Finbarr O'Sullivan – Round-the-World Traveler | RTW

Finbarr O'Sullivan is a 21-year-old product builder from Cork, Ireland, who set off on a round-the-world trip in 2006.

The Snapshot

Here's what Finbarr O'Sullivan shared about their RTW journey:

Is this job one that you actually like, or are you only doing it to pay for the trip?

One more paycheck and I’m gone.

Have you traveled around the world before?

Yes.

Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?

Interailing 2 years ago. I love the not knowing what’s next buzz.

What is your biggest fear about this trip?

Not being allowed into Thailand due to no outbound ticket. Is this a problem?

Are your family, friends, co-workers, etc., supportive of you? What is their opinion of your going around the world?

Yes. But parents think it’s dodgy.

How much planning and preparing have you done?

Just enough.

What are you packing? What do you consider your most indispensable item(s)?

Credit card, mosquito net, a couple of t-shirts and shorts, 1 pair of jeans and 2/3 nice shirts.

How do you think your round-the-world trip will change your life? How do you think it will affect and change you as a person?

Life experience, and if I don’t do it soon I never will and I’ll be kicking myself when I’m 50.

If you had to sum up your thoughts/feelings about your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it be?

I can’t wait. It’s a learning experience because I don’t want to enter “real life” yet.

Why do you think people should go on round-the-world trips? Why not just take a regular old one- or two-week vacation instead?

They suck. I’ve been on a lot of them and you end up spending too much money…

Budget inflation: This traveler's original budget of EUR 1,500 would equate to approximately USD 2,550 in 2026 purchasing power, reflecting roughly 70% inflation over the intervening years.