Sarah Bundick – Round-the-World Traveler

Sarah Bundick is a 22-year-old research scientist from Los Angeles, USA, who set off on a round-the-world trip in 2006.

Last fall I took a 2.5-month trip to Europe and absolutely fell in love with traveling. After hearing other travelers' stories about their RTW trips, I decided that Europe wasn't enough for me. I wanted to go on an RTW trip too. Why be jealous of other people's trips when I can take my own?

The Snapshot

• Departure: 2006
• Age at departure: 22
• Nationality: USA
• Location: Los Angeles, USA
• Duration: 6-12 months
• Occupation: Research scientist
• Original budget: USD 8,000 (approximately USD 13,100 in 2026 dollars)
• Regions: Southeast Asia, South Asia, Europe

The Route

LA to Bangkok; overland through Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia; on to Kathmandu (or Kolkata) and overland to Delhi; Delhi to Athens; overland through Eastern Europe to the south of France and up to Paris; Paris to Dublin; overland through Ireland to London; and London back to LA.

In Their Words

Here's what Sarah Bundick shared about their RTW journey:

What is your biggest fear about this trip?

That I will run out of money and have to come home early.

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

My friends are super supportive (and jealous). My parents, not so much. They think that I have spent enough money "gallivanting" overseas already and that I shouldn’t be putting off graduate school "just for a vacation."

2026 Context

• Budget inflation: This traveler's original budget of USD 8,000 would equate to approximately USD 13,100 in 2026 purchasing power, reflecting roughly 64% inflation over the intervening years.