Why a Phone-Free Trip Might Be the Best Travel Hack

In an era when we tap a screen for directions to places we already know, and AI claims to have all the answers, traveling without the Internet might seem not only outdated, but downright impossible. Yet there are surprising benefits to heading out into the world without your smartphone. Here’s why—and how—to start travelling Internet-free.

Why Travel Internet-Free

“There’s no scrolling, which in itself is a revelation,” says award-winning travel writer Lisa Abend. With the negative effects of constant content consumption now scientifically proven, recovering from digital overload and fully immersing yourself in what’s around you should be the goal of any holiday.

The Internet can also cheapen your travel experience, as seeing hundreds, if not thousands, of photos of your destination before even arriving robs the moment of much of its awe and wonder. The ever-present urge to post envy-inducing travel photos in real time ruins your chances at making meaningful memories, turning what’s meant to be soulful into a consumerist vanity fair.

Step Into Your Offline Travel Era

Lisa Abend’s approach to Internet-free travel can be summed up by the old adage: not all who wander are lost. She books her plane or train tickets online, but from that point on, no further online research is allowed. Even hotels must be chosen by word of mouth, booked over the phone, or found by simply walking in. But you don’t need to adopt this level of purism to dip your toes into offline travel.

Start slowly – book your holiday, then switch your phone off the moment you reach your destination. Let it disappear into the back of a wardrobe while you enjoy a few days at the beach or on the slopes with no online distractions. Pro tip: to resist the urge to reach for the phone, stock up on analogue entertainment. Bring a book, board games, a camera (bonus points if it’s got film inside), a mini watercolour set—whatever you might enjoy during your downtime.

Another easy option is a road trip without GPS. Whatever level of disconnection you’re aiming for, it always helps to write down your ground rules and give yourself some sort of safety net. For example, stash your laptop in the boot – if you’re truly lost, you can use it at the nearest Wi-Fi spot and bail yourself out.

Disconnect to Reconnect

Phone-free travel is becoming so in demand that some travel agents now offer retreats where participants use group support and accountability to get through screen withdrawal. 

Yet even seasoned adventurers report struggling to stay offline. In the thru-hiking community, navigating the trails unplugged is still rare but increasingly popular. Leaving a phone at home brings back a sense of spontaneity and wonder which, according to Shane Linden, who hiked the Appalachian Trail last year, the Internet has nearly erased.

These days, apps like FarOut offer hikers up-to-date information about everything that lies ahead of them: camping spots, viewpoints, water sources – everything can be checked online. Although at first Linden felt like he was missing out, he still opted to go without the Internet and ended up creating deeper connections on the way.

Undoubtedly, whether you’re an all-inclusive-vacation person or a wilderness survivalist, traveling without the Internet might feel daunting at first. Try it, and it may well become a life-changing experience.