5 Ways to Travel More with a Full-Time Job

By Joba, February 1, 2025

Balancing a full-time career with a love for travel might seem challenging, but trust me—it’s doable. Over the years, I’ve figured out how to make it work without choosing between career success and my passion for exploring new places. With a little strategy, planning, and intentionality, you really can have it all.
In this post, I’m sharing my best tips and tricks for maximizing travel while holding down a 9-to-5. Grab your notepads & pens!

Table of Contents

1.) Maximize PTO Like a Pro

I know this seems like the most obvious tip, but the real trick is strategic planning. Instead of using your vacation days randomly, plan your trips around public holidays and long weekends to stretch those days further. Adding a day or two on either side of a holiday can turn a short break into an extended getaway—without using up all your PTO.

2.) Business + Pleasure?

Sign me up! If travel is already part of your job, why not extend your stay when possible? Use those company-paid flights to squeeze in a mini adventure. Whether it’s exploring a new city after a work conference or adding a weekend to your trip, it’s a great way to make the most of work-related travel.

3.) Get into Weekend Getaways

Not every trip has to be a long vacation, and red-eye flights are perfect for this. A Friday departure and a Sunday evening return can feel like a mini-vacation without taking time off. Even better if they are short-haul destinations (within a 2–4-hour flight or drive) Pro tip: Consider Monday evening flights to stretch your weekend just a little longer! That’s only one day PTO after all!

4.) Map Out Your Travel Year

If you have clear travel goals for the year, you can lock in dates early, coordinate with work schedules, and snag better deals. Having a yearly travel plan helps reduce stress, ensures you make the most of your time off, and gives you something to look forward to while grinding through your 9-to-5. To help with your planning, check out my Free Vacation Savings Plan to start saving towards your time off!

5.) Join Group Trips

Planning a trip from scratch takes time—but group trips take all the stress out of it! These pre-planned getaways allow you to just pay, pack, and show up, making them hassle-free and a great option for busy professionals who don’t have time to plan an entire itinerary.

Bonus: Leverage Remote & Hybrid Work

While I know this isn’t an option for everyone, take full advantage of your flexibility to work remotely or hybrid! Turning any destination into your office for the week is a game-changer, and honestly, for me, a huge motivator. The key? Plan your trips around slower work periods so you can have fun without falling behind on deadlines.

With the right mindset and a little planning, you don’t have to choose between your career and your love for travel. You really can have both!

Safe travels

Joba