Chantell was full of adventure, and young. She loved to explore and she wrote this post to help everyone learn about budget backpacking in your 30s and beyond.
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While backpacking is for all women (and men) of any age, Chantell did this journey in her 30s. All information, tips and experience are in Chantell’s words. Read on about her journey.
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Budget Backpacking in Your 30s and Beyond
(in Chantell’s Words)
As I get older, a lot of things about me change. I feel more confident in who I am, care less about what people think, and prefer experiences over material possessions. But there is one thing that remains the same – my commitment to value-for-money vacations.
I’ve been a budget traveler for many years, however, after turning 30, I quickly noticed the difference between traveling in my 20s. Backpacking in your 30s (or beyond) has its own set of challenges, rewards, and amusing situations.
So, if you’ve ever felt like the only independent adventurer over 30 – you’re not alone. There are plenty of other women out there, like you and me, who still love exploring economically. Here are my 10 truths about backpacking at 30 or more as a female. How many do you relate to?
1. You are the only person at the hostel over 30
After checking into your hostel, you start chatting with your roommates to discover everyone is under the age of 25 and on a gap year or semester break from university.
Where are all the 30 somethings at? Obviously, flush with cash and staying in an Airbnb apartment or 5-star hotel where they don’t have to share a bathroom.
2. Your new travel friends are ten years younger and say that you are like a big sister/brother
In the travel world, age isn’t a barrier to friendship and strong connections are easily formed with people of different backgrounds and all walks of life.
3. All your backpacking clothes are comfy (and probably old)
Your backpack is full of baggy sweaters, old t-shirts, yoga pants, jean shorts, and comfortable walking shoes. You constantly look like you are going on a hike, to the gym, to the beach, or a combination of the three.
4. You packed one “going out” outfit and you don’t even care
Up-market restaurant, a gig at a nice venue, trendy nightclub – no matter the occasion, you’ve got your trusty going out jeans and shirt or little black dress. And if the budget allows more than one night out a week, then that little number gets another spin around the block.
Who wants to pack multiple fancy clothes and haul around all that extra weight?
5. You hear comments like “I want to be just like you when I’m older”
It is nice to hear that you are inspiring. Maybe not so nice when they talk about being over 30 like it’s 100.
6. Before heading out on a bender, you put water and painkillers next to your dorm bunk
With age comes wisdom… and worse hangovers. Luckily, experience teaches us how to be prepared for these things and every hangover cure known to humankind.
7. You skillfully negotiate free entrance/shots for your new group of travel friends
Another benefit to backpacking at 30 and being the more experienced traveler is that you know how to get things for cheap (or free!). Impress your new travel friends with your bartering skills or by sweet-talking your way into a nightclub without paying cover.
8. On a wild night out, you end of trying to make sure everyone gets back safe
Having younger friends can sometimes bring out our protective and nurturing side. When it gets towards the end of a night out and the group is messy, you might hear yourself saying things like “send me a message to let me know that you got back safe”.
9. You manage to be the only one in the group who doesn’t get pickpocketed/scammed
Years of traveling (and life experience) have taught you how to be aware of your surroundings, keep your valuables close, and avoid common traveling scams.
10. You wonder if you will still be budget backpacking in your 40s and beyond
At times it might feel strange to be staying in a 10-bedroom dorm room or becoming instant BFFs with an 18-year-old backpacker from Germany. But in the end, you love your life and way of travel and wouldn’t change it for a thing.
Who wants to stay in a stuffy holiday rental anyway?
So here’s to the next ten years of budget backpacking and many more.
What are the truths for travelers in your age group? Tell us about it below!
And if you liked the post – share it with your friends on social media.
Kristen says
I love this! I just turned 30 this summer and have had my moments of reflecting on how all of my “travel life” thus far has been in my 20s, wondering what it will be like now in my 30s. Like you, I don’t have any plans to change how I travel. Thanks for sharing!
Chantell Collins says
Welcome to the 30 something club! I loved turning 30 – I felt so much more confident and happy with who I am than I did when I was in my 20s. The only thing that was weird for me was finding that when I was traveling, that I wasn’t meeting that many 30 somethings. I hope that more are inspired to keep budget backpacking like us 🙂
Karen says
Haha, this is soooo me! I’m turning 32 in June, and this describes me and my trips 🙂 It’s still lovely to budgetbackpack at our age, but i do act differently now 🙂
Chantell Collins says
Yes to this! I am with you 100%. I still love traveling on a budget, even though I am older. No plans to slow down anytime soon 😉
Brock says
Always wanted to travel the world and see all there is to offer while also observing the many different cultures these places have to offer. Unfortunately I dropped out of college after three years as my parents said I needed to study before traveling then took on a bunch of jobs to pay off my non successful educational experience. Now that I’m 33 I feel like I missed out on the time to make the adventure. I’m.hoping within the next year I can save up and plan a trip to explore Europe or SA. am I too old or will I still have a great experience? Any info or wisdom.wpuld be much appreciated
Chantell Collins says
You are definitely not too old! I’m 34 and I’m sitting in a villa in Bali right now :). I would say that in Europe if you are visiting the most popular cities and staying in hostels – that’s where you’ll find most of the younger travelers. Like Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam, etc (but not necessarily) which prompted me to write this article. I found that I was one of the oldest in the hostel but again, this was only in the most popular European cities and I still had a blast with my new younger friends :). If you go to Europe and find yourself surrounded by a younger crowd in a hostel and want more diversity, then you just have to get off the beaten track a little. There are so many European destinations that are overlooked. For example, if you do go to Barcelona, also check out nearby cities such as Valencia, Girona, etc. I hope that helps 🙂
Val says
Ha I loved this post .. made me smile! They’d really think old if I went to a hostel ha ha!
Great tips Chantel !
Valerie
Chantell Collins says
No way! You look amazing and you are so much fun. You would be super welcome anywhere you went ;*
Shannon | Our Taste of Travel says
Omg we definitely relate to this! I recently published a post along the same lines – as a 31 year old backpacker (with a 42 year old in tow) I feel ya sister 🙂
Chantell Collins says
Great minds think alike! 😀
Sapna says
I simply loved your post. I started traveling when I was in my late 20’s. I refuse to spend money on hotels on a regular basis though in between I do stay in good properties. I love the vibe of hostels though we don’t have hostels all over India.
I so much agree with your points.
I felt as you are echoing my thoughts.
Chantell Collins says
Aw that’s so great to hear! I do love staying in hotels too. All types of accommodation have their time and place, I just definitely won’t be giving up hostels and budget accommodation just because I am a little older 🙂
Bernadette Jackson says
Love it! It has to be said that at 53, my knees aren’t what they used to be, and some things have had to take a back seat. But I can so relate to having lots of younger friends with multiple decades between us as part of the travel experience. One said to me recently: “You’ll never be old, You’re Bernie!” A spirit of adventure will always cross the years.
Jk says
Bernadette, are you on Instagram?
Bernadette Jackson says
I am indeed. You’ll find me here: https://www.instagram.com/apackedlife/?hl=en. 🙂 Looking forward to connecting.
And a big thanks to Chantell for letting me know you’d asked.
Chantell Collins says
You are an inspiration!I hope that I am still traveling in my 50s. It’s so great to have friends of all ages and lifestyles 🙂
Tamsin Grainger says
Lol. I am in my 50s and recognise some of this but the others say I am like their mother not sister!
Chantell Collins says
Ha ha, that’s so sweet :). You and Bernadette both rock!
Bernadette Jackson says
I think I’m not far off Gran territory these days. 😉
But I reckon it’s about staying open-minded to all those fabulous experiences still to be had. Glad there are plenty of us out there doing just that!
Carolina says
Haha, Love this post! Me and my boyfriend have been travelling the last year and when we say we are 32 and 36 everyone just “is your kids at home?” “You dont have kids?” “Aha so you will get kids when you come home from
this trip” and we’re like No, No, No!
Chantell Collins says
Ohhh man that’s funny! I think because I was traveling solo, no one asked about the kids. My family used to but have given up he he. I definitely don’t plan on settling down anytime soon so I am totally with you there 😀
Brianna Rice says
Oh gosh, I think I may be a 30 year old budget backpacker disguised as a 25 year old! I’ve always been a little more mature for my age though 😛 Glad to hear nothing drastic will change as I keep traveling!
Chantell Collins says
Aw that’s cute! I bet you would be fun to travel with 🙂
Vickiviaja says
Really nice read. I really enjoyed reading it. My boyfriend is 32 and we are budget backpacking through Asia these months. He is always complaining that most people we meet are around 10 years younger and he feels old. Haha but in the end age is just a number. We even went out for a beer with a 60 year old couple traveling the same way. 😀
Chantell Collins says
What a nice experience! I was feeling the same way in Europe – I loved all the people I was meeting but just surprised that there didn’t seem to be that many backpackers in their 30s or older. You do meet the occasional one and they always have amazing stories! I think I will find more when I start traveling in other continents
Carrie says
I just turned 28 and can already relate to much of this! One of the most discouraging things has been age restrictions on staying in dorms. I’ve found that when I’m allowed to stay in dorms in the US, Europe, and SE Asia, my bunkmates tend to be gap-year early 20’s folks. But in Africa and much of the Americas, I meet lots of folks in their 30’s, 40’s and even 60’s and 70’s staying in dorms. It’s such a different atmosphere.
Chantell Collins says
There are age restrictions on dorms?? I have traveled a lot in Europe, North America, and SE Asia which is where I have had the experience of meeting younger people. Hopefully, with plans to travel to South America next year, I will meet more backpackers in my age range or older 🙂
Cathy @ The Trekking Cat says
Love that you haven’t let age deter you from budget travel and seeing the world! Go you!
William says
This is pretty true. Thanks for sharing.
Chantell Collins says
Thanks William! 🙂
BackpackingTony says
This is amazing! I started backpacking at 33. I’ve always been the oldest person in the dorm! When I took a trip around the world I think I saw only 4 other people in my age bracket backpacking! In 2 weeks I’ll be celebrating my 44th birthday. You guessed it! I’ll be in a hostel in Dublin, Ireland!
Thanks for saying what all of us are thinking!
Chantell Collins says
Wow you have such an amazing story Tony! Your comment has really made my day. I am so happy that you liked the article and you took the time to write a comment and tell us about your story. Have an incredible birthday in Dublin and I hope that you have many more exciting adventures and fun times in hostels 😉
katherine pierce says
That’s awesome I am 30 and started to save a year ago to go take a hike around the world… Hope it doesn’t feel awkward.
Chantell Collins says
Hi Katherine! That is so exciting. You are going to have a great time and make lots of new friends. I have joked in this article about my experiences but you can meet older people in hostels, especially if you avoid the party hotels. But meeting younger travelers and going dancing with them can be a lot of fun to!
Zachary Stafford says
I love this! I’m still backpacking and traveling full time after four years and I didn’t start until I was 38. 🙂
But I have to say, all of these things apply to men as well, except for maybe sweet talking your way into a club. No dude can do that.
Chantell Collins says
Hey Zachary! Thanks for sharing your experience of backpacking in your 30s. I feel like I should now challenge you to sweet talk your way into a club ha ha. Good luck with all your future travels!
Timothy says
I started a big backpacking trip when I was 34 until covid kinda ruined it after three months. When this will all be over, I will be 36 but i will leave again. Staying in hostels, being probably the oldest but looking forward to have fun with younger people, meeting older travellers like me and just be carefree for a while.
And the great thing is that i don’t need to worry about saving for the future as I already own my own place which i can rent out.
Chantell Collins says
Hey Timothy! This sounds like a great plan. Where did you spend your first three months backpacking? I did find that I was often the oldest person in the hostel when backpacking through the more popular cities in Europe. However, if you go to lesser-known destinations, I believe you’ll find more travelers of all ages and backgrounds. I wish you all the best in your future travels! And I’m also looking forward to traveling like this again when it’s possible