One of the reasons I started my travel site was to show that it IS possible to travel more, even when you have a full-time job. It's not always easy, but if you're committed to traveling, you will.
Though I've shared my own tips on how to get started, I also wanted to collect advice from some of the most well-traveled people I know. These Globe Getters are road warriors who have learned how to travel, when to travel and why travel is one of the most valuable things we can do. So, I'm going to step back and let my fellow travelers do the talking. Here's their best advice on how to travel more:
SAVE!
"Traveling is a life-long endeavor. Save up! Thirty years from now, you won't remember that fancy handbag you bought. Spend wisely and don't hoard too many material things. I once made a pair of flip flops from a plastic bag and a rubber band to get my way out of a monsoon in Malaysia. This has proven more valuable to me than any pair of shoes in my entire lifetime. Nothing is impossible, so dream big." - Larissa Leung
"Start saving up for travel in advance, and take small trips and work your way up. The last thing you want to do is go into major debt for something that should be relaxing and enjoyable. If you prepare financially to travel more, you will get more satisfaction out of it." - Subira Z. Willock
THINK CREATIVELY
"Find a way to work remotely through self employment or negotiating with an employer. The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss points out some great tips for both routes." - Matt Milloway
"For those who want to visit more places, try to cover as many countries as possible in one trip. Extend layovers and go on cruises (great bang for your buck!)." - Katrina Garrier
"Don't be afraid to start smaller. People explore the world at very different paces and there's nothing wrong with that! If you haven't done cities in the U.S. like Los Angeles, New York, Washington, D.C., Las Vegas, Chicago, Houston, New Orleans and Miami, maybe start there to get into your travel groove. People underestimate how much the U.S. has to offer. Also there are tons of resources available; make sure you do your research before going to a new country. Learn the customs, how currency exchange rates work, what you might need to pack, etc. Planning those things and leaving my itinerary fairly flexible have led to some great travel experiences." - Rondel Holder
MAKE TRAVEL A PRIORITY
"One of the things I hear the most is, 'I don't have money.' If you start cooking at home, making your own coffee and cutting your cable service, I can guarantee you can have money for a plane ticket to Europe in less than a year!" - Jessica van Dop DeJesus
"Travel is like anything else, if you really want to travel more you need to commit to it and then find ways to make it happen." - Matt Long
"Like with everything else in life, commitment is key. I commit to travel internationally at least once a year; meaning that I started a monthly travel savings fund and try to plan out my vacation days ahead of time." - Yasmine Fofana
"Write down a goal and stick to it!" - Nastasia Wong
"Make it a priority. I know many people who say they want to travel but can't afford it. But they have an expensive car or buy expensive shoes or clothes. The truth is, if you want to be well-traveled it has to be a choice all the way down to your budget. Begin with a travel budget for the year and stick to it. If you don't have the means for an international trip, start local in your area." - Roxanne L. Scott
"I'm not going to blow smoke here: traveling more is difficult. Jobs, family, life. There are so many obligations. But that doesn't mean it can't be done. You just need to follow a two-step process. Decide to do something small, then do it. Decide to pick a destination, then pick it. Decide to pick a time period, then do it. And on and on. You get to there from here by taking many steps, not miraculously sprouting wings." - Patrick Bennett
JUST DO IT (Thanks, Nike!)
"Book the ticket first, and the rest will fall into place." - Christine Amorose
"Stop thinking about it and just do it. You'll waste time waiting on people." - JoAnna
"Just do it. The more you go, the more you will want to go." - Metanoya Z. Webb
"Just do it! I have so many people tell me they're jealous of how much we travel, but we really don't do anything they couldn't do. My husband and I make a conscious decision to prioritize travel over other things, like renovating our house or having a nice car. If you find planning trips too overwhelming, get a good travel agent. If you don't think you can take time off of work, stop making excuses and find a way to make it work. Even a short weekend trip can be incredibly refreshing and allow you to discover a new place or culture. Travel doesn't have to be 'bucket-list worthy' and extravagant to be fulfilling." - Christina Saull
"This may sound cliche, but there's nothing to it but to do it. Stop making excuses. People find ways to do things they want to do. If you want to travel -- research, save and spend. It's really that simple. And don't be afraid to take chances. You see a cheap flight for somewhere you've never been but interested in going? Buy it and figure out the details later." - Ashlee Tuck
"Do it! It is unlikely you will get to be older and regret traveling too much. Find good travel companions as they make any trip better." - Chris Christensen
"Don't let fear be the reason you decide not to travel. This could be fear of being alone, fear of spending money, fear of missing work ... Whatever it may be, just go. You won't regret the choice to explore more of your world." - Ali Gaffey
"Stop waiting. Stop waiting for the right time. Stop waiting for someone to go with. Stop waiting until the next time. The people you see and admire for jet setting all over the world aren't the chosen few, they just chose to live this life, and so can you!" - Sanura Williams
What is your best advice on how to travel more?
A version of this post originally appeared on Tausha's travel site, The Globe Getter.
Related post on The Globe Getter: I Did Not Quit My Job to Travel the World