My 1 Year World Trip Itinerary as a Solo Female Traveller (2026)

Planning a 1 year world trip itinerary for solo female travel comes with many considerations. Not every corner of the world is equally easy to navigate alone as a woman. Also, the order in which you visit places is important to help you manage costs, seasons and jetlag. This is the exact itinerary I took during my year-long career break to travel, to help you plan your trip.

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Quick Overview

This itinerary covers 12 months of solo female travel starting and ending in London
My route ran as follows: London → Goa → Thailand → Malaysia → Bali → Australia → New Zealand → South America → London
I stayed at least a month in most destinations and I was backpacking on a budget so mostly staying in basic guesthouses and hostels
My transportation was a mixture of pre-booked round-the-world economy flights, internal flights and overland travel by bus and train

Dreaming of a career break to travel but worried about the money? This held me back for a long time, so I made a free guide. Get it here: 15 ways to fund your adult gap year →

My route at a glance

My route ran as follows: London → India → Thailand → Malaysia → Bali, Indonesia → Australia → New Zealand → South America → London. It’s best to travel east from your starting point to reduce jetlag.

This itinerary front-loads the cheaper destinations – India, Thailand, Malaysia and Bali – which is useful when you’re still finding your travel rhythm and want to keep costs down before hitting Australia and New Zealand, which will eat more of your budget.

I flew to India in February, which is towards the end of Goa’s tourist season, then travelled through Southeast Asia’s dry season. I did arrive in Australia and New Zealand during winter which wasn’t ideal but it never got too cold. I was in South America during the shoulder season for most countries meaning it wasn’t too hot or too busy.

How I booked the flights

I worked with an amazing travel agent to book a round-the-world flights using the OneWorld global airline alliance where I could, so I could collect lots of points to use later on. This meant I needed to choose my route and each stop ahead of time, but most of them were flexible in terms of the exact date I flew. The flights were valid for one year. In some places like South America I travelled overland instead of flying everywhere.

Month 1: Goa, India

Goa is an underrated first stop for a long trip. It’s cheap, the pace is slow, and the infrastructure for long-term stays is well set up. You’re not navigating the full complexity of India from day one, but you’re also not in a tourist bubble. I spent a month here and it was the right call, as it gave me time to decompress from London life and ease into travel mode.

The north and south of Goa have very different vibes. North Goa is busier, better for meeting other travellers, and has more going on at night. South Goa is quieter, better beaches, and skews older. I’d suggest spending time in both rather than committing to one base.

Read my full post on how to plan a solo trip to Goa.

Months 2–3: Thailand and Malaysia

I went to Thailand first, as I had already been and loved it. I spent the rest of the time exploring a new country for me: Malaysia.

Thailand works well as an introduction to Southeast Asia. The food, the temples, the ease of getting around – it’s well-trodden but for good reason. Don’t try to see everything. Pick a region and go deep. You can find my guide to choose the best Thai island for you here.

Malaysia is where this leg really opens up. Kuala Lumpur is a great city base, as it’s cheap and well-connected with plenty to see. Penang is worth a visit to see its street art and enjoy its food scene. If you want to visit an island, try the Perhentian Islands which are gorgeous, affordable and full of backpackers. I also did a detour to Malaysian Borneo to see the orangutans in the wild.

Discover my full 3-week Malaysia itinerary including Borneo.

Months 4–5: Bali, Indonesia

I spent two months in Bali, which sounds indulgent. When you land in Bali, you will normally receive a one-month visa-on-arrival. I loved it so much, I renewed it for another month.

There are many different areas to visit on the island. I spent most of my time in Ubud for its world-class yoga scene and its pretty rice paddies. I also took a side trip to the Gili islands for their beaches and nightlife.

Find out what to do in Bali in one month in my dedicated post here.

Month 6: Australia

One month in Australia means making hard choices. Cairns, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide were my four stops, and that itinerary gave me a good taste of the country – the tropical north, the two big east coast cities and the underrated city of Adelaide that most travellers skip. I chose this route because I was lucky enough to be staying with Australian friends in each of these places.

Australia is tricky on on a backpacker budget because it’s expensive. That said, diving the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns is worth doing once in your life. While I was there, I also did a great tour of the Atherton Tablelands.

Read my full post about my two-week Australia solo travel itinerary.

Months 7–11: New Zealand

New Zealand is one of the most naturally beautiful countries I’ve ever been to. I stayed for four months as I was temping thanks to a one-year working holiday visa. When I wasn’t working, I explored the scenery around my base city of Auckland and on each of the islands.

The North Island is warmer, full of Māori culture and has the volcanic landscapes around Rotorua and Taupo. The South Island is where the mountains, fiords and glaciers are, including Queenstown and Milford Sound.

For maximum flexibility, hire a campervan for at least part of your South Island time (get 20% off your booking here). Otherwise, do what I did and book the Stray Bus tour which I highly recommend for solo travellers. They organise all the trips and accommodation for you, and the bus drivers are so much fun.

Month 12: South America

South America was the final leg of my year-long round-the-world trip. This worked well as by this point I was a confident traveller, used to navigating unfamiliar cities. My month covered Chile, Rio de Janeiro, the Iguazu Falls and Buenos Aires. I would have loved to see more of South America but there’s only so much you can do in a month.

The landscapes of Chile are extraordinary and I loved stargazing in the Atacama Desert as the skies there are so clear, you can see so much. Iguazu Falls is also one of those places that exceeds expectations – go to both sides of the border for completely different perspectives. Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires are both fabulous cities that are well worth visiting.

Check out my full one-month South America itinerary for solo travellers.

Packing for a year of travel

Packing for a 1 year world trip itinerary that spans tropical heat, mountain cold and everything in between requires real thought. You’ll be crossing radically different climates – from Goa’s humidity to New Zealand’s unpredictable weather to the heat of Rio.

The most important thing is to pack less than you think you need. A 65-litre backpack is manageable for a year. Lightweight layers, a compact rain jacket, a solid pair of walking shoes and a fleece jacket will serve you across every destination on this route.

I keep an updated packing list on Amazon with the specific items I’d take again – everything from my travel towel and packing cubes to the neck pillow that saved my long-haul sanity.

See my complete guides to packing for different destinations here.

Practical considerations

Check entry requirements for each country well in advance. India requires an e-visa. Australia requires an ETA. New Zealand has recently introduced the NZeTA. Most of Southeast Asia is visa-on-arrival or visa-free for UK/EU passports, but this changes, so verify before you fly.

Travel insurance is a non-negotiable for a trip of this length. Make sure your policy covers adventure activities if you’re planning to hike, dive, or ski.

A Wise card is the most cost-effective way to manage money across multiple currencies. Notify your home bank before you leave regardless.

Book long-haul flights early (3–4 months out at minimum). Regional flights within Southeast Asia and domestic flights in Australia and New Zealand can often be booked closer to the time.

Frequently asked questions

Is this a good route for solo female travellers?

It’s the route I did alone as a woman, so yes — but with some nuance. Goa, Southeast Asia, and Bali are all well-established solo female routes with large traveller communities and good infrastructure. Australia and New Zealand are straightforward. South America requires more research and awareness, particularly in cities like Rio. Saving it for the end of the trip, when your confidence and instincts are well developed, is part of why the sequencing works.

How much does a 1 year world trip itinerary cost?

This varies enormously depending on your travel style, but a realistic mid-range budget for this specific route — Goa, Southeast Asia, Bali, Australia, New Zealand, South America — is somewhere between £20,000 and £30,000 for the full year, including flights. Australia and New Zealand will be your most expensive legs by a significant margin. Goa, Southeast Asia, and Bali can be done very cheaply if you’re careful.

When is the best time to start a round-the-world trip?

It depends on your route. For this specific itinerary, starting in Goa between November and February gives you the best weather in India and sets you up to hit Southeast Asia in its dry season before arriving in the Southern Hemisphere for the Australian and New Zealand summers.

Do I need to book everything in advance?

No, and over-planning is a real risk on a long trip. Book your first few nights in each new country in advance so you’re not arriving without a plan, and book long-haul flights well ahead. Beyond that, leaving room for flexibility makes for a better trip.

What’s the hardest part of planning a 1 year world trip itinerary?

Most people struggle with the time allocation more than anything else. It’s tempting to spread yourself thin. The advice I’d give is to halve the number of countries you think you want to visit and double the time in each one.

Do I need vaccinations for this route?

Yes. Hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and tetanus are standard for this itinerary. You may also want to consider rabies if you’re spending extended time in rural India or Southeast Asia. See a travel health clinic at least 8 weeks before departure.

Can I work remotely on a trip like this?

Many people do. Bali in particular has excellent infrastructure for remote workers, and New Zealand has good connectivity even in rural areas. Check visa conditions carefully — most tourist visas do not permit paid work.

Final thoughts on planning a 1 year world trip itinerary

This 1 year world trip itinerary was the best year of my life. It took me to places that I had only dreamed about and it boosted my confidence. Once I had done this, I knew I could handle anything.

My career break to travel took me from Goa to Southeast Asia, through two months in Bali, across Australia and four months in New Zealand, and ended in South America. This route worked for me and if you’re planning something similar, I hope it gives you a good starting point.