Being in your 20s is a fun and confusing time. At 22, I feel like I know both a lot and very little about the world. You have more freedom than ever, but probably fewer responsibilities compared to those older than you. That leaves you with opportunities—one of the biggest being travel. Today, we’ll explore why your 20s are the best time to travel.
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I know I can’t speak for those with more life experience, but I often hear there’s no better time than now. And I’ve come to believe that too. That said, I don’t want to discourage anyone over 30 from travelling. While I’m focusing on why your 20s are ideal for travel, remember that adventure can be for everyone.
Freedom and Flexibility
In your 20s, most of us have the least responsibilities—no mortgage, minimal family obligations, and fewer career commitments. This flexibility opens up opportunities that are harder to find later in life, and it’s one of the key reasons why your 20s are the best time to travel.
When you’re young, you’re not as tied down to long-term career paths. This freedom makes it easier to take extended trips, whether it’s a gap year, work holiday, or simply a few months exploring a new continent. You also have the flexibility to travel on a whim, choosing destinations that appeal to you in the moment without overthinking logistics.
Of course, it’s easy to make excuses. Stepping out of your comfort zone can be intimidating enough in your 20s, let alone in a foreign country. But as my friend’s mum wisely said, “If you don’t do it now, you never will!” It’s advice echoed by older travellers who often look back and wish they’d embraced the freedom to explore more when they were younger. Now is the time to seize that opportunity.
Personal Growth and Learning
Your 20s are a time when you’re still absorbing new information, and travel is one of the best ways to expand your worldview. While we can be lifelong learners, it’s easier to embrace new perspectives when we’re young. Travelling has given me the chance to see how people across the globe live their lives in ways that are vastly different from my own. It’s helped me reflect on my own choices and values.
Take Egypt, for example—if you’ve followed my blog, you know it holds a special place in my heart. Experiencing life there was eye-opening. Early morning routines, like hearing the call to prayer echo through the city, and watching how locals structure their day around this rhythm, made me rethink how I manage my own time. Witnessing these cultural differences firsthand is the kind of learning that sticks with you in a way no textbook ever could.
When you explore the world in your 20s, you open yourself up to personal growth that will shape how you approach life. Visiting unfamiliar places becomes second nature, and you begin to appreciate just how diverse and beautiful the world really is. This is why your 20s are the best time to travel—it’s when you’re most open to growth and change.
Energy and Adventure
Your 20s are when you’re full of energy, and that makes it the perfect time for adventure. There’s something about the freedom of youth that makes long hikes, spontaneous road trips, and thrill-seeking activities all the more appealing. Whether it’s climbing mountains, diving into the ocean, or backpacking across a continent, this is the stage of life where your body can keep up with your wanderlust.
When I’ve met fellow travellers, the majority were in their 20s and 30s. Younger travellers tend to embrace adventure without hesitation, whether it’s tackling challenging hikes or seeking out extreme sports. It’s not just about physical energy—there’s a mental stamina in your 20s that drives you to push your boundaries and try new things.
This doesn’t mean older travellers can’t enjoy adventure, but it’s clear that youth gives you an edge. You’re more likely to sleep in a hostel bunk bed after a long day of exploring, hop on a bus for a 10-hour ride, or wake up at the crack of dawn to catch a sunrise hike. The best time to travel is when you have both the energy and the spirit of adventure to fully embrace the experience.
Budget and Affordability
Budget travel is accessible to everyone, but it’s young travellers who embrace it most. Hostels, cheap transportation, and budget airlines are all common choices in your 20s. For example, 80% of Hostelworld’s customers are under 35, and over 60% are solo travellers. Meeting new people is a huge part of their journey, and they typically take four or more trips a year—more than twice the average traveller. It’s no wonder hostels have become the go-to option for young adventurers.
In your 20s, it’s easier to make compromises that older travellers might avoid. Sharing a room with strangers or taking a 6-hour bus ride with no air conditioning doesn’t seem so bad when it allows you to explore new places on a tight budget. The best time to travel is when you can prioritise experiences over comfort.
There are plenty of other budget-friendly strategies as well. Apps like Couchsurfing offer affordable or even free accommodation options, and taking advantage of budget airlines or travelling during the off-peak season can save you a significant amount. Young travellers are also more likely to combine travel with work, whether it’s through seasonal jobs, volunteering, or digital nomadism, which makes long-term travel more feasible.
In your 20s, you’re more willing to make these sacrifices, which allows you to stretch your budget and travel further. That’s why it’s the best time to travel while keeping your expenses low.
Building Lifelong Memories
Travelling in your 20s gives you the freedom to create memories that will last a lifetime. Whether it’s navigating unfamiliar cities, discovering new cultures, or meeting people from all walks of life, these experiences are the ones you’ll be telling your grandchildren about. The sense of wonder you feel when exploring the world with youthful curiosity is something truly special.
Solo travel, in particular, offers the chance to face the world on your own terms and gain new insights into yourself. You’ll meet people who shape your journey in unexpected ways. If you’re unsure about making connections while travelling solo, check out my post on 10 Easy Ways to Meet People During Solo Travel. It’s easier than you might think to form lifelong friendships on the road.
Taking the leap into solo travel early in life brings so much wisdom. The unfamiliar cultures, new activities, and diverse people you encounter help shape your future choices—whether in jobs, relationships, or personal growth. Travelling in your 20s is the best time to build these memories because it opens your mind and heart to the world in ways that will last a lifetime.
Conclusion
I know I haven’t got the wisdom of someone older, but I believe in the value of experiencing the world while you’re young. Being in your 20s only happens once, and it’s a time filled with freedom, energy, and the ability to explore without many of the responsibilities that come later in life.
Whether it’s the personal growth you experience, the adventures you embark on, or the lifelong memories you create, there’s no better time to travel than now. The opportunities to explore new places, meet incredible people, and push your boundaries are endless in your 20s. This stage of life gives you a unique chance to see the world, and it’s one you won’t want to miss.
The fear of stepping out of your comfort zone is nothing compared to the regret of missing out. If the idea of travelling in your 20s seems intimidating, just remember—there’s no time like the present to start exploring. The fear of doing it is nothing compared to the bill of regret if you don’t.
Safe travels!
