Backpacking in Your 30s: 11 Honest Truths (+ Helpful Tips)
The year I turned 30 was also the year I requested a twelve-month sabbatical and booked a one-way flight. Five years later, I’m still going (although it looks very different now).
If you’re sitting there worried that you’re “too old” to go backpacking. Trust me, I’ve been there.
“What if I am the oldest?” “Am I risking too much?” “Should I be spending the money on a house instead?” All of these questions went around my head, and even some close family members questioned my decision.
Well, five years later, I’m here to tell you that backpacking in your 30s is perfectly acceptable. In fact, it’s one of the BEST times to go.
In this guide, I’ve shared everything you can expect from backpacking in your 30s. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made (if not THE best), but it doesn’t come without its challenges.
I’ve also shared helpful tips to help you plan, along with top destinations to consider.
My experience of backpacking in my 30s
My backpacking journey was meant to start back in March 2020… Safe to say that didn’t happen.
You can read more about my story here, but in 2021, I finally got to travel. And oh wow, was it the best thing I’ve ever done.
It’s now been almost five years since I booked that first flight, and I’m writing this post on a website that is now a business.
So, what’s it really like to travel in your 30s? Sometimes I wish I had travelled sooner, but then I remind myself that I wouldn’t be where I am now if I had.
Waiting until I was 30 meant I was much more confident and self-sufficient, and gave me more time to save money, which led to many more opportunities.
Sometimes I shudder at the thought of what would have happened if I had done this in my early twenties. I don’t think I’d have gone to half the destinations I’ve been to, and I certainly wouldn’t have been able to start this blog or keep travelling long-term.
Travelling in my 30s felt risky, but it also made me more willing to take risks. Five years later, not only do I have my own business, but I’ve also gone back to university to study my dream subject.
My biggest fear about my decision was that I was “too old”. I was worried I’d be the oldest person by a mile, and that I should be doing other things instead (like buying a house).
It’s been very tough at times, and I’ve learnt A LOT about myself, but it truly is the best decision I’ve ever made.
However, I don’t want to glamourise it too much. It is expensive. You might be sacrificing a career or a house. It does come with risks. It can be very hard and isolating.
Below, you’ll find my honest thoughts on backpacking a little bit “later” in life.
The honest realities of backpacking in your 30s
You’re not too old, but you will sometimes be the oldest
Okay, let’s start this off with an important one – you are NOT too old to go backpacking in your 30s. You’re not too old to go travelling in your 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond.
I’ve met people of all ages who have given up their lives back home to go backpacking.
However, there will be times when you are the oldest person staying in a hostel or on a group tour. It’s happened to me more times than I can count. Sometimes, it doesn’t matter, and sometimes I want to bang my head against a wall.
Once, I was staying at a hostel in Vietnam and a younger traveller said to me, “You’re like the mum of the hostel”.
But the more I’ve travelled, the more I’ve learnt that age is nothing but a number; it all comes down to the person, their maturity and their personality. Some of the best times I’ve had backpacking were spent with people ten years younger or older than me.
So, don’t let being in your 30s put you off backpacking or staying in a hostel. Yes, you might sometimes be the oldest, but it’s all about the people you meet.
People might find it more unusual
When I told my family and friends I was packing everything in and going to solo travel the world at the age of 30, I had a mixed response.
For the most part, people couldn’t have been more supportive, but a few people were questioning what I was doing. “Isn’t that something you do after university?” “Won’t you be throwing your career down the drain?” “Shouldn’t you be buying a house instead?”
Although backpacking in your 30s is becoming more common, it’s still hardly the “norm”. By this age, society traditionally expects us to have it all figured out – job, married, house, kids, etc.
While that view is slowly changing (thank god), you will no doubt be met with some people who disagree with your decision.
That’s not a reason not to go; if anything, it’s more of a reason to go and prove them wrong.
It’s a bigger risk (and better reward)
While I’m all for following your heart and exploring the world regardless of age, it’s hard to deny that the older you are, the bigger the risk.
When you’re 21, your life has barely started. You won’t have a career, and it’s unlikely you’ll have a house or any big commitment. This makes backpacking a much easier decision.
Once you hit 30, it feels like there’s a lot more at stake.
I had enough money saved for a house deposit, but I would need that money to travel.
I was on the verge of advancing in my career, but quitting would stop that.
My family were older, and being away from them was a scary prospect.
Many of my friends were hitting milestones like getting married and having babies, and being away would mean missing a lot of this.
However, I genuinely believe that travelling once you have some life experience is a better decision. By taking these bigger risks, you value the experience a whole lot more. You’ve worked incredibly hard to get there, dreaming and planning for this for years, and you know just how special everything you’re experiencing is.
So yes, there’s arguably a greater risk involved, but a much greater reward awaits you.
You’ll have different priorities
One of the biggest differences I notice between people backpacking right after university (or before) and those backpacking a little bit older is the differences in priorities.
I won’t lie, there’s a bit of stereotyping coming in here, but it’s certainly something I’ve noticed.
When you’re a little “older”, you know what you want, and you don’t want to waste your time travelling doing things that don’t interest you. You also know how to get the most out of things.
Hostels can be tricky
Okay, I’m going to be blunt: staying in hostels in your 30s can be TOUGH.
As I’ve got older, I’ve valued my own space and privacy more and more. And the truth is, privacy and “own space” don’t really go hand in hand with hostels.
When in dorm rooms, you’ll be sharing the room with several other people. Even if all of those people have the best hostel etiquette, it’s still not the same as having your own room.
I try to balance hostels with private rooms. For every few nights in a dorm room, I “reward” myself with a private room.
Don’t get me wrong – I LOVE hostels, and I’ve met some incredible people in dorm rooms. But, as I’ve got older, I really do sometimes want my own space.
It’s not about “finding yourself”, it’s about perspective
I hate to break it to you, but if you’re going backpacking to “find yourself”, you might want to think again.
It’s pretty hard to run away from your problems, and your troubles don’t just magically disappear when you fly to a different country. You don’t just wake up in a new country and feel like a new person, only to realise that all your difficulties in life have been solved. That’s not the way it works.
However, backpacking does allow you to gain new perspectives, whether that’s for your job, your friends, your living situation, or a million other things.
For me, backpacking has changed my perspective on so many things. And I don’t just mean perspective on the world, I mean perspective on what’s important in *my* life (not that it’s all about me…)
Taking some time out really gave me the space and time to think and see things differently. What was making me unhappy? What and who do I miss? What (or who) don’t I miss?
You know what you want and what makes you happy
When you travel in your 30s, you usually know what you want. You know what sets your soul on fire, and you know what doesn’t.
Backpacking in my 30s meant I was more comfortable doing things on my terms: I was clear on my boundaries and values, and I knew what made me happy. That only grew stronger the more I travelled.
Knowing what you want and what makes you happy means you can get so much more from travelling. You’re not afraid to say no.
You can make more meaningful friends and connections
Carrying on with the above point, the older you are, the more you know the type of person you connect with.
I’d meet people at hostels who seemed to be collecting friends for a night out (no judgment), rather than trying to make meaningful connections (cheesy, I know, but it’s true!).
In your 30s, you’re more likely to know the type of people you connect with. I found the conversations went much deeper, and I’ve met some friends who I’m still friends with today, despite not having seen them since we travelled together.
You’ll be more confident in yourself
It’s generally true that as we get older, we become more confident in ourselves and care a lot less about what others think.
You’re not trying to impress anyone or prove yourself (at least in my experience). You do what feels good for you.
You don’t feel weird eating alone or skipping a night out because you’d rather get up early for sunrise. You don’t keep tagging along with plans you’re not actually enjoying just because everyone else is. You trust your gut more, and you don’t apologise for it.
You’re able to travel slower, and smarter
This won’t be true in everyone’s case, but for the most part, travelling a little bit later in life means you’re able to travel a little slower.
Whether that’s because you’ve had time to save more money or appreciate that it’s not just about collecting passport stamps, you can generally slow down and spend time in a country.
When I first started travelling, I remember thinking I needed to fit as many countries in as possible. As I got a bit older, I realised that’s not what travel is about. Thanks to my work experience, I was able to work remotely to earn money, and this enabled me to travel a little more slowly.
It can be exhausting
Real talk: backpacking in your 30s, or at ANY age, can be EXHAUSTING.
I know, I know… we’re so lucky to have this opportunity, and how dare we moan. But solo travel in general can be tough.
Firstly, let’s discuss decision fatigue. No matter how well you have planned your trip, you’re going to get tired of making decisions. Decisions on how to stay safe, where to eat, what to do, how to get somewhere… the list goes on.
Secondly, you’ll get sooo tired of having the same conversations, especially in hostels. You can always tell who has been travelling for a long time, as they generally skip the usual question: “How long have you been travelling for?” and the standard hostel small talk.
Lastly, you’ll get tired of… travel. I found this especially true while backpacking in South America. There was so much to see and do, but I had limited time, and trying to cram it all in was sooo tiring.
But, travelling is the BEST thing you will ever do, and it makes all of this worth it.
Some helpful tips
Travel more slowly when you can
One of my favourite travel tips is to slow down. When a blog post says to spend two days somewhere to see everything, spend three or four there instead.
This will allow you to discover hidden gems and really get a feel for a place. Plus, you’ll have time to relax and recover.
If you have a set amount of time for your trip, try to limit how many places you visit. I met people who were travelling for three months and trying to cram in the whole of Latin America.
You’ll get so much more from your trip if you slow down and give yourself time to fully explore a country, rather than moving on to somewhere new every few days.
Don’t overplan the trip
Have a rough plan, but don’t overplan.
I like to research everywhere I’d like to go in a country, but I don’t necessarily make plans to go there until I arrive.
This means I can get a feel for a place, decide whether I want to explore more, and get tips from other travellers.
If you have everything booked, including accommodation and activities, you’ll have no flexibility to change your plans.
Of course, in some countries you do need a plan. This is especially true when travelling to popular destinations like Japan during high season, or when hiking a route that requires a permit (like the Inca Trail).
Remember to have some rest days
As I said above, backpacking is exhausting.
Try to build in some rest days. It doesn’t mean you have to stay inside scrolling on your phone, but it does mean you can have a lazy day just taking it all in.
You may also find some hidden gems to explore.
Plan your budget to have some comforts
When I look back on the finances for my first backpacking trip… oh dear.
I had it all planned… but I really had no room for any flexibility whatsoever. And guess what, I massively overspent and had to come home.
If you think you need £1,000 per month, give yourself £1,500. It doesn’t mean you have to spend it, but it gives you the flexibility should something go wrong.
I’ve had so many unexpected costs (rabies shots, stolen phones, private drivers in an emergency). Make sure you budget for these.
Think about the destination
Make sure to choose the right destination for you. It’s pretty standard to do the Southeast Asia route of Thailand, Vietnam and Australia – but is that what you want?
Take some time to research all of your options. South America tends to have a slightly more ‘mature’ crowd, and this is true for a few destinations in Asia (especially backpacking in Central Asia).
I’ve spoken a bit more about the various destination options below.
Let go of what people might think
You’ll more than likely encounter at least one person who is judging you for travelling in your 30s.
My honest advice… ignore them.
You know what you want. You know your reasons for doing this. You know it’s all going to be okay.
More and more people are taking this time for themselves; it’s really not a big deal. Does it come with risks? Sure. But so does following the norm and ignoring your dreams.
Go with your gut
Trust. Your. Gut.
This is literally my biggest piece of travel advice, especially for solo female travellers. Listen to your gut and go with what feels right.
Where to travel in your 30s
Wondering where you should go backpacking in your 30s? Honestly… anywhere! If anything, backpacking when you’re a little “older”, more confident and more experienced only opens the door to more destinations.
Most people who go backpacking in their 20s or right after finishing school tend to stick to the typical route through Southeast Asia and then on to Australia or New Zealand.
While there’s nothing wrong with this (hey, I did it in my thirties), it does tend to attract a younger crowd, and much of the focus is on partying and lying on a beach.
If that’s what you want – great! But here are a few other destinations I think are perfect for travelling in your 30s.
Malaysia
Malaysia is one of the most underrated countries I’ve ever been to. It was actually the first ever country in Asia I visited, so it holds a special place in my heart.
Its capital city, Kuala Lumpur, is an explosion of culture. With modern skyscrapers, traditional temples and some of the best street food on the planet, the city has so much to offer.
However, there is so much more to Malaysia than just Kuala Lumpur. From the rolling hills of the Cameron Highlands, the ancient rainforests of Borneo, to the stunning beaches of Penang and Langkawi, Malaysia has something for everyone.
For some reason, most backpackers tend to skip Malaysia, but I really can’t recommend it enough. If you’re working remotely or looking to travel slowly, areas like Penang and Kuala Lumpur are excellent places to stay for a while.
👉 Check out my Malaysia travel guides
Japan
Japan is another excellent destination for those looking for something beyond beaches and bars.
Known for its unique culture, beautiful temples and modern cities, Japan is like nowhere else I’ve ever been.
It’s the perfect destination for those who want a bit of everything and want to push themselves out of their comfort zone a little.
Check out my Japan guides, including my guide to solo travel in Japan.
Nepal
Oh, Nepal. I visited after spending six months in New Zealand surrounded by comforts, and the thought of travelling to Nepal alone was slightly terrifying. But wow, was I wrong.
With dramatic mountain ranges, stunning monasteries, and a slow rhythm of life, Nepal is one of those places that catches your heart. Oh, and the food is incredible.
If you love hiking and adventures, Nepal is a MUST. It can be a little challenging, though. If it’s your first time solo travelling, I’d suggest joining a group tour.
Central Asia
Central Asia is another incredible destination for backpackers seeking adventure. Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan tend to be the most visited and tourist-y.
With wild desert landscapes, some of the best hiking in the world, incredible architecture and an insight into Islamic history and culture, a trip through Central Asia offers a world of opportunity for those looking to get off the beaten path.
One day you’re wandering through ancient Silk Road cities, the next you’re sharing tea with a family in a yurt village miles from anywhere. It truly is incredible.
Like Nepal, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend Central Asia for first-time solo travellers unless you’re very confident.
An Africa Overland trip
I can’t lie… I’m not sure *anything* will ever beat my two-month African overland trip with G Adventures.
This really is the trip of a lifetime. Camping under the stars. Safari drives through some of the world’s most diverse national parks. Overlanding through some of the most incredible landscapes in the world. The wildlife you’ll see, the people you’ll meet, the things you’ll experience… honestly, I could go on and on about this trip.
Two months of camping is tough. But oh wow, is it a memorable adventure.
I left a piece of my soul in Africa.
Europe
Europe really has something for everyone, and it’s often overlooked by backpackers.
While some countries can be expensive, places like Poland, Hungary and Albania tend to be more affordable. Eastern Europe and the Balkans are generally on the cheaper side, and they’re very high on my list of places to visit. With historic cities and epic scenery (plus some wonderful beaches), don’t rule out this area of the world.
If you’re looking for the ultimate road trip in Europe, countries like Iceland and Norway have *so* much to offer, and they’re fantastic destinations for solo travellers (cost aside).
Argentina
In general, South America attracts a slightly more mature backpacking crowd (at least compared to SE Asia), and this is certainly true of Argentina.
Home to epic mountains, beautiful glaciers and vibrant cities, Argentina is one of my favourite places I’ve ever been to. I loved it so much that I had initially planned to move back there to work remotely, but sadly, my plans had to change.
Argentina is one of those countries I could easily spend months and months exploring. It has a little bit of everything, and it’s perfect for the backpackers who love an adventure but still enjoy their home comforts (which can’t be said for much of South America).
I have lots of posts about Argentina, check them out here.
Bolivia
Most people know Bolivia for the Salt Flats, and that’s about it. It’s often used as a quick pit stop between Peru and San Pedro de Atacama, and few people explore beyond Salar de Uyuni.
But, Bolivia has sooooo much more to it than the Salt Flats. I spent a whole month in Bolivia, and it still didn’t feel like enough time.
It’s less developed than the neighbouring Chile and Peru, and the tourist infrastructure is still growing, but that’s all the more reason to go now. I had such a fun time in Bolivia, and I’ve written about my experience as a solo female traveller.
If you’re visiting South America, definitely build some time in for Bolivia. It was such a fantastic surprise.
Summary: Can you go backpacking in your 30s?
Yes! There is no age limit on when you can go backpacking. And in my humble opinion, backpacking in your 30s is one of the best times to go.
You’ve got a better sense of what you like, a little more money to make the experience comfortable, and you’ve had the life experience to make this all the more special.
You travel because you really want to, not because you feel it’s the done thing after university.
Despite what people might think, backpacking in your 30s isn’t about reinventing yourself or “ruining” your life. It’s about pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, discovering what sets your soul on fire (and what doesn’t), and living your life NOW.
It might feel like you’re trying to escape life at first (trust me, I’ve been there). But you soon realise it’s about giving yourself time away from your “normal” life, time to be you, and time to reflect.
So, if you’re sitting there worrying if you’re too old. Trust me – you’re not.
