How to Travel More Without Quitting Your Day Job

Think you need to quit your job to travel the world? Think again. While long-term travel is a dream for many, the reality is that most of us have careers, responsibilities, and limited PTO. But that doesn’t mean you can’t explore the world—strategically. Here’s how I maximize travel opportunities while keeping my day job, and how you can too.

1. Prioritize Travel in Your Life

The first step to traveling more is making it a priority. Instead of seeing travel as an occasional luxury, integrate it into your lifestyle. Set clear travel goals, budget for trips, and plan ahead to make it happen.

Pro Tip: Write down your top bucket list experiences, and make a flexible 5 year outline.

I like to plan up to 5 years of travel goals at a time, but I am SUPER flexible, because life happens! It’s just a light outline of places I’d like to go and experiences I’d love to have, so I keep travel a priority in my life. Some years, we don’t travel as much, and that’s okay! Those goals get pushed back to accommodate other life goals—like birthing my beautiful daughter, doing a kitchen remodel, and all the other things life brings. In general, we aim to check off 1-2 bucket list experiences a year!

2. Get Creative with Remote Work and PTO

One of my most memorable trips was visiting my friend Sevyn while she was living in Paris. Instead of using up all my PTO, I worked at remotely for half-days on a few of the days, allowing me to extend my trip without missing too much work. By strategically combining PTO with remote work, I got the best of both worlds—exploring Paris while staying on top of my job.

Pro Tip: Work is not your life, live with intention.

While not quitting your day job is admirable, staying in a job that doesn’t allow time for life outside of work isn’t. There are incredible jobs out there that offer flexibility, better work-life balance, and allow you to make travel a reality. Your life is what you make it—if you feel like your job is limiting your ability to experience the world, it may be time to explore new opportunities.

3. Maximize Your Paid Time Off (PTO)

Use long weekends strategically by planning trips around holidays to extend your time away. Take advantage of company policies like remote work or flexible scheduling to create mini getaways without using extra vacation days.

Pro Tip: Stack Holidays & Long Weekends

Plan your trips around national holidays or company-wide closures. Adding just one or two PTO days to a holiday weekend can turn a 3-day break into a 5-6 day getaway—giving you plenty of time to explore without burning through your vacation days.

5. Use Travel Credit Cards to Save Big

Jake and I have consistently used travel credit cards to book incredible deals—like $192 flights to Italy and $94 flights to Egypt. By simply putting our everyday purchases and larger necessary expenses on credit cards that earn points, we’ve saved thousands on flights and hotels.

⚠️ A Word of Caution: While travel credit cards can be a game-changer, they only work to your advantage if you pay off your balance in full every month. Interest charges can quickly cancel out any rewards if you carry a balance, so be strategic and disciplined with your spending.

6. Explore Closer to Home

Not all travel needs to be international. Weekend road trips, national parks, and nearby destinations can provide just as much adventure without long flights or extensive planning.

Pro Tip: Extend Work Trips Into Vacations

If your job involves business travel, take advantage of your location! Stay an extra weekend, explore a nearby city, or use points to bring a spouse or friend along. This way, you can turn work obligations into travel opportunities.

7. Plan Efficient Itineraries

A well-planned trip ensures you make the most of your limited time. I help clients craft strategic itineraries that maximize experiences, minimize transit time, and fit their schedule seamlessly.

Pro Tip: Avoid Overpacking Your Itinerary

It’s tempting to squeeze in as much as possible, but rushing from one place to another can leave you exhausted instead of fulfilled. Focus on quality over quantity, allowing enough time to fully experience each destination. A well-planned itinerary should include buffer time for unexpected adventures, delays, or just a chance to slow down and soak it all in.

A well-planned trip ensures you make the most of your limited time. I help clients craft strategic itineraries that maximize experiences, minimize transit time, and fit their schedule seamlessly.

8. Get Professional Help to Streamline Your Trips

Want to travel more without spending hours researching flights, hotels, and logistics? That’s where I come in. At Cultured Compass, I specialize in creating customized, stress-free itineraries that help you maximize every vacation day without the planning hassle.

Pro Tip: Work Smarter, Not Harder

If travel planning overwhelms you or keeps getting pushed to the bottom of your to-do list, outsource it! A well-planned itinerary can save time, money, and stress—letting you focus on enjoying the experience.

Why You Should Make Travel a Priority

Travel isn’t just about checking destinations off a bucket list—it’s an investment in yourself. Experiencing new places challenges your perspective, broadens your understanding of different cultures, and brings a sense of adventure to life that can break up the monotony of daily routines. Studies show that taking time away from work can boost creativity, reduce stress, and even improve productivity when you return. Travel allows you to step outside your comfort zone, build confidence, and create unforgettable memories. You don’t have to quit your job to experience the world—you just need to prioritize it. By making travel a non-negotiable part of your year, you’re not just planning vacations—you’re actively choosing a richer, more fulfilling life.

Let’s Make Travel Work for You

You don’t have to quit your job to see the world—you just need the right strategy. With smart PTO planning, efficient itineraries, and the right financial tools, travel is possible for anyone who makes it a priority.

Book a free 15-minute consultation, and I’ll show you how to see more of the world—without quitting your job.

✨ Don’t just dream it—live it.