How to slow travel and why it’s worth doing

Do you ever walk through your front door after a vacation—one you’d planned and anticipated for weeks—only to feel like you were inside a tornado for the duration of the trip? The whirlwind of moving from place to place, seeing all the spots on your list, snapping pics, keeping yourself fed, and trying to get at least a little bit of sleep can turn a dreamy itinerary into a logistical marathon. It’s not to say you didn’t have fun or that it wasn’t worth it, but maybe it has you wondering whether there’s another way to be. 

This is exactly the revelation boosting the popularity of “slow travel,” the practice of traveling slower and more intentionally, spending more time in each location. You might think slow travel necessitates weeks off from work or a full-on sabbatical, and it can, but it doesn’t have to be so rigid. Ahead, we’re breaking down what slow travel really means and can look like, the benefits of giving it a try, and practical ways to start, whether you’re looking to slow-travel your next vacation or travel slowly for an extended time. 

Key takeaways

• Slow travel is all about traveling at a slower pace and more intentionally  experiencing a place, aiming for cultural immersion rather than bouncing around and checking off a list of must-dos.
• Traveling slowly allows you more space to enjoy, relax, be spontaneous, and develop a meaningful connection with your destination.
• There’s no minimum trip length to try slow traveling; start with a single home base and a light itinerary, and see where the trip takes you.
• Slow travel can be more practical for remote workers, digital nomads, families, or anyone looking to maintain the rhythm of daily life while on the road.

What is slow travel?

Slow travel is exactly what it sounds like: traveling at a reduced pace, usually involving staying in each destination for a longer period of time and spacing out activities, rather than packing a trip with as many different stops as possible. In many cases, slow travel prioritizes cultural authenticity, meaningful engagement with local communities, and building familiarity with a place rather than checking off must-see sights.

The idea of slow travel traces back to the Slow Food movement, which first began in 1986 in Italy as a protest against the arrival of fast food in Rome, and which advocates for preserving local food traditions and cultures. Slow Food gave rise to subsequent movements including “slow tourism” and “slow travel,” which not only aim to promote more mindful traveling, but also to offer a potential antidote to overtourism, mass tourism, the environmental impacts of travel, and our increasingly fast-paced lives.

Take a trip to Japan, for example: A classic first-timer itinerary may send you through the “golden triangle” of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, allotting a few days in each. Between jet-lag, travel between cities and hotels, and trying to squeeze in as many authentic Japanese eats, temple visits, and karaoke bars as possible, it can feel more like survival mode than vacation. On the other hand, a slow-travel trip to Japan might include 10 days exclusively in Tokyo, with plenty of time for trips to nearby Mt. Fuji, days spent soaking in onsens, and afternoons wandering through different neighborhoods. People with time to spare might even stay a full month, long enough to develop a favorite coffee shop and sushi counter, and pick up some of the local language.

If you’re going to Japan once in your life, it’s understandable that you might want to see as much as possible—so it’s important to point out that slow travel isn’t inherently better than a speedier, more packed itinerary. Both have their advantages. But if you’ve found yourself burnt out on every trip and wishing for something different, slow travel could be the move for you.    

Why slow travel feels different: the psychology behind it

By reducing your dependence on a strict schedule and encouraging self-paced enjoyment, slow traveling may leave you feeling more satisfied by your trip, or at least allow you to enjoy it more.

When you always have another tour to be at, another site to see before it closes, and another restaurant reservation to make, vacation can start to feel like a lot of work. In fact, in a 2016 paper looking at 13 studies on leisure activities, researchers found that scheduling made activities feel less free-flowing and more work-like, and ultimately reduced enjoyment. “Roughly scheduling” activities without a prescribed time, however, eliminated this negative effect. 

When you take away the time pressure, you leave room for rest, among many other things. A 2012 study specifically looking at the health and well-being effects of vacations longer than 14 days found that engagement in passive activities, savoring, relaxation, and control were associated with improvements in health and well-being during and, to a lesser extent, after a vacation. That sense of control matters: you can linger when something interests you, accept an unexpected invitation, and take a break when you’re tired. Instead of being dragged along a set itinerary, what you want in the moment gets a say in how the day unfolds.

The benefits of slow travel

There are benefits to slowing down—both for you, the traveler, and the places you visit:

• Deeper cultural connection. Staying in one place for longer allows you to immerse yourself more than a drive-by visit. You may have time to establish an everyday-ish routine, pick up phrases in the local language, remember your way around without a map, make friends with locals and see them more than once, building real relationships. You’ll likely come away with a better understanding of the place and culture than if you’d visited the top tourist sites, snapped pics, and went on your way.

• Better for mental well-being. A longer, slower-paced trip gives you time to truly relax, and more control over how you spend your time—two things not always afforded by quicker or busier trips. One 2012 study specifically looked at the health and well-being effects of longer vacations (longer than 14 days), and found that engagement in passive activities, savoring, pleasure derived from activities, relaxation, control, and sleep were associated with improvements in health and well-being during and, to a lesser extent, after a vacation. 

• More financially sustainable. Staying put for longer often results in lower daily travel costs. Booking accommodation, like a long-term furnished apartment, for a greater length of time usually unlocks cheaper rates or long-stay discounts. Not to mention, many extended-stay lodging options also give you access to amenities like a full kitchen and laundry, which can further reduce costs. Finally, less movement also means a lower transportation budget. 

• Lower environmental impact. Remaining in one destination may help lower your overall environmental footprint by generating fewer transportation-related emissions. It can also foster more appreciation for the natural environment and host communities, and tends to redirect economic benefits to local businesses and entrepreneurs, according to research published in Tourism Planning & Development.

• Personal growth. Travel has been linked to both hedonic well-being (the immediate joy and satisfaction you get from an experience) and eudaimonic well-being (which centers on meaning, purpose, and personal growth). Research on slow tourism has explored the latter, linking travelers’ sense of self-expression and fulfillment with greater life satisfaction. An unhurried trip may create more space for those types of experiences by giving you time to pursue what’s personally meaningful.   

How long should you slow travel?

Slow travel isn’t about hitting a day, week, or month count, but about the mindset and pace; you can slow travel for a long weekend or for a whole year. Staying longer gives you time to get to know a place, with room for day-long excursions, shorter trips to explore the surrounding area, and unexpected plans. If you’re not only vacationing while you travel — for example, if you’re trying the digital nomad lifestyle — slow traveling becomes essential so you have enough time to work, juggle everyday needs (exercise, grocery shopping, laundry, etc.) and also experience your destination.

Not every trip needs to be a slow-travel moment or a lengthy trip. It helps to be intentional about what you want from an experience: is it a specific goal, like a bucket-list mountain hike, or are you hoping to get to know a new culture or practice a language you’ve been learning? Your goal will help decide your pace as well as help you weigh a short-term stay against a long-term one. Keep in mind, staying longer doesn’t mean more planning. In fact, a longer, slower trip usually means you have more free time to source recommendations on the ground and make plans as you go. 

How to start slow traveling: practical tips

1. Pick one home base per trip

Slower travel doesn’t mean you’re locked into the city or neighborhood where you decide to stay. Pick a home base, then use your time to explore the surrounding areas with day trips or weekend getaways rather than moving from place to place. Furnished apartments, which are available for 30+ days, are often a good option for those embarking on slow travel.

2. Build in unstructured time

Resist the urge to pack your itinerary. Slow travel is all about leaving room for organic connections, spontaneous plans, or a new perspective to change the way you want to spend your days. Limit yourself to one planned activity per day, and let the rest flow.

3. Shop and cook like a local

Visit neighborhood markets, farm stands, and check out local grocers, and prepare some meals at home. (Not sure where to start? Look for a cooking class that includes shopping with the host.) Not only will cooking help reduce your overall food costs, but it’ll also give you a peek into life as a local. Don’t underestimate the cultural insight you’ll get from walking through grocery store aisles.

4. Establish a routine

Becoming a repeat visitor at a nearby coffee shop, flower stand, or grocer can help cultivate connections with locals and give you a taste of what it might be like to live in this place. This can help shift your mindset from vacation mode to more of a temporary home.

5. Ask locals for recommendations

Slow travel affords you the opportunity to ask locals all about their favorite places or hidden must-sees—and then include those in your plans or, better yet, go with the person themselves. It beats a place that’s blown up on social media, or that’s on every generic top 10 list, every time.

6. Choose a place that functions like a real home

Staying a while isn’t comfortable in a cramped hotel room. You may be more comfortable in lodging like an extended-stay hotel or a furnished apartment, with a full kitchen, living space, laundry, and more. Airbnb isn’t the only option; there are lots of Airbnb alternatives for longer stays, though the best one will depend on your needs and destination.

7. Stay flexible on length

If you can, try to book your travel with flexible terms (think: a one-way ticket, an Airbnb that can be extended) so that if you love the place and want to stay, find you love the next town over, or learn about another nearby destination you want to visit, you can go with that urge. 

Slow travel for long-term and full-time travelers

The rise of remote work has made long-term travel more accessible and practical than ever. If you can do your job from anywhere, why not do it from somewhere new? That’s the idea behind the massive growth in the number of American digital nomads, which has grown 153% since 2019 and now comprises about 12% of the US workforce, according to an MBO Partners report. Even remote workers who aren’t living the nomad lifestyle full time are experimenting with “workcations” or dedicated months away. In those cases, a slower pace can help, since it’s difficult to move from place to place while putting in work hours and staying on top of the essentials, from feeding yourself and exercising to getting enough sleep. 

Other long-term travelers who aren’t working, like students taking a gap year, professionals on sabbatical, or retirees exploring in their post-work years, can also find a slower pace useful. You have room to pursue interests that take time to cultivate: taking a language course, volunteering with local communities, or working on a creative project. Staying longer also gives you time to build relationships and have ordinary days spent reading, doing laundry, or catching up with friends and family at home without feeling like you’re sacrificing limited travel time. 

There’s evidence that digital nomads are already moving in this direction. The same MBO Partners report found that American digital nomads averaged 6.4 weeks per destination in 2025, up from 5.4 weeks in 2023, while visiting fewer places. Whether you’re working remotely or taking time off, you can choose a travel style that leaves room for both exploring your destination and everyday life. Where you choose to stay is a major factor in whether or not you can support that balance. 

What to look for in slow travel accommodation

When you’re looking for slow-travel accommodation, you’ll want to look at things differently compared to a true vacation stay. Look for: 

• Fully equipped spaces. Look for a home that’s fully furnished with everything you need to be comfortable, from basic kitchen supplies to curtains that allow you to sleep in. Look for turnkey apartments designed for extended stays.
• Flexible terms. There’s no need to sign a long-term lease; keep an eye out for stays that can be booked by night, week, or month, potentially with a month-to-month rental agreement. 
• All-inclusive pricing. Many booking platforms don’t show fees upfront; ensure you know everything getting tacked onto the price, whether it’s a service fee, cleaning fee, utilities, or other extras. Though it may be more expensive than traditional renting, a move-in ready home compensates in value in terms of flexibility, furnishings, and extras.
• A friendly neighborhood, not a tourist hotspot. This is a major advantage over hotels, which are often exclusively in tourist-heavy areas. Look for accommodation in residential neighborhoods with a feel that appeals to you. Think: young adults with nightlife, quiet with families, or lots to do. 
• Room to extend, shorten, or move. Slow traveling allows you the luxury of changing your plans if you want, so look for lodging options that allow you to extend your stay easily, shorten it, or move to another place.

A Blueground one-bedroom apartment in NYC.

Make slow travel effortless with the right home base

Settling into the right place for a few days, weeks, or months will allow you to experience the mental, cultural, and financial benefits of slow travel firsthand. The hardest part can be deciding where that should be. Blueground offers fully-equipped, move-in-ready apartments across 1,000+ cities and 50+ countries that make the ideal home base. You can book for a week, a month, or longer, with the option to extend, shorten, or switch neighborhoods or cities if your plans change.  

Ready to try slow travel? Find your apartment →

Slow travel FAQs

Do you have to work remotely to slow travel?

No. While slow traveling is popular among remote workers, you can try to practice slow traveling on any type of trip.

What should you pack differently for a longer, slower trip?

Rather than packing for specific activities, the trick to packing for a longer trip is to focus on versatile basics that you can wear across different scenarios, wash easily, and rewear.  

Is slow travel better for solo travelers, or does it work for couples and families too?

Couples, families, friends, solo travelers—anyone can slow travel and reap the benefits of a slower-paced, more relaxed trip.

Do you need a special visa to slow travel abroad for an extended period?

It depends. Many countries allow visa-free stays for 30-90 days, and some offer digital nomad or long-stay visas for longer visits. Check the visa rules for your destination before planning your trip.

How do digital nomads and remote workers stay productive while slow traveling?

The key to staying productive while working remotely and traveling is to establish a work routine just like you’d have at home, designating specific time to work, life admin, and enjoying the destination you’re in.

Does slow travel actually cost less than a shorter, faster trip?

It can. Moving less frequently and booking longer stays at a single accommodation can help decrease your overall cost and sometimes make it cheaper than a shorter trip, even though a trip is longer.