Is There A ‘Right’ Way To Travel?
Everyone had strong opinions, and everyone believed their approach was the best.
A few weeks ago, I was sitting in the common area of a hostel when an unexpectedly heated debate broke out between five or six travellers.
The topic?
The right way to travel.
One traveller insisted that slow travel was the only way to truly understand a destination.
Another argued that if you weren’t seeing as many places as possible, you were wasting your trip.
Someone else couldn’t understand why anyone would spend months in one city, while another questioned the point of moving every couple of days.
It was fascinating to listen to.
Everyone had strong opinions, and everyone believed their approach was the best.
The more I thought about it afterwards, the more I realised there probably isn’t one perfect way to travel.
Travel is deeply personal.
People leave home for different reasons.
Some are searching for freedom.
Others are looking for clarity, courage or a fresh perspective.
Some want to immerse themselves in different cultures, while others simply want to explore as many places as possible.
For some, the journey follows a carefully planned script.
For others, the best moments come from spontaneity and embracing the unexpected.
I asked a few of the travellers how they preferred to travel and why.
Lena, 29, Germany – The Slow Traveller
“I love staying somewhere long enough to build routines and genuine connections.
I don’t just want to visit a destination—I want to understand what everyday life feels like there.”
Joaquín, 26, Argentina – The Fast Explorer
“I only get a few weeks off each year, so I want to experience as many destinations as possible.
I’d rather leave knowing I’ve seen more of the world than wonder what I missed.”
Aiko, 34, Japan – The Flexible Traveller
“I usually have a rough plan, but I’m happy to throw it away if somewhere feels right.
The best places I’ve visited were never the ones I expected.”
Ben, 31, Canada – The Adventure Traveller
“For me, it’s all about the experiences.
Hiking, diving, climbing—my next destination depends on where the next adventure is.”
Camila, 41, Spain – The Cultural Traveller
“I’d rather spend time understanding one region than rushing through an entire country.
Every culture has something to teach you if you’re willing to slow down and listen.”
Listening to everyone’s perspective reminded me that travel isn’t about following someone else’s rules.
Personally, I’ve travelled in different ways over the years.
Sometimes I’ve moved quickly because time was limited.
Other times I’ve stayed in one place for months because it simply felt right.
Both styles have given me incredible memories, meaningful connections and completely different experiences.
Maybe that’s the real beauty of travel.
There isn’t one perfect way to see the world because we’re all hoping to get something different from it.
Whether you’re a planner or someone who never books more than a night ahead, whether you’re a digital nomad, a backpacker, a luxury traveller or somewhere in between, your journey is your own.
Travel has a way of challenging your doubts, broadening your perspective and helping you discover meaning in places—and sometimes within yourself.
So I’m curious…
What does travel mean to you, and how do you like to experience it?
Has your travel style changed over the years, or has it always stayed the same?
Let us know in the comments or send us a message through our social media channels.
We’d love to hear your story and what you’ve learned from your own journey.
If you’d like to share your story, contribute an article, or be featured on our Community page, feel free to get in touch through the contact page or send a message via social media.
You can see more from our Community by clicking here.
Click here to read about my personal Journey and discover how I live life as a nomad.
Click here to Inspire yourself to take your first step, and embrace the nomad life.
Click here for practical Travel tips and advice, shaped by experience.
Click here to step into the Gallery — where every piece of artwork tells a story.
