This is a post about how to travel more with a full-time job.
A few weeks ago, my colleagues and I were talking about travelling. One of them mentioned I was really good at trying new places and making time for travelling and that got me thinking. It’s so easy to live on autopilot, we’re all so busy with so many spinning plates. If we don’t actively make time for particular things, we’ll never do them. So I wanted to come on here and share some tips in case you too would like to travel more but think your full-time job doesn’t allow for it.
If you’ve ever found yourself dreaming of your next adventure while stuck in back-to-back meetings, you’re not alone. Many of us want to travel more but feel held back by our 9 to 5 schedules. The good news is, you don’t have to quit your job or become a digital nomad to explore the world. With the right strategy and mindset you can make travel a regular part of your life, even with limited time off.
Many years ago, before I was allowed to have a full-time job due to visa restrictions, I remember starting a blog called “off track”. My life had been “off track” for so long by then, I was literally – and legally! – not allowed to have a conventional life (I was only allowed to work 20hrs/week). And obviously that’s all I wanted at the time! I’ve now been at my “conventional” job for 8 years and often find myself missing being the owner of my own schedule. But then again, now I have a steady income. As they say in England, swings and roundabouts!
These past few years I came up with a few strategies to travel more while having limited time off. Especially after the worst of the pandemic! I think a lot of us felt like we had to “catch up” (and probably still do as everywhere is always so busy now!). I have to say, 2022 was great personally – I made sure I travelled every single month to a different place!
So here I am sharing these strategies with you so you too can travel more around your full-time job. Let me know if you have any others to share!
Tips To Travel More Around a 9-5:
Use Your Annual Leave Wisely
The first step is to rethink how you use your holiday allowance. Instead of taking long breaks all at once try spreading your days across the year. Long weekends can turn into full trips if you leave on a Thursday and return Sunday/Monday. Bank holidays are golden opportunities to travel without using any leave at all (although a little more expensive…). Personally, I don’t usually go abroad during bank holidays because I try to avoid bigger crowds but it’s definitely a good strategy!
Consider Friday-to-Sunday Getaways
Weekend breaks are your best friend. Cities like Amsterdam, Paris or Edinburgh are just a short train ride away from London and perfect for quick getaways. With the rise of budget airlines and early morning departures you can be having brunch abroad the same day you leave. Is it a bit nightmarish to travel on those? Yes!! But would you prefer not going at all?
Embrace Local Travel
You don’t have to cross continents to satisfy your travel bug. Make a list of places within a few hours by train or car. Think national parks, hidden beaches, quaint villages or even fun city neighbourhoods you’ve never explored. These can be as exciting as faraway destinations and often cheaper and easier to plan.
For beach lovers: Best Beaches Near London by Train This Summer 2025
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Outdoor days: 10 Best Hikes Near London by Train for an Adventurous Day Out
Set Goals
I don’t know about you but, in life, to get anything done I need GOALS! I need metrics, I need to maybe gamify it…even drinking water was something I had to keep in check at some point but now it’s super natural for me to drink loads without thinking! Good habits in general you might have to make a bit of an effort to implement in the beginning. But then they just becoming a natural part of your routine and it’s actually weird when you DON’T do something!
Last year a friend of mine asked if I was doing “30 under 30” (visiting 30 countries before I hit 30). First I reminded him that ship had long sailed! But then it made me think “maybe I’ll do a 40 under 40”. And that made me make a point not only of travelling but to new spots. It’s not about competing to see who’s going to the most amount of countries, I don’t care about that! It’s about not going to the same place every time. Did I get to see the whole of Montenegro? No and it’s a bit annoying (first world problems) but I got to see what I could and that’s certainly better than nothing.
Remote Work Days Near Travel Spots
If your employer offers remote work flexibility consider working a day or two from a nearby destination. You could rent a cottage in the Cotswolds or a flat in Lisbon and explore before or after your work hours. Just make sure the wifi is reliable and let your team know you’ll be working from a different location.
If your work thinks “working from home” means literally from your own home, so did mine but that changed! Speak to your managers… sometimes they need mindset shift too. After all, what’s the difference between working at your local cafe at home and your local cafe in Barcelona? (I know, big diff actually! But both totally doable)
Plan Trips Around Work Events
Sometimes work sends us places. Whether it’s a conference or a client meeting this can be the perfect excuse to tag on a day or two for sightseeing. Fly in early or fly out late and treat it as a mini city break. I know this might seem obvious but you won’t believe the amount of people who would think that’s indulgent behaviour they shouldn’t engage with. Engage! Treat yourself! Most people would. Your boss definitely would… live a little, eh?!
Be Ready With a Wishlist
Keep a running list of dream destinations or experiences so you can jump on last-minute travel deals. Websites like Google Flights or Skyscanner’s “Everywhere” function are great for spotting cheap weekend getaways. If you know where you want to go it’s easier to act fast. If you don’t, do an “everywhere” search anyway and pick what’s calling your name. Embrace spontaneity!
Travel With Friends Who Get It
Travelling with people who also work full-time means you’ll be on the same page about time constraints and budgets. They’ll understand the need for efficient travel and help you plan realistic trips that fit your lifestyle. Or, you know, travel solo… it’s a liberating experience!
Choose Destinations That Are Easy to Navigate
Short on time? Avoid destinations that require hours of transit between attractions. Look for cities where everything is walkable or easily connected by public transport so you spend more time exploring and less time commuting. Same for flight times. In Europe we are so lucky to be so close to so many countries! In 1 hour you can be in France, Germany… in 4 hours you get all the way to Turkey! Two hours to Portugal? SIGN 👏🏼 ME 👏🏼 UP!
Book Early or Stay Flexible
If your job doesn’t offer much flexibility, booking in advance means you get the best prices on transport and accommodation. If your job is more flexible you can grab last-minute deals and plan around your work week. Either way use tools like Google Flights to track price drops.
Turn Holidays Into Adventures
Is your office closed for Christmas or Easter? Use that break to visit destinations that come alive during the holidays. Think Christmas markets in Europe or springtime blooms in Paris or Amsterdam. This way you don’t use up extra leave and get a seasonal experience too. Every single year I’m torn between travelling, visting my family, dogstting for some extra cash or just staying home to rest. That’s the reality of a 9-5er, this constant having to choose because we really can’t have it all. But we can rejiggle things and optmise our lives!
Maximise Your Travel Mindset
Travel is more than hopping on a plane. Treat each trip, even a day trip to a nearby city, as an adventure. Visit museums, try new foods, take photos. This shift in mindset helps you feel like you’re travelling more even if you’re close to home.
Take Advantage of Business-Friendly Time Zones
If you’re working remotely from Europe and your team is based in North America you may have mornings free to explore before clocking in. Time zones can work in your favour when planned carefully. Again, remember you CAN (and should!) enjoy your free time, you don’t have to just work work work.
What’s your strategy to travel more around a 9-5? I’m curious!
This was a post about how to travel more around a 9-5.
