7 Reasons Why Slow Travel is the Best Way to See the World

Traveling is amazing, it captures your heart and fulfills some of your deepest desires, but it is also exhausting. Especially, if have very limited time and run from spot to spot until you can no longer remember the details of what you actually saw. And then there is slow travel the exact opposite.

It is the kind of traveling that happens at a slower pace. There is no rushing around or feeling like you have not actually gotten the chance to experience what a destination is all about.

Instead, it encourages you to stay longer in order to see more, to fully take in the culture, and to take note of the fine details. It is the way of traveling that satisfies your deep-ingrained wanderlust.

I more or less stumbled into being a slow traveler when I realized that I do not enjoy traveling long distances only to see very little. Of course, I was happy to explore new places, but yet it felt too rushed and there was this deep sense that I was missing out on part of the adventure.

And then I booked my first month-long trip. Suddenly, the benefits of slow travel became crystal clear even though I had never even heard of the word. And I embraced it as my way to travel.

Of course, not everyone is able to plan trips that last a month and more, and I am well aware of my privilege to plan these trips. I am lucky to be able to live a semi-nomadic lifestyle, which has allowed slow travel to become a part of my way of life, and I was able to build my entire business around it.

With that being said: I fully believe that it is possible to slow travel even if you have less time. While you might not be able to experience all the benefits of slow travel, you will still be able to form deeper connections and gain a deeper understanding of a place and its culture.

You just have to accept that you will not be able to explore as many destinations during that specific trip and that some things are better done during another adventure. It might feel like you are missing out, but if you skip some things in order to have more valuable experiences, it is a good trade-off.

What is slow travel?

Slow travel is a way of traveling that emphasizes meaningful and sustainable travel experiences. It encourages travelers to take the time to get to know their destination, rather than quickly rushing from one place to another.

Those who slow travel typically stay in one place for at least a few days, often up to several weeks or even months. Doing so, allows slow travelers to explore destinations beyond the scope of what regular travelers see.

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1. Learn the Culture and Customs of a Place

Those who slow travel can truly experience the local lifestyle. If you take your time and do not just rush from one place to another, you can observe the local culture and learn about local customs in much greater detail.

2. The Experiences are often more Authentic

As you spend more time in one place, you are much more likely to find and experience authentic cultural sites, customs, and interactions. As a slow traveler, you can actually get to know the locals and can have longer conversations which will often offer you more insight into their culture.

If you are lucky and show an interest in the culture, they might tell you the best places to visit that you will not find in guidebooks. And in the best-case scenario, you might get to try some traditional homemade food.

I was fortunate enough to get a spontaneous cooking lesson where I learned how to make refreshing lemonade and how to select and prepare nopales (cactus paddles). During another trip, I spontaneously altered my schedule for the day to talk with a Buddhist monk about the meaning of life and happiness.

Both of these experiences were so much more rewarding than any prearranged activity for tourists could have been, and I consider myself more than lucky that I had the time for those unique moments.

3. Off-the-beaten-Track Adventures

Another benefit of slow travel is the fact that you have more than enough time to properly explore a destination. Therefore, you are bound to stumble upon hidden gems that fast-paced travelers tend to miss.

4. Sustainability

Taking the time to explore your destination through slow travel is not only more rewarding, but it’s also kinder for the environment. By traveling at a slower pace, you can opt to use local transport, which helps reduce your carbon footprint.

Supporting small businesses that might otherwise be overlooked by traditional tourism, is another part of slow travel. It is a simple action that helps to sustain the local economy and has convinced many that the investment in sustainable businesses is worth it.

Even years after the fact, I wish I could have taken the bus or train from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh as it was the far more sustainable option. To my great dismay, I was too close to the end of my visa to choose this option which meant I had to book a flight instead.

5. Time to Relax

6. A Flexible Way of Traveling

Slow travel is considered the most flexible way of traveling. It gives you more freedom to change your plans and make spontaneous decisions along the way, or to stay longer in a place that you are particularly fond of.

As slow travelers, you can easily adapt to changes and unplanned events as you are not tied down to a strict schedule. This allows you to take advantage of any opportunity that might present itself, without having to worry about missing out.

7. Slow Travel is Budget-Friendly

In addition, you will find that slow travel can save money. When you stay longer in one destination, there are often discounts on accommodation prices, which can bring the expenses down by up to 50%.

You also do not have to book expensive tours when there is no public transport on a certain day, as you can just do the activity another day. Given that you have more time, you can also browse around for the best price.

While in Mexico, I stayed in Playa del Carmen for an entire month, as the vacation rental prices were significantly discounted for stays of at least 30 days. Given this time frame, I was also able to eat at restaurants when they had special offers on certain days.

Roundup: Benefits of Slow Travel

Slow travel has many benefits that are often overlooked in our fast-paced world. By slowing down and savoring our experiences, we can create richer memories, connect more deeply with local cultures, and learn more about ourselves and the world around us.

So next time you’re planning a trip, consider ditching the packed itinerary in favor of a slower pace. There is a good chance you will realize that it is the best way to travel.