We all say it: “I wish I could travel more.” But between work deadlines, bills, and that never-ending to-do list, the idea of exploring new places can start to feel like a luxury.

When I first started trying to travel more while working full-time, I thought I had to wait for the perfect time. Spoiler: that perfect time never came.

Yet here’s the truth: you can travel more. You don’t have to quit your job, sell everything, or live out of a backpack to see more of the world. You just need to shift how you define travel and how you plan for it.

Once I started planning intentionally, I went from taking one big trip a year to five or six smaller adventures without ever quitting my job.

This blog will show you exactly how to do the same. From time management hacks to smart budgeting and a few mindset shifts, here are 19 practical, proven ways to travel more no matter how busy life gets.

Shift Your Mindset: Build a “Travel-First” Lifestyle

If you truly want to travel more, the first step is reshaping your priorities. Most people say they want to travel, but their daily habits tell a different story. You can’t create a travel-rich life until you make travel a non-negotiable part of your lifestyle.

Here’s how to start thinking and living like someone who travels often.

1. Adopt a Minimalist Mindset

When I first tracked my monthly spending, I realized I was dropping nearly $250 a month on random stuff (Amazon impulse buys, takeout, and subscriptions I barely used). Cutting that down by even half freed up $1,500 a year, which was enough for a round-trip flight to Europe or a week in Mexico.

Action Steps:

• Track your expenses for 30 days using a free app like YNAB, or Rocket Money.

• Before every purchase, ask yourself: “Would I rather have this, or another stamp in my passport?”

• Try a 48-hour rule: If you still want it after two days, go for it. If not, move that money to your travel fund.

Every $10 you don’t spend on stuff you’ll forget about is $10 closer to a plane ticket.

2. Set Up a Dedicated Travel Fund

The easiest way to travel more is to treat travel like a bill (something you pay before anything else). I opened a separate high-yield savings account named “Travel Fund” and set up an automatic transfer of $50 every Friday. By the end of the year, I had $2,600 (enough for two domestic trips or one big international adventure).

Action Steps:

• Open a free high-yield savings account with Ally, SoFi, or Marcus by Goldman Sachs (many offer 4%+ APY).

• Automate small, regular transfers: $25, $50, or $100 per week.

• Rename it “Travel Fund” in your banking app (seeing it grow is powerful motivation).

3. Surround Yourself with Travel Inspiration

Mindset follows environment. The more you see travel, the more it stays top of mind. I started following travel deal accounts, subscribed to flight alerts, and made a Pinterest board of dream destinations.

Action Steps:

• Follow 3 travel creators who match your travel goals (budget, solo, family, etc.); try @onegirlwandering, @thebudgetbackpacker, or @travelinglifestyle.

• Subscribe to flight deal newsletters like Thrifty Traveler or Dollar Flight Club.

• Create a Pinterest or Notion “Travel Vision Board” and add destinations, bucket list experiences, and trip ideas.

Make Travel Affordable (Even on a Budget)

Travel doesn’t have to mean draining your savings or waiting for a big promotion. You can travel a lot even on a modest income if you learn to play the money game smarter.

Here’s how to stretch every dollar and travel more often without sacrificing comfort or fun.

4. Master the Art of Travel Hacking

When I got my first travel rewards credit card, I earned 60,000 bonus miles just by hitting the minimum spend. That’s when I realized: the best travelers aren’t rich, they’re strategic.

Action Steps:

• Sign up for one solid travel rewards card like:

  • Chase Sapphire Preferred® (best all-around, ~60K bonus points)

  • Capital One Venture Rewards (simple flat rate + flexible transfers)

  • American Express Gold (great for dining & groceries)

• Use your card for everyday expenses (groceries, gas, streaming) to rack up miles fast.

• Download Point.me or AwardWallet to track and redeem rewards efficiently.

5. Travel During Off-Peak Seasons

Timing is everything. A week in Italy in October costs half as much as July and you’ll actually be able to see the Colosseum without a sea of selfie sticks.

Action Steps:

• Fly during shoulder seasons: Typically April–May and September–November.

• Use Google Flights or Hopper to view price trends for different months.

• Set alerts for your preferred routes: Midweek flights (Tuesday/Wednesday) are usually 15–25% cheaper.

• Plan big trips after major holidays, not during them.

My flight from L.A. to Tokyo dropped from $1,200 to $680 by shifting my travel dates by just 10 days (from late March to early April).

6. Choose Cheap but Beautiful Destinations

Not every “bucket list” trip needs to break the bank. There are dozens of destinations where your dollar stretches 2–3x farther and they’re absolutely stunning.

Budget-friendly destinations for this year:

• 🇲🇽 Mexico – Local meals for under $5, boutique hotels under $60/night

• 🇨🇴 Colombia – Colorful towns, great hostels, $2 coffee with a view

• 🇻🇳 Vietnam – Street food for $1, four-star stays under $50

• 🇭🇷 Croatia – Gorgeous coasts and affordable guesthouses

• 🇵🇹 Portugal – Western Europe vibes without the Western Europe prices

Action Steps:

• Use cost-of-living comparison tools like Numbeo or BudgetYourTrip.

• Filter destinations by “cheapest months to visit”.

• Create a “Low-Cost Dream List” of 5 countries where you can live well for less than $75/day.

Pro tip: Aim for destinations where your dollar goes further so that your trip budget doubles instantly.

7. Save Big on Accommodation

Accommodation is often your biggest travel expense but it doesn’t have to be. When I stopped defaulting to hotels and started mixing in alternatives, I cut my trip costs by 30–40% without losing comfort.

Action Steps:

• House-sit or pet-sit for free stays on sites like TrustedHousesitters or Nomador.

• Join Booking.com Genius or Hotels.com Rewards to earn discounts and free nights.

• For longer trips, rent apartments on Airbnb or Furnished Finder and cook some meals in.

Pro tip: Always check for local Facebook housing groups because many short-term rentals are 20–30% cheaper off-platform.

8. Use AI & Deal Tools to Find Hidden Discounts

In 2025, AI is your best travel buddy. Instead of manually searching for deals, let technology track and predict the best times to book.

Action Steps:

• Use WayAway Plus (AI deal finder with cashback on flights & hotels).

• Try ChatGPT travel plug-ins or Google Gemini travel planning for customized itineraries.

• Install browser extensions like Honey and Travel Arrow to auto-apply discount codes.

• Follow flight deal accounts like @secretflying on social.

Find Time to Travel (Without Quitting Your Job)

For most people, time is a bigger barrier than money. Between deadlines, meetings, and personal commitments, taking off for weeks at a time can feel impossible.

But here’s the truth: you don’t need unlimited vacation days to explore the world. You just need to use the ones you do have strategically.

9. Batch Your Annual Leave Smartly

Most Americans get about 10–15 paid vacation days per year, but few use them effectively. The secret is to combine weekends and public holidays to stretch your breaks into mini-vacations.

Example: Let’s say Memorial Day falls on a Monday. Take the Friday before off, and you’ve just turned one PTO day into a 4-day getaway. Do this around Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and the Fourth of July and suddenly you’ve added weeks of travel time without touching extra PTO.

Action Steps:

• At the start of the year, map out all federal holidays and your company’s long weekends.

• Plug them into Google Calendar and mark potential travel blocks early.

• Use free tools like PTO Genius or TripIt to visualize how to maximize your time off.

• Batch short trips into “clusters”: 3- or 4-day getaways every few months keep burnout away and wanderlust alive.

10. Take Micro-Adventures

You don’t have to fly across the country to feel like you’ve traveled. Micro-adventures (24- to 48-hour escapes) can recharge your mind and scratch your travel itch without major time off.

Action Steps:

• Make a list of 5 destinations within 3–5 hours of your home. (Think beach towns, mountain trails, nearby state capitals, or national parks.)

• Keep a “Weekend Go-Bag” ready: Toiletries, chargers, hiking shoes — no packing stress.

• Drive out Friday night, return Sunday: Two days of exploring feels far longer when you’re unplugged.

11. Use Remote or Hybrid Work Flexibility

The rise of hybrid work has quietly opened up one of the biggest travel hacks ever: the workcation. You don’t have to “go off-grid” to change your scenery; you just need Wi-Fi and a plan.

Action Steps:

• Pick a destination with strong internet (Airbnb “fast Wi-Fi” filter helps).

• Work your regular hours, but spend evenings exploring: coffee shops, beaches, trails.

• Extend trips by adding a weekend on either side. One remote week = a 9-day adventure.

• If your manager’s hesitant, frame it as a productivity boost: new surroundings often spark creativity and prevent burnout.

12. Ask for Sabbaticals or Unpaid Leave

More U.S. companies are recognizing that well-rested employees are better employees. Many now offer short sabbaticals (2–8 weeks) or allow unpaid leaves without penalty. If you’ve been at your job a few years and have proven reliability, you have leverage, use it.

Action Steps:

• Research your company’s leave or sabbatical policy in HR documentation.

• Prepare a short proposal outlining how your team will stay supported during your time off.

• Emphasize how travel can improve your focus, adaptability, and creativity; all valuable soft skills.

• If a sabbatical isn’t an option, ask to extend unpaid time off after a big project.

Earn & Travel — Build Income That Moves With You

Travel shouldn’t always cost you money; it can help you make money, too. The goal is to build income streams that travel with you, giving you freedom to explore the world without hitting pause on your paycheck.

13. Start a Travel-Friendly Side Hustle

The easiest way to travel more? Earn on your own schedule. Whether you’re freelancing from a café in Lisbon or tutoring students online from a beach in Mexico, digital side hustles can turn your wanderlust into sustainable income.

Even an extra $500–$1,000/month can cover several trips per year — that’s flights, stays, or even travel insurance, handled entirely by your side income.

High-demand remote side hustles for travelers:

• ✍️ Freelance writing or copyediting: Use Upwork, Fiverr, or ProBlogger.

• 💼 Virtual assisting: Businesses always need help with admin or inbox management.

• 🎨 Graphic design or content creation: Design logos, manage social media, or edit videos for brands.

• 🧑‍🏫 Teach English or tutoring online: Platforms like Preply, VIPKid, or Cambly pay $15–$25/hour.

• 🎙️ Podcast editing, voiceover work, or blogging: Creative gigs that can grow into full-time income.

Action Steps:

1. Choose one skill you already have (writing, organization, creativity).

2. Create a simple portfolio; even one-page on Notion or Canva works.

3. List your services on platforms like Upwork, Contra, or Freelancer.

4. Set a goal: “Earn $500/month remotely by [date].”

Pro tip: Focus on recurring clients because steady remote income = steady travel freedom.

14. Pursue a Travel-Related Career

What if your job itself let you see the world? More people are turning travel into their profession, whether that’s working in hospitality, managing global events, or creating travel content online.

Career paths that align with travel:

• Tourism & hospitality: Resorts, cruise lines, airlines, or global hotel chains.

• Event management: Conferences and festivals often mean international travel.

• Travel writing, content creation, or photography: Build a portfolio, start small, grow your brand.

• Remote corporate roles: Marketing, tech, design, or consulting jobs with location flexibility.

• Seasonal work abroad: Ski resorts, summer camps, or teaching English overseas.

Action Steps:

1. Update your LinkedIn and add “open to remote” roles.

2. Explore job boards like We Work Remotely, FlexJobs, or Remote OK.

3. Build skills that are both digital (so you can work anywhere) and transferable (so you can grow fast).

4. Network in online travel communities — opportunities often come from other travelers.

15. Rent Out Your Space While You’re Away

Why let your home sit empty while you’re traveling? Platforms like Airbnb, Furnished Finder, or even Facebook Marketplace Rentals can turn your unused space into an income stream that funds your next trip.

Example: One couple in Denver earned over $5,200 a year renting their apartment during vacations. That’s enough to pay for a 2-week trip to Greece just by sharing their space.

Action Steps:

1. List your property on Airbnb or try TrustedHousesitters if you prefer swaps.

2. Use high-quality photos in natural light and clean setups matter.

3. Set competitive pricing by checking similar listings in your area.

4. Automate your setup: smart locks, cleaning checklists, and pre-written guest guides.

5. Notify your neighbors or building management if required as transparency avoids issues.

Travel Smarter, Not Harder

The more you travel, the better you get at it. You start learning the little tricks that make everything easier, like, packing light, finding cheaper flights, skipping lines, and feeling confident wherever you land.

Smart travel is about optimizing your time, money, and energy so every trip feels effortless.

16. Plan Trips by Region or Theme

Instead of treating every vacation as a separate trip, think in clusters. Group nearby destinations together so you spend less on flights and more on experiences.

Example:

• Europe: Explore Croatia, Slovenia, and Bosnia in one loop — all within a few hours’ drive of each other.

• U.S.: Fly into Seattle, rent a car, and explore the Pacific Northwest loop (Portland → Cannon Beach → Mount Rainier → back to Seattle).

• Asia: Combine Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam in one trip using cheap regional flights under $50 each.

Action Steps:

1. Choose one hub city (like Paris, Bangkok, or Los Angeles).

2. Use Rome2Rio or Google Flights Explore to find nearby destinations under 3 hours away.

3. Build an itinerary by region or theme — “Wine Countries of Europe,” “Pacific Coast Road Trip,” or “Hidden Gems of the Balkans.”

17. Use Smart Travel Tech

Technology can take 90% of the stress out of travel. Here are tools seasoned travelers swear by:

Connectivity: eSIMs (Airalo / Nomad / GigSky) Get instant mobile data in 190+ countries for as low as $5/week, no SIM swap needed.

Itinerary Management:

• TripIt or Notion travel templates — Keep flights, reservations, and to-dos in one place (syncs with Gmail).

• Google Calendar integration — Set reminders for flight check-ins and visa deadlines.

Money & Payments:

• Revolut or Wise — Multi-currency cards with the best exchange rates and no foreign transaction fees.

• Charles Schwab Bank Card — Reimburses all international ATM fees — a favorite among frequent travelers.

Navigation: Google Maps Offline — Download city maps before your trip so you never get lost, even without data.

Action Steps:

1. Before your next trip, create a “Travel Toolkit” folder on your phone with all these apps.

2. Test them on a weekend trip so you’re ready for bigger adventures.

Pro tip: Store digital copies of your passport, insurance, and tickets in a password-protected Google Drive folder.

18. Join Travel Communities

Travel gets richer when you connect with others who share the same passion. Whether you want local recommendations, travel buddies, or moral support, online communities are goldmines.

Where to start:

• Facebook Groups: Girls Love Travel, Backpacking USA, Digital Nomads Around the World

• Reddit Communities: r/solotravel, r/onebag, r/travelnoire

• Meetup or Couchsurfing Hangouts: Find travelers nearby for group trips or city meetups.

• Discord servers or Slack groups for digital nomads (like NomadList or Remote Year).

Action Steps:

1. Join 2–3 groups that align with your style — solo, luxury, adventure, or budget.

2. Engage weekly: answer questions, share tips, or ask for itinerary feedback.

3. When traveling, post “Anyone in [city name]?” — you’ll be surprised how fast you find like-minded travelers.

19. Travel Sustainably

Sustainable travel isn’t just good for the planet. It’s easier on your wallet and more meaningful. “Slow travel” means spending more time in fewer places, which helps you save on transport and connect deeper with local culture.

Why it pays off:

• Staying longer often means monthly discounts on Airbnbs (up to 40%).

• Taking trains instead of flights in Europe can cut emissions by 80% and save $100+.

• Supporting local cafés, guides, and homestays keeps money in the community and costs less than tourist traps.

Action Steps:

1. Choose eco-friendly accommodation (look for Booking.com’s “Travel Sustainable” label).

2. Offset your flight’s carbon footprint using MyClimate or Gold Standard.

3. Bring a reusable water bottle and tote bag (saves money and reduces waste).

4. Travel slower: spend 7–10 days in each city instead of hopping every 2–3.

Summing Up

Travel doesn’t have to wait for “someday.” Whether you’re working 9-to-5, freelancing, or studying, you can design a lifestyle that includes regular travel without draining your savings or quitting your job.

Start small: plan one weekend trip next month. Then another. Before long, you’ll realize that traveling more isn’t about luck, it’s about intention.

🌟 Challenge: Pick one strategy from this list and book your next trip within the next 30 days.