Aidan Williams is a 28-year-old programmer from Newcastle upon Tyne, England, who set off on a round-the-world trip in 2003.
The Snapshot
- Departure: 2003
- Age at departure: 28
- Nationality: England
- Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England, UK
- Duration: 1-6 months
- Occupation: Programmer
- Original budget: GBP 5,000 (about USD 8,000; approximately USD 14,300 in 2026 dollars)
- Regions: Southeast Asia, Oceania, South America
The Route
In Their Words
Here's what Aidan Williams shared about their RTW journey:
How do you think your round-the-world trip will change your life?
I am hoping that it will change me for the better. I hope that it will give me many new friends from all over, and that it will teach me a fair bit about other people, and also about my own abilities to cope with such a trip. I’m hoping that it will give me a better perspective on things, ie, my first step is giving up a job I really don’t enjoy, then going off and doing something I really want to do. If it gives me more conviction to do the stuff I want to make me happier, then it’ll all have been good!
What are you packing?
As little as possible hopefully. Being in the southern hemisphere in their summertime should mean that I can get away with less clothes, although I may need to buy some warmer things when I reach the Andes! My most indispensable item will be my clippers to keep my hair sufficiently short, or to be more precise, almost non-existent.
Are your family, friends, co-workers, etc., supportive of you?
Mostly very supportive. Some think its an odd thing to do on your own, but mostly they just say that they wouldn’t/couldn’t do it themselves, but are supportive of me doing it. Mum thinks I should do it if its what I want to do, and both my sisters think it’s an excellent idea.
Why did you decide to take this trip?
The fact that I never did this kind of thing after/during my time as a student, and that I may not get the chance again if commitments come along. Once the idea was in my head, I knew I’d end up regretting it if I didn’t do it!
Why do you think people should go on round-the-world trips?
For the adventure, and hopefully to realise that you’re capable of more adventurous stuff than you may have thought, although it certainly wouldn’t suit everybody.
2026 Context
- Budget inflation: This traveler's original budget of GBP 5,000 (about USD 8,000) would equate to approximately USD 14,300 in 2026 purchasing power, reflecting roughly 79% inflation over the intervening years.