Timo Luege is a 30-year-old journalist from Munich, Germany, who took a round-the-world trip in 2004.
He chronicled the 355-day journey online at 355days.net.
The Snapshot
- Departure: 2004
- Age at departure: 30
- Nationality: Germany
- Location: Munich, Germany
- Occupation: Journalist
- Original budget: EUR 18,000 (about USD 20,700; approximately USD 36,200 in 2026 dollars)
- Regions: Southeast Asia, Oceania, North America, Central America
The Route
In Their Words
Here's what Timo Luege shared about their RTW journey:
Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
A couple of reasons. For one thing I was thorougly sick of my job. And since I didn’t have a girlfriend, mortgage or debt, just turned thirty and had enough money I decided to go. Besides, 30 is the last chance to get a working holiday visa for Australia!
What is your advice for people planning their own RTW trip?
1, Buy all the gear you need for your trip at the tiem of the year when the climate in your homecountry is closest to the one in your destination-country. And wear your gear for at least two days (even if it’s ridiculous). You don’t want to have any surprises once you are gone. 2, Get your first Hepatitis A/B-shot six months before departure!
What is the biggest myth that people have about round-the-world traveling?
That it’s expensive.
How did your round-the-world trip change your life? How did it affect and change you as a person?
I think that I will take a lot of things less seriously now. Most things we get upset about are really not worth it.
If you had to sum up your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it be?
It’s MY life.
2026 Context
- Budget inflation: This traveler's original budget of EUR 18,000 (about USD 20,700) would equate to approximately USD 36,200 in 2026 purchasing power, reflecting roughly 75% inflation over the intervening years.