.

The biggest stress happened long before I set off, when a landslide not far from the French border with Italy blocked the rail line between Chambéry and Turin, forcing a closure that continues today. Byway, the no-fly operator I had booked with, offered to reroute me through Nice and on to Turin via the Vermenagna valley (with changes in Tende and Cuneo), or book me on the FlixBus service over part of the Mont Blanc massif. I was keen to see Chambéry and the Alps, so I chose the bus.

People seemed surprised when I told them I was travelling overland to Albania. As I gushed about the romance of slow travel by train and sleeper ferry, and my excitement about Tirana, I got comments about being “brave”. I didn’t feel especially brave: all the planning, tickets and hotel bookings were done for me, and friendly help was a WhatsApp call away if needed.

I just had to download the Rail Planner app for my Interrail pass and make sure I was at the right station at the right time (Turin was the biggest challenge: it has four main railway stations and taxis scream between them bearing anxious-looking passengers).

The entire journey took four days. If I did it all again, I’d stay longer in Puglia, the heel of Italy’s boot – and remember to buy my Paris Métro ticket from the cafe on the Eurostar.

Day one: London to Chamb éry

First to Paris’s Gare du Nord, then the metro to Gare de Lyon, where I make a beeline for a cafe opposite the station. Noise pervades the pavement tables of Café Terminus, but the cacophony is delightful – an atmospheric place for a citron pressé .

I’m in plenty of time for the train to Chambéry and, excitingly, am on the upper deck. Soon, we break free from the suburbs to trace huge stands of forest. Beyond Lyon begins a ripple of hills, lazy rivers and thickly forested slopes. As evening approaches, it’s all Alpine scenery. I arrive at an almost-empty station and walk to the boutique Hotel des Princes in Chambéry’s old town.

Chambéry has an Italian feel – it was the seat of the House of Savoy before the dynasty moved on to Turin – and its medieval alleys, cathedral and pastel-coloured townhouses are quietly impressive. The 1838 Fontaine des Éléphants sits in the middle of the closest square to the old town, and peeking from the end of every street are the Bauges and Chartreuse mountain ranges. My stay is peaceful and easy.

Day two: Chamb éry to Turin

From Chambéry, the train to Turin would take about 2½ hours, but the bus takes double this. I’m on the top deck again, which is worth it for the sight of misty fingers of early morning light breaking across the mountain ridge. Snoozing backpackers rouse themselves to snap pictures of remote Mont Blanc peaks, before slumbering once more through the tunnel to Italy. In Turin there’s perfume in the air from the blossom-covered trees.

Turin’s grid of long, straight boulevards is testament to its development by the Romans – the redbrick Palatine Gate is another Roman relic – and its grand piazzas, royal palaces and graffitied colonnades date from the city’s Savoy heyday in the 16th and 17th centuries. Today, the number one attraction is the Museo Egizio (Egyptian Museum).

My favourite moments? Ricotta and fig ice-cream on Piazza San Carlo, an aperitivo on off-the-beaten-path Via Sant’Agostino and the towering neoclassical Mole Antonelliana (national museum of cinema). I eat Turin’s famous doughy pizza al padellino (pan pizza) and spend a comfortable night in the eaves of Hotel Urbani in 19th-century residential streets close to the grand Porta Nuova train station.

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Day three: Turin to Bari

The views from my next train are of cinematic Tuscan scenes. Scorched fields, vines and Italian cypress trees. Neat red roofs and shabby-chic farmhouses. Fluffy clouds cling to hills that Google Maps tells me are the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. After hours of soothing golden landscapes, the opal-blue Adriatic wallops into view just north of Ancona. Beach bars whip by and cypress trees are replaced with palm trees: I’ve arrived in the south of Italy.

Bari is hands down my favourite stop. The noise, heat and energy as we step off the train in the early evening are joyous. After Chambéry and Turin, Bari feels brash, a little rough around the edges even; a proper port city. The labyrinthine alleyways of the whitewashed old town are almost cliched in their cuteness. Despite the troupes of tightly packed headphone-wearing Americans following guided tours, it somehow manages to retain a tranquil atmosphere.

Old ladies yawn from the shade as tourists surreptitiously snap pictures and laundry flutters from balconies. I could stay for ever, but after 24 hours (which includes a lot of pasta, a stroll along the posh promenade to the not-so-posh city beach and a night in an elegant aparthotel, Residence Zodiacus , halfway between the station and the old town), it’s time to board the night ferry to Albania.

Day (and night) four: Bari to Tirana

I arrive at the ferry on foot and am escorted through the car deck to jokes about going in the wrong direction (to Albania, instead of from it). In the early morning I spot a pink sky through the cracked window of my comfy en suite cabin, and head to the top deck to see the sun rise over the distant outline of Albania. Disembarking in the port of Durrës is a bit of a scrum and there’s a bus to the capital waiting, but I opt instead for a five-minute taxi ride to the centre of town and breakfast of pastries and espresso on a dazzling white road lined with boutiques and palm trees. I later regret this though, as the aircon on the grubby public bus I eventually take to Tirana is more tired than I am, and drops me in an urban sprawl miles from the centre.

Tirana itself is a revelation. My hotel, Padam Boutique , is a grand villa with handsome rooms and floor-to-ceiling windows, and there’s striking new skyward architecture on every nearby street. A short stroll away is the landmark Pyramid of Tirana , which stands as a symbol and monument to change (and is fun to climb at sunset). Skanderbeg Square – a jumble of buildings erected on a roundabout at the time of the celebrations to mark the fall of communism in 1992 – is now a pedestrianised, glossy public space. There are nods to Albania’s recent, wretched history behind the iron curtain, of course – the Bunk’Art and Bunk’Art 2 museums, in nuclear bunkers are unmissable – but Tirana and the country are more than just the last century. My journey is done, but it feels like Tirana is just getting into its stride.

The trip was provided by Byway , which offers sustainable travel and accommodation packages across the UK and Europe. Its Alps to Albania trip costs from £679pp

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I've been to 54 countries and have lived in 10. These 5 underrated places are worth the trip.

• Kate Boardman has visited 54 countries around the world and lived in 10, including the US.
• She's enjoyed spots like France and Bali but says people should visit underrated places like Oman.
• In Guatemala, she climbed an active volcano, and in Ecuador, she swam with hammerhead sharks.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Kate Boardman , a 36-year-old former teacher and current content creator from Massachusetts who has lived and traveled all over the world. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

I first lived abroad when I was 15, when I participated in an exchange program in Germany. I lived there for a year, attending school and staying with a host family.

That was my first exposure to living overseas and truly immersing myself in other cultures. From there, the travel bug hit me hard. It inspired me to study international business in France while I was at university, and future trips after that.

I've been to 54 countries and lived in 10, including the US. The sense of freedom and self-growth that comes from traveling is unbeatable. I also love being able to see the world in a different way.

The most popular destinations are popular for a reason.

Everyone talks about Paris, London , Bali — all travel destinations that are super popular, in part thanks to social media.

I visited Bali in early 2012 and saw it expand firsthand. There was a lot of construction — with many beach clubs being built — and it became overcrowded by foreigners. It's led to locals being priced out of their homes.

I also think spots like Cancun are super overrated; there are way cooler places to visit in Mexico. Many tourists spend a week in an all-inclusive resort and think that's fun — but that couldn't be more unattractive to me.

Obviously, there's still beauty in places that are oversaturated and famous. But I think that there's an excitement that comes from experiencing places that are off the beaten track.

It's often in those places that you can have the most surprising experiences.

I was treated like family in Iran

I would say my favorite country that I have visited is Iran. I went in 2018 and was there for 10 days.

Normally, when I'm traveling, I backpack alone and stay in hostels as a solo traveler. However, in Iran, if you're American, Canadian, or from the UK, in order to get permission to enter the country, you need a set itinerary and a licensed travel guide.

It was a very coordinated trip and a bit more challenging to visit, but it was so rewarding because I was welcomed with the warmest hospitality.

One of the unique aspects of this trip was how close my guide and I became. He went above and beyond, inviting me over to his family's house for dinner, where I got to meet and hang out with his friends and family. It was truly special.

Because I had a guide, everything was kind of set for me in Iran. He arranged different accommodations, including a road trip through the country, where we stayed in various cities at different guesthouses.

It only cost me around $1,000.

The nature and landscape of Iran are absolutely beautiful and amazing. The sights, attractions, and history are mind-blowing. You've got these gorgeous mosaics everywhere. All of the architecture had my jaw dropping in awe while walking around.

The food is also delicious, and the markets are incredible, each filled with gorgeous textiles, jewelry, turquoise, and rugs.

I would totally visit there again. I hope the political situation changes because that would definitely be one of my group trip destinations. I think it's just incredible.

Georgia took me by surprise

Georgia is just one of those countries that's not on a lot of people's radar. And then they go there and they're like, 'Whoa, that's awesome. Why didn't I know about this before?'

I knew very little about Georgia before I visited in 2018. I spent only five days in the country, but I was completely blown away.

I stayed in Tbilisi, which is the capital city. It's a really beautiful, trendy, and artsy kind of city. It has amazing wine and incredible food.

Probably one of my favorite things about the trip is that I stayed in this hostel called Fabrika . It was an old Soviet Union sewing factory that they turned into a super cool, industrial, hipster hostel.

In Tbilisi, I also went on a pub crawl throughout the Old Town, which featured a bunch of underground cellars and bunkers that have been turned into trendy nightclubs and bars.

During my time in the country, I took a trip out to the countryside to an area called Kazbegi, which is absolutely stunning. There were gorgeous and breathtaking mountains, hills, and massive churches.

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In the city, I also had a Turkish bath, which is a big thing in Georgia. I got a full scrub down.

Guatemala has something for everyone

When most people from the US think about going to Central America, they're focused on Mexico or Costa Rica. Guatemala seems to be a place that kind of gets overlooked.

But life is great in Guatemala.

You've got beautiful weather all year round, the jungle, rainforests, and the Caribbean's white sand beaches, while the Pacific side has its black sand beaches. It's got a little bit of everything.

I first lived in Guatemala in 2021, where I worked as a teacher at an international school. They provided housing in Guatemala City. However, after I finished working for them, I moved to a beach town on the Pacific coast and lived there for about six months.

I've traveled there on other occasions too, staying for periods of four or five months.

The typical salary for a Guatemalan is about $500 a month, with a good salary being $1,000. I would say that $2,000 a month is more than enough to live there extremely comfortably.

There are a lot of digital nomads moving there, especially to Antigua — an old colonial town with a lot of charm, cobblestone streets, and painted buildings.

There's just so much to do in Guatemala; it's so magical.

The biggest must do is hiking the active volcano called Acatenango . Sometimes, you can see it erupting right from its base camp. There's not many places in the world where you can experience that.

Another good place to visit is El Paredon, a super up-and-coming hippie surf town. The surfing is great, and you've got these black volcanic sand beaches. It's just a really laid-back place.

Lake Atitlan is also an incredible spot. It's surrounded by volcanoes and several Mayan villages, each with its own personality and vibe.

Oman's deserts are magical

Oman is in the Middle East, bordering the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. I've been there three times between 2016 and 2018.

The country is culturally rich, and the capital city, Muscat, is really beautiful. It has old traditional marketplaces and gorgeous architecture — the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is definitely worth checking out.

The deserts there are incredible, so doing a desert trip is a must. I camped out in the desert with the locals, rode camels, and drove Jeeps over the sand dunes.

Having tea and watching the sunset in the desert was magical too.

Oman also has wadis, which are basically big canyons in the middle of the desert with swimming holes. There, you'll find bright turquoise water contrasting with the orange rock.

The country's islands are also beautiful and incredible for snorkeling. They look like you'd be in the Caribbean, but you're in the Middle East.

The Galapagos Islands are truly like nowhere else in the world

I visited Ecuador last year for about six weeks. I was leading a gap year program with a group of high school students. We split our time between the Galapagos Islands and the mainland, which consisted of cities and the Amazon.

Because Ecuador has incredibly unique biodiversity that doesn't exist anywhere else in the world, The Galapagos Islands are an absolute must. I've never seen such incredible wildlife in my life; so many species exist only on those islands.

While visiting The Galapagos, my group went snorkeling with 50 to 100 hammerhead and Blacktip sharks. We also swam with sea lions and saw giant tortoises.

Another amazing aspect of Ecuador is learning about the Inca culture. My group did a homestay and lived with a family for about 10 days and learned about their way of life.

We experienced how connected they are with Mother Earth, whom they refer to as Pachamama, and learned about their traditional medicine: They grow their own food and seek out plant medicine when they're sick, rather than relying on processed foods.

Learning about and sharing their way of life was truly special.

I want to show people how to travel the world

There are many beliefs people have about different countries and cultures, sometimes considering them too dangerous, expensive, or unattainable.

I want to inspire more people to explore, step out of their comfort zones, and experience more of the world. I am hosting group trips with the goal of bringing people to these countries and showing them why they are so life-changing.

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The Maya Train Will Get You to All of Yucatán’s Best Spots. But Not Yet.

In December, the train began running on its first route through Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. On a five-day journey a few months later, the author encountered enthusiasm, and scheduling hiccups.

By Elisabeth Malkin

Elisabeth Malkin has been visiting the Yucatán Peninsula for three decades.

I stepped off the platform at the gleaming new Maxcanú train station, eager to see the magnificent Maya archaeological site of Uxmal. All I needed was a taxi to take me there, a trip of about 30 miles away.

There are no taxis, said the stationmaster, as we stood on the polished limestone floors of the high-ceilinged station, which was cool and breezy despite the brilliant late-morning sun outside. And I was the third person in two weeks to get off at Maxcanú expecting to reach Uxmal, he said.

I was midway through a five-day trip to explore the brand-new Maya Train and several of its destinations in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico . Designed to run 965 miles (1,554 kilometers) around a loop of 34 stations when completed, the train will whisk passengers in cool comfort through colonial cities, archaeological sites, splashy resorts and tropical forests.

Now I was stunned. Wrangling a taxi has never been a problem in Mexico. But the drivers gathered in the main square of Maxcanú offered only beat-up vans that hopscotch through small towns, where I might or might not find a taxi to Uxmal. The next van was leaving in 45 minutes.

Yucatán’s layers of history have long held me spellbound. During earlier car trips, I have clambered up deserted Maya temples and palaces, stepped into the cool naves of massive 16th-century churches and visited restored haciendas, testaments of the ostentation — and hardship — of the peninsula’s 19th-century plantation economy. Traveling by train, I thought, would allow me to steep myself in more of that history.

But as I found in Maxcanú, a train won’t necessarily get you to where you want to go.

During my February trip, I traveled on the only route then available, an east-west leg that opened in December and runs from Cancún to Mérida, and then south through the port city of Campeche to the Maya site of Palenque (a short route between Cancún and Playa del Carmen opened last month, with three trains a day). I encountered scheduling confusion, unfinished stations and a dearth of trains — just two operating daily each way between Cancún and Campeche, and only one to Palenque. Overnight sleepers and special dining trains seem years away.

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador considers the Maya Train his showcase development project, and wants to inaugurate the rest of the train before he leaves office on October 1. Based on my experience, that goal seems elusive.

A $29-billion route through the jungle

I started my journey in Cancún, where in the pre-dawn gloom the station hovered like a glowing spaceship. An attendant scanned the ticket I had bought online and a half-dozen more pointed me toward my tourist-class car, which was about a quarter full. I planned to go to Campeche, about 300 miles away, stopping once each day. At 120 kilometers (about 75 miles) an hour, the train covers the route in about six hours, the same as a car. (When construction is complete, the train’s speed should increase to 160 kilometers an hour.)

The car’s wide windows looked out at a wall of low jungle. The blue-green seats were comfortable and there was ample space between the rows. I bought a very good cappuccino at the snack bar, but declined the plastic-wrapped sandwiches. The rest of the merchandise was fruit cups, milk boxes and junk food.

The train will ultimately cost much more than the $29 billion budgeted so far, and it’s not the first time ambitious planners have alighted on the region. Cancún was once a tiny fishing village, selected half a century ago as a tourist hub. Last year 10 million international tourists flew into its airport, more than the airports of Mexico City, Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta combined.

But uncontrolled growth has stressed the Caribbean coast’s fragile environment. The Maya Train, scientists warn , will push those problems south, threatening the area’s water supply, its unique system of underground limestone caves and its vast nature reserves.

Mr. López Obrador has charged ahead, handing the train over to the military , and arguing that it will spread Cancún’s wealth and attract new visitors. Mexico received more than 42 million overseas tourists last year and they spent almost $31 billion .

Local governments see an opportunity. “The train will allow people to disperse throughout the peninsula,” said Michelle Fridman, the tourism secretary for Yucatán state, which promotes dozens of attractions far beyond highlights like Mérida and Chichén Itzá .

Now that the train is operating, transport companies will begin to connect stations with lesser-known sites nearby, she said.

It’s fair to ask whether the train is the most effective way to develop the peninsula’s tourism. Tour companies already run trips to many sites from major cities, which are well served by buses. Driving a rental car through most of the area is considered safe , according to U.S. State Department travel guidance .

Route of Mexico’s Maya Train

Canceled trip.

It took two hours (and one time-zone change) to reach Valladolid, a colonial city of handsome streets and ancient churches, where I bought the rest of my tickets at the station. A tourist-class ticket from Cancún to Valladolid costs 472 pesos (around $28) for foreigners and 355 pesos (around $21) for Mexicans. First class, with wider seats, costs 755.50 pesos and 566.50 pesos, and discounts are available for older travelers and residents of the five states along the train’s route. (A first-class bus from downtown Cancún to Valladolid costs between 222 and 344 pesos, depending on the time of day, and takes half an hour longer.)

It was impossible to run the new Maya Train tracks into dense city centers and the Valladolid station, like the rest, was outside the urban core. A waiting bus took disembarking passengers downtown, a 15-minute ride for 35 pesos.

That day I toured Ek Balam , the site of a ninth-century Maya kingdom that is dominated by a 100-foot palace distinguished by a facade of carvings depicting winged warriors, stylized animal features and geometric patterns bordered by giant fangs. Admission to the site includes entry to the X-Canché cenote, one of thousands of limestone sinkholes that were sacred to the Maya.

Later that afternoon, I was wandering through the Museum of Ethnic Clothing, a private collection of traditional dress, embroidery and hats, when a WhatsApp message from the ticket office blinked on my phone. My train scheduled for the following day was canceled.

I decided to deal with the problem in the morning and enjoy the city. As I wandered past the antique shops and boutique hotels of the elegant Calzada de los Frailes, it was clear that Valladolid’s tourism, and the infrastructure to handle it, was well established. The Maya Train is simply an alternative way to reach a city that tourists discovered years ago.

‘We’re on the Tren Maya!’

In the morning, I found that my train had not been canceled, but the station for which I had a ticket, Tixkokob, was closed. I got off instead one stop earlier at Izamal, known for its ocher streets and the giant Franciscan convent of San Antonio de Padua, built atop the ruins of a pyramid.

During the 90-minute ride, I heard widespread enthusiasm among fellow travelers who expressed a willingness to give the train time to work out the kinks. “We’re an experiment,” said Oliva Escobedo Ochoa, 64, who was vacationing from her home in central Mexico.

Leticia Iliassich, 57, who is Mexican, was traveling with her Croatian husband along with relatives from Mexico and Croatia. They had initially been scheduled on an earlier train to Mérida that had been canceled. “We knew that it was a new project,” she said. “We don’t mind.”

The group had already sent a video to friends declaring, “We’re on the Tren Maya!”

At the Izamal station I hitched a 15-minute ride into the town center with a man who had asked me to take his photo alongside the train and his father. From there I negotiated a taxi to Hacienda San Lorenzo Aké, a working hacienda that still turns the fiber from an agave plant called henequén into coarse rope. Global demand for henequén, known as Yucatán’s “green gold,” brought fantastic wealth to the region in the mid-19th century, speckling the peninsula with more than 1,000 haciendas. ( Many are now sumptuous hotels.)

Where geometry, nature and the divine merge

It was during my third day that I found myself stuck in Maxcanú, after a 90-minute train ride from Izamal. The stationmaster, an army captain, offered me a ride to Uxmal, just as he had to the stranded tourists before me.

Eying Uxmal’s 4 p.m. final ticket sale, I accepted.

My situation made it clear just how distant the Maya Train’s promises are for tourists seeking to explore more of Yucatán. In time, that will change, said Ms. Fridman, the tourism secretary. “The idea is to have more hotels along the train line,” she said. “That will happen little by little.”

But Uxmal , among the most stunning of the Maya sites, made up for the inconvenience. Uxmal’s grand buildings are faced with intricate decorative masks as well as friezes in which geometry, nature and the divine merge. New plaques at each structure offer detailed information in English and Spanish, part of the government’s investment in improving displays at Maya sites for the train project.

Most tourists either take day trips by car or bus to Uxmal from Mérida or stay at one of three nearby hotels. As I finished dinner at my hotel, the dining room began to fill up: 47 Polish tourists had arrived.

Panama hats and a cramped van

My plan for the day was to go by taxi to Bécal, a town where Panama hats are woven in limestone caves to keep the fibers soft, and then pick up the afternoon train in nearby Calkiní for the port city of Campeche.

But I spent so much time watching the hat-making demonstration and then fitting my new hat and buying gifts that we set off with little time to reach the station. To my chagrin, I missed the train, the last one of the day.

On Calkiní’s central square, I found a van that was leaving for Campeche. Cost: 65 pesos. Time: about 1 hour and 20 minutes, similar to what I would have spent on the train. Of course, I was trapped in a cramped seat and had to listen to the driver’s choice of sentimental ballads, but I was dropped off in downtown Campeche, close to my hotel.

The next day, I toured the Museum of Maya Archaeology , an expertly curated collection that included haunting jade funeral masks, glyphs and delicate ceramic figures.

José Madrigal, 45, an engineer from Fremont, Calif., was trying to make Maya pottery interesting for his twin sons. The boys had just turned 5 and their birthday present had been a ride on the Maya Train. “They love trains,” Mr. Madrigal said. Then the family moved on, keeping up a brisk clip through the museum. They had another train to catch.

Should you take the train?

Yes, if you are traveling between larger stations. The train also offers a way to get to Palenque, which is harder to reach and has roads with security concerns. Travelers can stow bicycles on board.

To see train times, check the destinations on the website . You cannot buy tickets online more than a week in advance. But when you finally board, the ride is smooth — and the coffee is excellent.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .

Iconic Overland Camper Company EarthCruiser Out of Business

Iconic overland camper builder EarthCruiser is shutting its doors. Here's what we know so far.

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After 16 years of making some of the most well-traveled off-road expedition campers in the world, EarthCruiser’s last day in business is today. In a press release, the company stated that its “last day of operations will be April 25, 2024.”

“Our journey over the past years has been extraordinary. We are incredibly grateful to our loyal customers, dedicated employees, and industry partners for their support and trust in our brand,” said Lance Gillies, EarthCruiser CIO and Founder. “Although this decision marks the end of an era, we are proud of our legacy and impact on the world of travel, automotive innovation, and overlanding. We hope our vehicles, our customers, and their stories will continue to inspire the adventurous spirit in all of us.”

EarthCruiser

EarthCruiser started in 2008 in Australia. In 2013 the founder, Lance Gillies, moved his family and primary production to Bend, Ore.

Production continued in Australia, with Gillies having a stake in the Australian company, but it was run as a separate entity. We’re unsure at this time how this announcement from the U.S. arm of the company impacts the Australian company .

Overland Campers

EarthCruiser is known primarily for its overland camper builds based on forward-control delivery trucks, with Fuso and NPR chassis. These 4×4 builds are designed to fit in shipping containers to easily and securely get around the globe. Models include the EarthCruiser EXP and FX.

One of the most compelling products for North American travel is a lifting roof composite camper integrated onto a 1-ton U.S. full-size truck chassis, like a Ford F-350. This EarthCruiser model is called the Terranova .

Just recently EarthCruiser also unveiled and toured around the country its collaboration with GMC on an electrified overland camper system. The GMC HUMMER EV EarthCruiser Upfit looked like an impressive package and the first of its kind.

EarthCruiser Out of Business

In a press release sent out this week, EarthCruiser lays out its current position. It reads:

“ Despite EarthCruiser’s many successes, changing market dynamics and economic challenges have made it increasingly difficult to sustain operations going forward. The decision to close the business was not taken lightly, but after careful consideration and in-depth strategic analysis the company has made the decision to wind down operations in its current form.

The company is working with professionals to accomplish an orderly liquidation in accordance with state law. Further announcements will be made in the near future regarding this process. “

What that amounts to for current deposit holders for EarthCruiser campers, the company’s creditors, and other business interests is a bit unknown. We do know this will be quite hard on current EarthCruiser camper owners, as they will no longer have product support for these expensive, complex, and unique overland campers.

All-Electric Overlanding Has Arrived: GMC Hummer EV EarthCruiser Upfit

The GMC Hummer EV EarthCruiser upfit has finally been revealed. This all-electric overland machine looks ready for adventure. Read more…

Life on the Road: EarthCruiser Terranova Overland Truck Camper

The EarthCruiser Terranova overland camper perfectly suits North American travel, with systems that users have fully tested around the globe. Read more…

Overland Dreaming: Diesel 4x4 EarthCruiser for Sale on 'Bring a Trailer'

Up for auction on 'Bring a Trailer' is a world overland adventure-ready EarthCruiser FX. Read more…

Bryon Dorr is the Motors Editor of GearJunkie. He has been writing about overland travel, off-road vehicles, general automotive, whitewater kayaks, and outdoor and travel gear for 12+ years. He has created content for a wide range of outdoor, automotive, and travel media outlets, both online and in print, as well as for a wide range of commercial clients as a photographer, social media marketer, business consultant, and copy editor.

After living on the road for nearly eight years, he is now based in Portland, Ore. Bryon is an avid kayaker, cyclist, skier/snowboarder, runner, and photographer. When not outdoors doing human-powered adventures, you’ll find him behind the wheel or bars of something with a motor and wheels finding adventure around the globe. You can keep up with his life of adventure on your favorite social media @ExplorElements .

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Overland Park wine bar honored with prestigious international title

O VERLAND PARK, Kan. (KCTV) - A wine bar in Overland Park is one of only four in the State of Kansas to receive a prestigious international title by wine connoisseurs.

Michael Scherzberg, the owner of Vintage ‘78 Wine Bar , announced on Sunday, April 28, that it was recently recognized as a recipient of the prestigious Star Wine List Award from Star Wine Lis. The move solidifies the Overland Park establishment as one of the most exceptional dining destinations.

Scherzberg noted that the Star Wine List is the foremost guide to great wine bars and wine restaurants around the globe. It started in Stockholm to solve a local issue - with so many restaurant guides, wine lovers were left short.

According to Scherzberg, the selections on the list are made by a team of wine professionals and ambassadors worldwide. The list of members is long and distinguished.

“This is our third international wine list accolade in our first year,” he noted. “We were awarded a Best of Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator last summer, a Three Star Award and Jury Prize from the World’s Best Wine Lists earlier this year, and now a Star Wine List Award”

Currently, only four restaurants in the Sunflower State are included on the list:

• Vintage ‘78 Wine Bar in Overland Park
• Pane e Vino Wine Bar & Academy in Lawrence
• Wine Dive + Kitchen in Manhattan
• Wine Dive in Wichita

“We are thrilled to receive this award, especially in our first year of business,” Scherzberg continued. “This rounds out the trio of international wine list awards fine restaurants strive to receive.”

Scherzberg noted that Vintage ‘78 offers an unparalleled selection of wine from around the world paired with expertly crafted cuisine.

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Bend off-road overland vehicle-maker EarthCruiser shuts down, cites ‘changing market dynamics,’ economic issues

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) - EarthCruiser USA, LLC, a leading manufacturer of off-road expedition vehicles, announced Wednesday that it has ceased operations "after 16 years of innovation in the overland travel industry" and said Thursday will be its last day of operations at its facility on American Lane.

Here's their full announcement:

Since its founding in 2008, EarthCruiser has been at the forefront of designing and manufacturing vehicles that have taken intrepid adventurers to the most remote corners of the globe. The company’s product line includes the EXP, FX, and Terranova models, as well as the recently unveiled GMC HUMMER EV EarthCruiser Upfit.

Despite EarthCruiser's many successes, changing market dynamics and economic challenges have made it increasingly difficult to sustain operations going forward. The decision to close the business was not taken lightly, but after careful consideration and in-depth strategic analysis, the company has made the decision to wind down operations in its current form.

"Our journey over the past years has been extraordinary. We are incredibly grateful to our loyal customers, dedicated employees, and industry partners for their support and trust in our brand," said Lance Gillies, EarthCruiser CIO and Founder. "Although this decision marks the end of an era, we are proud of our legacy and impact on the world of travel, automotive innovation, and overlanding. We hope our vehicles, our customers, and their stories will continue to inspire the adventurous spirit in all of us."

The EarthCruiser team wants to thank the overlanding community and supporters for being a part of its story.

The company is working with professionals to accomplish an orderly liquidation in accordance with state law. Further announcements will be made in the near future regarding this process. Business and asset related inquiries can be directed to Jamie Bradley at  [email protected] . Creditor inquiries can be directed to Zoe Habekost of Tabor Law Group at  [email protected] .

About EarthCruiser:

EarthCruiser is a company of designers, engineers, technicians and, most of all, adventurers with millions of miles of collective, real world overlanding experience. With its EarthCruiser EXP, FX and EC Terranova models, EarthCruiser has designed and manufactured the ultimate self-contained, 4×4 off-road, world exploration vehicles in Bend, Oregon since 2013.

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