Travel Difficulties

Every country is obviously more or less easy to travel in and initially seems suited to a specific category of independent travellers. The main reasons for these differences include varying levels of infrastructure and services, potential language barriers for visitors, a more or less complex social or political organisation, existing or latent conflicts, risky social situations, or even extreme climate or natural environments (see details in each country guide).

In fact, regions within the same country (e.g., Algeria) may fall into different categories due to local tensions. Similarly, evolving situations (e.g., the Middle East) may require nuance. In all cases, countries or areas in or akin to a state of war are, of course, to be avoided.

"Beginner" Traveller

Europe

Germany, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Spain, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Great Britain, Greece (and islands), Hungary, Channel Islands, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey (West).

Americas

Alaska (summer), English-speaking Caribbean, Dutch Caribbean, Argentina, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada (summer), Chile, Costa Rica, Falkland Islands, Galápagos, Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Quebec (summer), Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, United States.

Pacific

Australia, Hawaii, Easter Island, New Caledonia, New Zealand, "Small islands" of the Pacific, Polynesia.

Africa

Azores, Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Madeira, Morocco, Mauritius, Mayotte, Réunion, Seychelles, Tunisia.

Asia

North Korea, Hong Kong, Indonesia (Bali), Malaysia (West), Maldives, Macau, Singapore, Thailand.

Middle East/Central Asia

Jordan.

"Beginner/Somewhat Experienced" Traveller

Europe

Albania, Belarus, Bosnia, Iceland, Moldova, Russia (west), Ukraine.

Americas

Belize, Canada (winter), Cuba, Bolivia, Ecuador, Greenland (summer), Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Quebec (winter).

Africa

South Africa, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Egypt, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Lesotho, Namibia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Eswatini, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia.

Asia

Bhutan, Brunei, South Korea, Indonesia, Japan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Taiwan.

Middle East/Central Asia

Bahrain, UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar.

"Somewhat Experienced" Traveller

Americas

Alaska (winter), Brazil, Peru, El Salvador, Venezuela.

Africa

Comoros, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali (west), Mauritania, Mozambique, Western Sahara.

Asia

Myanmar, Cambodia, China (East), India, Laos, Philippines, Vietnam.

Middle East/Central Asia

Armenia, Georgia, Turkey (east).

"Somewhat Experienced/Experienced" Traveller

Americas

Greenland (winter), Colombia, Suriname.

Africa

Algeria, Burundi, Eritrea, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Uganda, Zimbabwe.

Asia

Bangladesh, China (West), Malaysia (East), Mongolia, Russia (Asian part), Tibet.

Middle East/Central Asia

Azerbaijan, Iran, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan.

"Experienced" Traveller

Americas

Guyana, Haiti.

Pacific

Papua New Guinea.

Africa

Angola, Congo, Ivory Coast, Djibouti, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Niger, Nigeria, DRC, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Chad.

Asia

Indonesia (Irian Jaya), Pakistan.

Middle East/Central Asia

Iraq (Kurdistan), Tajikistan.