Taking a Career Break at 30 (+): How to Make It Happen and Go Travelling

Here is why taking a career break at 30 (or in your 30s in general) to go travelling is the best idea. From someone who has actually done it!

Have you ever looked back and wished you’d travelled more when you were younger?
Or found yourself partway up the career ladder, maybe even with a mortgage, wondering, “Is this it?” That lingering feeling that there might be more to life than the daily routine, more out there waiting to be explored?

These were the exact thoughts I was having. While I originally planned on just taking a sabbatical, this turned into a career break, long-term travel, and an eventual lifestyle change.

So, here is how I ended up taking a career break at 30 (ok, really at 35), and more importantly, how and why you can too!

Why your 30s are the best age to take a career break

Yes, it might be unorthodox to go long-term travelling in your 30s, particularly solo travelling, but I firmly believe you will get more out of this at this age.

This is the biggest one for me. You are older and wiser (yes, really). And with this comes increased confidence. This confidence is more to do with knowing what you want and what you want to get out of this experience. For me, this meant a lot less partying than if I had been younger. I wanted to make the most out of each place I visited, and got up early most days to experience this.

The life experience you have under your belt means you are much better at setting boundaries and more confident to do what you want. I was more than happy to say no to things that didn’t align with the experience I wanted, and didn’t feel the dreaded FOMO. Quite simple, you have more clarity on what you want.

You’re (probably) more financially stable

Having spent some time on the career ladder means you have had a steady income for a few years, and so have been able to build up savings.

Life in the rat race has probably taught you a thing or two about smarter money habits, and the good news is, many of those can be applied directly to travelling. Whether it’s using cashback sites to earn while you spend, booking flights with a rewards credit card to collect points, or choosing a bank that offers built-in travel insurance, your everyday financial savvy can stretch your travel budget further. You might also already be in the habit of setting up direct debits, automating savings, or hunting down the best deals, all of which can help make long-term travel more affordable and sustainable.

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Being more financially responsible means you will know how to balance when to budget and when to justify those little treats. For me, these included private rooms at least every three weeks, a hot air balloon ride in the Serengeti, a solo safari in Kruger and hiring a campervan solo for a week!

You’re still young enough to travel freely

For now, you might still have fewer responsibilities, perhaps no children yet, no major mortgage commitments, or no dependents to care for. This window of relative freedom won’t stay open forever. Life is short, and there’s no guarantee that retirement will bring the time, health, or opportunity to explore the world the way you can now. So why wait? If the urge to travel is calling, maybe now is exactly the right moment to answer it.

Career FOMO isn’t as bad as you think

Trust me, not one person you have left behind in your job is going to tell you how much better their life is looking than yours. Stepping away from your job doesn’t mean you’re falling behind; it means you’re choosing a different kind of progress, one that prioritises experience, personal growth, and perspective. And when (or if) you return to your career, you’ll likely find you haven’t missed nearly as much as you feared — and gained far more than you expected.

In my case, I have decided not to return to full-time employment. Instead, I am freelancing to ensure that I can still travel as and when I want. As well as focusing much more on content creation!

How to decide if taking a career break at 30 is right for you

While the idea of leaving the everyday behind to go travelling might sound incredibly appealing, it is important you have thoroughly considered it all the way through, to know if it is right for you.

However, nothing is forever, and it is much more important to regret the things you do do, than the things you don’t. If there is even a small part of you that wants to do this, then go for it. Your plans don’t have to be set in stone.

Travelling without a flight home booked gave me much more choice and freedom. If something wasn’t working the way I planned, I changed the style of travel, the destination, or the outcome. I also did a lot of work to accept that nothing is going to be 100% perfect, and that there were going to be some tough days, but I absolutely know the memories I make and the experiences I gain will last a lifetime. 

Fully consider why you want to take this break

Be brutally honest with yourself. Are you burnt out? Bored? Unfulfilled? Craving adventure, or just stuck in a rut? Understanding your motivations will help guide your decisions. It is so important to embark on this because you want new experiences, rather than just running away from something.

Work out exactly what you want from this experience

Is it adventure, personal growth, cultural immersion, or just a complete reset? Do you want to slow down, explore, meet people, learn new skills, or all of the above? Knowing what you’re hoping to get out of the experience can help you plan a trip that aligns with your goals, rather than just ticking destinations off a list.

For me, it was a chance to visit countries that I didn’t think I could have fitted into my annual leave. But it was more than that. I wanted to gain self-confidence and resilience, knowing how far solo travel would push me out of my comfort zone. It was to step out of my daily routine and the regularity I had found myself in. And finally, to prove to myself I could do it.

I can say I achieved all of these things!

Consider your career, family and life commitments

Life at 30 can look different for everyone. Maybe you’re settled into a steady job, maybe you’ve started a family, or maybe you’re caring for others or saving for a home. Think carefully about how your career break will impact your current responsibilities.

Ask yourself:

• Will this break disrupt something important, or will it is it create something better?
• Is a career path important to you, and are you worried about a pause or pivot?
• Perhaps most importantly: Are you running from something, or running toward something

There’s no shame in needing an escape, and for me, it was a combination of both. But the more honest you are with yourself, the more likely you are to come back with clarity, not just memories.

Understand both the challenges and why they are worth it

Of course, there are challenges and risks, and these are things to carefully consider. But they could easily be a reason not to do this incredible thing. So, acknowledge them and change the way you see them.

• Job security: Careers aren’t as linear as they once were. Many employers now value life experience, resilience, and adaptability. These are all things you will gain from taking a career break at 30.
• Future employment: Taking a career break doesn’t mean your professional life ends. You can return stronger, more focused, and with fresh perspectives that add value to any role. You might also find you are ready for a complete change in direction. And the time away gives you the space to realise this.
• Financial concerns: The thought of using your savings can be daunting, but money comes and goes, and these memories will last a lifetime. Consider your destinations in relation to your budget, see if you can earn money while you travel, or consider your assets at home.

How to plan your career break

If you have decided that taking a career break at 30 is right for you, then it is time to get planning. Here are some clear steps you can take to make this happen!

Talk to your employer

Before making any other decisions, talk to your employer about your plans. Many companies now have sabbatical policies in place, or might be open to considering it. These can vary from a month to sometimes up to a year. This might be a good alternative, allowing you to travel with the security of a job to return to. Once you have had this conversation and know your options, you can then decide on the next step.

When planning my career break, I had originally agreed on a 12-week sabbatical; however, circumstances changed, and I ended up leaving. This allowed me to be much more relaxed with my planning, and I enjoyed not having the return to work deadline.

Decide when to go

Your conversation with your employer might be a factor in this if you decide on a mutually beneficial time to go.

Regardless, the other things to consider are:

• Is there a best time of the year to go to the destinations you are planning?
• How long do you need to save?
• How long is your notice period?
• What admin do you have to sort before leaving (eg, renting out a house)?
• Are there special occasions you don’t want to miss, or want to be back for?

Plan your finances – taking a career break at 30

The final thing to consider is your finances. Before you go, you might want to consider:

• Estimating your travel budget.
  Working out a rough budget per country will help you work out how much money you will need to have before you go. Consider flights, the style of accommodation you plan to stay in, and your daily expenses.

• Consider your savings.
  Even if you have savings already in place for your career break, are they going to be enough to do what you want to do? I decided I didn’t want to worry about money while I was away. So, while I travelled on a budget, I always had my f*ck it fund for the things I really wanted to do (hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti, helihike on a glacier, snorkelling with sharks etc etc).

• Earning on the Road
  If you want your funds to stretch further, are there ways to earn while you are away? Can you rent out your house? Or look into freelancing, remote working or volunteering. Do you want to apply for a working holiday visa? Allow yourself enough time to plan these things.

Decide how you want to travel – taking a career break at 30

Some parts of this might be decided by your situation, for example, whether you are going to travel solo or with a partner or friend. I didn’t have anyone in the same situation as me, so solo travel was the only choice. But regardless, I would have wanted to do it solo anyway.

If you are nervous about solo travel, you could look into group travel to start your journey.

Top Tip: If you are torn between solo travel and group travel tours, this post will help you weigh the pros and cons:
Solo travel vs group travel: Which is right for you? 

Do you want to visit lots of countries, and spend a week or two in each? Or do you want to solo travel? Or a combo – the beauty of taking a career break at 30. You have the wisdom and time to decide. For me, it was a combination. I spent many weeks in Australia and New Zealand, and then just over a month travelling the Pacific Islands (Samoa, Fiji and Kiribati) before a 3-day layover in Qatar on my way home. Followed by a 2-month trip overlanding through Africa!

What you’ll gain from taking a career break at 30

The benefits of taking a career break at 30 are immense. To name a few: perspective, confidence, and a broader worldview, professional and personal growth, as well as Stories you’ll tell for a lifetime.

Final thoughts on taking a career break at 30

Taking a career break at 30 isn’t irresponsible, it’s considered. By this point in life, you’re making choices that reflect your values, priorities, and what genuinely feels right for you. It doesn’t matter what anyone else is doing, or what society says you should be doing. This is about achieving one of the most empowering things you can do.

If you feel youa re stuck in a rut, there is another path waiting for your, or you simply have itchy feet. This is your sign to go for it! Book that trip, you will have zero regrets. I promise you I don’t have a single one.

I hope you find this post inspiring, and if you have any questiosn at all – please reach out to me: on Instagram or at wherecharliewanders@gmail.com

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