For many working professionals, the 40–50-hour workweek leaves little room for spontaneity—let alone international getaways. But with intention, structure, and a few strategic moves, regular travel is possible without burning through your PTO or bank account. Whether it’s pairing holidays with vacation days or turning business trips into brief escapes, travel isn’t just for the free-spirited—it’s for the organized.
Combine holidays and paid vacation days. As simple as this may seem, many employees don’t underestimate the power over their earned days off. Some say traveling around holidays is too expensive, airports are too busy, etc. The gem is that when planned accordingly and in advance, coupling a vacation day (or two or three) with a holiday can turn out to be quite the experience. Worried about wasting time flying depending on your destination? Hop on a red-eye or flight immediately after work. Upon arrival you’ll be well rested from your plane nap and ready to see what the night has to offer.
Road Trips. The most accessible trips can be taken with a full tank of gas and a family member or friend. Road trips are often frowned upon because of traffic and possible road conditions, but it can be an amazing time to bond with friends and see beautiful sunsets and sunrises. A quick 3-5 hour ride can maximize your weekend and help you escape from the worries of your stressful work week.
Allocate extra money to a travel fund. The most important thing I’ve learned in traveling is when and how to set aside money for travel. Bonuses, tax refunds, online bank apps, etc. can all be essential in saving for your desperately needed trips. Tuesdays, six weeks before your trip at 3pm is one of the best times to book travels. Skimp on your $5 Starbucks frap and make coffee at home, that’s $100 a month that can get you on the first plane smoking to your vacation. Plan ahead for cheaper pricing. In addition to saving money for flights, you can save on accommodations by using couchsurfing.com. This website is safe, and allows you to find a suitable person to put you on their couch or private bedroom in their home for free! That’s right, free99! While in San Francisco I stayed with a wonderful, loving family who showed me around, gave me tips and even cooked a few homemade meals for me (with wine!) all for free. The best part is that these families and individuals do it out of the kindest of their hearts to provide a safe haven for travelers across the world. Another option is volunteering with different organizations for 1 or 2 weeks(free accommodation and food). If these lodging scenarios aren’t ideal for you, there is always AirBnb which provides homes for a discounted rate depending upon longevity of your stay. Whichever you choose, save your pennies ahead of time for the 1 of 5 possible trips for the year.
Business trips. As exhausting as business trips can be, why not gain some form of joy from them by utilizing your time. Training workshops and webinars will definitely consume 5-6 hours of a business trip per day. But AFTER, power up with a nap and hit the town to sightsee, try new foods and venture out on an activity you’ve been fearful of trying for years. The greatest benefit of business trips besides the knowledge you are gaining is that your company foots the bill for all expenses paid! So, the next time your boss mentions a business trip, perk up knowing that an adventure is on the way!
Frequent travel doesn’t require endless PTO or a massive budget—it requires clarity, discipline, and resourcefulness. From aligning vacations with holidays to leveraging business travel and free lodging platforms, there are practical ways to turn limited time into lasting experiences. If you plan smart, even a packed calendar can leave space for the world.
As always, safe travels!
Written By: JournalisticChic