Tim Magney is a 37-year-old database programmer from Eugene, Oregon, USA, who set off on a round-the-world trip in 2006.
The Snapshot
- Departure: 2006
- Age at departure: 37
- Nationality: USA
- Location: Eugene, OR, USA
- Duration: 6-12 months
- Occupation: Database Programmer
- Original budget: USD 15,000 (approximately USD 24,600 in 2026 dollars)
- Regions: Oceania, Southeast Asia, Middle East, Africa, Europe
The Route
In Their Words
Here's what Tim Magney 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?
I’ve been in Eugene my entire life, and have been thinking about moving to a different part of the country. But before I got settled somewhere else I wanted to take a trip to NZ to visit some friends and also go to Africa and climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. I decided that as long as I was going to take those two trips I might as well go all out and do a long RTW trip.
What is your biggest fear about this trip?
I’ve never travelled outside the country before, so I think it’s just the fear of the unknown. But that’s also part of the excitement I’m a very logical, analytical, procedural person, so this is going to be a very interesting experiment.
What is your advice for people planning their own RTW trip?
Plan a couple of specific things, then spend the rest of the time just winging it. Do your research but don’t get hung up on the details. Just go and do it.
If you had to sum up your thoughts/feelings about your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it be?
Holy freaking cow
What is the biggest myth that people have about round-the-world traveling?
That it requires a lot of money and that it can be dangerous.
Why do you like to travel?
I just want to get out of Eugene. And I want to travel overseas because I want to experience different cultures, countries, climates, etc.
2026 Context
- Budget inflation: This traveler's original budget of USD 15,000 would equate to approximately USD 24,600 in 2026 purchasing power, reflecting roughly 64% inflation over the intervening years.