5 Benefits of Travelling in Your 30s
I have always heard travel while you're young before it's too late! But unlike other people who tend to slow down their travel in their 30s due to starting a career, family, etc. My travel journey increased in my 30s.
I'm a 32-year-old single gal from the UK. I work full-time as a retail beauty business manager and travel in between! I had always loved the idea of travelling, but I only travelled a little in my mid-20s due to finances.
In April 2019, I decided to take my first-ever solo trip at 27 to Japan. My initial reason for travelling solo was because I got fed up waiting for someone to travel with, but now, I travel solo because I crave the freedom solo travel provides. Allowing me to travel how and when I want.
To this day, Japan has been one of my best travel experiences. Not only was it an extraordinary travel destination, but it taught me so much about myself, overcoming challenges, and not being afraid of the unknown. It was the best thing I had ever done, and it really opened my eyes to how I wanted to travel in the future. Now, I have travelled to 27 countries and counting.
Deciding to travel and explore the world at any stage of your life will provide you with amazing experiences. But if I had to compare my travel experiences at 19 years old to the travel experiences I have now, I find travelling in my 30s more fulfilling and feel it has its advantages.
Of course, everyone has their own travel style. Some crave the luxury of relaxing on a beach and enjoying cocktails at a 5-star all-inclusive resort. In contrast, others enjoy the hustle and bustle of a city break or want to party. As for me, my travel style is an explorer. I love getting stuck into local life, exploring the day, finding hidden gems, and indulging in local foods.
With that said, I have discovered the top 5 benefits of travelling solo in my 30s. Check out my tips below!
1. Have More Cash To Splash
Most of us in our 30s have better financial stability, meaning we have a little more cash to splash on getting a hotel room instead of sharing a dorm room with 8-10 people to save on accommodation costs and be on budget!
Don't get me wrong, I'm always looking for a good deal, but I value my space. So, sharing a dorm room with others after a long day is not ideal for me! The closest I have been to a hostel is a capsule hotel in Japan! (which still allowed for privacy, so I am not sure if it counts)
I don't go overboard, spending hundreds of pounds on fancy 5-star hotels, though; instead, I like to book 3-star boutique hotels. That way, I can still travel on a budget but have the space and privacy I desire.
I must admit, though, I occasionally treat myself to unique one-night stays. I am all for unique travel experiences, so a quirky, cool hotel stay will always get my attention. But of course, these stays come with a hefty price tag, so having the extra cash to splash allows me to enjoy such experiences, which would have been difficult to finance as an average 18-year-old something.
One of my favourite unique stays this year was in Peru at Starlodge. Climbing 13,000 feet to sleep on the side of a mountain Is an experience that will last a lifetime.
2. You Appreciate Your Own Company
As I have aged, I am more comfortable in myself and enjoy exploring the world and what it has to offer me, and you learn to appreciate and value your own company.
People always ask me, won't you get bored or lonely? And the answer is absolutely not!
I love having time to myself, travelling at my own pace, self-reflecting, and taking in those precious travel moments.
It also allows me to understand myself better as I'm not influenced by other people's views or input on my experience. You start to let go of your shyness and build the confidence to do what you want.
And if you struggle in your own company, Create an itinerary before heading on your trip to combat loneliness.
I love creating my own itinerary, and I'm someone who has everything mapped out before I go. However, If you don't want your trip to be too structured, give yourself at least one thing to look forward to daily. It could be as little as having a morning coffee at a cool cafe, dinner in a restaurant you want to eat at, a fun activity, or watching the sunset.
Keeping myself busy with the many things to see and do in the country doesn't leave time to feel lonely or bored!
3. You Don't Rely on Alcohol to Find Your Comfort Zone
In my early 20s, I went on the typical party holiday to Ayia Napa, wasting away my days just drinking myself silly and partying all night into the morning!
The partying, hard holidays, backpacker social nights, and waking up every morning with the hangover you wish never had is not there in your 30s. Unless you're still a party animal, I guess! (My body can't personally handle it now, but good on you if yours can!)
But I feel like in your 30s, you don't have the constant need to be around people, and you find comfort in yourself without needing to keep up with the backpacker booze culture.
I rarely drink on my travels now. Of course, I enjoy a drink, and I will have a few glasses of wine over lunch or dinner while in Italy or Spain, but as I travel to a lot of Muslim countries or find myself busy exploring the country and the culture, I tend to sail through my trips sober!
The plus side to this is early starts, productive days, and no hangovers! The sole purpose of my journey becomes more about embracing the culture and the place rather than partying into the night.
4. You realise you don't need anyone to make your trip!
The older I get and the more I travel solo, the more I realise you don't need anyone else to make your trip. Go book that plane ticket. You don't need anyone!
I'm not saying traveling with others isn't nice. I have enjoyed my trips with friends, and I recently met up with a girl in India I met in a Facebook travel group. And I had a fab time, but I would have had a good time if I had been alone.
You will meet so many amazing people along your journey. My best travel trips have been when I have been solo.
There are many ways to meet others along your journey without committing yourself to another person or group tour.
I love the freedom of travelling solo. I love interacting with locals as you get a great local perspective of the country. And if you like meeting others but still crave the freedom of travelling solo. A great way to meet others is through cooking classes, group day tours, and FREE walking tours. These are all excellent ways to meet others for a few hours in your day.
And for me, if I don't end up meeting up with others, that is okay too; it really does not bother me. I still have the best time being on my own! The choice is yours to make the trip how you want.
5. You are Willing To Go a little off the beaten path
Sticking to the well-known path can cause you to miss some incredible experiences.
It's time to ditch those organised group tours and backpacker routes and instead find a local tour guide to take you off the beaten path for the day. I prefer to create my own route as most tour groups follow the same route, leading to overcrowding and missing out on the less visited things in the country, which could be amazing!
Don't get me wrong, I like to go to famous hot spots too, but I am selective and try to do them as early as possible or late in the day so fewer tourists are present. I care more about unique travel experiences and fulfilling moments than being somewhere where everyone is.
I hope you enjoyed this piece! To follow more of my adventures follow me on Instagram Stephonthemap and to check out my Five Myths and Truths About Solo Travel and the other writings I have done!
