It’s that time of year again where vision boards are being created, resolutions are being made and to-do lists are being drafted. If how to travel more, experience new events or immerse yourself in diverse cultures are at the top of your goal list for the New Year and the start of the new decade you want to read this now and keep this list close all year!
I’ve bugged my small group of travel buddies, surveyed internet friends and industry gurus all over. We came up with a few pieces of advice for YOU! I’ve compiled some of the best tips to get you moving to travel more in the months to come.
If how to travel more made your list of resolutions for 2020, keep on reading.
1. To Travel More…Make Traveling Priority
First thing first, with anything and everything focus and making it a priority is key. It’s the same with traveling. When you want to get into an amazing college you make your grades and activities priority. When you want to get healthy you make eating well and fitness priority. Want that promotion at work? You prioritize showing why you should get promoted. When you want to buy a home, car, shoes or whatever you make saving priority. You see the trend here? I know you do.
They say “where you focus, your attention/energy flows” and that happens by making that interest your focus and priority. Traveling follows this same unsaid rule. If you want to travel more you’ll sit and figure out a plan that works for you to reach your goal. If traveling is important to you, you may need to make time/financial sacrifices or set alerts for low fares or travel solo to make it happen. When the mindset and planning are there you’ll create a space with more time and money to travel.
2. Start Saving Now
Traveling takes money, planning, time and energy. That’s no secret. But still, two of the biggest excuses I hear around not being able to travel is money and time (refer to tip 5). I know, most people’s least favorite topic but here we go, let’s talk about money.
Budgeting. Say it with me…budgeting, it’s not a bad word or thing. Most of us do it every single day. It’s not different for traveling. Remember above where I said you have to make traveling a priority? Budgeting and saving are key factors of that priority. How do you do that?
I make traveling a part of my monthly budgeting plan even if I’m not traveling anywhere that month. The same way I budget for incidentals, saving for a car, utilities, and other expenses I do the same for travel. I set aside some amount of dollars from each check and put it into a dedicated travel account. For me, that amount may fluctuate each month and that’s fine as long as I’m building that account. I make sure that I use this account for all things travel as much as possible.
3. Travel for Events
I couldn’t write this list and not mention traveling for events, I mean I am a travel & event obsessed wanderer after all, what can I say?
I love traveling for events because it can help cut down a lot of the when and where to go questions. Along with giving you a plan or goal upon arrival. Then I use the rest of my schedule to explore the area. Having an event in mind also opens you up to connect with others who may also be traveling for that same event. You’ll get first-hand tips for navigating that event that area, places to check out, people to meet up with and more.
For inspiration of events to attend check out our calendar of events around the world.
For places to connect with other event-goers check out Facebook groups dedicated to traveling or that event.
4. Travel Out of Season
What does traveling out of season mean? It means traveling when the least amount of people may be in town. That could mean traveling when it’s cold, traveling during the week vs weekend, outside of holidays or events, traveling to locations not in trend at the moment and so forth. Traveling in March at the height of spring break tends to cost more vs traveling in January. Traveling between May and August will cost more due to graduations, school closings, wedding season, beach weather, you name it vs traveling in October when the weather is cooler, little to no holidays and schools are back in session. All these things can double or triple your airfare and accommodations due to the increased potential of guests.
I know all may not be able but if you can, instead aim for out of season, low season or shoulder season. By going when and where it’s cheap, you’ll find the bulk of your travel deals during these times. You’ll save some money, still have decent weather and a smaller crowd to boot. Traveling at the right time can save you both on airfare and hotel.
Also, travel where your dollar stretches. It’s a known fact that traveling can be extremely expensive. You don’t want to spend all this money on planning and not be able to truly experience your destination because day to day essentials are too expensive. Make sure to research the currency and travel to places where your dollar is stronger and goes a little further.
5. Take Advantage of Longs Weekends
One easy way to get you up and traveling more if you’re tight on vacation days is taking full advantage of your long weekends. This is an easy way to fit travels into your schedule without stressing time off requests or school schedules. Taking advantage of weekends or long weekends has allowed me to travel more and not have to take any time off work.
The trick to doing this well you ask? Using holiday closures and exploring areas around me (I’ll touch more on this below in tip 6). When I lived in Orlando I was able to venture to Atlanta, Miami, Daytona, Tampa, Jacksonville, and too many beaches to count. When I moved back to the east coast my weekenders included DC, Maryland, Virginia, New York, Delaware, New Jersey, Canada, and Philadelphia. Living in Chicago allowed me to weekends in Iowa, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and I could go on and on about other states.
For all these trips I was able to drive, take the bus or train. I was strategic and was able to spend 2-4 days using no leave or just a handful.
6. Explore Your Backyard First
Vacationing close to home is a great way to start traveling more, saving money, and allows you to be strategic with your extended weekends. Plus many of us get wrapped up in everyday life that we forget to explore our own backyards. Many people are paying top dollars to be a tourist in your neck of the woods so why not do the same and save money while you’re at it. You may be surprised at all the things that happen close to home.
A great way to explore your area for new happenings may be as simple as searching tour guides, concerts, and events coming to town. Or pick a popular city you’ve always wanted to explore close to home and go. Ask friends or families for suggestions or join a FB travel group and check posts outs. You’d be surprised to learn about new restaurants or hotels I learn about.
7. Learn About Points & Miles
Many call this travel hacking. What is travel hacking? Travel hacking simply is turning everyday purchases into points, cashback or rewards that you can put towards part of your travel or completely earn “free” travel and upgrades. Travel hacking is not a new thing. Again travel hacking is not a new thing and is not as complicated as some may believe. It can be very useful when you learn to hack right.
Here are some basic travel hacking tips to get your research started …
– Sign up for reward/frequent flyer programs that best meet your needs (sign up before a big purchase);
– Maximize your everyday spending to hit required spending minimums for bonuses;
– Be a repeat customer to your favorite airline or hotel;
– Paying your credit card balance in full every month (this is more of a personal financial responsibility thing)
There’s so much information online about travel hacking from how to start and the best cards. If you’re interested in more information, check out some of my go-to reads from The Point Guy, Thrifty Traveler, and Nomadic Matt.
BONUS: Be Open-Minded & Just Go!!!
This is key. Your level of open-mindedness can take you far when traveling and create a level of flexibility.
Be open-minded when it comes to booking a flight first and planning later. Don’t miss out on an amazing flight fare because the flight isn’t during summer or isn’t the destination trend location of the moment. Or because you haven’t booked a hotel yet or researched the most Instagrammable places yet. Book that flight, research later and just go!
Be open-minded when it comes to traveling solo. Sometimes your schedule won’t align with friends’ family or spouse and that’s okie. That doesn’t mean you have to keep waiting on others. Trust yourself, travel smart and treat yourself to that solo trip. You shouldn’t spend your life waiting on others, pick up and just go.
Be open-minded about staying in hostels. If it’s not your thing, I get it. Hostels are not for everyone. But if you’re looking for a way to cut some costs or a solo traveler wanting to meet new people a hostel is one way to do that.
Be open-minded about new cultures. Actually, try to learn and embrace the places you visit. Venture out from tourist areas, try local food, and experience the arts. And most importantly, be respectful.
In the end…
Don’t allow this year to pass you by without hitting one location on your list. Let’s conquer your resolution and feed your travel desire this year. Let’s get you from trying to travel to well-traveled.
And just for you, I’ve created not one but TWO downloads. One to help focus on your top 6 destination goals this year and another to help you start planning your travels.
Check out these downloads and remember to share your 2020 travel goals with me below in the comments. I can’t wait!
PS: Did you find this post helpful or inspiring? Great! Don’t forget to share and save THIS PIN to your board.
