Travelling Solo In Your 30s

Solo travel in your 30s seems unordinary as if you're going against the grain of societal expectations. If you've ever questioned if hitting the road alone is the right thing to do in your 30s, there are some things to keep in mind when making this decision. In this article, we'll dig into all the details to help make the decision if travelling in your 30s is right for you, and what it's actually like!

"Is this an early mid-life crisis?", you think to yourself. You argue back and forth with your consciousness about if what you're doing is right or not. Finally, you click the green button on your screen. You immediately receive an email with an attached itinerary of your upcoming trip. A mixed bag of emotions washes over you as you dig out your travel bag and start looking online for how much you might be able to sell your couch for.

Table Of Contents

Why You Should Not Travel In Your 30s
Why You Should Travel In Your 30s
Is It Too Late To Travel In Your 30s
Should I Take A Year Off In My 30s
Conclusion

Why You Should Not Travel In Your 30s

Let's start this post off with some of the reasons why it might not be a good idea to solo travel in your 30s. The reality is, is that there are other priorities in your life that might prevent you from gallivanting the globe on your own, no matter what age.

1. You Have Work Commitments

If you're like many others, it might be hard to take time off to travel in your thirties. You might be in a period of building your career for the future.

Perhaps you're in the budding phase of employment and it might be career suicide to take a sabbatical. One of the best things you can do is invest in yourself (and your earning potential), so perhaps it might be good to stick to this plan before quitting to travel the globe.

In one of my previous careers, I felt stuck and severely limited on how long I could take off. Working a traditional job doesn't provide you with many opportunities for long-term travel. I might have been a bit drastic, but I chose to quit my job to pursue travelling, and I'm glad I did (Don't do this unless you're absolutely certain it's a good idea).

Nowadays, it's possible to find internet almost wherever you are. So, if that's what is keeping you behind, read this post about how digital nomads get internet.

Take a look at this post about some of the transitions involved in alternative living.

2. You Have Familial Commitments

There are times when your family priorities might need to come first. Leaving your family responsibilities behind to travel the world alone might not be a great decision if you're required elsewhere.

Perhaps you have newborns that prevent you from leaving your parental role. Perhaps your parents are ill and need your assistance for some time. The world should still be there, but your family might not always be.

3. You Have Financial Concerns

While it might seem exciting to do what your heart desires, travelling is not worth it if you're going to accumulate debt to do so. People in their 30's often have car payments, house payments, and even educational debt.

One of the best things you can do financially is to try and pay down your debt, especially if it's high interest. Take a look at this section of Autogenic Amusements that goes over some financial aspects of alternative living.

Taking on more debt to see the world and new foreign lands is not an intelligent decision.

4. You're Uncomfortable Being Alone

In your thirties, you likely have a good sense of who you are, what you enjoy, and who you enjoy doing it with. It's possible that you've identified that you'd rather travel with other people.

There are certainly some benefits to travelling with others. It helps with keeping some costs down, someone to share experiences with, and support if something goes wrong.

Not to mention, the language barriers are difficult, so finding people to spend time with is not always a given.

Take a look at this article to see how your travelling can also have an impact on our cultures and environment.

Why You Should Travel In Your 30s

While there exist some valid reasons why you might be needed elsewhere than your travels, there are plenty of reasons why you shouldn't wait for another second. It's not hard to travel long-term or live abroad, many people do it. Why not take the leap for yourself?

1. Self Awareness

You're more aware of what you want in life. Going straight for the good stuff can make your experiences that much more rewarding.

You know that you can avoid touristy areas since you know the crowds will drive you crazy. You know when to avoid scams and day-long tuk-tuk tours that end at a custom suit shop.

2. Maturity And The Party Scene

You're out of the party scene. There's a stereotype that travel is a young person's game. For many younger people, it's the first time they're consistently away from their families, and when they can let loose.

Hopefully, you're more comfortable with yourself too! This means you don't need to wait on others to book your trip. You're aware you can enjoy activities on your own. Take a look at this post about introverts and travel to learn more about being fine on your own!

3. Better Financial Situation

You may have more money. While not guaranteed, it's highly likely that when you travel later in life, you've accumulated money to travel. This means you can enjoy a bit more luxury, and perhaps even avoid having to work during your travels.

Having lived the opposite of many others, I wound up in a career almost immediately out of high school. This allowed me to be in a better financial position to later make a huge transition towards sustainable long-term travel.

4. Health

In your thirties, you're still in your prime! You can still hike, surf, scuba, climb, and walk all day, without your knees begging to sit down.

You have the ability to be adventurous. Even if you do take a bit of a hard landing when cliff jumping, you can likely recover without serious issues.

5. You're More Comfortable On Your Own

Contrary to the above section on why you shouldn't travel solo in your thirties, there's a chance you're more comfortable on your own. If you're contemplating going abroad on your own, your 30s are likely a good time since you've established some independence.

While it is possible to travel solo, you're never really alone. Even in some of the most remote places where I thought I wouldn't be able to speak with anyone, let alone learn their stories, I always found other travellers (local and foreign) who made me feel like I always had a community.

Is It Too Late To Travel In Your 30s?

Simply put, no. It's never too late to travel. Unless you have some issues that would make travelling a bad choice (as mentioned above), then there is never a bad age to travel. As listed in the above topic, your 30s are a great time to travel.

While many people seem to travel in their teens and 20s, the second best time to travel is now. The future is not guaranteed. So, if you listen to yourself constantly making excuses, you should just pull the trigger and book that flight!

I'm someone who has done exactly this, I understand how it might seem intimidating to start something new like travelling in your 30s. It's one of the best decisions I've ever made. The trips I take now are significantly more rewarding than when I was a youngin'.

Should I Take A Year Off In My 30s?

Like above, taking a year off shouldn't be restricted to certain ages. Your 30s are a great time to take a year off to travel if it makes sense in your particular situation.

There are many benefits to taking time off in your 30s, like your self-awareness, maturity, finances and your good health.

If you haven't had a chance to take your "gap year", your 30s are a great time to do it. There's a reason it's so popular, it's almost a right of passage to having a worldly view.

Alternatively, you don't need to take a full year at a time. Even smaller, but longer term trips can be incredibly rewarding.

Take a look at this video of someone who takes an adult gap year.

Conclusion

Your 30s are a unique time in your life when you can make so many more choices. There are reasons that might keep you from travelling, like your career, family, and finances.

However, there are plenty of reasons to hop on that plane like your self-awareness, maturity, finances and your good health. Travelling solo at any age is a rewarding experience.

As a biased advocate of travelling in general, if you have the chance, take a year off and allow yourself to really experience what travelling has to offer!

Leave a comment below and share your tips for travel at any age!