Full-Time Travel Q&A: 3 Years on the Road Answering Your Biggest Questions

When Shish and I left Bangalore on May 15, 2022, with two 40-litre backpacks and a one-way ticket, we had no idea what was waiting for us. What started as a six-month plan has now stretched into over three years of full-time travel across 45+ countries.

Along the way, thousands of you have sent us questions—on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and even in person when we’ve bumped into viewers on the road. So, we decided to record sit-down Q&A videos to answer the most common ones.

This blog post brings those Q&As together in one place. Even if you don’t watch the videos, I’ve pulled out the most useful stories, hacks, and lessons from our journey. I’ll keep updating this post with new Q&A sections whenever we release more, so think of this as a growing knowledge base for anyone dreaming of long-term travel.

Video 1: 150 Days on the Road – The Honest Truth

Watch this video here if you’d like to see the full conversation.

At around 150 days into full-time travel, we recorded our very first Q&A. Back then, we were still figuring things out, but here’s what stood out:

How were we really doing?

Every day felt different—some dreamy, some exhausting. The sunsets, friendships, and landscapes made the tough moments worth it.

Homesickness and rest days

We thought we’d be back in India in four months, but the road pulled us further. Of course, we missed home food, our parents, and the comfort of our bed. A quick pit stop in Bangalore halfway through really helped us reset.

We also learned the importance of 2–3 rest days a week—not tied to weekends, just whenever our bodies told us to slow down.

Favorite memories from that stage

• Jumping into the Blue Lagoon in Laos

• Celebrating the Festival of Lights on the Mekong in Luang Prabang

How we choose places to stay

• Sort by price, filter by reviews

• Avoid super-cheap outskirts (hidden transport costs add up)

• Last-minute bookings are less scary than you think

• Hotels/hostels usually give better value than Airbnbs

Backpack life and little rituals

The most annoying part? Constantly packing and unpacking.

What saved us were small rituals: using the same toothpaste everywhere, or having one “home outfit” we’d wear for downtime. These things created a sense of comfort.

Staying healthy as vegetarians

We each carried just 7–8 kg in a cabin backpack. That meant laundry every few days, but fresh-smelling clothes became a luxury.

Food-wise, we were extra careful—especially after a stomach infection in the Andamans. The Happy Cow app was a lifesaver for finding vegetarian options.

Hacks that saved us money and stress

• Bargain at 50% in much of Southeast Asia

• Exchange rates can be negotiated too

• Our “school hack”: find food stalls near schools—safe, cheap, and tasty

Life after quitting corporate jobs

Back home, Shish and I both worked in audit and finance. We were pulling 14-hour days, even weekends.

Travel brought less comfort, but far more freedom and creativity. Most importantly, it gave us time together.

Video 2: Season 2 Wrap-Up – Central Asia & Beyond

Watch the video here if you’d like to see the full Q&A.

After Southeast Asia, we spent a year traveling through Central Asia and the Middle East. This Q&A captured the shift in our journey:

Is it safe to travel in countries like Iran or Afghanistan?

We had the same concerns before going. But once we were there, the hospitality blew us away. Strangers welcomed us like family. It reminded us to see people as humans, not headlines.

How do we handle health issues?

We’ve fallen sick on the road—food poisoning, fevers, exhaustion. The key is simple: rest, hydrate, listen to your body, and never push through serious symptoms.

Our favorite countries from this phase

• Iran for hospitality and culture

• Armenia for the warmth of people

• Laos and the Philippines for natural beauty

Couchsurfing & hitchhiking

Both were uncomfortable at first, but they turned into some of our most rewarding experiences. The people we met are now friends for life.

Best food memories

From Thai pad thai to Vietnamese pho, Armenian megang to Iranian falafel—food has been as much a journey as the travel itself. Sometimes, when homesickness hit hard, we’d even cook simple Indian meals wherever we were.

Our marriage on the road

We often get asked how we manage as a couple. The truth: constant communication, shared rituals, and the ability to laugh at tough days.

Money and expenses

• Season 1 (Southeast Asia): ₹7.9 lakhs (~$9,600)

• Season 2 (Central Asia & Middle East): ₹5.5 lakhs (~$6,700)

• Two years total: ~$16,000 for both of us (~$30/day)

Funding came mainly from savings, plus a little income from YouTube (about $2–3/day at that point). We also publish detailed expense reports on our blog.

The biggest life lesson from Season 2

Beyond all the places we visited, the biggest change has been in perspective: we now see people first—not their jobs, wealth, or social status.

Video 3: Hanoi Reflections – After Africa, What Next?

Watch the video here to see the full Q&A.

Africa changed us

From Nairobi to Cape Town, Africa was raw, beautiful, and humbling. Despite hardships, people were generous in ways we’ll never forget.

Coping with travel burnout

By then, we’d realized that slowing down isn’t failure. Taking time in one place—like Hanoi now—helps us process experiences and recharge.

Logistics: visas, gear, and packing

• Many visas were handled on the go—at borders, embassies, or online

• Gear: one mirrorless camera, an action camera, tripod+selfie stick, and two laptops for editing. This is the full list: Filming, Editing and Tech Gear

• Packing light kept stress low, though it meant laundry was a constant companion

Money & financial freedom

We were still living on about $30 a day. Savings and our travel fund sustained us, with side gigs like financial advisory when needed. Content creation helped too, but more as a passion than a paycheck.

Is full-time travel worth it?

It’s not glamorous every day. It’s tiring, messy, and often uncertain. But the trade-off—freedom, stories, human connection—is worth far more than comfort.

What We’ve Learned After 3 Years of Full-Time Travel

• Freedom matters more than comfort

• People are kind everywhere—hospitality is universal

• Rituals anchor you when everything else changes

• Life doesn’t need to be expensive—we’ve lived richly on ~$30 a day

• Travel is work too—visas, logistics, content, health: it’s not a vacation, it’s a lifestyle

Final Thoughts

We started this journey as two corporate professionals chasing “more.” What we found instead is that less—fewer things, fewer comforts—gave us more time, more freedom, and more life.

If you’re dreaming of long-term travel, I hope our answers give you a clearer picture of the ups and downs. It’s not for everyone, but if your heart is pulling you toward it, trust me—it’s worth it.

Have more questions? Drop them in the comments or send us a message. I’ll keep updating this post with future Q&As.

And if you’d like to support our journey, the simplest ways are to:

• Watch and share our videos

• Read our expense reports and guides here on the blog

• Or buy us a virtual coffee ☕

Here’s to the next season of adventures ✈️🌍

Frequently Asked Questions about Full-Time Travel

1. How much does full-time travel cost?

On average, we spend about $30 a day for two people. That covers accommodation, food, transport, and activities. Of course, this varies by region—Southeast Asia is cheaper, while Africa and Europe are more expensive. Over two years, we’ve spent roughly $16,000 total for both of us.

2. How do you manage visas while traveling long-term?

Most visas we apply for on the go—either online (e-visas), at embassies in nearby countries, or even at land borders. Planning ahead helps, but flexibility is key. Every country has different rules, so we always check requirements before arriving.

3. Is full-time travel safe?

Yes, but it depends on mindset. We’ve traveled through countries people often call “unsafe,” like Iran and Afghanistan, and we were met with incredible kindness. We stay cautious, avoid unnecessary risks, and trust local advice.

4. How do you stay healthy on the road?

We’ve had our share of food poisoning and fevers. What works is listening to our bodies: rest, hydrate, and don’t push too hard. We also eat carefully, carry basic medicines, and choose safe food spots (our “school hack” has saved us many times).

5. How do you earn money while traveling?

We started with savings and a travel fund. Over time, our blog and YouTube channel began generating small income, and occasionally we take up side projects like financial advisory. Content creation is still more about passion than money—but it helps keep the journey sustainable.

6. What backpacks and gear do you use?

We each carry a 40L backpack weighing 7–8 kg, so we can fly with carry-on only. Our gear includes:

• One mirrorless camera

• An action camera

• Lightweight tripod

• Two laptops for editing
  Traveling light reduces stress, even if it means laundry every few days.

7. Is full-time travel worth it?

For us, absolutely. It’s not glamorous every day—it’s messy, tiring, and uncertain. But we’ve traded comfort for freedom, and that’s been the best decision of our lives.