Is Long-Term Travel Worth It?

Long-term travel can be incredibly rewarding. It can take many shapes, like living on a cruise ship, globe-trotting on a plane, living on the road for months at a time, or even living out of a backpack hiking the most famous treks in the world. You're able to make it what you want, and for however long you want to do it. It's incredibly enticing, but is long-term travel worth it?

In short, yes, it is worth it. Unless you're the type who ends up disliking long-term travel, then the benefits far outweigh the negatives. Depending on your circumstances and planning, it's likely to be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life along with a few other obscure benefits.

Table Of Contents

What Is Considered Long-Term Tavel?
What Are The Benefits Of A Longer Trip?
Is It Worth Spending Money On Travelling?
What Are The Downsides Of Long-Term Travel?
Conclusion

What Is Considered Long-Term Travel?

Long-term travel can be considered any length of trip that is not short-term. Trips like weekend getaways, single annual vacations, and road trips might be regarded as short-term trips.

When you spend long periods travelling, that is when it branches beyond short visits. You get to experience a location more intimately during long-term trips versus short-term trips. It allows you to spend more time doing what you love, and less time doing what you don't.

What Are The Benefits Of A Longer Trip?

New experiences, learning about cultures and languages, exposing yourself to the odd hardship, and even personal growth can all make long-term travel worthwhile. If you're wondering if long-term travel is right for you, there are plenty of benefits of travelling to persuade you in your decision.

Learning Languages And Culture

Long-term travel presents some unique experiences in personal development and experiences. When you immerse yourself in travel for long periods, you have an incredible amount of time to be exposed to a new language. It's incredibly rewarding to speak with someone in their native tongue. Even if you know only the basics, chances are that the locals will still appreciate your efforts.

Not only is it fun and rewarding to learn new languages, but long-term travel also presents the opportunity to learn about a different culture. You'll learn about the daily lives of the locals, what their values are, some interesting things like how to greet someone or when to clink your drink, and even things like their political views and family values. While it might seem that people all over the world are similar, there are some unique differences all over the globe.

Experiencing Hardship

While it might be seen as a con of long-term travel, you will experience some hardship. From getting lost to not knowing how to ask for help, getting ripped off, or even feeling lonely, you are exposed to so many new situations. With the right mindset, these moments can be used as learning experiences. You'll learn more about what to avoid, how to interact, and how to navigate. Thus increasing your abilities, comfort, and confidence in new environments!

Incredible Stories

You'll also experience some truly unique escapades. Some will make fun stories to tell when you return (like being on a night bus through a windy, tight, and fast highway where you weren't sure if you were going to survive or not), and some will live with you for the rest of your life as highlights (such as when you spend a full day with a local and learn about his past and create a safe enough space for him to share the emotional side of his cultural upbringing). There's a reason so many people write about or document their travels.

Is It Worth Spending Money On Travelling?

Finances are an important part of travelling. Take a look at this post to read about some aspects of budgeting for travel. Having a solid plan about how much money you need to travel is incredibly important, but it's important to remain flexible. With this plan, you can get a better sense of if travel is worth spending money on.

In short, yes, it's worth spending money on travelling. However, not everyone sees it that way. Depending how you chose to spend your funds can make you feel like it's worth it or not. Of course, trying new things will come with disappointments. So, trying to avoid regrets should be your first priority. Spending money on new experiences, new foods, and travel to new locations can be one of the best things you can do with your funds.

How Much Money Do You Realistically Need?

How much money you need for travel depends on what you want to do. Apart from the cost of flights, it's possible to save money while travelling vs. living a more traditional life. You can also choose to be somewhere where your money treats you better and the cost of living is lower than at home. While there are some general estimates of around $10,000 - $35,000 to travel the world for a year, there are those that spend more for more luxuries and those who spend less for more budget-friendly travels.

What Are The Downsides Of Long-Term Travel

I'm sure there are horror stories about excursions abroad that make us wary about travelling. While there are plenty of benefits associated with long term travel, there are also some downsides that almost everyone experiences. It comes down to how you deal with them, and what you make of a situation.

Can A Vacation Be Too Long?

In short, yes, a vacation can be too long. There are many factors in determining if a vacation is too long. If you run out of fun activities, you might get bored and not want to continue. If your travel partners start to wear on you, it might be time to cut the trip short. If you find yourself getting stressed about your finances, perhaps the trip has run it's course and it's time to head back to reassess your financial situation. While it is true that trips can be too long, with the right preparation and adaptability can ensure that no trip feels too long, and it keeps you wanting more.

Experiencing Burnout

It's entirely possible to experience a type of burnout associated with travelling. Doing too much and experiencing too much can make you feel exhausted. Especially when you're constantly in new environments where you can't speak their language, or are getting lost frequently, or are trying new food that just doesn't sit right with your stomach.

Being in tune with yourself can allow you to adapt to the stressors in your life.
If you start to experience burnout, knowing how to take care of yourself can keep you going. Zero days and vacations within vacations can help.

Financial troubles

Funding your travels can also have a large impact on if a vacation is too long. Budgeting for your trips is important, but you may go somewhere that's more expensive than originally planned. I've had to switch accommodations, and I spent more than my original budget due to the poor conditions of the places I wanted to stay.

Experiencing financial troubles can be an indication that you haven't planned as thoroughly as possible. It might mean you need to pick up work while abroad, which is often an incredibly rewarding experience. Take a look at this video synopsis of Rolf Potts's "Vagabonding" as it speaks to some financial situations related to travel.

Relationships and Homesickness

Long-term travel can also make you put off the other areas of your life. Your relationships can suffer when you're gone for longer periods. Missing birthdays, gatherings, weddings, etc. can all take a toll on your social demands.

Not only that, but because you're in new places, in constantly changing environments, and adapting to new time zones and routines, it might lead to homesickness missing your Sunday family dinners, and Wednesday DND night with your pals. Unless you're an introvert, you might have some issues with this.

Dealing with relationship woes and homesickness can be bittersweet. Perhaps convincing a friend to join you can provide you with exactly what you need to recover. Returning home can so you can socially recharge yourself for the next big adventure is also a good option. Even making frequent calls back home can help give you a sense of connection.

Conclusion

Ultimately, whether long-term travel is worth it, is a personal choice. If the benefits and experiences outweigh the downsides and challenges, then it might be right for you. Most people return from travel with glowing smiles and the desire to share their whacky and unique stories and experiences. With the right mindset, I'm sure you can find travelling worthwhile.

Leave a comment below and let me know if you think long-term travel is worth it! Feel free to share some inspirational stories of what makes it worth it to you, or even a warning about why someone might not enjoy it.