How to Start
Traveling
Welcome to the wonderful world of travel, my friend! Here is your ultimate hub if you have ever wanted to start travelling but don’t know how.
Below you can find complete guides on how to explore the world. The possibilities are endless. Don’t be shy!
Whether you are into backpacking the globe in the long term, taking the train, hitchhiking, travelling slowly, house-sitting, volunteering, or simply wondering what you should pack, I’ve got you!
Explore this giant library of knowledge about travelling and let your curiosity guide your steps.
Where should you start from?
coming soon. Exploration in the process, stay curious!
coming soon. Exploration in the process, stay curious!
coming soon. Exploration in the process, stay curious!
coming soon. Exploration in the process, stay curious!
Why Should you Start Traveling?
Have you ever dreamed about exploring the world and going out of the bubble you are used to? Is discovering foreign cultures, landscapes you only dreamt about, unknown food and cuisine, or games you never heard about an attractive idea? If yes, you are in the right place, young traveller.
Together, we will explore new territories where daily discoveries and infinite options await you. Be prepared to gain immense knowledge about this world and the humans on it. It’s not about barely visiting destinations but rather starting to travel to them and immersing yourself by travelling slowly.
There are hundreds of ways you can travel! From volunteering a few hours daily in exchange for food and accommodation to simply wandering around with your backpack, the common points are memorable moments, alone or shared. Do you want to experience a new way of seeing the world? Are you ready to start traveling?
Have you ever dreamed about exploring the world and going out of the bubble you are used to? Is discovering foreign cultures, landscapes you only dreamt about, unknown food and cuisine, or games you never heard about an attractive idea? If yes, you are in the right place, young traveller.
Together, we will explore new territories where daily discoveries and infinite options await you. Be prepared to gain immense knowledge about this world and the humans on it.
It’s not about barely visiting destinations but rather starting to travel to them and immersing yourself by travelling slowly.
There are hundreds of ways you can travel! From volunteering a few hours daily in exchange for food and accommodation to simply wandering around with your backpack, the common points are memorable moments, alone or shared.
Do you want to experience a new way of seeing the world? Are you ready to start traveling?
Latest How to start traveling articles
Step-by-Step Guides to Help You Start Travelling
How to start traveling? Now that this desire and dream are anchored, what is the next step? With hundreds of ways to travel around the world, you might be confused about which one to choose. But, I’ve got you!
Below, you can find different categories to answer all your questions. Whether you want to start backpacking solo or in a group, explore Europe by train, or travel cheaply, everything’s possible. Just step in and explore the different possibilities.
How to start traveling? Now that this desire and dream are anchored, what is the next step? With hundreds of ways to travel around the world, you might be confused about which one to choose. But, I’ve got you!
Below, you can find different categories to answer all your questions. Whether you want to start backpacking solo or in a group, explore Europe by train, or travel cheaply, everything’s possible. Just step in and explore the different possibilities.
The Backpacker StarterPack: Your First Backpack Travel
Backpacking is the most accessible travel style for any beginner wanting to start traveling. What you need is just a backpack and a few travel items. Then, step out your door and start exploring the world alone or with friends.
I’ve been backpacking for more than 10 years now, and each time was better than the previous one. It’s like wine, with age, you get better at it. However, I once was a newbie and faced this unknown and impressive backpacking world. At this time, I wished someone could give me some travel tips.
This is why I crafted this backpacking beginner guide to travel! It contains so many tips, tricks, and things I wished I knew before my first backpacking trip. By following the different chapters, you will gain valuable knowledge about travelling, learn how to save money, and more. Therefore, don’t be shy and open the Backpacker Starter Pack.
Backpacking is the most accessible travel style for any beginner wanting to start traveling. What you need is just a backpack and a few travel items. Then, step out your door and start exploring the world alone or with friends.
I’ve been backpacking for more than 10 years now, and each time was better than the previous one. It’s like wine, with age, you get better at it. However, I once was a newbie and faced this unknown and impressive backpacking world. At this time, I wished someone could give me some travel tips.
This is why I crafted this backpacking beginner guide to travel! It contains so many tips, tricks, and things I wished I knew before my first backpacking trip.
By following the different chapters, you will gain valuable knowledge about travelling, learn how to save money, and more. Therefore, don’t be shy and open the Backpacker Starter Pack.
How to Solo Travel: Your First Steps & Preparation
Your first solo trip can be truly intimidating. Having to handle yourself and all the consequences of your actions in a foreign country might seem to be an impassable wall, right? But it can also lead to wonderful travel experiences and the best memories of your life.
You probably have one or two people around you who told you how travelling alone changed their lives forever. With many stars in your eyes, you want to undertake such an odyssey yourself, but how to start traveling the world alone?
Your first solo trip can be truly intimidating. Having to handle yourself and all the consequences of your actions in a foreign country might seem to be an impassable wall, right? But it can also lead to wonderful travel experiences and the best memories of your life.
You probably have one or two people around you who told you how travelling alone changed their lives forever. With many stars in your eyes, you want to undertake such an odyssey yourself, but how to start traveling the world alone?
A few tips to help you plan your first solo travel
The more you travel, the more you learn about right and wrong. The very first thing is good preparation. Without saying that you have to go through months of packing or crafting the perfect itineraries, a few key points can help you smooth out your first solo adventure.
Travel tips to help you prepare your first travel alone:
- Keep copies of documents in cloud storage
- Learn local phrases to ease interactions.
- Share your itinerary with trusted contacts before leaving.
- Travel light (45 litres backpack max)
- Use offline maps (Mapsme) downloaded before departure.
- Leave space on first days to acclimate
- Join small group activities to meet local and foreign people
The more you travel, the more you learn about right and wrong. The very first thing is good preparation. Without saying that you have to go through months of packing or crafting the perfect itineraries, a few key points can help you smooth out your first solo adventure.
Travel tips to help you prepare your first travel alone:
- Keep copies of documents in cloud storage
- Learn local phrases to ease interactions.
- Share your itinerary with trusted contacts before leaving.
- Travel light (45 litres backpack max)
- Use offline maps (Mapsme) downloaded before departure.
- Leave space on first days to acclimate
- Join small group activities to meet local and foreign people
How to House-Sit Around the World
The concept of house-sitting is not well-known amongst first-time travellers. However, it can offer solutions to many problems you might encounter. But first, let me quickly explain to you what house-sitting means.
Sometimes, people want to go on holidays but face constraints because of their plants and pets. Who’s gonna feed them and water them? This is where you enter the scene. In exchange for your services, taking care of them, you can stay in their house while they are abroad. Genius, right?
However, as dreamy as it looks, it is important to know how to choose your accommodation and mission. Certain signs are purely red flags but need to be highlighted for first-time house-sitters. For all these matters and to ease your first house-sitting experience, check out this ultimate House-sitting guide!
Best Website to house-sit: Housecarers or Trustedhousesitters.
The concept of house-sitting is not well-known amongst first-time travellers. However, it can offer solutions to many problems you might encounter. But first, let me quickly explain to you what house-sitting means.
Sometimes, people want to go on holidays but face constraints because of their plants and pets. Who’s gonna feed them and water them?
This is where you enter the scene. In exchange for your services, taking care of them, you can stay in their house while they are abroad. Genius, right?
However, as dreamy as it looks, it is important to know how to choose your accommodation and mission. Certain signs are purely red flags but need to be highlighted for first-time house-sitters. For all these matters and to ease your first house-sitting experience, check out this ultimate House-sitting guide!
Best Website to house-sit: Housecarers or Trustedhousesitters.
How to Volunteer Around the World
Volunteering around the world has fostered some of the best travel experiences I’ve ever had. It allows you to create deep bonds with your hosts and the places you are staying.
But what is volunteering about? Simply put, you exchange a few hours a day, usually 4-5, against a free bed and one or two meals. Perfect for those travelling on a budget! The options range from hostel reception, cleaning, gardening, handy work, helping a family, and more.
If you are not afraid to get your hands a little dirty or want a social environment to meet locals and foreigners while knowing you are acting for the good, volunteering is for you. To unlock the mysteries behind how to find your first volunteering opportunities and what you should be prepared for, dive into this handcrafted volunteer world guide.
Best Website to find volunteering opportunities: Workaway, Worldpackers, or HelpX
Volunteering around the world has fostered some of the best travel experiences I’ve ever had. It allows you to create deep bonds with your hosts and the places you are staying.
But what is volunteering about? Simply put, you exchange a few hours a day, usually 4-5, against a free bed and one or two meals. Perfect for those travelling on a budget! The options range from hostel reception, cleaning, gardening, handy work, helping a family, and more.
If you are not afraid to get your hands a little dirty or want a social environment to meet locals and foreigners while knowing you are acting for the good, volunteering is for you.
To unlock the mysteries behind how to find your first volunteering opportunities and what you should be prepared for, dive into this handcrafted volunteer world guide.
Best Website to find volunteering opportunities: Workaway, Worldpackers, or HelpX
Sustainable Travel Guides for Beginners
Are you someone interested in travelling more sustainably? Whether this is your first trip alone or if you are a regular traveller, exploring the world in an eco-friendly way is becoming crucial.
The travel industry generates between 8% and 11% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, the majority coming from transportation (World Travel & Tourism Council). This number is big enough to be scary. However, you can travel differently. You can travel sustainably. Here are a few ideas to get you started, from transportation modes to travel gear.
Are you someone interested in travelling more sustainably? Whether this is your first trip alone or if you are a regular traveller, exploring the world in an eco-friendly way is becoming crucial.
The travel industry generates between 8% and 11% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, the majority coming from transportation (World Travel & Tourism Council).
This number is big enough to be scary. However, you can travel differently. You can travel sustainably. Here are a few ideas to get you started, from transportation modes to travel gear.
How to Travel around Europe by Train
Exploring Europe by train can be an incredible idea for your first time traveling. The Old Continent boasts a well-developed rail network, and the relatively small size of countries allows you to quickly switch from one to another.
This is a great opportunity to explore the different European cultures and cities while travelling sustainably. With the train, say bye to long check-ins and distant airports. You’re on board in no time and usually arrive right downtown while reducing your carbon emissions.
There are plenty of destinations to visit, but if you want a few hints on time-optimised slow travel routes, including key attractions, I’ve got you. Check out this article about different travel itineraries in Europe. There are options from 2 weeks to a month-long itinerary, just pick your favourite.
Plus, if you want to dive deeper into how to explore Europe on rail, the best deals to get, and the real impact of the train, explore this detailed guide on how to travel Europe by train. Be ready to travel differently and create memorable adventures!
Exploring Europe by train can be an incredible idea for your first time traveling. The Old Continent boasts a well-developed rail network, and the relatively small size of countries allows you to quickly switch from one to another.
This is a great opportunity to explore the different European cultures and cities while travelling sustainably. With the train, say bye to long check-ins and distant airports. You’re on board in no time and usually arrive right downtown while reducing your carbon emissions.
There are plenty of destinations to visit, but if you want a few hints on time-optimised slow travel routes, including key attractions, I’ve got you. Check out this article about different travel itineraries in Europe. There are options from 2 weeks to a month-long itinerary, just pick your favourite.
Plus, if you want to dive deeper into how to explore Europe on rail, the best deals to get, and the real impact of the train, explore this detailed guide on how to travel Europe by train. Be ready to travel differently and create memorable adventures!
Sustainable backpacks: How to choose eco-friendly travel gear?
The last step before you start your first trip is to equip yourself. But what is the point of trying to travel sustainably if your travel gears are crafted by unpaid children on the other side of the world?
That’s why every slow traveller should try to find sustainable and eco-friendly equipment that will endure a life of journey. Every backpacker deserves the best (you included), and it all starts with a reliable, durable, and sustainably produced backpack.
Although the prices of the following brands might be more expensive than others, they all last 15-20 years at least (no jokes), and some come with a life-long warranty. As we say, buy once, cry once.
To get a detailed description of each brand’s commitment to sustainability (fairwork, durability, repair, and more), I advise you to explore this article about the best sustainable backpack brand. But if you trust me, here’s an overview of where to buy your sustainable backpack:
- Osprey
- Patagonia
- TropicFeel
- Deuter
- Jack Wolfskin
The last step before you start your first trip is to equip yourself. But what is the point of trying to travel sustainably if your travel gears are crafted by unpaid children on the other side of the world?
That’s why every slow traveller should try to find sustainable and eco-friendly equipment that will endure a life of journey. Every backpacker deserves the best (you included), and it all starts with a reliable, durable, and sustainably produced backpack.
Although the prices of the following brands might be more expensive than others, they all last 15-20 years at least (no jokes), and some come with a life-long warranty. As we say, buy once, cry once.
To get a detailed description of each brand’s commitment to sustainability (fairwork, durability, repair, and more), I advise you to explore this article about the best sustainable backpack brand. But if you trust me, here’s an overview of where to buy your sustainable backpack:
- Osprey
- Patagonia
- TropicFeel
- Deuter
- Jack Wolfskin
How to Start Traveling - FAQs
Is 25 or 30 too late to start traveling?
You will never be too old to start traveling. The experience, rhythm, and desires can change over time, but travelling is possible at every age.
You will never be too old to start traveling. The experience, rhythm, and desires can change over time, but travelling is possible at every age.
Where should a first traveller go?
It depends on how big your budget is but if you can spend 40-70€ a day, travelling slowly in Italy is a perfect first destination. Then, for longer stay, Western Europe or South East Asia offers a good compromise of security, facilities, and prices.
How to start traveling by yourself?
There isn’t a blueprint to start traveling alone, but if you need a few hints, I advise you to check this how to start travelling solo guide.
What should I avoid for my first solo trip?
For your first solo trip, I advise you to try a nearby country for a week or more. This is a good shot to see if you like it and then step into further destinations or extended time.
For your first solo trip, I advise you to try a nearby country for a week or more. This is a good shot to see if you like it and then step into further destinations or extended time.
Can I get paid to travel the world?
Absolutely! Although the places are limited, some companies hire you to travel around the world. An alternative is to house-sit or volunteer to get services and a free bed in exchange for your time.
What language should I learn for my first trip?
The best language to learn for your first trip is English. This is the most common language, and it will help you in many situations.
What length of time is perfect for my first travel?
For your first trip, I recommend going for 1 to 4 weeks. This length of time allows you to explore what traveling is, alone or in a group, without the disadvantages it can bring.
Final Tips for your First Adventure
We wrap up this global guide about how to start traveling in 2026. It is now time for you, young traveler, to go out and take your first step into this new world. Exploring the world will change many things for you. The perception you have of foreign cultures, your dreams and aspirations, or what you want to do with your life, are probably going to change.
If I can give you a final piece of advice, amongst all the different travel options, one was really impactful for me. Once I had learned about the concept of travelling slowly, my life changed forever, and so did the way I explore the world. What about you?
However, don’t be afraid! This is the beginning of something wonderful, and this adventure you are about to undertake can be the first of many more! With time, you will learn along your way and create the perfect travel style that fits your personality. There is no blueprint to travel but yours.
Bon Voyage!
Travel with Purpose – Connect with Heart.
We wrap up this global guide about how to start traveling in 2026. It is now time for you, young traveler, to go out and take your first step into this new world.
Exploring the world will change many things for you. The perception you have of foreign cultures, your dreams and aspirations, or what you want to do with your life, are probably going to change.
If I can give you a final piece of advice, amongst all the different travel options, one was really impactful for me. Once I had learned about the concept of travelling slowly, my life changed forever, and so did the way I explore the world. What about you?
However, don’t be afraid! This is the beginning of something wonderful, and this adventure you are about to undertake can be the first of many more! With time, you will learn along your way and create the perfect travel style that fits your personality. There is no blueprint to travel but yours.
Bon Voyage!
Travel with Purpose – Connect with Heart.