Why You Should Travel in Your 20s: Book the Flight

Wondering why you should travel in your 20s?

Here’s your wake-up call to stop waiting and start exploring the world. When was the last time you got on a plane and flew out of the country? How often do you punctuate your yearly calendar with trips and vacations abroad? Are you letting your PTO accumulate without reason? 

As a certified globetrotter, I’m here to motivate young travellers to see the world while they can. Your twenties aren’t just a period for career growth; they’re a crucial timeline for exploration. Now is the time to experience Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro, backpack through Southeast Asia, live your big city dreams in Bangkok, NYC, Tokyo, or London.

What are you waiting for? Travel isn’t reserved solely for your youth, but have you considered that you’ll never be this young again?

While your joints are in tip-top shape, now is the time for you to be sliding down the Rainbow Slide in El Salvador, bungee jumping off a cliff, hot-air ballooning over Mexico City or Cappadocia, paragliding over your favourite destination, or ziplining through the jungles of Costa Rica. I see too many of us foregoing this pivotal moment of our lives and brushing it off as something we’d tackle later in life.

 Two Random Travellers from a Hostel turned Friends in Panama City

But can we be real for a second?

How much time do you have left on Earth? Do you have an estimation or approximation? 

Frankly, you have no clue! The more you keep putting off what can be done today for tomorrow, the more you set yourself up for a lifetime of ‘should’s’, ‘could’s’ and ‘didn’ts’. There’s nothing more heartwrenching than chatting with someone who swore they had an entire lifetime ahead of them, only for it to be cut abruptly. We think we have all the time in the world, but truly, we don’t, y’all.

I said ‘and study everything else after’ in the title, not to dismiss your personal and professional priorities, but to drive the point of decisiveness and intention home. It’s easy to begin listing all the reasons why travel wouldn’t be ideal for you right now, given all your competing interests. The moment someone suggests a trip, you already have a laundry list of cons lined up. While a career and education are paramount, there’s a level of perspective and insight that travel renders that cannot be replaced. The best offices and lecture halls across the globe can teach you a lot, but nothing informs and broadens your worldview like international travel.

You say you’re prioritising your education and career right now, but have you considered that travel can be an asset in that regard? What about studying abroad? What about transferring to another global office? What about a combination of both? Besides travel specifically for work or study, leisure travel is an equally enriching and valuable experience to add to your professional toolkit. There’s so much more you can learn about the world on a two-week trip through Europe than you’d learn in a semester of university. 

Live Your Life! #PolancoMexicoCity

Being well-travelled makes you highly marketable in the world of work.

The experiences you’ve unlocked while abroad are unmatched and unteachable. You not only become more in tune with cultural sensitivities and the global socioeconomic and geopolitical ecosystem, but you also uncover hidden aptitudes and talents within yourself. Networking is extremely fruitful, especially in an increasingly globalised workforce, when you have stories upon stories and real-life experiences to relay. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve bonded and truly connected with professionals locally, regionally and internationally, based on my travel experiences. 

Travel should never be an afterthought, especially at this junction in your journey. If you want to stay ahead of the curve globally, you need to head out there and see the world. And for those who’re going to cry the “with what money?” song, try again! As a young adult, there are so many opportunities for you to see the world while simultaneously being budget-conscious and financially responsible. Travel isn’t nearly as expensive as we like to make it out to seem. It’s very much affordable and achievable if you prioritise it.

Here are some quick tips:

• Instead of booking that insanely priced hotel your favourite influencer suggested, consider a budget-friendly hotel, Airbnb or Hostel (love a Hostel!).
• Economy seats are perfect! The aim is to get to the destination, not blow all your budget on the flights. The basic or classic fare is just fine.
• When considering a destination, try visiting in the off-peak seasons. Reasonable pricing and fewer tourist traps.
• Stop looking for company, you might never go. Embrace solo travelling!
• Consider booking your trip in increments and not as one big lump sum. The pressure on your pocket feels less painful when you take it in strides.

If you want to travel, you will. It’s that simple.

There’s no prize for not taking any days off and accumulating this ridiculous number of vacation days. You’re working hard, and you’re entitled to your contracted vacation leave; take it without hesitation. Your job will be right there when you return. And the office will not implode without your presence for a few days or weeks. When you reflect on how little of the world you’ve seen, you’ll have no one but yourself to blame. 

The benefits of travelling in your 20s extend far beyond Instagram photos – they shape who you become personally and professionally.

Travelling the globe is your birthright, and you ought to prioritise it as best as you can. If you’re not where you need to be right now financially, make a plan to address that and execute expeditiously. Once you’re able to handle your affairs responsibly, book the flight! I’m a fierce advocate for travel because I’ve witnessed its transformative power firsthand. I want you to go out there and experience the world.

You don’t know what you’re missing until you’ve seen it with your own eyes. 

Don’t let fear, excuses, or overthinking rob you of life-changing experiences. Since childhood, you’ve heard that the world is your oyster – but how much of it have you actually tasted? Stop waiting for the perfect moment. Your adventure starts with one decision: BOOK THE FLIGHT.