Want to Travel More? Here’s Exactly How to Start (Even With a 9-5)

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Written By

Joba

March 1 2025

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One question I get all the time is: “How do you travel so much while working full-time?” And the short answer is I prioritize travel, so I make time for it. But the long answer is that I have a way of thinking about travel that makes it feel achievable rather than aspirational. And so, I created a system that works for me.

I have now visited 21 countries while schooling, holding down a full-time 9-5, having a ‘weaker’ passport, all at different times in my life, and one thing that has proved to work is having a system and actually getting started. It was just what I needed to make the mental shift from “I wish I could travel more” to “I’m actually going to do this.”

If you’re sitting somewhere in that gap right now, I am here to tell you that you can do it. So, feel free to use this post as your bridge.

Here’s exactly how to start traveling more:

1. Step 1: Know your why

3. Step 3: Build a budget that works with your real life

2. Step 2: Dream big, but it’s ok to start small

4. Step 4: Plan like a pro (but don’t overdo it)

5. Step 5: Pack light and smart

6. Step 6: Stop waiting for the right moment

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you book or purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend things I genuinely use and love. Thank you for supporting Perfect Paths

Step 1: Know your why

Sounds a bit cliche, but before you open that flight search tab, I want you to ask yourself: why do I want to travel? Not the Instagram answer or a some deeply philosophical answer, just your plain truth. It could be that you’re craving a genuine break from your routine, or need something to look forward to, or even just have a specific place you’ve wanted to visit for years that you keep pushing. Maybe you want to experience different cultures, try food in the country it actually comes from, or simply prove to yourself that you can do it. Whatever it is, write it down. Your why is what you come back to when the planning feels complicated, when you’re second-guessing the budget, or when someone asks “is now really the right time?” (Spoiler alert: there is never a perfect time.)

Step 2: Dream big, but it’s ok to start small

One of the most common mistakes I see aspiring travelers make is setting a big trip as their first goal, getting overwhelmed by the logistics, and ending up not going at all.

My advice is to start geographically closer. If you’re in Canada, that might mean a weekend in Niagara-on-the-Lake, a long weekend in Quebec City, or a few days in Banff if you’ve never been. If you already have domestic trips under your belt, you can look at the Caribbean, Mexico or even the US as a first international trip. The flights are short (ranging from 3-5 hours), familiar enough infrastructure, and are genuinely incredible experiences.

Don’t think of this as limiting yourself, but as building the travel muscle that will come in handy later on. Short, nearby trips teach you how to pack efficiently, navigate unfamiliar places, manage your time, and handle the unexpected. The confidence you build on a four-day trip is exactly what makes a ten-day trip feel doable six months later. So, dream big, start small, then scale up from there.

Step 3: Build a budget that works with your real life

More than time, one of the biggest reasons people don’t travel is money. But if I could do a 2-day Paris trip on a student budget, then so can you.

Here’s what I’ve learned after traveling on a budget for years: travel is less about how much money you have and more about how intentionally you use it. A well-planned $1,500 trip will deliver a better experience than a last-minute $4,000 one every single time.

So, start by picking a number you can genuinely comfortably afford to spend, then break it into categories: flights, accommodation, food, activities, local transport, and a buffer for surprises (there are always surprises). Then, consider being flexible as shifting your travel dates by even two or three days can save you hundreds of dollars on flights from Toronto. Next, research your destination’s cost of living before you go, because some destinations are genuinely affordable in ways that let your budget stretch, while others look affordable until you’re actually there. Lastly, separate “must-haves” from “nice-to-haves” in your itinerary. Budget for the things that matter most to you first, then fill in the rest. That way, you’ll spend more intentionally and waste less.

Want a structured way to build your travel fund from scratch? My free Vacation Savings Plan walks you through exactly how to do it alongside your regular expenses.

Step 4: Plan like a pro (but don’t overdo it)

I work in project management so planning is second nature to me, but even I will tell you that over-planning a trip will take the fun out of it. What you want is a flexible enough structure that keeps you on track, but leaves enough breathing room for the unexpected moments that could become your favourite memories. Here’s the approach I use:

Identify the two or three must-do activities for this trip. Could be a restaurant, a landmark, a specific experience. Then lock those in and plan everything else around them.
Plan in half-days, not hours. So, think morning, afternoon, evening; not 9am, 10:30am, noon. You’ll move more freely and enjoy each place more.
Group activities by neighbourhoods and book your accommodation with that in mind. Knowing what’s near what saves you a lot of time in back-and-forth transit. Look at the map before you build the daily plan.
Always have a weather backup. Especially if you’re traveling off-season or for outdoor-heavy itineraries. Having a backup rainy day plan is the way to go.

You want to arrive at your destination feeling prepared, not like you’ve already done all the work and just need to execute so leave room for any detour that might come up. That’s usually where the best stuff is.

Step 5: Pack light and smart

Every single time I’ve overpacked, I’ve regretted it. I have been a light packer for as long as I can remember, and it genuinely makes travel so much easier for me. Packing smart starts with knowing your destination’s actual weather for the time of year you’re going, then packing based on that information and what you genuinely need for each activity on your itinerary.

A few principles that have changed how I pack:

Try to make sure every piece in your bag should mix and match with at least two others to save on space.
Wear your bulkiest items on travel days. Like your heaviest shoes and your thickest jacket.
Carry-on when you can. No baggage fees, no baggage claim, no time wasted watching the carousel. Being a pro carry-on travel is one of the best things you can do to make your travel experience better.

If you’re not sure where to start with packing, a good packing list for your destination type is one of the most useful things to search for before your first trip.

Step 6: Stop waiting for the right moment

Just book that flight. To be very honest with you, the right moment is not coming. It is now. There will always be something happening at work. There will always be a reason to wait another month. And if you keep waiting for the right time, you’ll look back in five years and be wishing you’d just gone.

So, I’m challenging you today. Set the date. Book the trip. Even if everything isn’t figured out yet, having a departure date on the calendar will make the planning feel real and the savings become more intentional.

Remember, travel is quite literally a journey, so start where you are, with what you have, for as many days as you can take. The version of you that exists on the other side of that first trip (or that next trip) is a more confident, more capable, and happier version of you. Trust me, it’s worth the leap.

So, where are you headed? Send me a message and I can share a destination-specific tip or two to help you get started.

Safe travels,

Joba.

Ready to start planning your next trip? Browse the blog or head to Resources for tools and guides to help you travel smarter.