47 Insanely Unique Travel Goals to Add to Your Bucket List

This post is all about travel goals.

I’m sure the majority of you readers here have some kind of travel bucket list or travel goals that you hope to check off as you go about this world. I figured I would help you out by giving you some ideas of ones to add to your ever-growing list!

Most of these are achievable for the average traveler, but some of these will take a lot of planning, finances, and time. But what is life without adventure?

I hope you find something on this travel goals list to add to your own or even better, that you have already accomplished! I’ll be putting next to each travel goal which I have accomplished myself and which ones I plan on getting to in my lifetime.

I will also be giving you ideas on how to check some of these off of your travel bucket list within a tight budget. Traveling shouldn’t have to be at the price of your savings, and my goal is to help you make the best out of your funds while also having the most amazing adventures!

I would love to know which ones you have done, which ones are on your list, or if there are any travel goals I have forgotten to mention!

Here are 47 travel goals!

Easier Travel Goals: How to Achieve Travel Goals

All the travel goals listed below are on the easier side to accomplish whether that be because they are more popular or more abundant. Of course some are pricier than others depending on where you do it, but that’s up to you what you want to spend on a once in a lifetime experience.

Skydiving

Almost everywhere has skydiving, so this is a pretty easy one. Most people have this on their travel bucket list and usually will do it for a birthday. If you are looking to check this one off the list in a fun place like I am, then it is always a good activity to do abroad when you have the chance. I’ve seen beautiful beach and tropical greens as ideal places to take the leap!

Bungee Jumping

This one is personally not on my travel goals bucket list, but it is a very popular one especially if you are planning a trip to New Zealand where all the adrenaline junkies live. Seriously though, New Zealand has some of the craziest bungee jumping, drop swings, skydiving, and ziplining in the world!

Hot Air Balloon

Now this one I am dying to do, but honestly, I am waiting to do it in Cappadonna, Turkey like a lot of other people. Of course, there are plenty other magical places to choose from specifically New Mexico where they have a whole festival around the activity. But I have always seen those beautiful pictures of the balloons soaring together in Turkey, and I just have to go!

Zip Lining

I have a need for speed! And ziplining through the jungle will satisfy it quite nicely. Definitely would love to do this through the amazon rainforest or somewhere in central or south America, but there are tons of places to do it that aren’t exotic at all.

Helicopter Ride: Ultimate Travel Lifestyle Aesthetic

Sure, you can do this just about anywhere—your local city, beach, etc. But how incredible would it be to helicopter passed where they filmed the entrance of Jurassic Park?!?! Maybe this is just my dream, but it sounds like the only place I’ll be able to check this one off my list.

Scuba Dive (done!)

I actually completed this one in college! I took the whole course and got certified, so now I can dive wherever I want! I have dived in multiple freshwater springs in Florida which was unbelievably beautiful! I can’t wait to try some ocean dives and explore even more of the underwater world.

Go Sailing (done!)

Sailing the sea has always been a dream of mine. Maybe it’s because of the romanticization of pirates or just the curiosity that sailing used to be the fastest form of transportation back in the day. Whatever the reason, I love sailing and I’d happily do it again and again!

Horseback Riding on the Beach

Not only is riding a horse on many people’s lists, but people really want to ride a horse on the beach. Definitely has to do with the whole “riding off into the sunset” moment every fairytale paints in our minds.

Swim with Sharks

Whether it’s by accident or on purpose, I’d say it still counts. And of course, you can free dive or cage dive whatever your preference. Personally, I make sure to avoid any kind of tour where they chum the waters or feed the wildlife since that completely changes how to animals live and interact with humans.

Whale Watching

This is another great one to add to the list! And there are tons of places to choose from. Whether it’s California, Baja Mexico, Alaska, Iceland, Maine. And of course, all of the places across the globe!

Safari

Sticking with the animal theme, how could we not mention an African safari? Again, I highly suggest doing your research and finding the most ethical ones as the majority of the animals you would see on a safari are endangered.

Go off Grid (done!)

Whether it’s camping or vanlife, getting disconnected from the world and enjoying nature has to be one of the best things in the world.

Surf in the Desert

This might be a strange one, but if you have ever seen pictures of it, then you would probably add it to your list too. Literally just imagine surfing a wave or snowboarding down a mountain but instead you’re going down a sand dune!

Get a Tattoo (done!)

This one might not be the definition of travel goals, but it is still a pretty adventurous thing to do! Whether it’s a travel related tattoo or one you’ve been dying to get, check it off that list!

Places to Visit on My Travel Goals: World Travel

Now these ones are pretty difficult, and the average traveler would have to spend a good amount of their life trying to achieve these goals, but they are definitely achievable none the less!

Visit All Seven Continents

Imagine feeling like you’ve conquered the world! That’s what I think visiting all seven continents would feel like.

Swim in All Seven Oceans

I mean if you’re already planning on heading to all the continents, you might as well take a dip in all the oceans too!

Visit All 50 US States

I am so close to this one! Only eight left to go, and I’m trying to get them all done in the next two years. I love road trips, so this one was a no brainer for me to add to my travel goals!

Visit All the US National Parks

Again, while you’re traveling through the 50 states, why not take a pit stop in each of the national parks along your way? Especially if you buy the America the Beautiful yearly pass that allows you access to all national parks for the year for only $80!

Visit One New Country A Year: Couple Travel Goals

This is a great way to make sure you see all different parts of the world! I definitely try to keep to this goal, but who can blame me for returning to some of my favorites!

Visit All the UNESCO World Heritage Sites

This seems pretty daunting with a grand total of 1,121 world heritage sites in 167 different countries, but the reason behind each of these sites is worth giving this goal a try!

Visit the Seven Wonders of the World: Travel Goals Photography

Along with the UNESCO world heritage sites, this is a great smaller goal that could get you on your way to achieving that crazy 1,121 number! We all have to start somewhere.

Visit Every Country in Europe

Whether you’re a backpacker or an interrailer, this one is pretty achievable in one visit if you have the time to visit them all. Of course, there’s no rush, so visiting over the years works just as well.

Visit Every Country in South America

I haven’t even been to South America yet, and I already know I want to see it all! The beaches, the rainforests, the mountains, everywhere you look, there are stunning things to see and experience!

Visit Every Island in the Mediterranean

Did someone say island hopping? Sign. Me. Up.

Travel to 100 Countries: Travel Goals Map

I love numbered goals, so 100 seems like a great way to help me count up all the places I want to go! And of course, once you’re at 100, there is always so much more to see.

Spend a Holiday in a Different Country (done!) : Travel Goals with Family

Whether it’s your holiday or their holiday, there are always major celebrations happening everywhere, so be sure not to miss this unique experience. Have I mentioned Christmas in Europe? Check out my blog post where I rank the Christmas markets of four different UK countries!

Antarctica

If you’re planning on visiting all seven continents, then Antarctica is already on your list! Probably the most expensive one to experience, most people save this one for the end as a nice chilly finish line!

North Pole

Speaking of chilly, why not take a trip up to the north pole to visit Santa Claus?

Trip Ideas: Travel Goals List

Road trip across the US (done!)

Whether you’re trying to hit all 50 states or all the national parks, road tripping across the US was one of my favorite experiences. So much so, I did it twice!

Hop on a Random Flight: Ultimate Travel Goals Aesthetic

This one scares the shit out of me because let’s face it, planning is part of the fun when it comes to travelling! With that said though, I still want to do this and see where it takes me. Just show up to the airport, bags packed, and buy the ticket right there. What an adventure!

Go on a Cruise

If throwing plans out the window isn’t your idea of fun, then let someone else plan the whole thing for you while you relax on a lovely cruise!

Go on a River Cruise

Same as the first one except this one lets you see even more intimate parts of places you might never have even considered visiting before!

Destination Wedding: Family Travel Goals

This one is probably one of the most expensive on this list, and there are lots of different things involved such as actually finding someone to marry you. Not necessarily on my list, but maybe it could be on yours!

Take a Long Train Journey

I am dying to do a long train journey during winter! Switzerland, Russia, Eastern Europe? Sounds like such a dream!

See the World Cup

Who doesn’t love a good game of football (soccer)? I actually got to visit Europe during the world cup, and that alone was an experience in itself that I highly recommend!

See the Olympics

No matter what your sport may be, being in the presence of the best athletes in the world must feel otherworldly. This one I definitely hope to achieve some day.

See the Aurora Borealis

I don’t care how many times science explains this phenomenon, the aurora borealis is pure magic on earth. And I can’t wait to see it!

Climb a Mountain

It might not be mount Everest you have on your travel bucket list, but climbing a mountain seems like something everyone hopes to accomplish one day. I’d like to at least get to basecamp if my lifetime!

Travel Goals that Take Longer to Accomplish

These are going to take work. Lots of it. But I can assure you that the payoff is far greater than any struggle during the process!

Speak a Different Language

Sure, you may know a few phrases here and there in different languages, but imagine focusing on one and really going for it? Really learning it and becoming fluent. Imagine the barriers you would break, the lessons you’d learn, the people you’d meet?

Live Abroad: Travel Goals Diary

Whether it’s during a semester in college or just to see the world, living abroad has a lot of hoops you need to jump through before doing so. Especially if you stay for a long period of time. But it’s 100% on the list!

Volunteer Abroad

Volunteering is so important. Giving to those either in your own community or an ocean away is a selfless act of love for humanity, and even though it may seem like a box to check off, it could be lifechanging for you and the people you help.

Budget Travel Goals to Achieve that Travel Life:

Now all of those travel goals seem fantastic on paper, but actually planning them can seem like a nightmare in terms of finances. So here is a list of things you could do right away even if you don’t think you have the funds for an extravagant adventure.

Try a New Food (done)

Try out that new restaurant you’ve been dying to go to. Or even better, find a new recipe with spices you’ve never cooked with! I have found so many new favorite dishes just by stepping out of my comfort zone in the kitchen.

Solo Trip (done!)

You cannot use the excuse that you’ll meet someone and then you’ll go. No way! Whether you drive to the next town over or hop on a cheap flight to a different country. You. Can. Do. It. If you wait to do something because of someone else, you’ll be waiting your whole life.

Do Long Weekends Near You (done!)

Is there a city near you that you haven’t really explored? What about a cool Airbnb nearby that you found? Adventures don’t have to be grand. They can literally be right in your backyard.

Visit More of Your Own Country (done!)

Traveling abroad can be expensive. So why not focus on the beauty in your own country? Whether it’s a road trip or a train ride, go see somewhere new!

Road Trips (done!)

It can be 8 or 80 hours of travel time. But it is true what they say. It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey.

Cheap Flights (done!)

So maybe you want to go to a specific place, but the tickets are too expensive. Look out of season! Look at a different airport within that country! Or better yet, research the cheapest places to fly to, and go somewhere else similar! You’ll never know what kind of adventure you could have!

How to Achieve Travel Goals

And there you have it! 47 travel goals all listed here with helpful tips on how to check them all off your travel bucket lists. I hope this helps you decide what to do on your next adventure or at least aids in figuring out how to avoid spending all your hard-earned cash.