World Traveler Completes 195 Countries – Visit Every Country Without Flying
In a record-breaking quest to visit every country without flying, a 44-year-old traveler achieved a world-first.This is the inspiring story of how he managed to visit every country without flying. This is the story of World Traveler Completes 195 Countries Without Taking a Single Flight. This incredible journey, spanning a full decade, was recently completed when the adventurer set foot in his final country – a moment that marked the end of a quest that began ten years ago. The feat has garnered global attention and admiration, as it showcases not just endurance and wanderlust, but also creativity in traversing the globe using boats, trains, cars, and even on foot, all while navigating logistical challenges and global events.
The Man and the Mission to Visit Every Country Without Flying
The traveler, Torbjørn “Thor” Pedersen from Denmark, embarked on this journey back in October 2013 with a simple yet bold idea: to be the first person to visit every country in the world continuously without flying. Aptly naming his project “Once Upon a Saga,” Thor set out with a few essentials and a heart full of determination, proving it was possible to visit every country without flying. He planned to treat travel as his full-time job – albeit an unpaid one – finding ways to sustain himself on the road through sponsorships, blogging, and an austere budget. Thor’s rules for himself were strict: he had to spend at least 24 hours in each country (no airport layover checkmarks allowed) and he couldn’t return home until the mission was completed, meaning this would be one unbroken voyage. He also decided to incorporate goodwill into his travels, partnering with the Red Cross as a goodwill ambassador to promote humanitarian awareness in many of the places he visited. This commitment shaped his ability to visit every country without flying successfully.
Over the years, his journey turned into a story of resilience. He endured everything from malaria in Africa to bureaucratic hurdles for visas, and even periods of political unrest that left him stuck for weeks or months in certain regions. The no-fly rule was particularly challenging when it came to reaching island nations. To visit places like the South Pacific islands, the Caribbean, or remote spots like the Seychelles or Maldives, Thor often had to hitch rides on cargo ships or find working vessels. In one instance, he spent over a month at sea on a container ship to get from Hong Kong to Australia, reading books and maintaining his morale as the endless ocean passed by. At times when ships or ferries weren’t available, he famously posted on social media to ask for help finding a boat ride – and sympathetic sailors or travelers would step up to assist this modern-day Phileas Fogg.
Challenges and Highlights of How to Visit Every Country Without Flying
The trip was filled with dramatic moments. Each challenge became part of his effort to visit every country without flying. In an interview, Thor recounted being held at gunpoint in West Africa – a harrowing experience that fortunately ended safely after his captors realized he was just an harmless traveler. There were lighter challenges too: he humorously shared that he had to eat canned tuna for days on end when crossing certain ocean stretches, and that he learned to sleep anywhere from the deck of a rocking ship to a noisy hostel bunk. Border crossings were often unpredictable; he once had to wait nearly two years to get permission to enter Syria due to the conflict there, and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 stranded him in Hong Kong for months as countries closed their borders.
But along with trials came rich highlights. He has an endless trove of stories: witnessing a tribal ceremony in Papua New Guinea, riding the Trans-Siberian Railway across Russia, trekking through the Amazon rainforest to cross from Brazil into Guyana, and sharing tea with nomads in Mongolia. One heartwarming tale he shared was how in Iran, a local family invited him (a complete stranger) to their home for a Persian New Year celebration – exemplifying the hospitality he frequently encountered. Another standout moment was arriving in North Korea by train – a place very few Western travelers see from ground level – and being able to explore its capital under guided supervision, an experience he described as surreal. It was another reminder of what it takes to visit every country without flying. Thor also set foot on every continent; to reach Antarctica (not a country, but a continent many asked if he’d include), he managed to secure a spot on a research vessel heading to the icy expanse, fulfilling a personal wish to see Earth’s southernmost reaches. This milestone further highlighted his mission to visit every country without flying.
“You realize how each place, no matter how distant, is part of our one world. A border is an arbitrary line.” — Thor Pedersen
Throughout his travels, Thor maintained a blog and social media updates, gathering a following of fellow travel enthusiasts who lived vicariously through his posts. Many commented that his journey was inspiring proof that the world, despite its challenges, is navigable and that human kindness exists everywhere. Thor often credited ordinary people for helping him succeed – from truck drivers who gave him lifts across borders to sailors who taught him how to chip rust off a ship’s deck (one way he “paid” for passage). He kept a small collection of souvenirs: a coin from each country and stamps in a well-worn passport (actually, he went through several passports, given all the visas and stamps).
The Final Country and Homecoming
The last country on Thor’s list was the Maldives – ironically a place known for luxury tourism, which he reached via a more humble cargo ship ride. Stepping onto Maldivian soil marked country number 195 (counting the 193 UN member states plus Vatican City and Kosovo). There was no huge parade, but Thor did allow himself a rare moment of outward celebration – a jump for joy captured in a photograph he later posted, thanking everyone who supported him. After Maldives, he finally took a flight (the only flight in 10 years) to return home to Denmark, reuniting with family and his fiancée, who had supported him from afar throughout the journey. His homecoming was emotional; he left as a man in his early 30s and returned 10 years older, with a decade of life lived out of a backpack.
He holds the unique distinction of being the first to circle the globe through every country without flying. Another traveler, a British man named Graham Hughes, had visited all countries without flying in the past, but he didn’t do it in one continuous trip (he flew back home between legs). Thus, Thor’s journey set a new benchmark recognized by travel record-keepers.
Legacy and Lessons From Visiting Every Country Without Flying
Now back home, Thor has been sharing reflections on what his journey taught him. He emphasizes patience – after all, spending days or weeks just waiting for a ship or a visa forces one to slow down. He also highlights how connected the world is: “You realize how each place, no matter how distant, is part of our one world. A border is an arbitrary line – people on each side often share more in common than you’d think,” he said in a recent talk. Additionally, he’s honest about the mental toll: there were times he felt deeply lonely or frustrated, but he maintained focus by remembering why he started and all those cheering him on.
Thor’s extraordinary trip has already sparked interest in a book or documentary, and he’s hinted at working on a memoir. For now, he’s enjoying the simple pleasures of staying in one place – sleeping in the same bed more than a couple of nights, eating home-cooked Danish food, and not having to plan the next border crossing. Yet, true to the spirit of a wanderer, he admits he hasn’t sworn off travel entirely. “Maybe I’ll take my future kids on a journey around the world – but next time, I might allow a few flights,” he joked.
The completion of this no-fly global journey is a reminder of the enduring human spirit of exploration. In an age where the farthest corners of the earth seem a flight away, one man chose the long road – and by doing so, proved that adventure is still alive for those willing to seek it. His saga stands as one of the great travel achievements of our time, and an inspiring story about commitment, curiosity, and the kindness found along the road less taken.
Mini-FAQ
Who is the traveler?
Torbjørn “Thor” Pedersen, a Danish adventurer who launched the “Once Upon a Saga” project in 2013.
How many countries did he visit without flying?
All 195 (193 UN member states plus Vatican City and Kosovo), spending at least 24 hours in each.
How did he reach island nations?
Primarily by ferries and cargo ships, occasionally arranging passage with working vessels or helpful sailors.
Was the trip continuous?
Yes. He set a rule not to return home until completion; he took his only flight after finishing country #195 to go home.
What challenges did he face?
Visas, political unrest, illness (including malaria), pandemic border closures, and long sea crossings.
Further Reading
- International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
- Wikivoyage — Overland & budget travel planning
- The Man in Seat 61 — Train & ferry routes worldwide
- Google Travel — Multi-leg overland planning tools
