So much of daily life is planned: You know when you’ll wake up, when you’ll get to work, how the day will play out, and usually what you’ll have for dinner. The spontaneity and beauty of life is sometimes lost in our calendars and alarm clocks.
This even extends to vacations and adventures abroad! In today’s world, it’s easy to get lost in the places you have to see according to this blog or that influencer. If you don’t book in advance and read all of the reviews, will there even be a place to stay? The search for the perfect experience often results in less joyful moments and the surprising discoveries that make travel so exhilarating and life-changing.
Travel without a plan may seem scary, but there are many benefits to seeing where the wind takes you. Sometimes, traveling with no plan is the best plan!
10 reasons to travel without a plan
Travel without a plan and open yourself to a world of possibilities.
There are a variety of reasons to travel without planning. Even keeping one to two days free during your next adventure can add a lot to your trip.
You don’t know it yet, but the experiences will find you, even if you’re not pre-booking, reserving, and arranging. Here are the top 10 reasons you’ll continue traveling with no plan after you try it once:
1. Worry less
Let’s be honest, planning a trip can be stressful! There’s so much to consider, from reading reviews and scouring the internet for the best things to do or see to making the actual bookings, which in many cases are non-refundable.
The recommendations you get after arrival are always going to be the best, so why not wait and see? You’ll worry less about hitting all the hot spots and have more time to prep other things, like your packing list!
2. Have more time
It’s easy to over-book when pre-planning time in a new place. You’re not sure yet how long it takes to get everywhere, what transportation will be like, and what/where you may want to spend more time exploring. Traveling with no plan allows you to spend more time in places that inspire and fulfill your wanderlust (and to move on if you’re not feeling it)!
3. Be able to change your mind
When you’re not locked in by plans, whether they’re hotel reservations or train tickets, you can change your mind mid-trip. What if you meet a new travel buddy and want to travel together? Hear of a great little town you should go to instead of the one you planned on staying in? Flexibility in your travel plans opens doors and new opportunities.
4. Grow as a person
When you travel without a plan, you’ll no doubt face some challenges, like an experience that is already fully booked or a day searching for something to do. But meeting these challenges develops skills like adaptability, problem solving, cross-cultural communication, and open-mindedness. You’ll learn far more about the world, and yourself, through travel without planning.
READ: How Travel Helps You Grow
5. Appreciate unique experiences
You’ll have a chance to meet new people and enjoy new experiences together.
Taking your trip day by day, even hour by hour, is a surefire way to have unique experiences. A chance conversation could evolve into a culturally immersive dinner, a free night could result in tickets to a local performance, and a walk with no destination could lead to live music, magical views, and new friends!
There’s no telling the many adventures you’ll have, people you’ll meet, and places you’ll visit, which is what makes this type of travel experience so magical and exhilarating.
6. Make new connections
Traveling with no plan means you’ll be asking a lot of questions, getting local recommendations in your destination, and talking to people. Some of these people may be fellow travelers on a similar journey. Many will be those who live in the area.
Sharing accommodation, meals, and experiences brings you closer to the community and people within it, even if you don’t share a common language. It’s the best way to learn more about a place, discover what makes it special, and connect with it, which is the ultimate goal of travel, right?
7. Save money
Pre-booking often comes with a high price tag. It’s easier to save money when you can shop around in your destination, pay in the local currency, and get tips on what to avoid and what to splurge on from residents, who will know their town/city the best.
You can also save money by sharing meals, accommodation, and more with those you meet along the way. Consider taking advantage of what you find upon arrival—grocery stores, public transportation, etc. Basically—do as the locals do!
8. Simplify your life
You will never feel as free as you will waking up in a new place, with no schedule, no to-do list, and maybe even no cell service! Truly live in the moment, do what you feel like, whatever sounds good at the time. It’s not just a way to travel, it’s an approach to life, one not often experienced in today’s connected and calendar-addicted world.
9. Discover cool places
The world is full of awe-inspiring places. Now’s your chance to see them.
When you’re asking yourself, “Should I travel without a plan?” consider all the cool places you might have seen if you had the freedom to do so.
Picture this: You’re on a hike, and you want to go farther because you heard from someone at your hostel there’s an epic waterfall at mile marker five, but you have a pre-booked train ticket to your next destination and have to turn around. What a bummer!
Consider the possibilities when you leave room for exploration. There will be other trains to catch.
10. Be curious
Curiosity is key when discovering a new place and a common trait of international travelers. Ask questions, explore the unknown, try new things!
Travel with no plan requires a sense of adventure and curiosity about the world: its history, its people, its buildings, landscapes, and more. Your discoveries will be life-changing!
4 arguments in favor of making a travel plan
While traveling without a plan is attractive, you’ll most likely face some arguments for making at least some preparations depending on where you’re going, why you’re traveling, and who you may be going with. Consider the following prior to booking your trip to see what types of plans may be beneficial to make in advance. Arguments in favor of traveling with a plan include:
1. Planning ahead can be less stressful
While “living in the moment” is attractive to many, it’s a simple reality that for some, a lack of any plan can cause more stress. Finding a balance is key for your mental health.
Try planning a few things while keeping the majority of your days free. Or, book your hotel stays but don’t pre-plan activities. Planning in moderation can be the best solution for a stress-free journey.
2. Some destinations require more planning
The benefits of not having a plan depend on where you’re planning on traveling. If your destination is extremely different culturally from your own, you’ll want to make sure you know what language they speak and if there are any cultural taboos you should be aware of.
If the country does not have public transportation, will you be able to rent a car? Do you drive on the same side of the road? These are just a couple of examples where having a bit of a plan is well worth the effort.
READ: What Are the Benefits of Cultural Awareness?
3. You can save money
A little planning in advance can help you save money so you can more easily explore all your destination has to offer.
In some instances, you can save money with pre-planning, especially if you’re going to a very popular destination. Booking flights in advance is a good way to save money.
If you’re traveling during a high tourist season, consider booking accommodation in advance as well. Doing some research into exchange rates and how you’ll get cash internationally never hurt anyone’s wallet either!
4. Planning helps when traveling with a group
Making decisions on the fly definitely loses its appeal when traveling with a group. Everyone has their own preferences, and traveling can be a true test of compatibility. Pre-booking can help you avoid some uncomfortable conversations and ensure there is enough space for your group at restaurants, hotels, and excursions.
4 things you definitely should plan for
Some things related to logistics, safety, and finances should always be planned for when traveling, especially internationally. For example, if you’re a solo female traveler, traveling with young children, or going to a country with a language you don’t understand or culture very different from your own, some research is highly recommended. Here are a few things you should always plan for when traveling abroad:
1. Passport and visas
If travel documents are required, make sure to get started on securing them early. You won’t be able to have the time of your life if you’re not able to enter the country!
READ: 8 Essential “To-Do’s” Before You Travel Abroad
2. Basic country information
This can’t be emphasized enough. Make sure you’re aware of basic information like language spoken, currency, things to expect on arrival, transportation options, etc. This is especially true for those traveling alone or with young children—safety should be a priority!
3. Transportation in-country
Some destinations will require some forethought when it comes to getting around. It shouldn’t take much research to glean whether you’ll need to arrange transportation in advance. Even booking just your ride from the airport is a good safety measure to take—it’s sometimes overwhelming arriving in a new place, and you could save some money and stress by having this piece of your trip arranged.
4. First night’s accommodation
Similar to your travel from your point of arrival, having your first night’s stay booked is a good idea, especially if you’re new to traveling with no plan!
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Plan or no plan, it’s time to get out there and see the world!
Where will you travel without a plan first?
There’s no better time to travel than right now! Don’t plan a trip you’ll never go on—if you have a dream destination, there’s a way to get there. Once there, soak up the freedom of not having much (or anything) planned!
Traveling without a plan is exhilarating and relaxing at the same time. You don’t know what your journey has in store, but you know it will be fulfilling and worthwhile.
READ NEXT: 10 Benefits of Exploring New Places (So Just Go!)
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