I Went Solo Backpacking In My 40s And This Is What Happened

So you are wondering if budget backpacking in your 30s, 40s, or 50s and beyond is even a thing? Can’t afford luxury travel, fancy hotels and resorts but you want to travel so hard? Or maybe you think that gap year solo travel isn’t for you? Then you have come to the right place!

Because in this post I will debunk all the myths!

I will cover all the technical aspects, such as staying in hostels, socializing, meeting people, and enjoying traveling on a budget and with a backpack when you are a little more ”grown up”. But I will also address your concerns and share some of my personal experiences.

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For the longest time, I wondered if this article should even be written at all.

In my travels around the world, as a ‘mature’ budget backpacker, I most often meet travelers in their 20s. They are taking a gap year, traveling throughout the summer, or taking some time off shortly after graduating from school.

I have not met many travelers who, like me, have decided to quit their job at 43 and travel on a shoestring budget with no end in sight.

I would most likely meet more people my age in coworking spaces and coliving accommodations for digital nomads, but I guess this is a different crowd too. The rest will be staying in a private hotel room, taking organized tours and cooking classes.

So what do you do if you find yourself in between, fitting neither here nor there?

You are not a digital nomad type, with a budget too low for a fancy hotel, but also not a backpacker in your 20s either.

You are not a remote worker, a famous vlogger, and well past your 20s when being irresponsible and adventurous is perfectly acceptable.

Do you give up on your dream?

Absolutely not, you shouldn’t.

Disclosure: I am not telling you to quit your job and go traveling. I am not encouraging you to make any decision, and how you orchestrate your life should be entirely up to you. But if you are here reading this article, chances are that you are wondering what it’s like to travel for a long time on a shoestring budget in your 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond. I am here to give you my thoughts, share my experiences, and maybe offer a piece of advice or two. The rest is up to you.

The back story

I quit my job to travel in my 40s and become a travel blogger (spoiler alert – it did not go as planned!)

I did not have a house to sell. For many years, I was an immigrant trying to settle in a new country (or several) in search of what they call a “good life”

I eventually got there. By my late 30s, I had found a good job, and if I had stuck with it, I could probably buy a house now. I mean, get a mortgage.

Also, buy a car, take out a loan, and have a good retirement plan. But I didn’t do that. I decided to follow my dream. I was completely delulu, but I would not change a minute of it!

While the other 40- and 50-somethings would sell their homes or rent out their apartments to travel in comfort, stay in Airbnb, and rent cars, I, on the other hand, packed my one backpack and went on a budget backpacking trip.

I stayed in hostels and ate street food. I took local buses, volunteered at hostels in exchange for free accommodation, owned very little, and tried to build a whole new life. A life of freedom from the corporate world. A life of travel.

So how did it go?

Was I too old to backpack around the world on a budget?

They say:

At a certain age you should be sort of settled. You should own a house or a car, be married and have children, have a career. Save for retirement, invest.

They look at people like me strangely. A single woman in her 40s, traveling alone, on a shoestring budget, staying in hostels… Never married, no children, no commitments, no debts…

She must be lonely or some kind of hippie weirdo.

Let me tell you. Those who stay at home might say that. But I have never met a single traveler who would be judgmental in this way. Never!

I have met the most incredible people on my travels, people of all ages and backgrounds, and I have made the most mesmerizing memories! So if you are worried about being judged, it can happen. But not from other travelers. Because once you are out there, you are just another traveler.

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”

• Mark Twain

So I went …

I started easy. I went to Portugal and the island of Madeira. Eventually, I got my ticket and 3 months into my travels I landed in Bogota.

I fell in love with Colombia, with Latin America and, what followed, with my style of travel. Slow, mindful travel. I realized how few things we need to be happy.

Traveling changed me, it broke me for a normal life. I became incapable of small talk and sought out meaningful conversations and experiences that taught me new things about myself and the world.

The world became smaller as I realized that we are all mostly the same, and larger at the same time, as my desire to see more of it, grew.

But enough about me! Let me share with you my best tips and learnings so that you too can embark on the adventure of a lifetime!

Backpacking in your 40s 50s and beyond – Tips and Personal Advice

You are better at it than you think!

Some things are the same and some things are very different depending on whether you are traveling in your 20s or 40s. Many things suck the same (long bus rides, uncomfortable beds, mosquitoes, humid weather) and many are incredibly the same (people we meet, places we see).

But many things are way better for those of us traveling and backpacking in our ”grown-up” years. We know what we want and what we don’t want. We understand better who we are (although it is a never-ending journey) and what experiences we are looking for.

We don’t care as much about what people think of us anymore, and we appreciate every moment slightly more aware of the passage of time.

Decide on your travel style

But don’t worry if that changes along the way!

There is no such thing as a mature travel style. We have our preferences, no matter how old we are, and your age shouldn’t dictate how you travel. Your passion should.

If someone tells you that you are too old to stay in a hostel, go on a multi-day hike or travel to a country that is ”too dangerous”, don’t believe them and just do it anyway!

Packing light is a key

You may have a strong back and the knees of a 20-year-old, but I don’t. Although I do try to stay as fit as possible, carrying a 70-litre backpack is no longer my thing.

Whether you decide to go for a backpack or a suitcase, none is a bad choice unless you make it large and heavy. I know travelers doing long-term travel with hand luggage only so you could consider this an option too!

If you want to travel for longer, cheaper, and maybe so off-the-beaten-path destinations, a light backpack (up to 55 liters) would be the best option. If you are planning to mostly travel in Europe, North America or mainly to cities – a small suitcase will be fine too!

Also, as we get older some things don’t matter so much anymore. It is easier to choose to carry what is essential and comfortable rather than what is fashionable.

Budget backpacking in your 40s, 50s and beyond

I’m not going to tell you how much money you should save before you go travelling, or how to find a remote or online job to become a digital nomad. It’s not that kind of post. But I will tell you that you don’t need to have a fortune sitting in your bank account to start an adventure.

My experience:

When I ventured into the first leg of my travels I had $14k saved. This lasted me for 10 months, but if I knew then what I know now, it would have lasted longer.

The main difference I found was that as a traveler in my 40s, I had this sense of urgency. Whether it is right or wrong – I will let you decide.

I didnt want to wait for another 2 or 3 years working and saving, so I have more than enough. I wanted to start as soon as I had just enough to last me for a few months and do it while I was healthy, fit, and able. At a certain age, you realize that life and health are not given. Things can change in the blink of an eye. I didn’t want to wait.

Tips and advice for you:

You can spend as little or as much as you want when you travel. But when you travel on a tight budget, you need to be prepared to make some sacrifices.

But you can still see and experience the place when on a budget.

Traveling on a budget as a mature traveler can be easier too.

We are more self-aware, know what we want, and are less susceptible to peer pressure. We have stronger intuition, but also street smarts. We are less at risk of being scammed, less afraid of getting on a local bus, and less likely will get drunk and robbed at a beach party. Simply because that kind of party might not be our thing anymore. Most of the time (*wink wink)

We are also more likely to understand the value of money so it might be easier to say no to some things.

Staying in hostels

Hostels are just the best for meeting other travelers, no matter your age!

There will be always a bunch of youngsters that you will not be able to completely relate to. They will be talking about things you might not know much about or cannot relate to. But isn’t it the same in non-travel life? We cannot get on with everyone, we cannot have something in common with everyone we meet.

My experience:

Hostels are awesome! I only discovered them in my 40s and it is now my favourite accommodation type!

In almost every hostel I stayed at I met someone I could have a decent conversation with. But sometimes I didn’t, and it was fine too!

Half of the time I met someone I could spend quality time with, whether it was a chat in the hostel kitchen, an evening of girly talk over tequila shots, a day exploring, or even a friendship that lasted beyond the current location.

Here are some tips that will make your hostel stay this much better:

It does get lonely (sometimes)

But more often than not, you will make many friends!

My experience:

I don’t follow any particular tactic when it comes to meeting people. I stay in hostels and if the price is right, I participate in group experiences. Free walking tours are great too!

Then I let things unfold. Sometimes you leave without having made any significant connections. But inevitably, you at least get to talk to people. Sometimes that’s good enough.

But sometimes you meet someone you get along with, have a nice conversation with, and maybe even meet again or do something together. But I never force it.

That’s another thing that I think is different when you travel as a more mature traveler. The need to make friends with everyone is no longer there. We value meaningful connections, not just any connection.

Tips and advice for you:

The art of slow travel

Slow Travel is the best!

But I get it! Not everyone has the time to stay in one place for longer and if you only have 2 or 3 weeks for your trip, you want to see and experience as much as you can. 

But the way I see it, fast travel is tiring and lacks the depth of experience. 

But slow travel is possible regardless of the length of your trip. Slow travel is a mindset.

My experience:

As a 40-something backpacker, I found changing a location every two days exhausting. Not because my body cannot keep up with it (but it would probably burn out sooner or later anyway) but because my soul and mental health suffer if I rush around.

It is easier to create a little bit of a routine and take care of yourself when you travel slowly. I loved having days when I didn’t have to see or photograph anything. Or those when you are just tired and want to stay indoors for a tad bit longer. It’s all about keeping the balance.

Tips and advice for you:

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There is no right or wrong time to start traveling or to venture on a solo backpacking adventure. If this is what you dream of, just go for it! Don’t believe what they say, go see!

Be sure to check out my other solo travel tips and stories!