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Solo Vacations: The 29 Best Places to Travel Alone in the U.S.

These destinations make traveling solo easy — and extra fun.

Evie Carrick is a writer and editor who’s lived in five countries and visited well over 50. She now splits her time between Colorado and Paris, ensuring she doesn't have to live without skiing or L'As du Fallafel.

Stephanie Granada is a writer and editor focusing on travel, beauty, home, and health. Her bylines have appeared in Sunset , Outside , Southern Living , Woman's Day , Brit + Co. , National Geographic Traveler , and others.

Traveling alone is all about freedom and independence — freedom to go where you want, when you want, and independence in your ability to visit new places and meet new people without the crutch of a travel companion. It's not for everyone, but those willing to venture off on their own are rewarded with a compromise-free vacation and unforgettable experiences. Exciting things just seem to happen when you're traveling solo.

But where to go? If you're just testing the waters of solo travel, you might want to stay close to home, which is where these U.S. destinations come in handy. Whether you dream of a spa vacation with plenty of time to relax and reset, a trip packed with activities, or a soul-searching expedition, these U.S. destinations cater to the solo traveler, thanks to their ease of transportation and large selection of things to do.

Ready to book your next solo trip? Read on for the best places to travel alone in the U.S.

Naples, Florida

If you have your heart set on a beach vacation, consider Naples, a relatively small community in southwest Florida. There are plenty of ways a solo beach traveler can occupy themselves in Naples. You can check out the beach at Naples Pier, go kayaking in the mangroves , or hit the links at one of the area's 90+ golf courses. If you're looking for an activity that will leave a big grin on your face, book a dolphin watching cruise from Marco Island , just 30 minutes south of Naples. Plus, the city was ranked number one in a recent list of safest places to live the U.S. , thanks to its low crime rates.

Boston, Massachusetts

Boston may be a big city, but it can often feel like a small town. Thanks to its walkability, you'll be able to explore the city's historic center on foot and can take the T, the local subway system, across the Charles River to Cambridge. In Boston, you'll find a wellspring of history and culture in museums like the fun Boston Tea Party Museum and the impressive Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum , the site of one of the world's most famous art heists.

Boulder, Colorado

Those looking for quiet solo travel in the U.S. can spend their days exploring the mountains and hills surrounding Boulder. Eldorado Canyon State Park is just 20 minutes south of downtown, the approximately two-mile trail up Flagstaff Mountain is just 15 minutes to the west, and the iconic Flatirons (red sandstone formations) are less than 10 minutes away by car. And If you're feeling social, head to Pearl Street Mall , a bustling pedestrian-only street with some of the city's best restaurants, shops, and bars.

Portland, Oregon

Not everyone feels comfortable eating out at a restaurant alone, especially when traveling solo, but Portland makes mealtime a nonissue, thanks to its bustling food cart scene. There are many food cart parks scattered about the city where you can go and peruse a diverse offering of cuisine, from pizza to Senegalese, and enjoy your meal in a atmospheric and fun shared space. Food aside, Portland's reliable transportation, great parks, and community vibe make this city an easy choice for people traveling alone. Between the good meals, you can also enjoy the tranquility of the Japanese Garden or browse the shelves at the famous Powell's Books .

Asheville, North Carolina

Pierre Leclerc Photography/Getty Images

If your perfect vacation includes hiking and biking during the day and gulping down beers with new friends at night, there's arguably no better place than Asheville, a city situated in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains. Bikers will want to tackle the Blue Ridge Parkway , while hikers can head to the Craggy Pinnacle Trail (an approximately one-mile hike with serious views) or climb Mount Pisgah (2.6 miles round-trip). After a day in the mountains, reward yourself with a beer on the pup-friendly patio at Wicked Weed Brewing .

Sedona, Arizona

Traveling solo may be the only time you're able to truly check out from the grind and relax. That's why spa destinations like Sedona are so perfect for solo travelers. In addition to beautiful scenery, Sedona is packed with spas and wellness offerings. For a full resort experience, book a stay at the Amara Resort and Spa , or test out a few of the city's plentiful day spas: A Spa for You and Sedona's New Day Spa are long-standing favorites.

Charleston, South Carolina

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

Art lovers will find themselves in their element in this colorful coastal city in South Carolina. The small city of Charleston is home to over 35 fine art galleries and hosts an Art Walk on the first Friday of every month. If you're hoping to make some art yourself, the French Quarter is sure to inspire, while the city's warm southern hospitality will make you feel right at home. If the temperature is right, you can even take a trip out to Isle of Palms to enjoy some quality time on the beach.

Nashville, Tennessee

If your idea of a dream solo trip is getting out and meeting new people, book a ticket to Nashville and let the city of music connect you to others. The Basement​​ , a live music venue known for its cozy vibes and spacious patio, is a must, as is 3rd and Lindsley . Just don't leave the city without trying the spicy fried chicken at Hattie B's . A trip to Nashville is also a chance to try out one of its best hotels like the classic Hermitage Hotel.

Portland, Maine

This may be the second Portland on the list, but this one has a coastal advantage. From the seaside city you can hop on a ferry or boat charter, or eat your way through the city's best lobster rolls at Luke's Lobster . When you're not out enjoying the water or stuffing your face with deliciously fresh seafood, you can meander in and out of the shops and boutiques at the historic Old Port.

San Francisco, California

When you're traveling solo, public transportation is key (no one wants to foot the bill for a weekend full of Uber rides). That's where cities like San Francisco shine. Between Muni buses, trains, streetcars, and cable cars, you can get to every corner of the city without hopping in a cab. Surrounded by beautiful bay views and offering easy access to experience a Redwood forest in Muir Woods , there are plenty of things to do in and around San Francisco.

Bayfield, Wisconsin

Located on the shores of Lake Superior, and home to quaint B&Bs and beautiful Victorian homes, Bayfield is a warm and welcoming coastal destination and one of the loveliest small towns in the U.S. Solo travelers can roam the intimate downtown or head to the nearby Apostle Islands National Lakeshore , best known for its series of caves that freeze during the winter months.

Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

Just off California's iconic Highway 1 is Carmel-by-the-Sea, a small beach city on the Monterey Peninsula that will capture your heart the moment you see it. Traveling solo is no problem here, as the city offers plenty to do — surfing, sea animals, and a village-style center that feels like it belongs in a storybook. However, solo travelers may feel most at ease exploring the many art galleries like the Carmel Art Association and Bennett Sculpture .

Boise, Idaho

Boise is a paradise for lovers of the outdoors. Solo travelers will find riverside walking and biking trails that run right through town, skiing (in the winter) and hiking (in the summer) at the city's Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area , and easy access to mountain towns like McCall and ski areas like the rapidly growing Tamarack Resort .

Savannah, Georgia

 Marje/ Getty Images

Savannah's welcoming nature makes solo travel a breeze. If you're feeling social, join a haunted pub crawl through town or book an architectural tour . And if you're looking for a quiet escape, rent a bike and explore the history-rich city on two wheels. The best time to visit Savannah is in the fall and winter, when the temperatures are cooler and you can embrace the spooky spirit during Halloween when the city goes all out with on-theme activities .

Hot Springs, Arkansas

As you might guess, Hot Springs, Arkansas, is known for its natural hot springs, which have drawn visitors since the early 1900s. For solo travelers, there's nothing like a serene soak in the natural thermal waters found on the historic Bathhouse Row, followed by a refreshing drink of spring water and a lazy hike through the dense woods at Hot Springs National Park . In addition to the gorgeous scenery of the park, you can also discover it's unique history as a wellness destination .

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Jackson Hole may be home to a world-renowned ski area , mouthwatering cuisine, and high-end galleries, but you'll still find Old West-style bars where cowboys throw back PBRs (check out the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar ). It's the perfect place to throw on a Stetson and dress the part for a night or two. The town itself offers plenty to do when you're not drinking or skiing, like rodeo nights at the Jackson Hole Rodeo and incredible pastries at the James Beard-recognized Persephone Bakery .

Seattle, Washington

Gautier Houba/Travel + Leisure

If you want access to nature without sacrificing big-city amenities, Seattle offers an ideal balance. Spend a couple of days checking out Pike Place Market (don't miss a cup of mac n' cheese from Beecher's ), going to the top of the Space Needle , and visiting the Museum of Pop Culture before hopping aboard a ferry and getting away from it all. From the heart of Seattle, you can take a boat across Elliott Bay to Bainbridge Island and onto Olympic National Park , home to both glacier-capped mountains and 70 miles of wild coastline.

Minneapolis, Minnesota

It's been said that one can hardly be called an architect if they haven't designed something in Minneapolis — the city showcases work from Jean Nouvel, Herzog & de Meuron, César Pelli, and Frank Gehry, among others. The city's love of design is also noticeable in the hotel scene, where sophistication meets Midwestern hospitality. So, while it's perfectly acceptable to wander through the city looking up, you don't want to miss a cruise on one of the famous bike paths, which wind past lakes that are perfect for a dip in the summertime.

Salt Lake City, Utah

It may be Utah's largest city, but Salt Lake City doesn't feel like a giant metropolis. Maybe it's the fact that it's surrounded by mountains or the open expanse of the Great Salt Lake and Antelope Island State Park to the west. Either way, this friendly city has everything a solo traveler could want — great food (check out Feldman's Deli ), plenty of sun-drenched days, and easy access to both the mountains and water. Among the many things to do in town, you will also have your pick of exciting day trips to nearby state parks, or you can use the city as a launchpad to explore Utah's stunning geology at national parks like Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon .

Fort Collins, Colorado

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If you're a beer lover, head to Fort Collins, a Colorado town with plenty of heart and really good beer. Start your tour of the city in the taproom of New Belgium Brewing (the company behind Fat Tire) and follow it with a pint at a few lesser-known breweries — we recommend Zwei Brewing Co. , Maxline Brewing , and Black Bottle Brewery . By the end of the day, you'll have your own beer-loving posse to explore the city with. Solo travelers will love the atmosphere of the downtown area, which is so charming it was the inspiration for Walt Disney when designing Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland.

Austin, Texas

The quickest way to bond with a stranger? Shared musical taste. Austin has plenty of opportunities to bump into fellow music lovers. Stay on or near South Congress Avenue, where trendy properties like the Hotel Magdalena provide the ideal base for visiting the street's iconic venues. Other ‘hoods you can easily get to include East Austin, booming with hipster bars and food trucks; South Lamar with its great shops; and Rainey Street, beloved among college students. Visit March through November to see the bats flying under the Ann W. Richards bridge — it's one of the best things to do in Austin , as is indulging in the city's incredible food.

Islamorada, Florida

Of all the towns in the Florida Keys , Islamorada has the homiest feel. Locals are happy to regale you with tales of family squabbles and fishing exploits at any of the seaside watering holes. For an elevated dining experience, snag a barstool at Chef Michael’s and order the whole lionfish. It's a big but manageable dish, made from an invasive species that Floridians pride themselves on removing from local waters and serving as a tasty dinner instead. When you're done, rest your head at one of the cozy cottages at Moorings Village.

Louisville, Kentucky

Kentucky is known for its hospitality and Louisville for its bourbon , meaning solo travelers can find good friends and good drinks while exploring this Southern city. NuLu is the most happening neighborhood, but Old Louisville is the place to hunker down if you’re a sucker for history and architecture. Downtown offers new hotels and inventive restaurants, while Butchertown and Germantown pair up-and-coming bars and businesses with impressive vintage architecture.

Marfa, Texas

Artists in search of a solitary life have been drawn to Marfa for decades. Today, the population hovers just under 2,000, but there’s enough art, food, and quirk for a city many times that size. El Cosmico offers outstanding glamping and communal spaces, while art houses like the Chinati Foundation keep visitors entertained. Though it's more than three hours from the closest airport, this flatland village offers progressive galleries, mystifying desert skies, and a sparse beauty that makes it one of the best small towns in Texas .

New York, New York

New York City might be full of crowds, but it’s also a welcoming hub for parties of one. There are sleek hotels with bars that draw worldly travelers and locals, some of the best art and shopping in the world, and more food and drink options than you can fit into a month-long trip. If you need help deciding what to do on your visit, take a look at our three-day weekend guide .

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

New Hampshire is one of the safest states in the country — and solo travelers wanting to enjoy that security will find a great home base in Portsmouth. This waterfront town is one of the state's most pedestrian-friendly communities, and with a colonial heritage that dates back to the 1600s, it's fantastic for history buffs. Portsmouth knows its food, as is perhaps best showcased in the dozen oyster farms active offshore in the Great Bay. Sample their best bivalves at The Franklin, an upscale seafood joint run by James Beard-nominated chef Matt Louis.

San Diego, California

San Diego combines the laid-back vibes of SoCal with the multicultural energy of a city located right on the Mexican border. From mild weather and great surfing to vibrant West Coast sunsets, it has lots to offer, making it a great place to spend a few days. Opportunities for hiking and watersports abound, while coastal areas like La Jolla and Del Mar offer a bevy of chic hotels where a solo traveler can catch some oceanside R&R.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Solo travelers in search of spiritual healing should look no further than Santa Fe . Book a night at Ten Thousand Waves, an upscale lodge inspired by Japanese hot spring resorts and decked out with secluded soaking tubs. Downtown, you’ll find historical landmarks, handmade tchotchkes, and restaurants serving delectable Southwestern food. Beyond the adobe architecture and unique attractions, the best thing you can do in Santa Fe is meet its colorful characters.

Washington, D.C.

Museums are best explored alone, and in Washington, D.C. , you have more than 20 to choose from—many of which are free. The District also has a hot food scene, and as a solo diner, you'll have the best shot at getting into the most highly coveted spots. To get far away from D.C.’s political crowds, head to a hip residential neighborhood like Shaw, where you can imbibe at Maxwell Park Wine Bar or catch a show at the Howard Theatre.

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15 Cool Places & 20 Dire Reasons to Travel Alone in Your 20s

Life comes at you fast when you are in your twenties. Most of your friends are going to college or starting a career. But taking some time to solo travel might be the best decision you ever make. So, let’s take a look at why you should travel alone in your 20s.

You should travel alone in your 20s because you will likely not have enough time or energy when you’re older, with a family and a career. Plus, when you’re in your twenties, travelling alone can help you to make friends, find love, think about your future, and become more self-confident and knowledgeable.

For me, travelling solo in my twenties changed the course of my career, my love life and my home life.

In this article, I’ll list the 15 best places to travel alone in your 20s and 20 reasons why you should travel alone in your 20s. I’ll also share my top 5 tips for travelling alone in your 20s.

Is it your first time travelling alone ? Find more solo travel tips on Nomadic Yak!

• Cheap and Budget Friendly
• Singles Holidays
• Bucket List
• 20 Reasons Why you Should Travel Alone in Your 20s
• 10 Tips to Travel a Lot in Your 20s on a Budget
• More Solo Travel Tips

15 Best Places to Travel Alone in Your 20s

I have two recommendations if you want to travel alone in your 20s:

• Travel for at least a month;
• Include more than one country on your itinerary.

You should take longer trips when you are younger because you have more time and freedom, better health and can travel for cheaper (see the section below).

As such, this list of the best places to travel in your 20s mostly consists of regions that you should backpack over several weeks or months (rather than individual countries). 

Alternatively, see my list of the best places to solo travel – where I ranked all 193 countries in the world!

Cheap and Budget Friendly – Best Places to Travel Alone in Your 20s

1. south east asia.

Best Countries: Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar, Indonesia, Philippines

Daily Budget: $25-75+ USD

Suggested Duration: 1-3 months

A classic trip for solo travellers in their 20s on a budget – party on Khao San Road in Bangkok, raid the ancient temples of Angkor Wat, try spicy street foods in the steamy streets of Saigon and meet monks in the misty mountains of Laos!

2. Central America

Best Countries: Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama

Daily Budget: $30-75+ USD

Suggested Duration: 1-2 months

A budget-friendly backpacking destination to travel alone in your 20s (particularly if you only have to travel from the USA) – hack through the jungle to discover Aztec temples, board down the side of a volcano and dance away the Day of the Dead in Mexico City!

3. South America

Best Countries: Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile 

Daily Budget: $25-$75+ USD

Suggested Duration: 3-6 months

Your 20s is the perfect time to travel on the cheap throughout South America – adventure along the Amazon River, uncover Incan culture high in the Andes, shake your backside at Rio Carnival and ride with the gauchos before wolfing down an Argentinian steak!

Singles Holidays – Best Places to Travel Alone in Your 20s

4. western europe.

Best Countries: UK, Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland

Daily Budget: $80-250+ USD

Home to the City of Love and Viewtiful Venice, single travellers in their 20s will adore Western Europe  – sneak a kiss on the Eiffel Tower, find romance in Berlin’s underground rave scene, snuggle up in a snow globe in Sweden or act like Audrey Hepburn on your Roman Holiday!

5. The Caribbean

Best Countries: Cuba, Bahamas, Jamaica, British Virgin Islands, Saint Lucia, Curacao, Aruba

Daily Budget: $75+150+ USD

Escape the lonely winter and find a summer fling in The Caribbean – sexy solo travellers in their 20s can sail and snorkel amongst the Virgin Islands, salsa dance in the streets of Havana, swim with pigs in the Bahamas and frolic in the white sands of Trunk Bay!

6. Eastern Europe

Best Countries: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Moldova, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia

Daily Budget: $50-100+ USD

Singles in their 20s can enjoy a European holiday without the hefty price tag – party in Prague, bathe in Budapest, cruise the Croatian coast, enjoy a candlelit dinner on the Danube River and shred the slopes of Slovakia!

Bucket List – Best Places to Travel Alone in Your 20s

7. australia.

Best Countries: Australia

Daily Budget: $75-250+ USD

A bucket list trip for every British and European backpacker in their 20s – swim with turtles on the Great Barrier Reef, soak up the sun on Bondi Beach, uncover the Outback at Uluru and catch the leaping crocodiles near Darwin. But is Australia safe to travel alone ?

Best Countries: India  

Daily Budget: $20-50+ USD

If you want to delve into an exotic culture, India is a bucket list destination to travel to in your 20s –  peruse the palaces of Jaipur, road trip into the Ladakh mountains, rave on the beaches of Goa and drown in the colours of the Hindu celebration of Holi.

Best Countries: Japan

Daily Budget: $50-200+ USD

Suggested Duration: 1 month

As one of the more expensive solo trips on this bucket list, Japan might be one to save for your late 20s – stumble upon mystical Shinto temples and shrines, take in the tech around Tokyo, wander alongside geisha in Kyoto and shred powder in Niseko.

Adventure – Best Places to Travel Alone in Your 20s

10. central asia.

Best Countries: Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan

Daily Budget: $35-75+ USD

Travel alone into lands where few other solo travellers venture in their 20s – peer into the Gate of Hell, stay with nomads in a yurt, trek into the towering mountain ranges and admire the almighty architecture in little-known cities like Ashgabat and Astana.

11. Southern Africa

Best Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Swaziland, Zambia, Mozambique, Angola

Daily Budget: $45-100+ USD

Adventure across Southern Africa in your 20s and you’ll be the envy of all your friends – stalk lions and elephant on a wildlife safari, swim in the Devil’s Pool on the edge of Victoria Falls, paddle through the Okavango Delta and stand atop the shifting sands of the Namibian Desert.

12. North Africa

Best Countries: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Jordan, Israel

Daily Budget: $25-100+ USD

Your 20s is the perfect time to backpack the dry desert landscape of North Africa – stargaze amongst the towering dunes of the Sahara Desert, climb into the dark depths of the Egyptian Pyramids, photograph the carved city of Petra and uncover 4,000 years of history in Old Jerusalem.

Road Trip – Best Places to Travel Alone in Your 20s

13. new zealand.

Best Countries: New Zealand

Daily Budget: $75-250 USD

The adventure capital of the world is an awesome place to road trip alone in your 20s – marvel at Maori culture, bungee jump into raging rivers, soak in the thermal spas of Rotorua and sail the scenic waters of Milford Sound. Find out exactly how much to budget for a New Zealand solo trip !

14. British Isles

Best Countries: England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland

Daily Budget: $50-200 USD

A road trip through the British Isles is perfect if you want to see a lot in as little time as possible – cruise through historic country towns, wind your way through the Scottish highlands, motor along the cliffs of Moher and swerve through Snowdonia. 

15. North America

Best Countries: United States of America, Canada  

If you have a whole lot of time and a bank account full of savings, a road trip across North America is a dream road trip to take solo in your 20s – cruise the California coast, climb through the Rocky Mountains, cross the wide-open Canadian countryside and nudge your way through the traffic in New York!

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Why You Should Travel Alone in Your 20s

1. you won’t have enough time after your 20s.

It might not seem like it, but when you’re in your 20s you have little to worry about – at least in comparison to your 30s and 40s. 

Most twenty-year-olds don’t have to worry about holding down a career, supporting their family, raising their kids, or paying a mortgage.

When you’re young, have to make the most of your spare time, lower cost of living and extra energy – just a few of the reasons why you should travel in your 20s!

2. You will make lifelong friends

You will already have a tonne of friends if you’re fresh out of high school or university. But most of them are probably from your hometown or local area.

One of the reasons why you should travel alone in your 20s is because you will make a whole heap of lifelong friends from all around the world. 

These are people that you befriended because you share genuine interests – not just because you happen to live in the same town or go to school together.

And the best part is, many of these international friends will offer you a place to stay, should you ever visit their home country!

Suffer from solo travel social anxiety? Become a popular pilgrim with my 9-Step Guide to Making 100s of Friends When Travelling Alone !

3. You might find your soulmate

Most solo travellers tend to be single. So, travelling alone in your 20s can be a great way to find love and learn about the opposite sex. 

When two solo travellers share a romantic flame, they tend to end up travelling together for a little while.

Romance makes solo travel even more fun – but it can be heartbreaking to say goodbye. At least until you next see one another.

Did you know that 75% of solo travellers have sex during their trip – discover my 8 secrets about backpacking hookups and travel sex !

4. You can consider your career

When you’re in your 20s, you’re either in college or at the dawn of your career. But at such a young age, it can be almost impossible to tell what you want to spend the rest of your life doing.

Taking a break between finishing school and starting your career might be the best thing you ever do. But don’t waste that break.

Whilst travelling alone in your 20s, think about your future career and:

• What you do and don’t like doing;
• What you are good at;
• What other people are doing to make money;
• What the world needs.

5. You become more socially confident

Becoming more charismatic is another reason why you should travel alone in your 20s.

With all the people you’ll be meeting and new friends you’ll be making, it’s only natural that your social skills will develop rapidly when travelling solo.

Every day, you’ll be breaking the ice and opening up conversation with other travellers and locals. Even if you want to solo travel as an introvert , you’ll soon grow comfortable talking to anyone about anything.

Worried about socialising? I share 30 tips in my article: is travelling alone lonely ?

6. You become more self-confident

Beyond becoming more socially confident, you also become more self-confident when you travel alone in your 20s. That is, you become more confident in your ability to overcome challenges and achieve your ambitions.

Whether you’re throwing yourself off a bungee bridge in New Zealand, eating fried scorpions in Thailand or rafting down a crocodile-infested river in Africa – overcoming your fears and anxieties whilst travelling alone will help you grow into a more interesting and powerful person.

If you never try new things, you’ll never know what you’re capable of doing!

Worried you’ll seem strange travelling solo? Read my article, is it weird to travel alone ?

7. You are young and healthy

When you are young, you tend to be healthier than you’ll ever be again. This is one of the major reasons why you should travel alone in your 20s.

The older you get, the harder you’ll find it to hike Machu Picchu. Or sleep comfortably in a hostel dorm. Or sand surf in the Sahara!

If you don’t fulfil your dreams of solo travel now, you might find you are incapable in the future. 

8. You can travel on the cheap

The older you get, the more comfort you seek. After your twenties, you will want to stay in private accommodation and eat at nice restaurants (especially if you have a partner and kids).

It’s easier to save money when you travel alone in your 20s. You’re happy to stay in hostels and eat street food most of the time.

With the money you save, you can travel further and see more of the world!

9. You can get student discounts

If you’re a student, you can save even more money by making the most of student discounts.

Many attractions around the world offer student discounts of anywhere from 10-50%. So, it really pays to carry your student card when travelling alone in your 20s!

10. You don’t have to wait for your friends

You dream of travelling around the world but your friends can’t get themselves organised? Their inability to plan is holding you back?

Go solo and travel without your friends from home. Don’t let them hold you back any longer!

Travel alone in your 20s and you can enjoy ultimate control over your itinerary. No one else gets to dictate what you do and when you do it. And you’ll make a tonne of new friends along the way!

Wasted time isn’t the only downside of group travel – prepare for these 25 problems when travelling with friends !

11. You will learn about the world

When I was in my early 20s, I thought I knew everything I needed to know about the world. The truth was, I knew very little – particularly when it came to history, geography and different cultures.

If you go travelling alone at 20, you will learn so much about the world and be far more knowledgeable than those who never travel at all. 

This newfound knowledge makes you a more interesting person and can even help you in your career. At the very least, you’ll dominate your local pub quiz!

12. You will learn about yourself

At age 20, I also thought that I knew all about myself – who I was, who I wanted to be, what I enjoyed, and what I was good at.

But it was only when I started travelling alone at 21 that I discovered the real me. I wasn’t a shy introvert. I didn’t want to become a lawyer. I didn’t want to live in one country my whole life. I was good at speaking to strangers.

Self-discovery is a lifelong process. But perhaps the biggest reason why you should travel alone in your 20s is that you start to discover who you really are.

Suffer from mental health issues? Find out about solo travel and depression .

13. You gather interesting stories

Ever feel like a bit of a bore? Does everyone else at the party have better stories than you?

When you travel alone in your 20s, you experience some crazy moments and gather hundreds of interesting, frightening and funny stories.

Upon your return, you’ll be able to keep your family and friends entertained for hours with tales of your solo travel.

Worried you won’t have fun when travelling alone? See my article, is solo travel boring ?

14. You will regret it if you don’t

There’s a really important reason why you should travel alone in your 20s – you will regret not doing it when you get older. And regret will make you bitter and resentful.

As mentioned above, you get busy as you get older and do not have the time or ability to travel alone. You don’t want to get to a stage where you regret never travelling alone and having fun when you were younger.

Travelling alone in your 20s is literally a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You are only in your twenties once – so, solo travel whilst you can.

15. You don’t have anyone telling you what to do

After you finish high school, you get your first taste of independence. You find a job, go to college and maybe even move out of home. But you’ve still got people telling you what to do – your boss, your parents or your professors.

Travelling alone in your 20s is one of the only times in life that you get to experience true independence. 

When you travel solo, no one tells you what to do and when to do it. The accommodation you stay in, the places you visit, the things you do, the people you befriend – it’s all up to you!

Want to travel with a friend? Think again – is it better to travel alone or with someone ?

16. You can party as much as you like

There’s no better time to party than in your twenties. You’re energetic, surrounded by other youngsters and recover faster from a hangover.

So, it should be no surprise that you do a lot of partying when you travel alone in your 20s. You’re constantly drinking, dancing and going on bar crawls with other travellers that you have met.

As you get older, you won’t want to party as much when travelling. So make the most of your youth and have fun!

Reduce the risks of travelling alone by following our 30 solo travel safety tips .

17. You will be sexually liberated

Between 70-90% of solo travellers are single. And when you have a lot of young single travellers partying together and sharing accommodation, you can expect a few sexual encounters.

If you travel alone in your 20s, you will likely meet one or two other travellers that you get along really well with. You may even feel a romantic connection, which can lead to sex.

But remember to always practice safe sex when travelling alone. Men should include condoms on their male solo travel packing list . And ladies should include their preferred method of contraception on their female solo travel packing list .

18. You’ll appreciate your family and home more

When you are young, you can’t wait to get away from home for a little while. You dream of escaping your nagging parents and annoying siblings.

But when you travel alone in your 20s, you learn to appreciate your family home. 

You miss the comforts of the home that you know so well. You show gratitude for your comfortable bed, clean bathroom and familiar settings.

And you miss your family and the support that they provide. In fact, many solo travellers improve their relationships with their parents and siblings after a little time away from home.

No one to travel with? Take the 15-question quiz: should I travel alone ?

19. You can create cool social media content

Travelling alone in your 20s is one way to get your Instagram and TikTok popping. As you travel the world, you will fill your feed with awesome sights and experiences.

Plus, when you travel solo, you get to spend as much time as you like taking the perfect shot and editing your images. You don’t have anyone nagging you to hurry up.

But remember, there are many advantages and disadvantages of travelling alone . One of the cons is that it can be hard to take photos of yourself.

Get used to asking other people to take your photo. Alternatively, take a selfie stick and get good at snapping yourself.

Struggling to come up with Instagram captions? See my list of the 100 best quotes about traveling alone !

20. You will have the adventure of a lifetime

The main reason why you should travel alone in your 20s – because it is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that you will never forget or regret. 

No one knows how long they’re going to live. So make the most of the time you have now, whilst you’re young. 

Start ticking items off your bucket list. Make your dreams a reality. And live life to the fullest.

Solo travel is always more fun than group travel. Find out why in my article, is travelling alone fun ?

How to Travel the World in Your 20s on a Budget : 10 Tips

• Go travelling alone at 20 or 21

It is best to start travelling alone at 20 or 21. This gives you time to consider your career after leaving high school or college. And the earlier you discover your passion for travel, the more time you have to travel alone throughout your twenties.

• Use these solo travel safety tips

Lots of people question, is solo travel safe ? You face unique dangers when travelling alone. For example; getting too drunk on nights out, being scammed or getting lost without someone to help you. Reduce the risks of travelling alone with these solo travel safety tips .

• Make the most of your holidays

University and college students get to enjoy long breaks between terms and semesters. Make the most of these holiday periods and go travelling alone. Once you start a career, you have much less time for solo travel.

• Apply for an exchange or volunteer program

If you are studying at a university or college, look into whether your institution offers an exchange program so that you can study overseas for a semester. Even if you aren’t studying, you can volunteer for overseas projects and programs .

• Apply for a working visa

Look into whether your country has international agreements in place that make it easier to get a work visa overseas. For example, Commonwealth Countries such as the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand have programs that make it relatively easier for citizens to get travel and work visas.

• Use search filters to find cheap and comfortable hostels

The best way to save money when travelling in your 20s is to stay in hostel dorm rooms . But if you insist on privacy, many hostels also offer affordable private rooms.

Use a comparison site like Hostel World to find cheap but comfortable accommodation. Sort the results by “Lowest Price First” and add a filter: “Review Score: 7 or above”

There are also filters to help you find hostels that are fun and sociable – find them in my 9-step guide to making 100 travel buddies !

• Share transport to save money

Use public transport  like coaches, buses, trains and planes when travelling in your 20s on a budget.

Alternatively,  buddy up with other travellers in your hostel and split the cost of private transport.  Uber is best because it has an in-built feature for fare splitting.

You should also  look into whether your destination offers regional or city-wide travel cards.  Tourists can use these cards to receive discounts on public transport and entrance to local attractions.

• Find cheap restaurants nearby

Use Google Maps  and  filter the search results by “Price”  to find cheap local eateries when travelling in your 20s.

Better yet, you can save a tonne of money by  buying groceries and preparing meals for yourself in your accommodation.  Many hostels provide a kitchen area with stove tops, toasters, microwaves, kettles, pots and utensils.

• Make the most of your student card

Many budget travellers in their 20s will have a student card from their college or university.

If you do have a student card, you can show it at attractions around the world to receive free or discounted entrance.

• Don’t just choose the cheapest travel insurance

Always  shop around for the best price on travel insurance  but don’t just go for the cheapest option.  Read the policy carefully  to ensure that you are covered for the various travel activities that you plan on partaking in (e.g. motorbiking, scuba diving, etc.)

Summary – Why You Should Travel Alone in Your 20s

Why should you travel alone in your 20s? Because as you get older, you will likely start a career, get a mortgage and start a family. This may mean that you won’t have enough time, money or energy to travel alone after your twenties.

There are also many benefits to travelling in your twenties, including making lifelong friends, finding love, partying, becoming more self-confident and knowledgeable, and taking time to think about your career.

Perhaps worst of all – you may live a life of regret if you never take the chance to travel alone in your 20s.

Related Posts

Is it Weird to Travel Alone? 6 Tips to Avoid Awkwardness

Is it Safe to Travel Alone? 10 Scary Dangers & Safety Tips

30 Honest Advantages and Disadvantages of Travelling Alone

Find more solo travel tips on nomadic yak.

There are many reasons why you should travel alone in your 20s. 

And there is a lot of advice on Nomadic Yak to help you get started!

Nomadic Yak helps solo travellers to plan journeys that are adventurous and authentic.

Every article is written by me, Harry . I’ve travelled to 40+ countries over the last 5 years – alone.

On Nomadic Yak, I’ve provided all the information you need for first-time solo travel .

You’ll also find 100s of solo travel tips on how to save money, make more friends, build a social media following and much more.

Plus, you can use my solo travel destination guides to discover international sights and attractions that few other travellers get to witness.

Creator of Nomadic Yak

At age 22, I had never travelled overseas. Six years later, I have travelled alone through 35 countries and work wherever I like as a freelance writer.

How to travel Solo for the First Time (20 top tips)

If this is your first visit to my blog – welcome! I’m Brooke and I have been travelling the world solo for the past seven years. Over the years I have made many mistakes, booked last minute flights out of bad situations and met so many fellow solo travellers along the way. With the help of my fellow solo travel friends, I’ve put together the best tips for your first time travelling solo.

How to Travel Solo for the First Time

Book your accommodation via ratings.

There are so many hotels I have checked in to and realised they look nothing like the photos. The safest bet I have found is to check the rating overall as well as considering how many people have placed a review. If the hotel has a 5 star rating but only one person thinks so, you might wish to reconsider!

Make an effort to meet other travellers

When I first started travelling solo at twenty years of age, I would often find myself becoming more and more introverted. I found that over time conversation became easier, flowed more naturally and I soon realised I was facing the same questions from new friends: Where are you traveling from? Where are you traveling next? What are your favourite places so far? These small conversation starters can quickly form friendships and before you know it your solo dinner for one became a fun adventure with someone new.

Start your day early

I’m often asked how I manage to get photos at national monuments like the Eiffel Tower without any other travellers in the frame and the truth is to wake up for sunrise! Waking up at sunrise means less crowds, no lines, beautiful morning light and the chance to see a place almost all to yourself.

Buy travel insurance

One of the non-negotiables when I travel is buying travel insurance. When you travel alone you don’t have anyone looking out for you so for peace of mind, I always book travel insurance in case anything goes wrong. This extends to flight delays and cancellations and having travel insurance in these situations causes less stress because you know you won’t be the one footing the bill.

Something I learned early on in my travel career was to pack a light suitcase or backpack and relish in the rewards of lugging less weight up a flight of stairs! There have been so many instances where I have found myself at the bottom of 100+ stairs leading out of a subway suitcase in tow, that I have learned it is always better to pack less.

Travel alone but not lonely

Early on in my love affair with travel I realised how easy it is to make friends abroad. We are lucky to live in the age of social media and globalisation where it is possible to meet people to show their city to you before you even arrive! Smiling at locals, learning a few words of the local language and hitting up local coffee spots is a great way to meet people.

Visit Local coffee shops

Speaking of local coffee shops, they are a great place to meet interesting people or even just sit for a while and people watch. Often we get caught up in “seeing the sights” of a new city and forget to pause to take it all in. These moments are often where I have had some of my best ideas, met people I still keep in touch with today or just taken time for myself to consider my surrounds.

Travel with a book

Often when you travel alone you will find yourself with free time on your hands. This could come whilst standing in a line, waiting between courses at a restaurant or on long bus rides. I find it best to always travel with a book to immerse myself in and never feel lonely whilst accompanied by my favourite characters.

Stay sober if exploring at night

This one is subjective but it is a travel rule I have unknowingly implemented for myself. While I love a glass or two of wine with dinner, I love feeling safe more. I will only ever have a glass of wine if I plan to walk around a city by myself at night because I’d rather have my wits about me and feel safe. There are a few situations I have found myself in over the years where I have been thankful for being sober so I can make a quick escape. There is nothing worse than feeling as if you are being followed or watched when you are walking alone so be sure to get yourself out of any situation you feel uncomfortable in.

Catch public transport

Although it can sometimes be daunting using a new public transport system, it is always the cheapest and often best way to see a city. There is no better way to feel like a local than to learn your local stops and make use of the subway.

Pick your destination(s) wisely

Let’s face it: some destinations are safer than others. I’ve written before about the safest destinations for solo travellers and I stand by these as some of my favourite places I have been alone.

Go your own way

One of the most common options for solo travellers is to join a group trip but from experiencing both, I much prefer to travel on my own accord. Group trips have a way of feeling rushed and focus heavily on the main attractions, so much so that you often don’t get a feel for the place you are visiting.

Give yourself challenges

A great way to see a city is to challenge yourself to achieve a certain amount of walking each day or a visit a certain set of places each day. Sometimes I embark on a day of coffee tasting and make my way to 10-20 of the cities’ most popular coffee shops. Other times I will depart on a day of vintage shopping and dart my way all over the city in search of treasures.

See what you are capable of

One of my favourite solo travel memories and equally one of my worst was when I took a mountain bike down Death Road in Bolivia . It was the experience that sparked my interest in mountain bike riding and because of this, I found out what I was capable of.

Take your time

One of my favourite travel hacks over the years has been to slow myself down and notice more beyond the obvious. I can spend countless hours inside museums noticing the most minute details and before I know it, I’m knee deep in researching a particular artist or genre.

As much as I love my planned days with a set itinerary of what I would like to achieve, I also love getting lost and having no plan at all. I find this option is best for cities you have never discovered before as it prompts you to form an opinion without expectations. Cities I have loved getting lost in include Antwerp, Stockholm and Tallinn.

Ask locals for advice

Often the coolest cafes or concept stores I have discovered are small hole-in-the-wall finds that I never would have found without the advice of a local. I’m always asking waiters, bus drivers and baristas where I should explore and blindly travelling on their recommendations.

Consider a cruise

I know, I know: you can’t believe you are reading this. But I mean it when I say cruising has become one of my favourite ways to travel having explored the Middle East and Asia by cruise ships. This is a great way to take the stress out of travel because once you’ve checked in to your cabin, you never have to move your luggage again. You wake up every day in a new port, explore, eat, sleep, and do it all again! I would definitely recommend cruising for solo travellers who would prefer less stress and a more relaxed way to travel.

Learn a new skill

Every year I travel to Paris to learn a new skill in pastry making. Through travel, desserts and pastry have become a really strong passion of mine – so much so that I even opened my own bakery three years ago ! Learning a new skill like pastry classes, wine pairing, language lessons or even art appreciation is a great way to immerse yourself into a culture completely.

Embrace the complete freedom of solo travel

Whenever a person asks me how I gained the confidence to travel solo, I often go into a long tangent about how great it is not just to spend time alone but to love time alone. The complete freedom of solo travel gives you time to learn more about yourself, explore your interests and become a truer version of yourself.

Solo travel must haves

Brooke Saward founded World of Wanderlust as a place to share inspiration from her travels and to inspire others to see our world. She now divides her time between adventures abroad and adventures in the kitchen, with a particular weakness for French pastries.

Find me on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

I’ve never read anything more realistic than this! I used to be so scared of travelling alone because you don’t really know what to expect. It’s great seeing content like this that will help people be more confident in going out there and experiencing the world. One thing that caught my attention is the notion of making an effort to meet other travelers, especially solo ones. I believe that this can bring more color into our experiences, but a lot of people still find it hard to strike up a conversation with strangers. Do you have any tips on how …  Read more »

A very inspiring post. Accidentally stumbled upon your blog. Sometimes you really want to travel alone. Especially when all the advantages of such a trip are so beautifully described.

Thank you for sharing this one! glad that i bumped into this blog of yours since it definitely motivated and helped me a lot!

 I haven’t tried yet to travel solo, but your blog makes me want to try it. Thank you for the best tips for me to try as a first-time solo traveler.

Hey there! Useful Post, you always have good humor in your posts/blogs. So much fun and easy to read! And for the record, we are still at it on the Flash reading.

Such a well written blog. I am going to travel solo soon and this piece of writing gave me so many tips. Thankyou so much for sharing, you’re doing a great job:)

Such a good post!! I’ve never gone solo traveling before, I’ve always been too scared or too reliant on others. But recently, I’ve really had the desire to get out there and travel how I want to travel – to see the world that I want to see! Every post I read of yours makes me feel more prepared and more ready to get into the world of solo travel. So, thank you

rosie abigail ✨

Thanks Wendy, appreciate the feedback!

What a fantastic blog!, I had to go find your first London one and it was also fabulous. I am looking forward to enjoying many of your highlighted places myself.

Your blog inspired me to travel solo 6 years ago – love seeing all of these new articles to inspire other women!

Traveling alone doesn’t mean being alone. I always made amazing friends on the way and there are good people out there also traveling alone. It’s fun meeting new people on the road….

For some reason, I always avoided traveling alone. Don’t know, but it seems like I need someone to have my back if anything goes sideways. :)

Wonderful post.

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Travel in Your 20s: 17 Epic Trips to Take While You’re Young

• 20 January 2023 17 May 2023

There’s no denying it — your 20s are probably the most formative years when it comes to shaping your beliefs, habits, and overall identity. There are so many major life events that happen over the course of the decade. College , new jobs, marriage, buying a house, having kids… it’s like an endless parade of change! That’s why it’s so important to travel in your 20s and take advantage of your relative freedom and lack of responsibilities.

Here are 17 suggestions for epic trips that everyone should take in their 20s!

(Side note: Of course, there is no age limit for traveling. These trips can be taken in your teens, 30s, 40s, and beyond! I just think that they would be particularly beneficial for people in their 20s — read on to find out why!)

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. When you purchase through links on my site, I may make a small commission (at no extra cost to you!).

• An "Eat, Pray, Love" trip

Best types of trips to take in your 20s

A solo trip.

Taking a solo trip in your 20s can be a great way to gain independence and self-confidence.

When you travel alone, you’re in charge of your own schedule and plans, which can help you develop decision-making skills and increase confidence in your own abilities. Planning everything yourself in a foreign country can be daunting, but once you do it, you’ll feel a new-found sense of pride in your capabilities!

Solo travel also provides a great opportunity to learn more about yourself. When you’re on your own, you’re forced to confront your own thoughts and emotions, which can help you gain a deeper understanding of who you are and what you want out of life. Spending time alone in your 20s is really important for self-development.

So many places make an excellent choice for first time solo travelers. I’d recommend Iceland , the UK, and Southeast Asia as great places to consider for a solo trip.

A girls’ trip

A girls’ (or guy’s!) trip can be a great way to build and strengthen relationships with your best friends. Going on a trip with your girl friends allows you to spend quality time together, connect on a deeper level, and create memories that will last a lifetime. This can be particularly important in your 20s when you may be navigating new stages of life and building a support system of strong, trustworthy friends.

Additionally, going on a trip with friends is an opportunity to create lasting memories that you’ll look back on fondly for years to come. You’ll have stories to share and inside jokes to laugh about — plus, it’s just plain fun!

Some of the best girls trip destinations include Miami , Nashville, Sedona , Las Vegas, and Mexico .

A road trip

Road trips are an amazing way to explore a new destination with complete freedom. The sense of adventure you get from being able to stop where you want and be spontaneous is unmatched! It’s a great feeling to experience, especially when you’re first entering adulthood.

They are a super accessible way to travel as well. Road tripping can often be cheaper than flying, and you’re able to save on accommodation costs by camping or staying in budget-friendly options along the way. Once you get to your destination, you’ll also save on transportation costs since you already have your own vehicle!

In the United States , most car rental companies require you to be at least 20 years old to rent a car. If you’re under 25, you might have to pay a few extra fees and/or insurance costs. It’s always a good idea to have your own comprehensive travel insurance too, just to be safe!

Try road tripping around the Canadian Rockies , New Zealand’s South Island , or the Midwest’s Great Lakes .

A backpacking trip

For the longest time, I’ve been a huge advocate for backpacks as the superior luggage option for travel. They’re comfortable, they’re convenient, and they fit way more than you’d expect!

Backpacking is almost a rite of passage for people in their early 20s. Taking a gap year after graduating from college or spending a few months abroad between jobs is an incredible adventure and a great way to immerse yourself in the top destinations around the world.

It’s also relatively inexpensive, which is pretty important for travel in your 20s. Book a few cheap flights , stay in hostels, and eat exclusively street food — being so young means that you can sacrifice a bit of comfort to travel longer. Packing carry-on only is also a skill that will save you lots of money (and stress, once your checked bag is inevitably lost by the airlines!).

Classic backpacking destinations include Europe , Southeast Asia, and South America .

A luxury trip

On the other end of the spectrum, your 20s also make the perfect time to treat yourself to a luxury trip.

In my opinion, the best thing about travel is experiencing things that you don’t normally get to in your day-to-day life. And what better way to do that than by relaxing at a day spa or staying in a five-star hotel ?

Because life is so short, any reason could be a good reason to treat yourself to a luxury vacation. Graduating college, going on your honeymoon, or celebrating a promotion at work are all 100% valid. (So is booking a trip just because you want to, hah!)

Luxury trips don’t need to break the bank, either — there are lots of affordable destinations where the US dollar stretches particularly far. This includes places like Bali, Portugal, the Philippines, and parts of Mexico .

Study abroad

There’s no better way for college students to see a new part of the world than by studying abroad. My year abroad in Aix-en-Provence, France is still up there as one of the best years of my life.

You’ll get to learn about rich history, practice overcoming the language barrier, and experience a unique culture different from your own. Study abroad is also a great time to travel independently and take advantage of youth discounts, Interrail passes , and budget airlines.

Although there are study abroad programs available all over the world, the most popular ones (for American students) are in Western Europe. Make sure to pick a country that you’re interested in and passionate about — whether that be the language, the culture, or the food!

A working holiday

If you’ve ever wanted to experience living and working in a different country, a working holiday could be the right choice for you!

When you get a working holiday visa, you’re able to live and work in a country for an extended amount of time. You get to try out what it’s like to live abroad while making a bit of money to support your travels. Most countries only offer working holiday visas for people up until the age of 30, making it the perfect opportunity to travel in your 20s.

For Americans, Canadians, and Europeans, Australia and New Zealand are a classic choice for a working holiday (and vise versa!). Your options will be different depending on which country your passport is from — make sure to check each country’s specific requirements on their official websites.

A city break

Especially if you’re from a small town, taking a trip to a big city can be an eye-opening experience.

Cosmopolitan cities like New York City, London, Singapore, and San Francisco will have a little bit of something for every type of travel style. You can expand your cultural horizons with museums and art galleries, party the night away at world-class nightclubs, and eat so many different types of cuisines.

Your 20s are all about experiencing new things and seizing every opportunity — big cities allow you to do that with ease.

A romantic getaway

Romantic getaways with your significant other can strengthen your bond away from the distractions and stresses of everyday life. If you’ve been together for a while, it’s also a good opportunity to celebrate a milestone or special occasion, like an anniversary or engagement.

In my opinion, traveling with your partner is a must before deciding that they’re the one for you. Traveling can put you in stressful situations, and it’s important to see how they respond. (Are they nice to service staff? Do they lash out at strangers? Or, heaven forbid, do they stand up as soon as the plane lands?!)

Whether you’re whisked away to a secluded cabin in the woods or to the beautiful beaches of the Greek Islands, these getaways definitely create a unique and indulgent atmosphere.

A festival trip

Attending festivals is so fun, and is even more special in a new country! You’ll get to experience new music, art, and culture in a lively setting. Depending on the type of festival, you’ll also be able to learn about different traditions and immerse yourself in the local culture.

Festivals are also some of the best places to meet other fellow travelers, especially if you’re traveling solo. Generally, other festival-goers are open-minded, easygoing, and will be open to meeting new people.

For some epic bucket list festivals, try traveling to Germany for Oktoberfest, Belgium for Tomorrowland, or Nevada for Burning Man.

An adventurous trip

If you’re into thrill-seeking and active pursuits, an adventurous trip is a great one to take in your 20s. Hiking , cycling, water sports, skydiving, bungeeing — scheduling these types of activities during your trip are a sure-fire way to get any adrenaline-junkie excited.

Physically, your 20s are also the best time to take an adventure-focused trip. You’re probably at your peak level of fitness and have more energy than you will later on in life.

Costa Rica, New Zealand , and Peru are great places to have adventurous holiday because they offer a wide range of outdoor activities and day trips.

A family holiday

Just because you’re in your 20s doesn’t mean that you need to stop taking family vacations! They’re an excellent time to bond with your loved ones and create new memories, which is even more important now that you’ve probably moved out on your own.

Family holidays can be a good time to reconnect with your parents and siblings, especially if you don’t live in the same city anymore. It’s nice to schedule a set time every year where you’ll all be together — that way, you (and your family members!) have something to look forward to.

A food-focused trip

I don’t know about you, but personally, the search for delicious food is always a driving force in my travels.

Taking a food-focused trip is a must in your 20s because you’ll get exposed to new cuisines and might discover something that becomes your new favorite food! Whether you’re perusing a local market , trying an unusual new delicacy, or fine dining in a Michelin-starred restaurant, foodie travel is always a good time.

Even if your entire trip isn’t centered on eating, taking a guided food tour is a fun idea. That way, you’ll be able to try a few local dishes that you might not have tried otherwise.

A tropical getaway

Tropical getaways are some of the best trips to travel in your 20s because they provide you with much-needed rest and relaxation.

With all the change that happens in this stage of life (graduations, new jobs, new relationships, etc.), it’s important to take some quality time away from the hustle and bustle to do nothing. Tropical vacations make doing nothing very easy. Lay on the beach, drink a piña colada, and soak in the sun to escape from the real world for a bit.

Some amazing places for a tropical getaway include Fiji, the Dominican Republic , the Maldives, and Tahiti.

A group tour

Group trips are a great place to meet like-minded individuals with similar interests, especially if you’re traveling solo . Tons of companies offer trips geared towards people in their 20s, meaning you’ll most likely make some new friends that share similar values and are in the same stage of life.

If it’s your first trip abroad or to a particular destination, group trips can also be a convenient and safe way to test the waters. You’ll often have your entire trip planned out for you, which can be really helpful if you’re not used to planning transportation and accommodation logistics . You’ll also have a tour guide that’s familiar with the area who can provide assistance and make you feel more comfortable.

Group trips cater to all types of travelers and destinations — G Adventures , Viator , and Intrepid Travel are some popular options.

A stint at van life

Living the van life is one travel experience that many people don’t get to have. It’s one that I think is really fun and insightful, though, which is why I recommend it when traveling in your 20s!

Just like a road trip, van life is both cost-effective and flexible. It eliminates the need to pay for accommodation on the road and saves you money on transportation costs at your destination. You get to practice being more self-reliant, adventurous, and resourceful with your limited amount of space.

Van life is also a slower and more relaxing way to travel. Generally, you’ll spend a few weeks to a few months in your van at a time, getting to explore each place in more depth. Living in a van disconnects you from your daily routine and forces you to adapt to a simpler lifestyle. All in all, van life comes with a lot of benefits, especially for someone in their 20s that wants a unique and independent style of travel.

An “Eat, Pray, Love” trip

Based on the bestselling novel “Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert, this kind of trip is one where you seek out good food, spiritual enlightenment, and/or romantic adventure in order to better yourself. These trips typically involve exploring different cultures, getting out of your comfort zone, and visiting places of spiritual significance.

It might be a cliche, but your twenties are a time to “find yourself.” Taking a trip that focuses on feeling a sense of adventure, freedom, and spiritual fulfillment is one of the best ways to do so. This is the perfect age to learn from your personal experiences and apply them to the rest of your life.

Whether you’re practicing yoga in India, staying in Buddhist temples in Nepal, or attending an ayahuasca retreat in Peru , any trip where you connect with your true self is invaluable in your 20s.

Why travel in your 20s?

As young adults, it’s important to take advantage of the opportunities and flexibility that come with being in our 20s. One way to do this is by traveling and experiencing new places, communities, and landscapes. Here are just a few of the top benefits of traveling in your 20s:

Fewer responsibilities

Generally, the younger you are, the fewer responsibilities you have.

Taking an impromptu weekend trip or a long-term trek are way easier when you don’t have kids, pets, or a rigid full-time job. Young people definitely have the advantage when it comes to flexibility and spontaneity — having lots of free time allows you to travel without remorse!

Aside from having fewer obligations, people in their 20s often have more financial freedom, too. With new jobs to pad their savings account and fewer financial obligations such as mortgages, car payments, or families to support, many 20-somethings can save for travel more easily. Your 20s are the perfect time to start checking off that travel bucket list!

Young, dumb, & broke

The older you get, the less tolerance you have for discomfort and inconvenience. Travel in your 20s is great because you’re more open to new experiences and can handle uncomfortable situations more easily.

During my year studying abroad in France, my friends and I constantly took weekend trips all over Europe. We took 10€ Ryanair flights (in the middle seat), stayed in grimy hostels, and squeezed in as many activities and nights out as possible.

It was such a great experience that would have been completely different if I wasn’t as open to the discomfort. Although I wouldn’t want to stay in 30-bed mixed hostel dorms nowadays, I’m so grateful that I took the plunge and chased the adventures in my early 20s.

Find yourself

Throughout their 20s, many people are still figuring out who they are and what they want out of life. Traveling during this time allows you to immerse yourself in new cultures, meet new people, gain fresh perspectives, and challenge yourself and your beliefs.

These experiences can be instrumental in helping you discover your passions, values, and goals, which are all important aspects of “finding yourself.”

Travel in your 20s is a great way to become the best version of yourself — the more you get off the beaten track, the more enriched your life will ultimately become.

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Thanks for reading this post on the best trips to take in your 20s! Hopefully it’s inspired you to get out there and plan a trip . Let me know which one resonates most with you in the comments below!

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5 Trips You Really Need To Take In Your 20s

By: Author Jaclynn Seah

Posted on Published: March 29, 2014  - Last updated: July 5, 2024

Categories Occasional Travel , How I Travel , Solo Travel

A little extra reflection as I officially leave behind my 20s and embark on the great journey into the next decade of my life. I started The Occasional Traveller in my mid-20s, but even before I started blogging I had already accumulated some travel experience with my family since I was little. My 20s travels were significant because there were many firsts – first solo experience , first trip without the family, first actual solo trip …

Moving on…

Each of these trips has been instrumental in shaping me in to the person that I am today, so for my 20-something year old readers out there, the young ‘uns reading this, here’s my sage advice for you on 5 types of trips you should take in your 20s, when you’re old enough to be independent and legal for most things, yet young enough to really have a ball of a time (and recover quickly from it).

Remember though, that age is no limit to travel, and an older or younger person could still appreciate any of these trips I’m describing below. Also, it doesn’t mean you have to take 5 separate trips – you could possibly achieve all 5 milestones in a single trip if you are creative!

1) A budget backpacking trip

Bring the important stuff but leave the sheep at home, no matter how little space it might take up! Pic by Mohammed Jawed via Flickr CC

Set yourself a modest budget for your travels and stick to it – Squeeze your belongings in a backpack and sleep in a shared dormitory with ten other people so you can afford an extra few days of travelling; Scout out freebies and bargain on everything you can to stay within your daily budget; survive on street food and the cheapest booze you can find so you can afford to fly home. Technically, you can do this at any point in your life, but you’ll probably weather it best in your 20s, when you’re young and foolhardy enough to gloss over too-thin mattresses, bumpy tuk-tuk rides and piss-tasting wine.

Do this to fully appreciate the value of getting what you pay for when you can afford it – you will only truly value the simple pleasures like good service, cleanliness and a full stomach when you’ve experienced what it’s like to do without. You’ll also learn much more about yourself as you figure out quite quickly what are necessities to your way of life, and what you can do without.

>> Read about my Taiwan Trip back in 2007 , as a recent graduate on a budget for my first backpacking trip.

2) A trip with more than 12 hours of transit

I’m pretty sure that’s how we all look by the time hour infinity rolls around… photo by Jonathan Kos-Read via Flickr CC

It’s all about the journey and not your destination. Whether it’s an ultra-long bus and train ride or a cross-country road trip, hop into your desired mode of transport and watch your day go by and the miles pile up as you trundle along to your next destination. You’re young and have all the time in the world, right? Also when you do finally reach your destination, you can toss your bags aside and start exploring the new place immediately, a thing your body will find it harder to do as you get older.

Long journeys provide you lots of free time to ponder life and its mysteries – it can be hard to catch up on your reading or writing on a bumpy ride, but you’ll never need anything but quiet time to think. You will learn to appreciate the efficiency of modern day travel, but also gain patience and appreciation of the slow ride. Or perhaps just gain the ability to sleep anywhere at anytime, moving vehicle or not, and that is a great skill to have as a traveller!

>>Read about the time I took a 16-hour train ride from Danang to Hanoi .

3) Spend time in a place with a completely different climate from your own

This definitely doesn’t look like home (but I could live with that!) Chasing the Gold by Kris Williams via Flickr CC

Nothing says ‘you’re not in Kansas anymore, Dorothy’ like a climate that you’ve never encountered in your life. Beach bunnies, look for snowy mountains and chilly winds for a change while Eskimo types can try heading for the deserts and rainforests. The weather is one of those fundamental things that you don’t quite notice when everything is going well, but can wreak total havoc on your travel plans if it wanted to – cancelled flights, closed attractions, or just general discomfort – not everyone adapts well to a change in weather, but you’re definitely likely to handle it better while you’re younger and stronger.

You’ll either love it or hate it, but either way you’ll surely appreciate the reminder that Mother Nature is all powerful, and that the world is a much larger and more diverse place than your comfortable little hometown, especially if you live in a stable place like Singapore, sheltered from natural disasters

>> This tropical-city girl is not much of a snow bunny, but I survived Munich’s wintery Christmas just fine!

4) Go someplace where you don’t understand the language at all

Korea was the destination of my first solo trip, and man the language is really just a bunch of shapes and lines to me (this is coming from soneone whose mother tongue is Chinese!) Photo by Alfonso via Flickr CC

Visit a place where you can’t read the signs nor speak the language – where even the simplest things like asking for directions becomes an adventure in itself. You may end up lost for hours, ordering something you didn’t intend or just end up not speaking for days because there is no need to.

It will teach you to be adaptable and creative as you figure out how to make yourself understood. It will keep you humble as you learn to put your trust in strangers and how to trust your gut when nothing else makes sense. You will also learn that some things are universal and very much the same throughout the world, no matter how foreign it may seem or what language we speak, and it’ll keep your mind open as you move on in life.

>> Read about my first solo trip to Seoul , where I made it through a week even without understanding the language, and a particularly frustrating attempt at ordering lunch.

5) Do something epic

. You don’t literally have to leap off a cliff to be epic! Photo by Shiv Shankar Menon via Flickr CC

Imagine that one cool story you want to leave behind for your hypothetical grandchildren to remember you by – whether it’s hiking the Amazon or going to your first music festival, going bungee jumping or just travelling out of your country for the first time, there is no better time for being awesome than in your 20s; you’re old enough to be independent, generally less burdened and legal in most aspects, yet young and foolhardy enough to take up any challenge that comes your way.

Push your limits and find out what they are, because you’ll never know until you try! Besides you need some great memories to enter the new decade with!

>> I’ve rolled down sand dunes , I’ve eaten raw Chicken , I’ve been touched by a manta ray … It’s not the most impressive list, there’s till a lot more room for epicness though, but I am giving it a shot!

Whatever adventures you decide to go on, just make sure that it’s what you want to do – it doesn’t matter how old or young you are! Also, here’s a great read over at Why wait to see the world .

What are your suggestions for trips you should take in your 20s? Share them here!

Sunday 14th of August 2016

Traveling solo is interesting but scary. I hope I can find some courage to that soon. Nice article by the way!

Jaclynn Seah

Tuesday 16th of August 2016

You just need to take that first step, you can do it! :)

gabrielletrenbath

Monday 6th of October 2014

Great advice :)

Tuesday 16th of September 2014

I am omid that I live in a desert and desert villages of Iran. If you travel to Iran, I invite you to also visit the village.

Well thank you for the invite Omid, I'll remember that if I ever find myself headed that way in future :)

Monday 15th of September 2014

Love your blog. From experience, another thing you should try is getting lost. I've gotten lost in too many places to count but like everything you've listed, it makes for awesome experiences. (:

Also, I think you should check out this website I'm working at http://gobeyond.sg We feature stories of Singaporeans who have been to countries off the beaten track - think Latin America, Africa, Middle East, South and Central Asia. Inspiration for your long trip?

Thanks Huey! Will check it out :) Have awesome travels!

Thursday 19th of June 2014

Jac I love these suggestions. I'm only a few weeks away from 30 and I've done most of these trips, except #2 (did 8 hours in transit) and #4 (I mean I was in Europe, but everywhere I went people still could speak English, so I don't know if that really counts). I would also add these trips for your 20's.

- A solo trip. Traveling alone can be an amazing life changing experience. Even if it's just a weekend away at a nearby city. - A road trip with friends. I love road trips, and there's nothing better than hitting the road with friends, stopping at quirky attractions along the way, singing along to the radio on the way, and ending at a fantastic destination. - A family trip. Traveling with your family as an adult is a different experience than traveling with your family as a kid. I learned a lot about my family, and myself during a family trip to Mexico for my cousin's wedding. I also drove my grandparent and great-aunt to Kelowna (2 day trip) and it was a great experience.

Thanks Alouise! I have to say the 16 hour train ride was probably more comfortable than the 12-13 hours it takes me to fly to Europe from Singapore, but probably because I can lie down flat and walk around with a good view :)

A solo trip I think is definitely something one should embark on at some point in one's life. Whether 20s or whenever, but it's true that you're properly 'legal' for most things in your 20s so that's a good time to do it!

Same goes for the friends bit, I've always travelled with my family most of my younger days, so travelling with friends was pretty liberating (and quite interesting) for me!

And yeah it's different with family - It's great because we have a whole history of memories to recall as well - still enjoyable though, but quite different feeling.

• GENERAL TRAVEL

7 Reasons Why You Should Travel in Your 20s

Riyanka Roy is an ordinary girl with some extraordinary dreams. She loves to believe in the mirac...

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Did you just bid goodbye to your teens? Or have you a crossed the first quarter of your life and anticipating how things would be in your 30s? Doesn't really matter, as long as you live life to the fullest during your 20s, then you’ll have no regrets!

You’ll be left wondering how you ever got on without your new adventure buddies.

Just before I turned 25, I made a long checklist, quit my job, and set out with a backpack to tick off all the places that I wished to see. And for the last two years, my wanderlust has fed me quite well. Now that you too are free and independent, you shouldn't postpone travel for later. You should get your hands on planning the things that you must do before you turn 30. 

Based on my own experience, here are seven reasons why you should travel in your 20s—it’s the best (trust me, you’ll be amazed with the things that you’ll learn).

Why does traveling in yours 20s RULE?

1. you have more energy and enthusiasm..

No one can deny the fact that with age, your level of energy starts decreasing (although I've seen older people opting for highest altitude Himalayan Treks! (*Respect*) However, your 20s is the time when you are all full of energy and enthusiasm to set out for journeys beyond your comfort zone. It's the age when most of us are usually adventurous and curious to try out new things, to dive into the unknown, and to find a path rather than getting lost. It's that age when we can try and fail, and try again, without being bothered too much about wasted time. And yes, all of this is likely to happen to you while traveling in your 20s.

You’re young and hungry. Take that energy and passion for learning abroad!

2. You don't have many responsibilities to deal with.

Once you bag a stable job, step into your 30s, get married and/or have kids, life will start getting complicated. You'll have the responsibility to take care of your family, pay off the loans, meet the deadlines, and so on and so forth. If you decide to travel in your 20s, you can just pack your bags and get going - no one's gonna question you about anything or try to pull you back! And in case your parents are worried too much, you can tell them about your urge to travel the world (and a few little white lies won’t hurt too ), and about where you see yourself 10 years down the road. Trust me when I say this, they'll understand you.

3. You are not afraid of meeting new people and making new friends.

It's the age when you have just wrapped up your college days and you’re all set to explore the bigger world! You can opt to stay at hostels, hop into random parties, or go for hitchhiking, but no matter what decide, you are sure to meet more people from different walks of life and make friends out of strangers . That's one of the most exciting things about traveling in your 20s - you get to widen your social network, beyond your high school and college friends! 

Author Riyanka hanging out with some pretty cool kids!

4. You will learn to appreciate the finer things in life.

Before this stage, you either got everything very easily - thanks to your parents - or you didn't get to enjoy them, since you weren't in a position to afford them. Once you start traveling in your 20s, you'll learn to value little things and appreciate the finer things in life. While traveling in a cold country, you'll realize that getting a warm bath is equivalent to luxury. Similarly, if you take up volunteer work abroad , you'll get to know how lucky you've been and feel more grateful for everything you've received since childhood. Traveling in your 20s will make you a more sensible person, for sure, and help you to see the world like never before.

5. You'll be able to learn from occasional mistakes and be a better planner.

Most millennials are choosing to take a career break, or what is now popularly known as a “ gap year ” in Western countries, in order to travel abroad and gain valuable life lessons from practical experiences. As you travel and explore on your own, you'll make a lot of mistakes along the way, and eventually end up learning something important that will help you in the long run. You might land in a mess, pick a fight with the wrong person at a bar, hop on the wrong plane, or get robbed for being careless - but all of these experiences will help you to be a better planner in the future.

What’s at the top of a mountain, you ask? Epic views and self-satisfaction. That’s what.

6. You'll have your own stories to share with others, and you can even make a career out of it.

How wonderful would it be if you can sell your travel stories to make a better career for yourself? No kidding on that note, but being a well-traveled person will help you to stand ahead of your peers. Your future employers will know that you are confident, independent, and have good management skills, which you've spent a good deal of time polishing during your journeys. Even better, you can share your travel stories and experiences with others, and encourage them to explore the paths less traveled. Traveling in your 20s will also endow you with opportunities to gain other skills, like photography, blogging, learning a foreign language, etc. Remember, the world is your oyster!

7. You'll get to know yourself better!

One of the best things about travel in your 20s is that you'll get to know yourself better. It's the best time to figure out your strengths and weaknesses, what you like and what you don't. You’ll get to explore your passion and indulge in learning new things. You'll learn how to take decisions without someone's guidance, stretch your boundaries, take up challenges, and experience and successfully overcome culture shock during your journeys! Surely, there can be no better time to travel than now!

Travel in your 20s & live it up, baby!

Get up and get after it. Life, that is.

To put it in the words of H. Jackson Brown:

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

What are you waiting for? That’s why you should travel in your 20s. Pack your bags, choose your destination, and set out that journey that's gonna change your life forever!

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This article was contributed by Go Discover Abroad , the perfect one-stop-solution for all gap year travelers and career break planners.

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The Best Places For Solo, Budget Travel In Your 20s

Visiting certain corners of the world often feels like a rite of passage for the young traveler . These spots have a universal allure that transcends time. They’re well-trod yet still hold a mysticism that cannot be denied. They’re the places you’ve read about again and again, romanticized, and dreamed of seeing for yourself … one day.

Our advice? Don’t wait too long. Sure, saving is important but so is actually. doing. cool. sh*t.

With that aim, we’ve compiled a list of places that every traveler has to hit in their 20s. These are the destinations that scream “Bring me your young, your restless, your reckless , your “single-and-not-ready-to-be-tied-down-because-this-is-a-wild-party-and-it’s-fun-to-flirt-y’know?” Of course, this is a short list of only ten prime destinations. There are literally thousands more. But, let’s face it, our time on this mortal coil is finite and we have to start somewhere.

As an extra wrinkle, we’ve compiled this list specifically to bust the idea that travel is expensive. These are places that are usually cheaper than home. The places where a month of meals out will still cost less than your phone bill back in the states. Some of them may cost a little extra to get to but, now, with budget airlines connecting every continent, it’s cheaper than ever.

So, let these ten spots around the globe entice your wanderlust. They’re perfect for a first solo trip . They’re cheap. And they’re waiting for you.

PHANG NGA BAY, THAILAND

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zachary Johnston (@ztpwhiskey)

Phang Nga Bay is a prime spot in a country full of them: Thailand . Around this bay, you’ll find two great spots to post up: Krabi and Phuket. It’s paradise on earth. The food is amazing. The drinks flow. The beaches are postcard perfect. And it’s one of the cheapest corners of the planet. This is the place to start your vagabonding days.

Get around: Tuk-tuks, shared trucks and vans, and long-range buses are the best way to get around the area. Tuk-tuks are three-wheeled mini-taxis that’ll take everywhere in the immediate area (think all around Phuket Island, but not off the island). They’re all negotiable but shouldn’t cost more than a couple bucks. In most centers, there will be a hub for shared trucks and vehicles that’ll take you all the way from Phuket to Krabi for a no more than $20. Our advice is to pick a sweet spot and stay there.

Accommodation: Guesthouses are going to be your best bet here. If you’re on the east side in the Krabi area, you can snag a really dope place for about $20 a night . If you’re on the west side around Phuket, you’ll pay almost the same price and maybe a little cheaper. You can always rock up to a guesthouse and negotiate a longterm price too, so don’t just rely on Airbnb or other online resources. Make a connection.

Food: There are almost endless options of food in this part of the world. Street food reigns supreme. Around sunset, vendors will fill the streets with delicious delights. A plate of pad thai will set you back about 25 baht, or less than a dollar. You can live off the street food in Thailand for a while, just make sure you always see your meal coming off the flame and made fresh for you. Beer and Thai whiskey are also super cheap. Hit up a 7-Eleven for the best prices and bags of ice.

Exchange: $1 = 30 Thai Baht

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgrCIq-nWWf/

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DARJEELING, INDIA

India is a mesmerizing and dizzying place. One of the coolest corners is high above the tea plantations on the eastern reaches of the Himalayas. Darjeeling is a mountain retreat straight out of the pages of an old National Geographic. There are few places more unique than this spot and few better places to cut those travel teeth.

Accommodation: There are a lot of great guesthouses in Darjeeling for about $15 a night plus a meal. You can find them all on Airbnb these days. But, again, talk to people when you get there. You may be able to score a better, long-term deal.

Food: There’s a lot of street food in Darjeeling. Little carts will set up and sell chana masala with bannock bread or bowls of Tibetian soup. There is also great momo (Tibetan dumpling) bars all over the place. And don’t sleep on Keventer’s bacon, eggs, and tea — especially the morning of a big trek. Expect to pay anywhere from 25 cents to two or three dollars for a meal.

Exchange: $1 = 65 Indian Rupee

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfcYS6PASyJ/

SUMATRA, INDONESIA

Indonesia is a massive country that’s comprised of over 20,000 islands. So picking just one is almost a fool’s errand. Still, if you do pick just one, Sumatra is a strong choice. It’s not as over-populated by tourists as Bali and it’s a lot wilder than Java. You can balance on ridiculous rope bridges over raging rivers, see orangutans, and surf some of the most deserted beaches on earth with some of the biggest waves you’ll ever see.

Food: Street food is all over Indonesia in general. Fresh fruit carts roam every morning and sell fruit for less than ten cents a piece. By lunch, there are fried rice carts, soup carts, and more. You’ll also find roadside kitchens behind big flags showing all the food they cook there. Expect to pay between 25 and 50 cents for a full meal. If you go into a restaurant expect to pay a dollar, maybe two for a big meal at a sit-down joint. Northern Sumatra is also known for copious amounts of cannabis and magic mushrooms. If you’re driving around the north, just look for the signs.

Exchange: $1 = 13,760 Indonesian Rupiah

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Diah Widyandhari (@diahwidyandhari)

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bg-ITZ9lhvf/

PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC

View this post on Instagram A post shared by City Best Pics™ Since 2013 (@citybestpics)

Prague is a European right of passage. The city has gone through some real changes in the last twenty years but has somehow maintained its old world charm. The beer is cheap, the nights are epic, and the memories will last forever.

Get there: Prague has a good-sized airport with daily flights from all over the world. From the US, expect to pay in the area of $400-$500 round trip, though $300 is not out of the question. Prague is also a big rail hub and you can get there from pretty much anywhere in Europe. Train tickets between Prague and Berlin, for instance, are about $40 each way.

Get around: Prague has a great tram, metro, and bus system. Though for the central city, you’ll only need to worry about the trams and metro and the rest is very walkable. A tram and metro ticket is about $1.50 a ride. Taxis in Prague will rip you off, hard. Avoid. This goes for Uber too.

Accommodation: Hotels are fairly cheap in Prague. You can get a simple room for around $20 to $50 a night. Airbnb is your best bet here. An entire apartment can be as cheap as $15 a night. That’s crazy cheap. Hostels are also a great option with dorm beds going for as little as $7 per night. Just remember, you’re getting what you pay for.

Food: Overall, Prague is fairly cheap. Fries, sausages, and fried cheese sandwiches on the street will set you back a dollar or two. In a pub, expect to pay around 100 Koruna ($5) for a simple meal. Beer is about $2 a half-liter these days though it can definitely be three or four times that in the tourist center.

Exchange: $1 = 20 Czech Koruna

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BERLIN, GERMANY

Berlin has a long history of great figures calling the city home for a very long time. Josephine Baker, Lou Reed, David Bowie and Iggy Pop, Nick Cave, and U2 have all lived and thrived there. It’s also one of the last cheap cities in Europe with an insane nightlife, great food, and an art scene second to none.

Get there: This is a bit of a pain in the ass. Berlin has two small airports and there aren’t that many direct flights to the United States. You’ll most likely have to connect in Reykjavik, Amsterdam, London, etc. There are super cheap flights on Norwegian and Wowair that’ll get you to Berlin for as little as $150 each way . Berlin is also a huge rail hub and easily accessible from everywhere in Europe.

Get around: Berlin has one of the best and cheapest public transportation systems in the world. Between Friday and Monday all trams, buses, underground, and commuter trains run 24 hours a day. Over the week, night buses run 24/7 to every corner of the city and suburbs. A ticket costs €2.70 for any single trip of any distance. You can also rent a bike for as little as $10 a day and ride everywhere in the city in dedicated bike lanes. Taxis are ubiquitous, but not cheap. Download the MyTaxi app (an Uber-like app) for officially registered taxis in the city.

Accommodation: Berlin has a very long list of inexpensive hotels (around €50-€80 a night) and hostels (around €10 a night). Airbnb is technically illegal in Berlin for anything more than a bed. So use caution on that front. But, you can score a legit hotel in the city for 50 a night… in Europe. That’s crazy cheap.

Food: You can get a schwarma, kebab, or currywurst (with fries) on the streets of Berlin for €2.50. That’s a meal right there. There are way too many spots for those eats to ever list here. But you can’t miss the kiosks, carts, and corner shops selling these foods. A pizza will set you back about $5, sometimes less, sometimes more. And if you wanna splash out at a restaurant, expect to pay anywhere from €6-€20 a plate. Protip: grocery stores are dirt cheap. You can snag great bottles of wine for $5 and a great beer for about a dollar a bottle.

Exchange: $1 = €0.80

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RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

Where to start with Rio? The beaches? The fantastic food? The great drinking and partying culture? The chilled out people and way of life? Go to Rio. Eat. Drink. Live. Love.

Get there: Rio has two airports, GIG is the main international hub and most likely where you’ll fly in and out of. Rio is a long way from North America and Europe, so don’t expect prices to be crazy cheap. If you do see a flight on Secret Flying or somewhere else for under $500, buy it. Rio’s regional airport is SDU and will likely be the airport you use for flights around Brazil.

Get around: Rio has a decent metro network, trams, and buses that’ll get you pretty much everywhere you need to go. Tickets cost around a dollar per ride. Taxis are also abundant. Look for the yellow cabs with blue stripes. They’ll have meters and you won’t (generally) have to negotiate a price. Though beware, traffic in Rio can be a headache.

Accommodation: Hotels near the beaches are going to be spendy, think $100 a night at least. You can easily score a bed in a guesthouse or an entire Airbnb home for really cheap though. Expect to pay between $10-$20 a night depending on where you are in relation to the beaches. Lapa and Santa Teresa are great options for artful digs away from the hustle and bustle of the beaches.

Food: There’s not a huge amount of what we’d call classic street food in Rio. There are, however, a lot of cafeterias and corner spots. A lunch at a corner restaurant is your best bet for cheap eats. A steak, rice, black beans, fries, a little salad, and farofa can be as cheap as 15 Reals per person. That’s less than five bucks. Beer and coffee will set you back less than a dollar a pop. A good rule of thumb for Rio, if you’re near a beach, expect to pay more (but even then it won’t be that expensive).

Exchange: $1 = 3.30 Brazilian Real

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GUADALAJARA, MEXICO

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dámaris ◡̈ (@damaareese)

Mexico is close to home and so completely different. And right now, the city is going through a renaissance — as the food and art scenes explode with life. Don’t worry if you’re chill on getting cultured, you can still spend the day downing Pacificos and endless tacos. Though you should use this trip as a chance to expand your food horizons.

It’s the best of all worlds, to be honest.

Get around: Guadalajara is sprawling. There are buses that’ll take you all over the city for less than 50 cents a ride. There’s a small subway system that can get you through the city for 6 pesos a ride. Taxis are ubiquitous and cost around 50 pesos a ride within the city. Make sure to set your price first. And, let’s face it, knowing Spanish will greatly help your ability to negotiate a fair price.

Accommodation: There are a lot of boutique hotels popping up around Guadalajara that will charge higher prices. In those same neighborhoods, you can find rooms and houses on Airbnb for as little as $10 per night. So you can hang out at the hip bar at the boutique hotel, but sleep at a cozy little hideaway around the corner for a tenth the price.

Food: Guadalajara has some amazing street food — they have all the tacos, yo — and great hidden away family-run restaurants throughout the city. A taco plate will set you back 40-50 pesos tops (less than $3). You can also score a decent meal in a restaurant for around $5 or less.

Exchange: $1 = 18 Mexican Peso

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JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

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South Africa is a strong choice for a solo trip. Though most would probably say, ‘go to Cape Town first,’ we’re throwing our weight behind Jo’burg. It’s a little rougher around the edges, but not so much that you can’t handle it. It’s a great place to push your comfort zone out a bit and see if you have the stomach for some bigger adventures.

Accommodation: Homestays and guesthouses are the cheapest options by far — hotels are generally the same as any major US city. You can snag beds for about $10 or entire homes for $20 on Airbnb . Really, you’re not going to find much cheaper than that.

Food: Wine is so cheap in South Africa. Expect to pay $3-$5 for a great bottle of local red, white, or rose. A beer will set you back a buck, maybe two. Street food is your best bet for cheap meals with a lot of meat at the center of it all. Expect to pay around $2-$5 on the streets depending where you are in the city. A meal in a restaurant will be closer to $10 a pop, again depending on where you find yourself.

Exchange: $1 = 11.50 South African Rand

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TANGIER, MOROCCO

Tangier has been at the crossroads of humanity for a very long time. It’s a city full of super strong and minty tea, clouds of sweet hash, and streets where you can literally rock the Kasbah. Tangier grips you tightly. You may never want to leave. Consider yourself warned.

Food: Super strong mint tea with lots of sugar, hash, and tagines are the order of the day in Tangier. Stroll the Kasbah and follow your nose. Prices will vary depending on how many tourists are around. On the back streets, don’t expect to pay more than three to five dollars for a meal. A plate of fries with spicy mayo will set you back about a buck. Tea is about 30 cents a cup. And hash prices are negotiable (though 50 Dirham a gram is normal for tourists).

Exchange: $1 = 9 Moroccan Dirham

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ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA

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Addis Ababa is a big city that has a lot of mysticism around it. There’s a whole country of amazing sites to explore throughout the city. Inside, you’ll find a city with amazingly unique food and a coffee culture you can get lost in. There’s ancient Christain churches to explore, markets to wander, and a world of new experiences just waiting for you.

Get there: Flights on Turkish Airlines, via Istanbul, are going to be your best bet although most major carriers have flights to Addis. Price will vary widely. Best bet is to get a cheap flight to Amsterdam, Paris, or Istanbul and then fly down on whatever cheapest itinerary you can find.

Get around: There are two main options to get around the city: Tram and Minibus. The tram runs two lines — one north to south, one east to west and vice versa. They’re also fairly new, efficient, and really cheap. The most expensive ticket on the tram is six Birr or about 22 cents. Minibusses dart all over the city. You’ll have to tell the driver where you’re going and kinda know where to get off. It’s an adventure after all. The cost is tiny. Most rides are a couple Birr, or literally five to ten cents.

Accommodation: Hotels are set to western prices . So expect to pay around $100 per night. To save serious cash, you’ll want to stay in Guesthouse. You can find a lot of them on Airbnb these days and prices will be as low as $8 for a bed and meal.

Food: Street food will be less than $3 a meal. Coffee is less than a dollar. And a beer will cost around $1. A meal in a restaurant will be closer to $8 per person. Check out the Merkato for lunch.

Exchange: $1 = 27.50 Ethiopian Birr

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EDITOR’S PICK: SAN JUAN DEL SUR, NICARAGUA

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There are about a dozen backpacker haunts along the Central American Pacific Coast where people A) learn to surf, B) party like the world is burning, and C) do their best to learn Spanish while hungover. San Juan del Sur and Bocas del Toro in Panama are in a neck and neck race for the best of the bunch. What makes San Juan (as it’s called quite often, but also be careful not to get confused with the smaller, more remote San Juan del Norte) so special is that it’s the perfect access point for other beaches nearby.

Playa Maderas, Yankee Beach, and Playas Colorado are all worth a day of your basking and surfing time. At night, it’s nice to go back to the city — where there’s sure to be a buzzing pub, bubbling hostel, or raging club, depending on your tastes. In the daytime, surfing is default activity, but we weren’t joking about learning Spanish. Classes are affordable, superbly run, and very flexible.

Get there: This is a flight and bus combo that’s likely to be part of a multi-week trip through Nica or even a multi-month trip along Central America. If you see a flight from the US for $500, snatch it. Even $700 is a win. From the capital of Managua, you’ll be taking a bus or sharing rides as you head south — expect to spend just a few dollars.

Get around: This is a tiny town, just bring a skateboard or walk. At night, cabs are cheap and easy but should cost you virtually nothing. Hitching is common on the country roads (the road from Maderas to San Juan in particular). If you’re trying to get to a beach away from the crowds, most hostels send out day trips on the daily.

Accommodation: Hotels are dirt cheap — $10 for a bed or less. Homestays are $15 and nicer, but you might feel rude coming home late. Best to get into town and talk to people as new hostels seem to appear out of the ether. If you want to ball out, there are great places in that $70 range on AirBnB or you can nab a cheap hotel for $25-50.

Food: Expect lots of rice and beans with a few plantain chips for a fiver. Steak might be a buck or two more. Seafood at a restaurant will be a little more expensive but you can score a hell of a meal for $12.

Coffee is less than a dollar. And a Toñas will cost around $1.50.

Exchange: $1 = 31 Nicaraguan cordobas

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Solo Traveler

Solo travel tips, destinations, stories... the source for those who travel alone.

Solo Travel in Your 20s & 30s: Budget, Luxury & Gap Year Tips

There are many reasons why people travel solo in their twenties and thirties.

• Some go with something to prove – that they are strong and capable people.
• Some go for adventure, knowing that the experience will drop more surprises into their life than if they were with others.
• Still others travel solo reluctantly because there is one in their circle with the time and money to go.

Whatever the reason, whether the trip is on a tight budget or a more expansive one, whether it's a weekend getaway or a full gap year, traveling solo in your twenties and thirties is a life-altering experience. It may also be the first time that a person travels without someone else handling all the details.

Traveling alone for the first time is wonderful but it can also be daunting. We have hundreds of how-to posts offering solo travel tips and advice. This is a guide to them and an overview of the most enriching experiences that solo travel in your 20s & 30s can offer.

Before diving into the guide, you might want to read the following for a bit of inspiration.

• Travel Solo and Practice 3 Essential Life Skills
• Travel Solo for the First Time: Complete Guide for Newbies
• Top 10 Films about Solo Travel

Table of Contents

Solo Backpacking: Budget-Friendly and Empowering

There are so many ways to travel solo. You can spend a lot or a little.

Often budget-friendly trips can be empowering as you will have more aspects to manage on your own. By contrast, more luxurious trips, while expensive, may have all the details handled for you by others, so all you have to do is show up.

I tend to like the former. I like backpacks and hostels and negotiating trains and buses and figuring out how things work in foreign destinations. This is the way for many solo travelers in their 20s and 30s.

As a backpacker, you can use money carefully so that you can travel farther, longer, and more often. As a solo backpacker, without anyone along for the ride suggesting ways to spend money that might not be important to you, you get all three.

We have hundreds of posts on budget and backpacker travel. Here are some posts you don't want to miss:

• Backpacking Solo: How to Plan an Exhilarating & Safe Budget Trip
• Walking the Camino Solo: Life-Changing for Body, Mind & Spirit
• The Hostel Experience for Solo Travelers: What to Expect. How to Stay Safe.
• Best Budget Destinations for Solo Travelers: 2023 Shortlist

For more, use the search bar at the top and simply put in the word “budget”.

Luxury Solo Travel in Your 20s and 30s: Sustainable and Authentic

Luxury travel is great but not at any cost. It's difficult to enjoy luxury if it damages the environment and culture of your destination.

Fortunately, that needn't be the case.

At the Hacienda Tres Rios resort on the Riviera Maya in Mexico, I watched a worker watering the plants along the beach that had been planted there to avoid erosion. He was watering them individually. Water was not being wasted on the sand between plants. Hacienda Tres Rios is known as an environmentally responsible luxury resort. Sustainability is considered in all aspects of its operations. Plus it offers authentic experiences in Tres Ríos Nature Park.

Luxury and all three boxes – sustainability, responsibility, and authenticity – are ticked. Luxury travel for solo travelers in their 20s and 30s is much different than that of their parents.

Here are some posts to help you find the right kind of luxury on your solo travels.

• Adventures in Glamping: Georgian Bay, Ontario
• The Importance of Travel to Developing Countries
• Luxury Solo Travel: Planning Your Trip of a Lifetime
• Carbon Offsets for Travel: Important? Yes. Expensive? No.
• Luxury Travel on a Budget: 32 Tips You Need to Know

Taking a Gap Year Solo

Traveling long-term offers a special reward to solo travelers in their 20s and 30s. Before settling down (if that is indeed the plan), a grand adventure of a gap year is planned to capture all the joy that travel has to offer.

Planning for a gap year is a little more involved than your standard trip. It takes saving and a better sense of geography than most people have. Because the trip is long, communications and managing access to money is more important, as well as pacing its use. And then, you also need to know yourself. Do you have goals for the trip? Do you want to schedule things or are you fine with sudden decisions to change plans?

Pacing the entire trip is important. It's important to be aware that you can't travel as quickly for a year as you do for a few weeks. You'll need to slow down. Sometimes, you even need a break from navigating and negotiating every detail yourself. This is when a tour, for a week or even more, may be very valuable. You'll also likely want to travel with someone for a period of time. The company, for a while, will be refreshing.

Here are some relevant posts for you to read.

• Long-term Travel Guide: Slow Travel One Destination or Tour Many
• How to Find a Travel Companion: Safe Options and Some to Avoid
• Need a Break? 11 Options for a Great Solo Holiday
• Where to Go? Great Destinations for First-Time Solo Travelers
• Solo Travel Safety: 50+ Proven Tips to Keep You Safe

Solo On a Group Tour

I have been asked a number of times: how can you be solo if you're traveling in a group?

The fact is that there are many ways to travel solo. By my definition, you are traveling solo if you leave those people who define you, who have expectations of you on a daily basis, behind. You can do this traveling independently and you can do this if you pick up with a group or cruise.

Traveling solo in a group or escorted tour means you have the freedom to be who you want to be. There is no need to accommodate a partner or friend. It also means that you have the support of the tour company to manage all the details and, in many cases, you'll make new friends.

Tours come in many shapes, sizes, and prices. There are hub and spoke tours during which you stay in one spot and take day trips out to other places. Traditional tours move from one destination to another. Small groups usually involve fewer than 15 people. Coach tours can have more than 40 passengers. As for the cost, you can spend as much as you want.

The big deal for solo travelers is the single supplement. This is a premium that some companies charge for giving you your own room. In reality, it is cheaper for a company to sell to a couple but have to pay for only one room on the tour. However, with the rise of solo travel and our campaign to get more companies to drop the single supplement, more and more companies are adapting to the needs of solo travelers.

Make sure you check out our list of tours with no or low single supplements. Or sign up here and we'll send you the new list as soon as it's updated each month.

• How to Choose a Tour for Solo Travelers: Top Tips for Savings and Fun
• Group Tour in Iran: A Solo Traveler’s Dream Trip
• 10 Reasons Tours are Great for Solo Travelers
• Benefits of a Coach Tour: My Morocco Trip
• Self-Guided Tour: The Pleasure of Your Own Pace

Top Tips for Solo Travel in Your 20s & 30s

There is so much to be said about how to travel solo. Here are some great how-to posts that dig into specifics in different areas.

• How to Plan Your Travel Budget: Luxury or Frugal Two ways to plan your travel budget.
• Solo Travel Mistakes and How to Avoid Them If there's a mistake to be made I've made it. Learn from my experience.
• Best VPN for Travel: What, Why, How & New Recommendations You need this so that you can securely go online to use a credit card or manage money in your bank while you're traveling.
• Solo Travel Safety: Expert Advice This post covers some broad travel safety advice. You can also read our 50 Tips and 5 Fundamental Solo Travel Safety Principles .
• A Complete Guide to Travel Insurance for Solo Travelers This is one that people try to avoid, but definitely shouldn't. It's really important.
• Night Safety for Solo Travelers: How to Have Fun and Be Safe Going out at night is recommended but so are these safety tips. Here's another post on that subject: Travel Solo and Enjoy the Nightlife: 18 Tips for Going to a Bar Alone .
• Road Trip Alone with Confidence: 10 Tips for a Great Trip Road trips are particularly popular right now but it is wise to prepare for them properly.
• Eating Alone is Easy When You Know How There are so many options for eating alone. Reading a book is the least interesting of them.
• Safe and Easy Hiking Destinations for Solo Travelers Adventure travel is more popular than urban travel for solo travelers. Here are some destination suggestions.
• The Wits & Wonder Travel Course If you want advice without bouncing around the site, this course is for you.

Want to hear what solo travel is like? Watch this video.

Sharing is caring!

Publisher Janice: info @ solotravelerworld.com

Editor Tracey: tracey @ solotravelerworld.com

Sales Simon: simon @ solotravelerworld.com

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The content of Solo Traveler and any resources published by Solo Traveler are meant for entertainment and inspiration only. Please note that while we have advertising clients promoting destinations, products, services, trips and tours on Solo Traveler and that we endeavour to only work with companies in which we have confidence, we are not responsible for the delivery or quality of their products or services. Every person and every travel situation is different. Your safety, satisfaction and fun traveling solo are your responsibility alone and not that of Solo Traveler, its publisher, editor and/or writers.

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Finding Alexx

| Bucket list adventures around the globe

Bucket list travel · March 21, 2022

Travel in your 20s: 15 trips to take before you hit 30

Want to travel in your 20s but not sure where to start? Here are 15 different trips to add to your travel bucket list to tick off during this decade.

A heck of a lot happens in your 20s. From college experiences to long-term loves to fresh careers to first homes, your 20s are a decade packed with growth and change.

And while it can be tempting to rush to the traditional goal posts that society sets for us, like marriage, mortgage and babies, it’s also really important to realise that for most of us, this is the time in our lives that we have the best balance of minimal responsibilities and maximum freedom. And that’s something to take advantage of!

Everyone’s situation is different and not everyone will have the same access or ability to travel in their 20s, but travel doesn’t have to mean flying thousands of kilometres away from home and maxing out our credit card. Even a budget holiday or local adventure can do wonders for getting us out of our comfort zones, opening our eyes to other ways of life and building our self-confidence.

Whether you’re heading into your 20s, on your way out of the decade, or you’re already past it and want to give the decade another go just for fun, here are 15 bucket list ways to travel in your 20s.

Disclaimer before anyone comes at me in the comments: You CAN travel after your 20s. As I type this I’m planning my second multi-year round the world adventure which I hope will take me into my early to mid-30s. Travel doesn’t have an age limit, these trips are just suggestions for where young travellers in their 20s could start if they’re just kicking off their travel life.

A girls’ trip (or lads’ trip!)

A week or weekend away with your best girlfriends is an essential trip in your 20s. There’s nothing quite like spending a day exploring an unknown city with your besties, ordering a table full of local dishes to share between your group, then making your way through the cocktail menu while dancing up a storm to 90s bangers. Ah, the dream.

Some of my all-time favourite destinations for a girls’ trip are Mykonos in Greece, New York City, Turkey, and Bali in Indonesia.

A solo trip

I’m obsessed with solo travel ( can’t you tell? ) so I’m a bit biased here, but I firmly believe that everyone needs to travel solo at least once in their lives, and what better time to do it than in your 20s?

Solo travel is good for the soul, and it can have an incredibly positive impact on everything from your mindset to your resilience to your self-assurance. You’re forced to rely on yourself rather than on the people around you, you get to do what you want when you want without anyone getting in the way of your plans, and chances are you’ll meet far more people and make more friends than if you were travelling with people you already knew.

If a solo trip abroad seems way too crazy for you, start by taking an overnight trip away from home and slowly work your way up to something bigger.

My top suggestions for your first solo trip are Australia, the UK, Thailand, and Canada.

A romantic getaway

Slightly off-brand for me since I am not romantic whatsoever, but taking a trip with your partner is a great way to travel in your 20s. Whether you’re looking for a fly ‘n’ flop island holiday or an active adventure that pushes you both to your limits, travelling with someone you love is always one for the memory books.

As an added bonus, travelling as a couple is a brilliant way of testing your relationship’s ability to handle a bit of pressure before you get super serious. Travel brings out a different side in people, there’s logistical difficulties, financial stress and problems to solve, and the way that your potential life partner deals with these could show you some red or green flags. If they’re bad to travel with, they’re proooobably not going to be great to spend the rest of your life with.

(Told you I’m not romantic!)

An extended trip

While a couple of weeks off work for a holiday is always a treat, if you can save up your annual leave for a whole month off or even manage to request a sabbatical from your job, an extended trip is one way to learn a lot about yourself in a very short period of time.

Shorter trips can often be planned before you go, which means you can really relax and enjoy your time away. When you plan something longer than 3-4 weeks, you need to be flexible with your plans, which means going with the flow and dealing with issues on the road. Learning to roll with the punches is such an important skill to have throughout life, and gaining that skill through an epic adventure is probably the best way to get it.

Your choice of destination for an extended trip will depend on your location but many Kiwis and Aussies will opt for Europe, Europeans will opt for New Zealand or Australia, and many young travellers around the world head to Southeast Asia for a month or so of backpacking.

A working holiday

A month or so not long enough for you? It wasn’t for me either, enter the working holiday!

A working holiday (also known as a gap year) is where young people move overseas with the main aim of travelling, but they get access to a special visa which allows them to legally work to fund their travels. There are working holiday visa options in many countries around the world including NZ, Australia, the UK, Ireland, Canada and the USA, but each country has different eligibility requirements.

There are loads of reasons to do a working holiday, but the main benefits are that you can get amongst the local life of wherever you move to, you can explore the nearby areas without a strict time limit, and it looks brilliant on any CV.

Working holiday tip : Many companies (like my desk job before being a blogger) have offices or even sister companies overseas, which can offer an easy path into taking a working holiday. Consider these future options when you’re tossing up jobs to apply for, and start these conversations with your manager as early in your career as possible.

A luxury getaway

Treat yourself, you deserve it! There are plenty of milestones to celebrate in our 20s, from graduations to engagements to break ups to hitting our career goals, so book a fancy hotel, pop a bottle of champagne from your sea-view balcony and enjoy the good life.

If you can’t afford a full on luxury adventure (let’s be honest, neither can I), consider travelling in a way I like to call “shithouse to penthouse”*. Book the majority of your trip in a cheaper, self-catering accommodation to save on nightly spend and food, then splurge on a night or two at a five star hotel. This is how I stayed at luxury hotels in Hawaii, Portugal, Mykonos and Bali without blowing out my budget.

*Shithouse to penthouse isn’t a fair representation because the cheaper option could be super lovely and not shitty at all, it just needs to be cheap! But I can’t change the name because nothing else is as catchy.

A backpacking trip

And on the totally opposite end of the scale, another bucket list trip in your 20s is a backpacker adventure where you’re on a mission to make your money go as far as possible.

Whether you’re making your way around the lovingly-nicknamed Banana Pancake Trail in Southeast Asia or embarking on a classic Eurotrip, a stint of hostels, overnight bus rides and pub crawls will likely give you life-long friends, unforgettable memories and, without a doubt, some serious financial prowess. Did I once live off Nutella crepes and coconut ice cream for one month in Thailand and Cambodia? Yes.

Even when you reach the point of never wanting to stay in a dorm room or chug a cocktail bucket ever again, the people you meet, the experiences you have and the skills you learn while backpacking will stay with you for a lifetime.

A food crawl

Hands up if you travel for food 🙋🏼‍♀️

If you love doing a deep dive into the culinary scene of wherever you’re visiting, doing a fully food-focused adventure is absolutely one for your bucket list. And while food trips are incredible no matter your age, I do feel that my metabolism and energy levels were much more prepared for a full day of eating in my early 20s!

I’ve never cared about watching what I eat, especially while I’m travelling, because it’s my personal belief that life is too short to say no to pasta when you’re in Italy (and no to cheese in France, and no to kebabs in Turkey, and so on and so forth). But while I used to be able to handle carb-heavy and sugar-filled dishes from dawn til dusk with no issues, as I near my 30th birthday a main-sized portion of carbonara for lunch is likely to put me to sleep before you can say happy hour.

Make the most of a youthful metabolism and food crawl your way around a country or continent before you lose the chance.

An active adventure

If you’re the type of traveller who loves pushing your body to its physical limit (and I don’t mean by eating pasta three times a day), there are some incredible active adventures you could add to your travel to do list before you hit 30.

Some of the classic active trips are trekking to Everest Base Camp or Machu Picchu, hitting the slopes in Whistler or Zermatt, or doing your PADI open water dive course somewhere like the Thai Islands, Great Barrier Reef or Belize.

A road trip

The freedom and spontaneity of a road trip is one of the best feelings in the world, knowing that you can hit the road when you want and drive where you want without having to adhere to transport times or other travellers.

Road tripping can be a bit tougher for those in their early 20s as many car rental companies have additional costs if you’re under 25, but when you hit the sweet spot of being a confident driver in any car and country, not having to pay extra for a young driver surcharge, and still having the ability to roam freely without worrying about responsibilities back home, it’s a great place to be.

Try the van life

Taking a road trip to another level, van life is one travel style that has taken social media by storm. I bet you can picture it: cosying up in your favourite blanket, sipping a coffee as you watch the sunrise from the back window of your van parked up by the beach, set to a dreamy tune on repeat in a 15 second Tik Tok video.

While at times it might seem a bit overdone, the truth is that van life brings a whole new meaning to freedom and it’s something everyone should try at least once!

If you don’t like the idea of having to cook your stir fry on a hot plate that’s about 10cm away from your pillow in the back of a Toyota Hiace (I don’t blame you), I’d recommend upgrading from van life to motorhome life. A friend and I did an epic South Island road trip in a 6.3m 4-berth motorhome and absolutely loved it!

A cultural awakening

Most trips encompass some aspect of learning about a new culture, but planning a trip specifically focused on understanding a different way of life is something super special to experience in your younger years.

Whether you jump on an in-depth group tour to somewhere off the beaten track, participate in a formal exchange where you get to live in a totally different destination, or perhaps you want to learn more about your family’s background and choose to take a heritage trip to your homeland, a cultural adventure is good for the soul and the mind.

A group tour

Many travellers seem to have a bit of an aversion to group tours because they think they’re too touristy and don’t give you enough of an in-depth experience. Of course it depends on the specific tour, but from my group tour experiences I think that’s totally incorrect.

My first group tour was a Contiki down the East Coast of the USA when I was 20, and I still keep in contact with some people in that group ten years later. I’ve since done two more Contiki tours (Europe at 24, Southeast Asia at 27) plus two G Adventures tours in Asia, two Travel Talk tours (Jordan and Turkey), a One Life Philippines tour and a Medsailors Croatia tour all in my late 20s, and I’ve had an incredible time on every single one of them.

If you’re confident and clued up enough to travel independently then that does open many more doors, and it *usually* means your money will go further (not always), but a group tour is perfect for young or new travellers who want security, those short on time, or anyone who is travelling solo and wants to meet like-minded travel buddies.

A festival trip

Festival travel is one for any bucket list, but planning trips around festival dates can be expensiiiiive so it can be hard to make it work once you have kids to run around after or a pricey mortgage to cover each week.

Some of the most popular festivals to add to your bucket list are Oktoberfest in Munich, Holi Festival in India, Burning Man in Nevada and Tomorrowland in Belgium.

An island hopping trip

Last but certainly not least, island hopping is another travel style that requires a bit of flexibility while having enough spending money to travel comfortably. Whether you want to go solo and join a sailing tour, or get a bunch of friends together to book out a boat, spending a week or so at sea is one of the best things you’ll ever do.

You can island hop in many places around the world depending on what type of adventure you’re looking for. There’s an awesome island hopping pass in Fiji that gives you a night at different resorts all through the Yasawa Islands, you could jump on a yacht tour in Croatia or Greece, or cruise around the paradise islands in the Caribbean.

I bet your bucket list is full now! Hopefully that list has inspired you to plan some epic adventures in your 20s (or beyond). I’d love to hear what type of travel in your 20s is most appealing to you, let me know in the comments!

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• Travelling in your 30s and 40s is best – here’s why

Matt Risley 24th Nov 2023 7 min read

When I was younger, I made many, many mistakes. From the mullet that launched a thousand Facebook Memories, to the hours I spent obsessively learning the lyrics to Sir Mix-a-Lot’s Greatest Hits, we all have our own personal eye-rolling sins to bear. But with age comes wisdom (or so they tell me) and hindsight that makes you appreciate the value in those oft-facepalming learning curves.

I hadn’t realised this quite as much as when noticing the difference between travelling in my 20s and then in my 30s and 40s. Youth may be wasted on the young, but adventure, experience and travelling only gets better with age. Here’s why I believe that travelling in your 30s and 40s is better than in your 20s.

5 reasons to travel solo in your 30s and 40s

1. You don’t rely on a drink to find your comfort zone

I imagine most of us who drink alcohol can relate to the cringe-worthy morning after, and the attempt to piece together a litany of embarrassing escapades from the night before. The combination of social anxiety, backpacker booze culture and thrifty living meant that boozy nights at 7-for-1 bars were a common occurrence during my 20-something travels.

But as an older, wiser traveller in my 30s, with a decidedly more delicate liver, I don’t feel the need to rely on a drink to find my comfort zone anymore. Walking into a group of strangers is nowhere near as worrisome when you know you’re all there for the same shared experience. Even better, when you’re travelling in your 30s sober, you can soak up each new place undiluted, allowing for a more ‘in the moment’ holiday and memories you can actually remember.

2. Solo travel is a form of self care

Something I’ve learnt with age is that it’s important to treat yourself every now and again. Travelling in my 20s, I didn’t have cash to spare. But travelling in my 30s and 40s there was a little fiscal wiggle room – something I wholeheartedly embraced. In ten years’ time, I guarantee I won’t remember what I spent on that hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia , private boat trip and local hammam in Turkey . I’ll only remember the happy, joyful feeling of what it was like to live it.

I’ve found that taking a breather from the madness and monotony of a professional and personal life becomes ever more important the older (and more responsible) you get. Which means that when I travel to a new location and soak up all the new sights, smells and sounds, I appreciate every second all the more. Contentment is about balance, perspective and living in the moment, and travelling in your 30s and 40s allows you to experience each and every one of those in surprising harmony.

3. You are more assertive

It doesn’t matter how high your IQ is, there are some common sense life lessons you only learn through trial and error. That innate sixth sense for knowing when ‘going with the flow’ has slowly morphed into ‘oh whoops, what have I done and how do I get out of this predicament’. I’ve found that it factors into your travelling experience on a daily basis and becomes a finessed self-preservation instinct the older you get.

Next time, I won’t follow a complete stranger to a bar purely because they’re offering a margarita BOGOF deal. Next time, I won’t hitchhike with an overly smiley stranger because they reckon they know a quick shortcut that’ll shave minutes off my travel time. These all provided such beautiful interactions with strangers but I now, as a traveller over 30, find other ways to do that. And yes, I will live to a riper old age with many more stories to show for it.

4. You make your own travel memories

For me and many others, the fear of leaving the pack to follow your own path is an anxiety-sparking issue in your 20s – especially when you’re travelling with best friends or significant others. But when travelling in my 30s and 40s, I’ve realised that while having someone else to do something with is lovely, you don’t need anyone else to make the memory – just the confidence and happiness to blaze your own path.

If you’ve always wanted to explore the sights and delights of Japan or Peru but you don’t have anyone ready to join you on the adventure, then it shouldn’t stop you from doing it anyway. Especially when companies, like Flash Pack , which specialise in group travel for 30-40-year-olds , exist and are ready and willing to pair you up with other like-minded people equally as excited to explore.

5. The people you meet are more interesting

Not only did I find it easier to connect with others the older I got, but – shhh, whisper, and definitely don’t tell the best friend you’ve had since primary school – the people I’ve met on my trips are usually infinitely more interesting. When travelling in your 30s and 40s, everyone’s lived a life. Everyone has a backstory (or ten) and multiple reasons for joining the trip in the first place. While the ‘I’m just out of uni’ conversation starters I endured when I was younger were all well and good, as a traveller in my 30s I’m now more likely to meet people with fascinating jobs, eyebrow-raising life situations or Pulitzer-worthy travelling tales of their own.

Because of travelling in my 30s and 40s, I can now count the owner of a billionaire member’s club, an ex-yogi to the Hollywood stars and an ultra-marathon runner as friends – something I never saw coming. But they are all relationships that have brought a lot of laughter, happiness and opportunity into my life as a result.

How to embrace solo travel in your 30s and 40s

There’s no doubt that solo travel in your 30s and 40s is enriching – but there are still several ways to approach it depending on the experience you’re looking for. Here are the two most common routes you could take.

Go it alone

Committing to ‘ going it alone ’ entails planning the whole of your trip (flights, accommodation, excursions, the itinerary – everything) by yourself. Truly putting the ‘solo’ in solo travel. This means you can enjoy the freedom of not having to please anyone else, but it may also be a daunting prospect if you’re travelling alone for the first time.

Join a guided solo travel group

Another way to experience solo travel in your 30s and 40s is by joining a solo group with Flash Pack, where the hassle is taken out of travel planning, giving you access to unique experiences that are difficult to arrange on your own. You’ll also be paired with a small group of like-minded adventurers so you can make lasting friendships .

Explore our adventure trips .

Experience the freedom of travelling in your 30s and 40s

Thinking of taking your next solo trip in your 30s or 40s? Join Flash Pack today to go on an adventure with other like-minded travellers.

Got a story or adventure that could inspire a solo traveller like you? Tag @flashpack on social or email [email protected] to be featured.

Images: Flash Pack

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By Anna Brech

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