Turning 30? Here's Where to Travel Next

Thirty has a funny way of making you look at your life. The group chat has got a bit quiet. Half your mates are buying houses. The other half are planning weddings you're paying for. And somewhere in your notes app, there's a list of places you swore you'd see by now.

We don't think that list should stay a list. Your thirties aren't the end of adventure. They're when you finally know what you want from it.

Why travel when you turn 30?

Because you're not 21 anymore, and that's the good news. You've got a bit of money behind you, you know what you like, and you've stopped caring what anyone thinks of your 9pm bedtime or your 3am dance moves.

A big trip at 30 gives you:

• A proper reset before your next decade starts
• New friends at a time when making them gets harder
• Stories that aren't about work, mortgages or your knees
• Proof that you can still do something that scares you

That's what Leave Ordinary Behind means to us. Not quitting your life. Just refusing to let it shrink.

6 best trips for turning 30:

Legend of Japan - 12 days - Tokyo to Osaka - Perfect for Culture and food lovers

Sri Lanka Uncovered - 10 days - Negombo to Unawatuna - Perfect for Wildlife and slow mornings

Brazil Experience - 9 days - Rio to São Paulo - Big energy and beaches

New Zealand Adventure - 13 days - Auckland to Queenstown - Perfect for Epic landscapes

South Korea: Seoul, Busan & Beyond - 10 days - Seoul to Seoul - Perfect for City lovers

Sumatra Uncovered - 9 days - Medan to Sungai Pinang - Going properly off the map

1. Japan: for the one you've been saving

Japan is the trip people put off for years, then can't stop talking about. Temples, neon, ramen at midnight, samurai history, the lot. On Legend of Japan you get 12 days from Tokyo to Osaka without touching a single train timetable. Want to time it right? Read our guide to the best time to visit Japan.

2. Sri Lanka: for the reset you actually need

Elephant safaris. Jungle glamping. Beach days on the south coast. Sri Lanka Uncovered packs a lot into 10 days, but it never feels rushed. If your twenties ended in burnout, start here.

3. Brazil: for the birthday that deserves a soundtrack

If you want your thirties to start loud, go to Brazil. The Brazil Experience takes you from Rio to São Paulo in nine days, with iconic views and beaches on the way. Fancy going even bigger? Rio Carnival is the party of a lifetime.

4. New Zealand: for the one on everyone's "someday" list!

Glowworm caves. Hobbiton. Milford Sound. A flat walk through Hooker Valley with views that don't look real. Our New Zealand Adventure covers both islands in 13 days. Check the best time to visit New Zealand before you pick your dates.

5. South Korea: for the city lover

Neon-lit Seoul, ancient Gyeongju and buzzing Busan. South Korea: Seoul, Busan & Beyond is 10 days of food, history and nights you'll be telling people about for years. Nervous about going? Here's how safe South Korea is.

6. Sumatra: for the one that's getting sooo popular

Everyone's been to Bali. Not many people can say they've been to rural Sumatra. Sumatra Uncovered is nine days of raw, real Indonesia, far from the beach clubs.

How do you choose where to go for your 30th?

Ask yourself one question: what do you want to feel when you get home?

- Rested? Go to Sri Lanka.

- Blown away? Go to New Zealand.

- Alive? Go to Brazil.

- Curious? Go to Japan or South Korea.

- Proud of yourself? Go to Sumatra.

Still stuck? Browse every trip we've built for this moment on our Turning 30 inspo page.

FAQs

Can you go on a group trip at 30?

Yes, and you'll be in good company. Most people on our trips are 18 to thirtysomething, and our Classic, Multi-Country, Limited Edition and Ski trips are open to anyone under 45. The only exception is our Essentials trips, which are built for 18 to 29s.

But I don't have anyone to go with?

Join the club. Roughly 65% of TruTravellers come solo, so you won't be walking into a group that already knows each other. You'll get a WhatsApp group before you fly, a Local Legend on the ground, and a crew of new mates by day two.

What is the best trip to take for your 30th birthday?

It depends on what you want from it. Japan and New Zealand are the top bucket-list picks, Brazil is best for a big celebration, and Sri Lanka is best for a proper reset.

Am I too old for a group trip at 30?

Not even close. Most TruTravels travellers are 18 to thirtysomething, and most of our trips run up to age 45.

Is it weird to travel solo for your 30th?

Not at all. Around 65% of our travellers come alone, and plenty of them are marking a big moment just like you.

How long should a turning 30 trip be?

Two weeks of annual leave is enough. All six trips on this list run for 9 to 13 days, so you can do any of them without quitting your job.

Your thirties are coming either way. Make sure they start somewhere worth remembering. Find your trip here.