Ever wondered what it would be like to visit every country in the world? It sounds like a wild dream, doesn't it? Well, it's been done!
In this article, we'll be covering the stories of the people who have actually visited every country in the world and how you can make it happen too. So grab a coffee (or a map) and let’s get started!
How Many Countries are There?
This seems like a simple question, but the exact number is highly debatable, as it's common for international parties to disagree regarding 'country' status.
The most widely accepted number of countries, as of 2025 and according to the United Nations, is 195.
Which are the Hardest Countries to Enter?
Before you begin your planning, you have to start preparing for the hardest points of your trip.
It's easy to hop over to New York and tick off America, but how will you do when it comes to North Korea?
Here are some of the hardest countries to enter:
1. Equatorial Guinea – Only foreigners with a US passport are allowed to enter Equatorial Guinea without a visa.
2. Afghanistan – like many places, entering an active war zone is difficult both in terms of personal safety and accessing visas. Your best bet is avoiding the big cities and entering for a few hours with a dedicated guide to a safer and more secluded part of the country
3. Libya – this is another country that does not offer tourist visas. Entering therefore will have to be through a business visa, which can be very expensive
4. Russia – Russia was already known for its insanely bureaucratic and expensive visa process even before the war, but nowadays (unsurprisingly) many governments heavily advise their citizens to avoid travelling there altogether.
5. South Sudan – to enter this country, you need a formal invitation from a company (for a business visa – there are no tourist visas). Unless you happen to have contacts in Sudanese industry, this may prove difficult.
6. North Korea – you’ll be surprised, but getting into North Korea might actually prove to be one of the easier options from this list. This is because the nation runs a pretty lucrative tourist industry taking fascinated visitors on day tours across the border.
Which are the cheapest countries to enter?
Budgeting a trip like this is far from an easy task.
However, here are the countries where you’re least likely to run into problems financially.
1. Cambodia – legend tells that Cambodian beer is cheaper than water. Hostels cost an average of $3-5 a night and street food often costs less than a dollar. Sign us up!
2. Morocco – another country where hostels costs less than $5 (even in Marrakech!). Transport between cities is equally affordable, allowing you to traverse the country without stretching the pursestrings.
3. El Salvador – with stunning landscapes, beaches and Mayan ruins, El Salvadore is both beautiful and budget-friendly.
4. Bolivia – if you hate cooking, you'll love these news; eating out for every meal in Bolivia (and several other places in South America!) can easily fit into your daily budget.
5. Poland – One of the cheapest countries in Europe, Poland is a fascinating place to visit. Stay in a hostel for less than $10 a night and enjoy eating out Polish-style in fabulously affordable restaurants.
Which are the most expensive countries to enter?
Let’s hope you enjoyed plenty of savings in the five cheap countries mentioned above, because here are the five most expensive countries in the world…
1. Japan – Seen those pictures of businessmen sleeping in cages in Tokyo? Well it’s no wonder, since renting a flat will cost you roughly $1400 a month.
2. Norway – Norwegians get paid high salaries, so the high cost of living tends to even out. For visitors however, there’s no escaping the eye-watering $9 for a beer…
3. Bermuda – It’s paradise on earth, so no wonder this tropical island comes with a hefty price tag. Beer costs a staggering $10 and rent averages at $2675 a month in the city.
4. Iceland – When you’ve got a place so remote, shipping is going to be an issue, and that cost is reflected in the price of practically anything you can buy. A flat in Reykjavik will cost you $1240 a month and $8 is common for a beer.
5. Denmark – Like Norway, high salaries cancel out the high cost of living in cities like Copenhagen. Not so for visitors!
6. Bhutan – Bhutan has worked hard to preserve their culture, environment and overall country, so tourism is highly selective and requires a lot of preparation (and budgeting).
So, can someone visit every country in the world?
There are currently around 150 known people that have visited every country in the world, but there are sure to be many more (and you can become one of them!). Some notable individuals include:
- Lexie 'Limitless' Alford – At just 21 years old, YouTuber Lexie managed to visit every country in the world, making her the youngest female to travel to all sovereign countries in the world!
- James Asquith – James Asquith held the Guinness World Record for youngest person ever to visit every country in the world for a while. At just 24 when he reached his final country, James took 5 years to travel the world, working as he went to sustain his adventures. Since then, he has gone on to write books and found HolidaySwap – a home swapping holiday service.
- Jessica Nabongo – Ugandan-American travel blogger Jessica Nabongo is the first black woman to have travelled to every country in the world. Thanks to her work with the United Nations and her career as a travel influencer, Nabongo had already travelled to 60 countries by the age of 32. In 2016, she decided to go for the full list of 195, achieving it on October 6th 2019 by visiting her final destination – the Seychelles.
Things to Bear in Mind
With so many countries to visit, you’ll need to stay pretty organised in order to keep track of visas, vaccine requirements, currencies, time-zones, tipping and more.
Download the Skratch app for easy access to key information about every country in the world – all personalised to your passport!
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