Catch a cargo ship. Photo by Dave Minogue.

Lara and Tom are taking a 10 month trip around the world. . . without flying. You can do it, too—using the following lessons from the World In Slow Motion team as the how-to guide to get you started.

1. Plan your ocean crossings first (and well in advance!).

One of the first things Lara and Tom began investigating was how to cross the Pacific Ocean by ship. They discovered several tour operators who book passages on cargo ships; through these operators and their own Internet research, they came up with a plan.

They’d originally wanted to go from Asia to Central America, working their way up to the U.S. Shipping routes, however, follow international trade,and there aren’t many connections between certain places–for example, Shanghai and Tegucigalpa.

So they booked their passage from Hong Kong to Long Beach, and altered their route to do a loop down through the southwestern U.S all the way to Guatemala, then back up through Mexico to New Orleans and the East Coast of the U.S.

In planning an ocean crossing, you have to make a few executive decisions beforehand about departure or arrival points. If the Caribbean or Brazil are absolute musts on your RTW itinerary, you might need to nix a trip through Asia.

Keep in mind that certain routes are more popular than others, and as the number of passengers cargo ships can take is quite limited (usually topping off around 10), it’s important to book well in advance. The World In Slow Motion team recommends three to six months, depending on the route.

2. Know your public transport systems.

In Japan, it’s possible to purchase a rail pass which, while costly, allows one the freedom to travel almost anywhere in the country (in style!)

The Eurail pass and the USA Rail Pass (yes, this actually exists) also offer ways to save on large stretches of train travel.

Photo by Jennifer Feuchter.

Checking out these options beforehand helps both with route planning and saving money. It’s also a good idea to investigate the train/bus systems in particular countries. In China, for example, train tickets can only be bought from one’s departure city—that is, tickets leaving Beijing for Shanghai can only be bought in Beijing.

During holiday periods, trains will fill up beyond the grasp of human imagination. On popular routes, trains tend to be quite full all the time, and you might find that the only available seats are in “hard seat” (which is just what it sounds like) or standing classes.

Also, as most anyone who travels around the U.S knows, getting to certain places without a car can be quite an ordeal. What to do? Couchsurf, as Tom and Lara did ( in Elizabeth Taylor’s old house, no less), and use the power of Craig’s List and forums like Matador’s Travel Partner forum and Lonely Planet’s Thorn Tree in order to hook up with rideshares.

The WISM team had luck with Craig’s List and even ended up scoring a 600 mile ride from Phoenix to El Paso from an enthusiastic American swept up by the idea of their trip.

3. Beware the bureaucracy.

Traveling overland can come with more bureaucratic hassle than hopping from airport to airport. For one, there tend to be more visa difficulties. This is particularly true where the U.S of A is involved.

Lara and Tom found that they were not qualified for the British visa exemption if they arrived in the U.S by ship, so they had to go through the whole (lengthy and costly) tourist visa application process. Many countries have similar visa regulations that apply to overland (or sea) arrivals only.

Make sure you double check the fine print and verify you have your paperwork sorted out beforehand.

4. Be flexible, and don’t cave in.

There came a moment in Beijing when all the train tickets were sold out, and Lara and Tom thought, “Wouldn’t it be nice to fly?” They stuck it out and ended up appreciating their extra time in the capital and their ensuing cross-country train journeys.

The idea is to balance careful planning with the roll-with-the-punches attitude necessary to navigate the messier, more local, less systematic world of overland travel.

Cram your head, notebooks, and laptops full of info, make sure you jump through the necessary bureaucratic/logistical hoops ahead of time, and then allow yourself that inch (or two, or three) of flexibility to take advantage of what travel fate offers up.

5. Tell the world about your journey.

Photo by Jill

Start a blog, write an article, e-mail your friends and family… the more information about local, sustainable overland travel, the better, particularly at a time when jet fuel is guzzled like water and a transatlantic flight is, for many, akin to a quick drive around the block.

Etch out the local, regional details, the differences and continuities between places as you bump and jolt and glide over the Earth. Not only will sharing your experiences open up new possibilities for other travelers, it might also open some doors for you along your journey.

People want to be part of grand ventures they can relate to and believe in.

And most of all, savor the feel of traveling at a human speed, seeing, as Lara and Tom have done, the world in slow motion.

Follow Lara and Tom at World In Slow Motion.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

If your interest in slow traveling round the world has been piqued, check out a guide to traveling by cargo ship or some detailed advice about planning rail journeys.

Matador members believe they can change the world, and they’re out there doing it every day.

Sure, we publish the same sorts of articles you find in print publications, but these articles are just window-dressing. The editor in me cringes, but it’s true.

But no matter what we write, the most important part of Matador is the community. Whenever I need a little stoke, I browse Matador member profiles. I’m always awed by the sheer human optimism in this remarkable community.

Thank you so much for inspiring us.

Here are 10 incredible members of the Matador community. To meet the other 40 featured travelers, please follow the links at the bottom of this page.

Bex

I felt the most immersed in a foreign culture when:
being cooked a traditional meal of meat and vegetables in a clay oven in Bosnia by a group of locals who didn’t speak English. It was the best food I’ve ever tasted and made all the better not knowing fully what it was!

Bex’s full profile

Febutterfly

I’m fired up on:
environmental conservation, blogging, staying fit, being healthy, living life, being a mommy, photography and drinking a good glass of red wine from time to time.

Febutterfly’s full profile

Adam

I’m fired up on:
simple beauty, cultural revolution, pushing physical and mental boundaries, and catching new views. I work in environmental education, alpine research and conservation, and storytelling. I love to play outside: climbing, surfing, boating, biking, walking.

Adam’s full profile

Fyah-Wata

About me:
I work for the San Francisco Unified School District, teaching city kids K-5 about the environment. I enjoy the outdoors; whether it be meditating in it or rippin up the elements. A friend once told me I am like a wave of water dousing the flame of fire to create a balance within. Sometimes I am very active, stimulated with movement and interaction. Other times I just enjoy chillaxin, kicking back,enjoying the peace of my own solitude. I am constantly trying to maintain a healthy balance in my life, so I have just the right amount of fyah to keep me hot and enough water to keep me cool.

Read Fyah’s full profile

HawaiiBren

About me:
I’m a surfer girl, creative writing/English teacher who can’t seem to get enough out of life abroad. Despite my annual travels, my six-year old pug keeps me grounded.

Why I travel:
If you’ve been, you know; if you haven’t, then go!

Read HawaiiBren’s full profile

Beija-Flor

About Me:
I suppose I could say I’m generally rather tough (also with myself), temperamental and stubborn, yet at the same time softhearted and sentimental. I’m full of fire most of the time, but philosophical and with a good portion of my youth idealism still intact, although realistic towards the realities of life. I’m spiritual but not religious and optimistic with a positive outlook. Aspiring, open-minded and intuitive, always planning forward with plenty of imagination, honesty and where justice and morality rule the way, finished off with a cream topping of generosity…I’m obviously a Sagittarius if you’re still wondering.

Read Beija-Flor’s full profile

Emily Hansen

About me:
Jill of all trades, barking-seal English Instructor, mentally-diverse gangster.

Places I want to go to:
I want to die in my sleep, sixty years from now, on the Trans-Mongolian railway.

Read Emily Hansen’s full profile

Mike Szymanski

Travel style:
Rough it: Hitchhike, Sleep on the side of the road, Stay with new friends, Backpacker, Often Solo (not that you are ever really alone though), Camp, Easy Going, Spontaneous.

I want to make a difference by:
Harnessing economic power to create a more socially and economically just world.

Read Mike Szymanski’s full profile

Panling

Ideal place to watch the sunrise:
Above the clouds

Before I die I’d like to:
Die a thousand times, then go on living. Or live a thousand lives, then go on dying.

Let’s collaborate:
Meet in Cognito, and I’ll buy you a cerveza con leche. Or drop me a line and we’ll share an adventure if we’re in the same neck of the woods.

Read Panling’s full profile

Danielle

I’m fired up on:
Travel. vintage. Healthy living. novels. Good art. Good theatre. Good film. Good food. Good humor. Good friends. mystery. religion. mystery religions. magic. the sea. changing moods. changing minds. changing seasons. the carousel of time.

I want to make a difference by:
Touching peoples hearts and helping conserve our ailing mother Earth

Read Danielle’s full profile

To meet more Matador members, please follow the links below:

Travelers 1-10 at MatadorTrips.com
Travelers 11 – 20 at BraveNewTraveler.com
Travelers 31 – 40 at MatadorStudy.com
Travelers 41 – 50 at Matador.org

Community Connection

These are only 50 out of thousands of travelers in our community. Who else should get a mention? Big them up in the comments, and if you haven’t yet, link up with us.