How To Start Slow Travel

a step-by-step guide

I get asked this question at least 3 times a week:

"I want to try slow travel, but I don't know where to start. How do I do it?"

Let me tell you how I did it and why that’s NOT what you should do.

My first attempt back in 2020 was random.

I picked South Goa because it intrigued me. I had never been to that part of Goa so that seemed like an obvious choice. I booked an Airbnb for a month and it turned out to be a lovely house that I stayed in for 3 months eventually. Other than that, I had no plan for how I'd structure my work, my routine, or my social life.

It worked out well only because I had the privilege of failing without consequences. Most people don't have that. After 5 years of doing this across 15+ cities, I've figured out a framework that actually works.

If you really want to give slow travel a chance, use this to get started.

The 5-step framework to your first slow travel experience

Step 1: Pick your anchor (not your destination)

Most people start with "Where should I go?"
Wrong question.

Start with: What do I need to feel grounded while I'm there?

Your anchor could be:
→ A coworking space with reliable wifi
→ A yoga studio or gym to maintain your routine
→ A kitchen to cook your food to feel at home
→ Even just one person you know in that city

Pick a place that has at least one anchor. Without it, you'll feel unmoored within a week.

Example: When I went to Goa the first time, my anchors were my partner and my morning yoga routine. I wasn’t travelling solo, so I knew I wouldn’t feel lonely or scared.

Step 2: Start with 2 weeks, not 2 months

I know 2 weeks don’t feel slow enough. But, you don't know if you'll like a place until you live there. And 1-3 months is a long time to be stuck somewhere you hate.

Start with 2 weeks. Long enough to settle in, short enough to pivot if it's not working. If it feels good? Extend. If it doesn't? Pack up and move.

Why this works: It removes the pressure to make it work. You're testing, not committing.

Step 3: Build your Minimum Viable Routine

This is the part I skipped when I started. And it's why I was half as productive as I wanted to be.

Before you leave, write this down:

→ What are the 3 non-negotiables that keep you sane?
(Example: morning walk, coffee, uninterrupted work block from 10am-1pm)
→ What time will you work?
→ How will you separate work from exploration?
→ What will you do when you feel lonely?

You don't have to stick to it perfectly, but having a baseline routine prevents the “I'm working all day and haven't left my room” trap. Or “I’m tempted to explore all day and haven’t been able to get any work done” trap.

Step 4: Budget for the unsexy stuff

We budget for stay, flight, and food. No one budgets for:

→ A random day out with people you met and clicked with
→ The coworking pass you didn't think you'd need
→ An emergency charger because you lost yours

Add 20-30% buffer to whatever you think you'll spend.

Step 5: Pick a place with other remote workers

This is the most underrated piece of advice.

You don't need to be extroverted. You don't need to make lifelong friends. But you do need to be around people who get this lifestyle.

Cities with coworking spaces, digital nomad communities, or remote-friendly cafes make this so much easier.

Photo by Tegan Mierle on Unsplash

Some starter-friendly places:
→ Bir (India) — mountains, community, slow pace
→ Goa (India) — beaches, infrastructure, expat-friendly
→ Rishikesh (India) — cafes, community, vibe
→ Chiang Mai (Thailand) — cheap, well-connected, huge nomad scene

Pick one. Book 2 weeks. Go.

Why this framework works

It’s not “pack a bag and follow your heart.” It's honest, tried & tested, practical. It's designed for people who have real work and real responsibilities and can't afford to wing it.

Slow travel isn't about being spontaneous. It's about being intentional.

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If you found this helpful, do let me know by dropping a comment.

Where else do you feel stuck when you think about booking your first slow travel experience?