Is It Biblical to Want to Travel the World?

Or Am I Just Running from My Problems Again?

There I was again, Googling cheap flights to London with a smoothie in one hand and a Bible verse in the other, trying to convince myself that Paul the Apostle would’ve been a digital nomad if he had Wi-Fi. You ever do that? Open Skyscanner, say a prayer, and whisper, “Lord, if this is Your will, let Bali be under $200”?

No? Just me? Cool.

But really, if you’ve ever wrestled with that gnawing desire to travel the world, you’ve probably also wondered if it’s spiritually okay. Like, am I genuinely inspired by God’s creation… or am I just tired of my job and looking for an excuse to “accidentally” miss my responsibilities?

So let’s ask the big question: Is it biblical to want to travel the world?
Short answer: yes.
Slightly longer answer: yes, but maybe not for the reason you think.

The Garden Was Global

Let’s roll it back to Eden real quick.

God literally made the whole earth and called it good. Not just your country, not just your hometown, and definitely not just the overpriced brunch café down the street with $9 iced lattes and minimal sunlight. The earth was made to be explored, delighted in, and filled with people who carry God’s image.

In Genesis 1:28, He tells Adam and Eve to “fill the earth and subdue it.” That’s not a static command. That’s movement. Motion. Exploration. From the very beginning, humanity was designed to go out, not just stay put.

And before you say, “But that’s about procreation, not vacations,” just hang on. Yes, context matters. But God could’ve made us in one fixed little garden with a 3-meter radius and said “stay here forever.” He didn’t. He made a whole world and made us curious. That wanderlust you feel? It’s not random. You were wired for wonder.

Travel in the Bible: More Than Just Missions

Most of us grew up thinking biblical travel = missions trip. Like, if you're not handing out Bibles in Nicaragua or digging a well with a short-term team from Ohio, then your trip isn’t “kingdom work.”

But if you actually look at the Bible, God’s people were constantly on the move. Abraham left everything he knew and became the first faith-based traveler. Ruth followed Naomi into a foreign land and met Boaz. Jesus Himself traveled from town to town, not just to preach, but to be among people.

Paul’s missionary journeys? Lowkey the first Christian version of backpacking through Europe - with a lot more persecution and fewer hostels.

And sure, their reasons were often ministry-related. But that doesn't mean your reasons have to be exactly the same to be holy. Wanting to see the northern lights or walk through a vineyard in Tuscany doesn’t mean you’re a shallow Christian. It might just mean you’re a human with awe still intact.

The Idol Test: Am I Traveling With God or Away From Him?

Okay, now here’s the part that’s gonna pinch. Because even if travel can be biblical, that doesn’t mean every motivation is.

This is where you ask: What am I running toward, and what am I running from?

I’ve personally had both kinds of trips. The ones where I was hungry for God and saw Him in sunsets and strangers and hostel lobbies at 2am. And the ones where I was burnt out, bitter, and hoping new scenery would fix my messy inner life (spoiler: it didn’t).

Travel is a lot like money. It’s neutral. It can be used for worship or escape. It can deepen your faith or distract you from facing your own soul.

If you find yourself praying less when you’re abroad, numbing out, or ghosting your community every time you book a one-way ticket, it might be time to ask yourself: Is this freedom, or is this flight?

There’s no shame in realizing the line is blurry. I’ve walked it with a backpack and a bad attitude. But Jesus doesn’t just want to be your Savior. He wants to be your travel buddy. (And yes, that sounds cheesy. But you’ll remember it now, won’t you?)

Why God Might Want You to Travel

Here’s the wild part. Sometimes, travel is the exact thing God uses to wake us up.

When you’re far from routine, far from your cultural assumptions, and far from that toxic situationship you finally left behind, God speaks loud. You notice beauty again. You pray in desperation when you’re lost in Tokyo with no SIM card. You see poverty and generosity side by side and your soul gets cracked wide open.

You realize your way isn’t the only way. You begin to care about things you used to scroll past. You worship differently when you hear songs in another language and still recognize the presence of God.

Sometimes, travel isn’t just a desire. It’s an invitation.

But What About Stewardship?

Ah yes. The question that creeps in with your bank balance: Isn’t travel expensive? Isn’t it selfish? Shouldn’t I just save money, tithe more, and live quietly in a suburb?

Sure. If you want.

But stewardship doesn’t mean no joy. It means wise joy.
If you're budgeting well, paying your bills, and giving generously, why wouldn’t God delight in you delighting in His creation?

Travel doesn’t have to mean luxury resorts and $300 dinners. It can mean off-season deals, public buses, and hostel bunk beds. It’s not about flexing, it’s about perspective. Some of the best spiritual lessons I’ve learned came from awkward conversations in cramped overnight trains. Not because I was being holy, but because I was being available.

Maybe You’re Not Called to Stay Put

We don’t talk about this enough in church, but maybe your desire to explore is God’s gentle nudge that you’re not meant to stay planted forever. Some people are called to build roots. Others are called to be mobile. It doesn’t make one more faithful than the other.

You know how some birds migrate and others stay local? Both were designed that way. Both are still birds.
Don’t let someone else’s calling become your cage.

You don’t need to feel guilty because your heart beats faster when you see a departure board.
Maybe your passport is part of your purpose.
Maybe your desire to travel isn’t rebellion.
Maybe, it’s revelation.

Okay but... Would Jesus Travel for Fun?

Look, I can’t prove this, but I have a theory.

If Jesus were alive today (in the physical, Instagrammable sense), I’m almost certain He’d hike mountains, chill by the sea, and enjoy a really good olive oil tasting. He hung out at weddings, napped in boats, and walked everywhere. Jesus wasn’t allergic to joy.

And He was never in a hurry.

The question isn’t “Would Jesus go to Greece?” It’s “Would I invite Him to come with me if I did?”

Final Thought: Travel Isn’t a Sin. But Running From God Might Be.

At the end of the day, it’s not about whether travel is biblical. It’s about whether your heart is surrendered. If God says go, go. If He says stay, stay. And if you’re not sure, invite Him into the uncertainty.

Don’t idolize your next destination. Don’t use a plane ticket to avoid what God’s doing in your current season. But also, don’t clip your own wings out of fear that enjoying life somehow dishonors Him.

You were made to move.
To explore.
To see with wonder.
To walk with Jesus, whether that’s across oceans or across the street.

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FAQ

Q: What does God say about leisure?

A: God affirms leisure as a good and necessary part of life. From the very beginning, God modeled rest for us. He created the world in six days and rested on the seventh (Genesis 2:2-3). This wasn’t because He was tired, but to set a rhythm for us to follow. Leisure, when aligned with godly priorities, isn’t laziness, it’s obedience. It reflects trust in God’s provision and a willingness to pause, delight, and be restored.

Throughout Scripture, rest and celebration are interwoven into the life of God's people. The Sabbath, feasts, and even Jesus’ personal rhythms all point to a God who values more than just productivity. When we take time to enjoy leisure in a way that honors Him, whether that’s travel, quiet moments, or joyful gatherings, we're living out a theology of trust and joy. Leisure becomes sacred when we remember Who we're resting with.

Q: Did Jesus ever go on vacation?

A: The Bible doesn’t explicitly say Jesus went on “vacation” the way we think of it today, but He absolutely took intentional time away to rest, retreat, and recharge. Scripture shows Him frequently withdrawing to quiet places (mountains, deserts, gardens) not just to pray, but to step away from crowds and noise (Luke 5:16, Mark 6:31). These moments weren’t wasted or selfish, they were sacred pauses that fueled His ministry.

In fact, Jesus even invited His disciples to rest: “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31, NIV). That sounds a lot like a spiritual retreat, doesn’t it? While He wasn’t sipping coconut water on a beach, Jesus prioritized rhythms of rest in a way that’s both deeply human and deeply divine. So no, He may not have vacationed in our modern sense, but He modeled something even better: intentional, soul-restoring retreat.

Q: How to get closer to God mentally?

A: Getting closer to God mentally starts by renewing your mind with truth. Romans 12:2 tells us to “be transformed by the renewal of your mind”, meaning closeness with God often begins in your thought life. This includes meditating on Scripture, replacing lies with God’s promises, and inviting Him into your inner dialogue. It’s not about forcing constant spiritual thoughts, but learning to think with Him rather than just about Him.

Mental intimacy with God grows when we become aware of His presence even in the quiet, mundane, or stressful parts of the day. You can ask Him to shape your perspective, interrupt anxious spirals, or meet you in the middle of mental fatigue. The more you fill your mind with His Word and practice noticing Him in daily life, the more your thoughts will begin to align with His heart. It’s not instant, but it is sacred.

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Have you ever felt weird for wanting to travel the world as a Christian? Or did God meet you somewhere unexpected on your journey?

I’d love to hear where you've been (or where you want to go) and how God has used those seasons in your life. Drop your story below, no passport required!

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