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Is Full-Time Travel Really as Good as It Sounds?
- Jenn & Leon
- 11 hours ago
- 8 min read
From the outside, a life of constant travel looks like paradise.
No fixed address, endless adventures, and freedom to wake up wherever you want in the world.
After four years on the road, we can confirm: it’s every bit as exciting as it looks. But like any lifestyle, there’s another side to the story.
Full-time travel brings unique freedoms, but it also comes with sacrifices, pivots, and challenges that most people don’t see.
From the freedom and thrill of movement to the way “home” looks different when you travel, full-time life on the road is full of contrasts.
There’s the constant stress of planning, transport days that can be both unforgettable and exhausting, and the flipside of living light while chasing comfort.
Money, Wi-Fi, and work become daily considerations, while family, friends, and staying connected take on new challenges.
After four years, we’ve adapted with strategies that balance slow living and fast bursts of travel, and even with the hard parts, we still believe the freedom is worth it.
In this post, we’ll take you inside our lives, showing both the highlights and the flip sides, with real examples from our journey.
Pros & Cons of Full-Time Travel
Full-time travel looks like a dream, but it’s not all sunsets and sangria. There are incredible highs, but also challenges that don’t always make it to Instagram.
To give you a clear picture, here’s a snapshot of the real pros, cons, realities, and resources that shape this lifestyle.
Seeing both sides laid out helps us stay grounded. Travel has taught us that freedom comes with trade-offs, but with the right mindset and the right tools, the challenges become part of the story.
For us, the balance still tips toward adventure, and that’s why we keep choosing the road.
The Freedom of Movement
The biggest perk of this lifestyle is freedom. We get to choose where to go next, whether that’s a road trip in the U.S., a month in Mexico, or slow living in Thailand.
It’s exhilarating, but it can also feel overwhelming.
Jenn still remembers her first solo trip to Barcelona: wandering La Rambla with shaky Spanish, navigating menus by pointing, and slowly realizing that nervousness turns into confidence with every step.
That feeling never fully goes away—you’re always walking into the unknown—but it’s part of what makes travel transformative.
💡 We lean on tools like TripAdvisor, Google Maps, and our own country guides to cut through the uncertainty. For getting around, 12Go has become our go-to, especially in Asia.
ℹ️ Check out our Resource Hub for all the tools we use on the road.
Redefining “Home”
We’ve stayed in a manga-themed hotel in Kyoto, a riverside flat in Hoi An, a cottage in England, and even rustic cabins in Banff, Canada.
Each new door we unlock is a new version of home. But unlike a permanent address, the comforts are never guaranteed.
The bed might creak, the pillow might be flat, or the kitchen might not have what we need.
Over time, we’ve learned to adapt, celebrating when we find a comfy mattress or even re-using a takeout container instead of buying Tupperware. Travel forces you to live lighter, repurpose more, and be grateful for the basics.
Platforms like Airbnb and Trusted Housesitters help us find places that feel personal, but nothing is ever set in stone. Home is wherever we unpack, brew morning coffee, and create small rituals that anchor us.
The Constant Planning
When we started, we underestimated how much planning this lifestyle requires. Travel blogs, forums, and booking platforms - our evenings can sometimes look like a military operation of comparing flights, rooms, and transport.
Without it, chaos quickly follows. We’ve had our share of long travel days involving multiple buses, trains, and ferries, topped with exhaustion from hauling bags.
Spontaneity is fun in theory, but in reality, it can mean expensive last-minute bookings or missed opportunities.
Over time, we’ve learned to book the essentials ahead, like securing hotels on Expedia, or renting a car with Turo, and then leave space for surprises.
But even with a strategy, planning can be draining. Sometimes we long for the comfort of routine, even though we get bored quickly when we try it. It’s a strange paradox.
Transport Days: The Good and the Ugly
Transport is a highlight and a headache. We’ve taken the Vande Bharat Express through India, ferries in Greece, and buses across Southeast Asia. These moments deliver stunning views and unforgettable experiences.
But the flip side? Missed trains, overnight buses with little sleep, chaotic airports, and endless hours lugging bags.
Travel days can test your patience and push your energy to the limit. Flexibility is essential because delays, breakdowns, and reroutes happen more often than glossy Instagram posts admit.
💡 To stay connected and sane on long journeys, we use GigSky eSIM (10% off with code CLOSERLIVES10) and keep entertainment downloaded. A strong coffee helps, too.
The Flipsides of Comfort
Creature comforts aren’t guaranteed when you live out of a suitcase. The bed might sag, the Wi-Fi might cut out, and familiar products can be impossible to find.
Jenn often struggles to source her preferred toiletries, and comfort food from home is usually out of reach.
Food, too, can hit hard. While tasting new cuisines is one of our greatest joys, the shift in spices, oils, or portion sizes sometimes messes with our bodies.
In those moments, we long for something plain and predictable.
Even small things, like not having space to buy new clothes or home items, become frustrating. We pack light by necessity, so shopping sprees are not part of this lifestyle.
Money, Wi-Fi, and Work
One of the biggest pivots for us came when we realized: travel has to be sustainable. Freedom costs money, and the need for Wi-Fi and income follows us everywhere.
We’ve both taught online through Cambly, which has been a lifesaver. Not only does it provide income, but it also connects us to people worldwide, giving us conversations and local insights we’d otherwise miss.
A solid laptop and good connection are non-negotiables.
We lean on SafetyWing Nomad Insurance for peace of mind and NordVPN for safe connections when we’re working from cafés or airports.
Over time, we have also joined numerous affiliate programs and enjoyed several business collaborations, alongside generating advertising revenue on our website and through our YouTube channel.
But even with systems in place, the pressure to maintain income while constantly moving is real. The line between adventure and burnout can get thin.
💡 Find out more about how we monetize our travel blog and sustain our travels.
Family, Friends, and Connection
Community is one of the most beautiful parts of this lifestyle, but also one of the hardest. We’ve made friends in hostels, cafés, and tours, but the reality is they’re often fleeting. Saying goodbye is part of the rhythm.
Back home, family doesn’t always understand. Some have been upset by our choices, others worry, and sometimes it’s hard to relate after so much time away. Their concerns about mortgages or local politics feel distant from our reality of visas and Airbnbs.
Homesickness and culture shock are still real, even after years of travel. Sometimes a single call with family helps; other times, it just reminds us of what we’re missing.
Mindset, Minimalism, and Adaptation
This lifestyle strips away a lot of excess. We reuse, repurpose, and make do with less. A simple plastic container from takeout can feel like magic. We own fewer things but value them more.
We’ve also shifted to slower travel. After early years of dashing through countries, we now balance long stretches (like six months in England or Thailand) with shorter bursts (like three countries in a month). Returning to regular spots gives us a sense of belonging and reduces stress.
Most importantly, our mindset has shifted. We expect the unexpected, accept that standards may not match “back home,” and embrace change instead of resisting it.
So, Is It Worth It
Yes. Even with the flip sides, we wouldn’t trade this lifestyle. The freedom to disconnect from the politics, costs, and stress of our home countries has given us peace of mind.
Lower living costs mean we work less, spend more time together, and focus on experiences instead of possessions.
Full-time travel isn’t for everyone. It’s demanding, messy, and sometimes lonely. But for us, it’s also liberating, fulfilling, and endlessly rewarding.
If you crave adventure and are willing to embrace the highs and the lows, this life might just be worth the leap.
FAQ: Is Full-Time Travel Really as Good as It Sounds?
Is full-time travel sustainable long-term?
Yes, with a plan. We balance slow living in lower-cost bases like Thailand or England with short, fast bursts of travel. Lower costs mean we can work less and enjoy more.
How do you earn while traveling?
We combine content work with flexible online income. Teaching on Cambly keeps us connected to people and offers local insight. Reliable Wi-Fi and a good laptop are essential.
Do you get lonely?
Sometimes. Friendships can be fleeting when everyone moves on. We say yes to meetups and tours, and we revisit on a regular basis to rebuild community.
How do you handle admin like bank cards, licenses, and passports?
We set calendar reminders months ahead, keep a trusted mailing address when possible, and use digital banking. Without someone at home, renewals take more planning.
What about health and food changes?
Diet shifts can affect the body. We ease in, drink more water, and cook simple meals. When we need comfort, we look for international groceries or basic staples.
Is language a barrier?
Less than you think. Translation apps cover the essentials, and a few local phrases help a lot with kindness and clarity.
How do you plan without burning out?
We lock the big pieces first, then leave gaps for spontaneity. We batch admin on specific days and add buffer days after long transports.
What do you miss most from a fixed home?
A great mattress, a favorite pillow, and the ease of buying familiar products. We have learned to celebrate small wins and reuse more, which makes the lifestyle lighter.
How do you deal with family who do not support the lifestyle?
With empathy and boundaries. We over-communicate plans, share safety details, and accept that different life paths can be hard to relate to on both sides.
Is it still worth it?
For us, yes. Freedom, time together, and a calmer headspace outweigh the hard parts. But it is not for everyone, and that is okay.
Related & Useful Links
● Transport across Asia and beyond:
● Compare more options:
● Online safety on public Wi-Fi:
● Stay connected:
GigSky eSIM (10% off, CLOSERLIVES10)
● Peace of mind:
● Flexible wheels when you need them:
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Since deciding to sell our houses, let go of 90% of our possessions, pack up our remaining things, and head for the airport, we have learned a lot.
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