Travel Goals: 20 Ultimate List to Inspire You on Your Next Adventure

Updated October 29, 2020 by Clarisse

Travel goals are a big part of my life. Setting achievable goals has allowed me to take on long-term world exploration one step at a time.

I know that many of you dream of traveling the world and adventuring to new places you have yet to see.

Well, I am here for you.

First things first, I want to let you know that you’re incredible for taking the first step in dreaming big! This is what it will take to manifest the things you want to accomplish in your life.

So yes, start by creating the list of things you want to do!

These are your set list of intentions that you should write down and work towards every day of your life.

I know that there are many things that could be holding you back from living the travel lifestyle. But hear me out, if traveling the world is your passion, then don’t let life get in the way.

You’ll find that as you read below, some of these goals are a bit up there. But, that’s what dreams are for.

Remember always to aim high!

If you shoot for the moon and miss, you’ll land among the stars, which is still a super awesome place to be.

Plus, if you learn to break big goals down into tiny chunks, they are likely to become much more achievable.

So here we go.

Set your travel goals for yourself and manifest the things that you truly want in life.

Below are the goals on my list that I’ve continued to live by to get you started. I hope this will help inspire you on your next adventure.

1. Travel to a Different Country Every Year

Traveling to a different country every year was one of the initial goals I set for myself in my journey. It started when I flew to Germany and left the United States for the first time after high school.

I have since kept this promise to myself and traveling as much as I could.

I admit I want to level up this travel goal to visit 100 different countries before I’m 50. If you are as determined to explore the world, I suggest taking on this dream as well.

PS. Check out my story if you’d like to learn more about what got me started on this incredible adventure.

2. Travel During Off-Season

Off-season travel gives you the chance to see the world from a local’s perspective. There are fewer tourists, and you’ll gain experiences you normally otherwise wouldn’t be able to have.

As a big plus, flight and accommodation prices will be at its lowest, so take advantage of this.

3. Take an Epic Road Trip

Take a minimum of 2-weeks, pack your bags, grab your best buds, and take an epic road trip.

See the world at a slower pace and camp along the way. These experiences will become some of the best moments of your life.

4. Live Like a Local

There’s nothing better than immersing yourself in the culture of the country you’re traveling to.

Stay for at least one month, eat the local foods, go to the local bars, joints, and hang out spots. Venture to the farmers market weekly to get your daily dose of fresh vegetables.

Oh, and skip the hotels and stay at an Airbnb to capture the way the locals truly live. Airbnb’s are houses offered by the locals in the area. This way you can have the household experience, even if it’s just for a short month.

5. Befriend a Couple of Locals

Talk to the locals, whether it’s a random stranger on the street or the local store’s shop owner.

Get to know them on a deeper level. Be brave and ask if they would have time to meet you for coffee.

6. Take a Bike Tour

I love taking bike tours of the countries I go to. You can explore more areas and feel the wind and breathe in the fresh air all at the same time.

This is incredibly fun in Europe where they have designated bike paths and rentals are easy to come by.

7. Start a Travel Journal

Journal your thoughts, experiences, and the awesome things you did during your trip.

I have many travel journals that friends have given me over the years. I love that I can carry a piece of the people closest to me everywhere I go.

More than that, I cherish the moments I’ve put down on paper in the pages of those books.

8. Collect Unique Souvenirs

Collect the most unique souvenirs you can find and take home one-of-a-kind memorabilia. As a backpacker, I will usually go for something smaller.

Either way, find the hand-drawn maps or local glassmaker of the city you’re in. You could even leave with something unconventional.

I’ve been known to have taken home a Harry Potter wand from the Warner Bros studio in London.

(Yes, I’m a Harry Potter nerd)

Make it a personal mission to find keepsakes that you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

9. Attend a Local Festival

Immerse yourself in the local culture and attend a festival. These are so much fun and they allow you to become a part of the festivities in the country you’re traveling to.

10. Volunteer in a Different Country

Volunteering is one of the ultimate travel goals I have set for myself.

I want to make a difference in the world.

One of the ways I want to implement this is by volunteering in a country that needs help.

My biggest goal in life is to be a part of something bigger while keeping the travel goals I promised to myself. I hope that you will consider this when you start your world exploration.

11. Experience Solo Travel

Ahh, solo travel, the scariest thing for some people. Don’t be afraid to venture into a different place that you’ve never been to before and explore it all on your own.

To be honest, it’s one of the best things I have ever done for my physical, mental, and emotional health.

I learned a lot from traveling the world solo.

Nothing can rival or substitute the experiences you will encounter when traveling the world on your own.

Try it at least once and see where it leads you!

12. Travel with your Best Buds

Yes, I just finished talking about solo travel. But traveling with your best friend is in a whole new world (yes, Aladdin).

You’ll have the best of times with the person closest to you and you will have the memories of a lifetime.

So, yes, travel the world solo, but if given the right chance, timing, and opportunity, travel with your best bud too!

13. Learn 5 Useful Phrases in a Different Language

“Thank you” is the top phrase I learn when I’m in a country that speaks a different language. Learn four more and you’ll see that it makes a world of difference.

This will help you in understanding the essential everyday words that locals are saying. Plus, they’ll be happy that you took an initiative to know more about their country.

Yes, this means even if it’s as simple as learning a few key phrases in their language.

14. Travel the Best Spots in Your Own Backyard

Take a small step and start traveling to the best spots in your hometown.

Many places in the world have yet to be discovered.

Take the initiative and explore new areas you haven’t been to yet, even if it’s in your own backyard. You never know, you might find a new favorite spot before the day is over.

15. Find the Best Places to Hike

Spending time in nature is a fantastic travel goal.

There are plenty of countries in the world that have spectacular hiking trails.

Find out where they are, either through a quick search or asking a local. I definitely prefer the second option, but either way, this is a great point to have on your travel goals list.

16. Eat at a McDonald’s Restaurant in Every Country

This one is a bit of an unconventional travel goal but one that I have set for myself successfully.

Hear me out, every single McDonalds in the world is unique from each other. The menu items in the restaurants I’ve visited are there to represent each country’s food culture.

Personally, I always try to order the one thing that you won’t be able to find anywhere else in the world.

PS. My top favorites include:

Philippines – Spaghetti

Thailand – Congee

17. Learn their History

There is nothing better than learning the history of a country through its people.

Talk to the locals and strike up a conversation with them about their country’s culture and history.

You never know what you might discover.

At the very least you could come across a very interesting story that you could later tell the world.

PS. You could also take advantage of the museums. Most of them are either super cheap or free.

18. Start a Travel Budget so You Can Travel the World

Yes, the dreaded travel budget. But incredibly essential to those who want the freedom to go on the super epic adventure of a lifetime.

Budgeting before and during your trip is a must if you want your funds to last the entire duration of your journey.

Make it a goal to decide what you’re willing to give up in the short term to gain what you truly want to have in life long-term.

19. Buy a One-Way Ticket

A one-way ticket halfway across the world is one of the scariest but most rewarding things you can do.

It is the ultimate travel goal in a person’s lifetime.

The thrill of not having any plans but only the sense of adventure you carry with you is a crazy but unique experience to have at least once.

But, to be honest, once you’ve done this, the travel bug could end up being in your system for quite some time.

20. Travel to Off the Beaten Path Places

Travel to remote areas in the world and you’ll discover places that only a few have been to.

This is another incredible travel goal because it means that you are willing to take risks. Enjoy the thrill of searching for off the beaten path adventures.