Claire Hankey is a 22-year-old bartender from Leeds, England, who set off on a round-the-world trip in 2006.
The Snapshot
- Departure: 2006
- Age at departure: 22
- Nationality: England
- Location: Leeds, England
- Duration: 6-12 months
- Occupation: Bartender
- Original budget: $4,800 (approximately $7,900 in 2026 dollars)
- Regions: North America, Oceania, Southeast Asia, Asia
The Route
London to Los Angeles, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, and on through Asia.
In Their Words
Here's what Claire Hankey 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?
Going alone and first major trip so chose ‘easy’ route plus want to work in Australia. Had enough of the rat race back at home so just wanna get away.
What is your biggest fear about this trip?
Getting started, getting lost, having everything stolen.
What is your advice for people planning their own RTW trip?
Just go for it, don’t plan too much or rely on anyone else.
If you had to sum up your thoughts/feelings about your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it be?
Excited, nervous, itching to go and experience once in a lifetime chance.
What is the biggest myth that people have about round-the-world traveling?
That it’s full of people who just don’t want to work.
Why do you like to travel?
To try new things and see things that I never will in England.
2026 Context
- Budget inflation: This traveler's original budget of $4,800 would equate to approximately $7,900 in 2026 purchasing power, reflecting roughly 65% inflation over the intervening years.