5 Ways to Balance your Work and Travel Life

With the rise of travel documentation on blogs and social media, it is quite common to hear about people giving up working at their day jobs to pursue a life on the road fully. Many travellers would love to have long and continuous periods of travel but this is often not affordable or readily attainable.

For some, a conflict arises when deciding whether or not to pursue a fulfilling career at the expense of an adventurous life or vice versa. Sometimes, it feels like to be truly happy and content, one has to choose one life over the other.

Follow That Dream Sign

But as someone who enjoys both parts almost equally, I can tell you that they do not have to be mutually exclusive. You can maintain a healthy travel life without forfeiting a career you love and here are a few ways to do so…

#1: Begin at Home

One of the best ways to enjoy a balanced work and travel life is to explore the sights and sounds of the city you currently live in. I find that the closer someone lives to a place or specific (tourist) attraction, the less likely they will visit it.

Lekki Conservation Centre
Lekki conservation Centre, Lagos

This might be due to a lack of interest in what is perceived as ordinary or the thought that there’s always going to be time to visit later. However, if you’re someone who loves to travel while you still work, you can feed this passion by exploring places close to you.

Another way to live a balanced life of work and travel is to make the most out of work travel opportunities.

Holm Cafe Zamalek

Trip Planning Resources

Book your accommodation: Find accommodation options for any budget on Booking.com

Purchase Travel Insurance: I use SafetyWing for both my travel and visa application needs

Activities: Find fun activities and tours in your destination via Get Your Guide, Viator or Klook Travel

#2: Make the most of work trips

Some jobs offer the opportunity to travel locally or internationally. If you are lucky to find such an offer, then you should consider taking some time out to explore each city that your job takes you to.

This could mean flying out a few days earlier before you have to start a job or including a few extra days after the job at your own expense. Weekends are also a good avenue to explore your new location and could be a better option than simply confining yourself to your hotel room.

Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church
Exploring Old Cairo on a weekend during a work trip to Egypt

Alternatively, you may consider remote jobs that give you the opportunity to be location-independent. This is probably the best-case scenario to both have a fulfilling career and travel life.

#3: Plan your Vacations Better

If you work a full-time job, then you probably have an allocated number of vacation days per year. Be deliberate about planning your vacations by scheduling them around public holidays and long weekends, if possible.

Beau Vallon Beach Seychelles
Visiting Seychelles on a 5-day weekend, thanks to public holidays!

That way, you get a longer vacation period by taking only a few days off work.

#4: Take Day & Weekend Trips

Make the most out of your weekends by taking trips to states and cities within close proximity to where you live. From Lagos and Nairobi alone, for example, you can visit over 20 destinations by road and even more if you fly within a 1-3-day timeframe.

How to get to Crescent Island Naivasha
Naivaha, on a weekend trip from Nairobi

Finally, this last tip is for people who already work from home, but are not necessarily independent remote workers or freelancers.

#5: Consider a working “vacation”

When C-19 hit the world in 2020, several employees began working from home. While some people have been asked to return to the office, some businesses have maintained either a hybrid structure or still allow employees to work from home.

What to wear for gorilla trekking in Rwanda
An excursion to see Mountain Gorillas during a work trip to Rwanda

If you fall under the second category and have a reasonable agreement with your office, you can technically work from anywhere! And as long as you do not abuse the opportunity and are available during your official hours, you can get to explore different destinations while still keeping your full-time job!

Do you have any other tips you use to attain a balanced work and travel life? Please share them with me in the comment section below!

6 comments

  1. As usual, a quality blog post with useful tips and tricks to balance work and travel. Personally I hate the narrative that is being pushed on social media- that travel is only meaningful if you quit your full time job, work remotely and dedicate your life to travelling. I don’t believe that this is sustainable for everyone and it can have a negative impact on countries as well. Look at Bali, Indonesia for example. Wit the influx of privileged passport holders making Bali their base as they work remotely, it has driven the prices of things up for locals making it nearly impossible for locals to survive. This is why I think your post is important, ensuring that all kinds of work and travel are significant; and both can be managed without losing the essence of each one. Work trips are the best (I travelled to the Netherlands last year as a result of one) and proper planning does make a world of difference to balancing holidays and work.

    1. Thanks, Aneesa and I couldn’t agree more! The Bali reference is quite sad, I think the same is happening in parts of Mexico as well. I too get tired of seeing the “quit your job to have a fulfilling life” narrative and I hope that more people who enjoy both parts can explore them sustainably and happily.

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Aesthetically pleasing spaces in Kenya 🍂🦒
Aesthetically pleasing spaces in Kenya 🍂🦒
17 hours ago
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Kenya had dropped the paid ETA requirement for most Africans, including Nigerians. 💃🏾🎉

And in celebration of that, I'm sharing some of my favourite places to include in your Kenyan holiday itinerary!

Will you be visiting or have you been to any of these places?
Kenya had dropped the paid ETA requirement for most Africans, including Nigerians. 💃🏾🎉 And in celebration of that, I'm sharing some of my favourite places to include in your Kenyan holiday itinerary! Will you be visiting or have you been to any of these places?
1 day ago
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This lodge in Taita-Taveta was such a great last-minute find for me!
___________________

I needed a quick break from Nairobi and thought to visit Diani and Tsavo. While finding accommodation in Diani was fairly easy, I struggled to find a place that fit my schedule, budget, and preference in the Voi/Tsavo area.

When I stumbled upon The Hildana Lodge, I couldn't be happier. Luckily, they had availability for the exact dates I wanted, a resident's rate, and no single supplement!

I stayed here for 2 nights but could have easily stayed longer! This place is magical, and I can't wait to return! ✨️
This lodge in Taita-Taveta was such a great last-minute find for me! ___________________ I needed a quick break from Nairobi and thought to visit Diani and Tsavo. While finding accommodation in Diani was fairly easy, I struggled to find a place that fit my schedule, budget, and preference in the Voi/Tsavo area. When I stumbled upon The Hildana Lodge, I couldn't be happier. Luckily, they had availability for the exact dates I wanted, a resident's rate, and no single supplement! I stayed here for 2 nights but could have easily stayed longer! This place is magical, and I can't wait to return! ✨️
2 days ago
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3/9
As someone who enjoys travelling and pursuing a fulfilling career, I don't believe that you have to give up one for the other. ✈️🍂✨️

You can maintain a healthy travel life without forfeiting a career you love, and here's one of the best ways to do so ⤵️

Taking advantage of public holidays, combined with your vacation days. For example, there's a public holiday coming up next month.

It'll be a 2-day holiday, and if you take only 2 days off work, you'll get 6 vacation days! - perfect for this "Beach and Bush" holiday in Kenya! 🐚🐘🌊

Work-life balance is key, so find ways to do the things that are important to you now that you can!💙
As someone who enjoys travelling and pursuing a fulfilling career, I don't believe that you have to give up one for the other. ✈️🍂✨️ You can maintain a healthy travel life without forfeiting a career you love, and here's one of the best ways to do so ⤵️ Taking advantage of public holidays, combined with your vacation days. For example, there's a public holiday coming up next month. It'll be a 2-day holiday, and if you take only 2 days off work, you'll get 6 vacation days! - perfect for this "Beach and Bush" holiday in Kenya! 🐚🐘🌊 Work-life balance is key, so find ways to do the things that are important to you now that you can!💙
4 days ago
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4/9
Weekends in Kenya that look like this! 🐘💙🦒

How wonderful!
Weekends in Kenya that look like this! 🐘💙🦒 How wonderful!
4 days ago
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5/9
Here's what you can expect when you ride the premium class train from Nairobi to Mombasa and vice versa 🚅

It's a slow but scenic ride to the coast, but I love it and rather prefer it to flying. ✨️

PS: If you want great views of Tsavo National Park as you pass through (Nairobi > Mombasa), sit on the left side of the train (i.e., even numbered seats)

But be aware that some seats have partial window views. Seats 26, 21, 25, 15, and 6 are great!(Nairobi > Mombasa)

Seat on the opposite side on the Mombasa > Nairobi train. I couldn't keep track of all the good seats on this train 🥹.

The train also has a first and economy class coach, which are significantly cheaper than premium class. And once you're back in Nairobi, all "premium services end" 🤭😋

Have you gone on this train before? What was your experience like? 💬

Are team train 🚆 or flight ✈️?
Here's what you can expect when you ride the premium class train from Nairobi to Mombasa and vice versa 🚅 It's a slow but scenic ride to the coast, but I love it and rather prefer it to flying. ✨️ PS: If you want great views of Tsavo National Park as you pass through (Nairobi > Mombasa), sit on the left side of the train (i.e., even numbered seats) But be aware that some seats have partial window views. Seats 26, 21, 25, 15, and 6 are great!(Nairobi > Mombasa) Seat on the opposite side on the Mombasa > Nairobi train. I couldn't keep track of all the good seats on this train 🥹. The train also has a first and economy class coach, which are significantly cheaper than premium class. And once you're back in Nairobi, all "premium services end" 🤭😋 Have you gone on this train before? What was your experience like? 💬 Are team train 🚆 or flight ✈️?
6 days ago
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6/9
The most relaxing staycation ever! Coastal vibes in Diani Beach and a wonderful safari in Taita-Taveta county! 🐚🐘

This trip was so easy to plan and embark upon from Nairobi. I travelled by rail from Nairobi to Mombasa and then to Diani. 🌊

On my return leg, I stopped in Voi and transferred to a super gorgeous lodge, where I spent the weekend enjoying massages, spotting elephants 🐘 and giraffes 🦒, and just having a swell and relaxing time!

Sharing details on my blog and IG stories!✨️
The most relaxing staycation ever! Coastal vibes in Diani Beach and a wonderful safari in Taita-Taveta county! 🐚🐘 This trip was so easy to plan and embark upon from Nairobi. I travelled by rail from Nairobi to Mombasa and then to Diani. 🌊 On my return leg, I stopped in Voi and transferred to a super gorgeous lodge, where I spent the weekend enjoying massages, spotting elephants 🐘 and giraffes 🦒, and just having a swell and relaxing time! Sharing details on my blog and IG stories!✨️
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
The Best of Both Worlds! 🥰

Just took the SGR again, and I got to try out the Premium Class coach - I loved the experience!

I'll be sharing all about this experience in my next blog post on www.travelwithapen.com -  what to expect from this train ride, the best seats for unobstructed views and elephant sightings in Tsavo National Park, and notable changes in the journey from Nairobi to Mombasa and Diani!

#diani #dianibeachkenya #sgr #railtravel #tsavo #tembeakenya
The Best of Both Worlds! 🥰 Just took the SGR again, and I got to try out the Premium Class coach - I loved the experience! I'll be sharing all about this experience in my next blog post on www.travelwithapen.com - what to expect from this train ride, the best seats for unobstructed views and elephant sightings in Tsavo National Park, and notable changes in the journey from Nairobi to Mombasa and Diani! #diani #dianibeachkenya #sgr #railtravel #tsavo #tembeakenya
2 weeks ago
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8/9
Bougainvillea in full bloom in Nairobi 🌸, always a highlight of our strolls!
Bougainvillea in full bloom in Nairobi 🌸, always a highlight of our strolls!
2 weeks ago
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9/9
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