A Guest Post by Christina In The Clouds.
We now live in a world where travelling the globe is no longer reserved for 18 to 20-somethings who are on a “gap year”.
Times have moved on, and more and more people are rebelling against the societal norms of settling down, buying a house and having kids all before they turn 30.
We are finally focusing on truly living life to its fullest and ticking off that travel bucket list.
Travelling in your thirties is amazing.
- You have more money
- You’re more comfortable in your own skin
- You care less about fitting in
- You enjoy being in your own company more
Don’t get me wrong. There have been times when I’ve pined over my carefree 22-year-old backpacking self, where my biggest worry was what to wear to the hostel party that night.
But travelling in your thirties brings a new layer of perspective and wisdom that even the 22-year-old me would be jealous of.
Here are 7 reasons why travelling in your thirties is way better than in your twenties.
7 Reasons why travelling in your 30s it better than in your 20s
1 | You have greater self-confidence
In your thirties, you’ve likely experienced enough of life to know who you are and what you want.
Seeking validation from others becomes less of a big deal as you’re all about embracing your authentic self.
This newfound confidence is perfect for an over-30s backpacking trip.
Confidently navigating foreign streets to fearlessly immersing yourself in unfamiliar cultures feels much easier than it did in your twenties.
You’re also a lot more aware of your strengths. You’re able to handle better the challenges that travelling throws at you, whether it’s navigating language barriers or coping with unexpected setbacks like cancelled flights, etc.
2 | You get to see the world from a different perspective
Entering your late twenties and early thirties offers a shift in perspective that allows you to see the world through a different lens.
A lens that is all about soaking up cultural experiences rather than hitting the party scene every night.
Gone are the days of bar-hopping and clubbing (for the most part).
Instead, you find yourself drawn to exploring local customs, trying out new foods and getting out to immerse yourself in nature.
And as you get older, you find that you’re more open to connecting with people from all walks of life rather than sticking with the hostel clique.
Travelling in your thirties is about making real connections and gaining a deeper understanding of different cultures.
3 | You can embrace slow travel
In your thirties, you start feeling the need to slow things down when it comes to travel.
Rushing around from one place to another just doesn’t have the same appeal as it once did, and instead, you’re drawn to the idea of taking it easy and really soaking up the experience.
Back in your twenties, the fast-paced lifestyle and checking off “must-see” places might have been exciting, but now, it can start to feel draining.
Plus, as you get olde,r the importance of taking a breather and avoiding burnout becomes more important.
Slow travel gives you the chance to get to know a place really well while also allowing you to recharge your batteries.
4 | You’ll have a much more comfortable trip
Let’s be real: you’re probably more likely to be in a better place financially in your thirties.
Chances are you’ve climbed up the career ladder, settled into a stable income, or maybe even started your own business.
With this stability comes the luxury of having a bit more spare cash, which makes a big difference when you’re travelling the world.
Back in your twenties, it was all about backpacking on a budget, squeezing into cramped hostels and finding the cheapest eats.
But now, in your thirties, you can (hopefully) afford to upgrade your travel experience.
Whilst I’m still a fan of hostels (for socialising), I now have the luxury of getting a private room, a boutique hotel room or a cute Airbnb.
You can also afford to have more “treat yourself” dinners as well as go for fancy cocktails instead of a $2 local beer.
Having extra cash also means you can check off dreamy destinations that used to be out of reach. Think African safari or island hopping in the Maldives.
It is important to note that travelling in your thirties doesn’t always need to look like splurging on the finer things.
Having extra cash in your bank account means you can relax and enjoy the trip knowing you can handle any unexpected expenses that might pop up along the way.
5 | You’ll make more meaningful friendships
I don’t know about you, but as I’ve entered my thirties, I’ve found myself increasingly selective about the conversations I engage in.
Superficial exchanges with individuals who I just don’t ‘click’ with drain my energy.
If I have to choose between those conversations or sitting on my own in silence…. I choose silence every time.
In this phase of life, travelling is all about prioritising your peace and building genuine relationships.
Every genuine connection I make whilst travelling in my thirties feels much richer and more rewarding than those fleeting booze-fuelled “friendships” I made whilst backpacking in my twenties.
Now, I’m all about quality over quantity when it comes to making new friends while abroad.
6 | You’re more likely to enjoy your own company
Throughout the years, you’ve probably done a lot of inner work to understand yourself better and get more comfortable with your own company and thoughts.
You’ve had time to truly understand your likes, dislikes and quirks. This self-awareness means you’re comfortable in your own skin.
Because you’ve done the inner work, spending time alone actually feels good and makes travelling solo even more rewarding.
Unlike in your younger years, where being alone might have felt uncomfortable or daunting, travelling in your thirties is a chance to truly enjoy being in your own company.
You might even find that you start to enjoy your own company a little too much.
7 | Prioritise your peace
In your thirties, there’s a distinct shift towards prioritising your peace and happiness.
Unlike the whirlwind of your twenties, where the focus might have been on chasing excitement and constantly being in the middle of a party crowd, you now have a deeper appreciation for moments of calm.
You’ll find yourself avoiding those ego-driven environments that used to draw in a younger you, such as the party hostel scene.
Instead of seeking validation or trying to keep up with the party scene, you’re more in tune with what brings you inner peace and happiness. Whether that’s going on a solo date or watching a movie in your hotel room.
It’s important to know that this shift towards more peaceful travel isn’t about missing out on the fun; it’s about embracing a more mindful and balanced approach to seeing the world.
Top tips for travelling in your 30s
1 | Remember, you’re still young
Hands up if you’ve ever sat down and wondered whether you’re too old to travel.
Maybe you’re worried that the traveller scene will be full of people in their late teens and early twenties just looking to party.
So let’s get this straight…
First of all, no. You are not too old to go travelling, nor will you ever be.
Secondly, the traveller landscape has changed dramatically in the last 10 years.
Thanks to the rise of digital nomads and the millennial rejection of societal norms, there are so many 30+ backpackers out there.
So, no matter where you travel to, you will always be able to find your tribe.
2 | Slow it down
As I mentioned earlier, travelling in your thirties is all about embracing slow travel.
However, if you’re an adventurous soul like me, it can be easy to fall into the trap of trying to see and do everything to get the most out of the place or country you’re in.
As someone who’s just returned from a 5-month over-30s backpacking trip, I will be the first to admit that I fell into this trap at the start of my trip and got burned out very quickly.
But as soon as I shifted my mindset and adopted slow travel principles, my trip became much more enjoyable.
As much as I truly believe that you’re still young in your thirties, you will unfortunately notice a difference in your energy levels compared to your 20-year-old self.
So, take it slow.
3 | Enjoy the journey
Not only will your over-30s backpacking trip inspire and amaze you, but it will also teach you a few life lessons.
I personally found some aspects of travelling in my thirties a little more challenging than in my twenties because I’m not as “carefree” as I used to be back then.
There will be some incredible days but also some days that will challenge you.
But remember, this is all part of the experience. And I promise, you’ll come out of it an even better person as a result.
So embrace all of your feelings and enjoy the journey.
Final thoughts
I think it’s safe to say that travelling in your thirties is a lot different from your twenties, and that’s what makes it so amazing.
As someone who has done 2 BIG backpacking trips in both my early twenties and thirties, I believe that there is room for both of these adventures in each chapter of your life.
But in saying this, I do think an over-30s backpacking trip is better.
You’ll head out on your trip with a lot more gratitude and appreciation for the journey, thanks to all the previous life experience you’ve had.
So, if you’re sitting there still debating whether to embark on an over-30s backpacking trip, I only have one thing left to say…
Book the flight!!
It’ll be the best thing you ever do, I promise.
About the writer
Christina In The Clouds is a travel creator and blogger from the UK who is super passionate about travel and encouraging other women to go out and explore the world (especially solo). Whether it’s diving headfirst into the digital nomad lifestyle or squeezing in adventures around a regular job, Christina has done it all. Even travelling solo long-term while in a relationship! For travel inspiration and advice for female travellers in their 30s, you can find her on the following platforms:
Blog: christinaintheclouds.com
Instagram: @christinaintheclouds
