As a frequent traveler, I am always working on my bucket list, and with this travel bucket list template, you will be, too! It can be hard to get a travel bucket list started, so throughout this post, I’ll share tips and the step by step guide I used to make my own bucket list.
Having a travel bucket list can be a gratifying and fun way to not only document your travels but also to think about what is important to you and mark achievements.
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Tips for Creating Your Travel Bucket List
When thinking about creating a travel bucket list template, I thought about how important it was first to have some tips that you could use. Creating a bucket list isn’t just writing down ideas; it’s meant to be a chance for self-reflection to think about what is important to you!
It’s also a way to think about living life to the fullest and moving toward your goals. Exercises like this help you identify your values and can help you understand who you truly are.
Plus, they are fun! Without further ado, here are some tips for creating your bucket list.
- Reflect: Start by thinking about what motivates you to travel and why you want to create a bucket list in the first place. Keep this in mind as you review your bucket list ideas.
- Brainstorm: Start broad and narrow things down. Think about categories and ideas, write them all down, and don’t be afraid to
- Ask questions: Ask yourself key questions like the ones below (and don’t worry, there’s space in the travel bucket list template to do this work!).
- Why do I like to travel?
- Why am I making this bucket list?
- What do I value about travel?
- Where would I go if I could only take one more trip?
- Who do I want to share experiences with?
- What are the potential barriers?
- Be creative: Think beyond just destinations and consider types of experiences or travel achievements. Examples might be watching the sunrise over Machu Picchu in Peru, visiting all 7 Wonders of the World, going on a safari in Africa and seeing a lion.
- Mix things up: Mix your bucket list with once-in-a-lifetime trips (like an Antarctica expedition) with achievable weekend getaways or local experiences.
- Think short and long term: Similarly, make some items on your bucket list you can do quickly (you’re planning a trip next year); some might take a long time to achieve (like visiting all 7 continents). This can help you stay motivated by checking things off the list quickly.
- Do research: Use travel blogs, documentaries, books, and social media to discover new places. Ask others what their ideas are.
- Prioritize: You may end up with a long list. Instead of getting intimidated, prioritize what is important to you. When adding items to your list, consider budget, time, and physical ability.
- Don’t copy; stay true to you: With that said, make your own original list! Many of the same things belong on everyone’s bucket lists, but instead of thinking of what everyone says, think back to your initial reflection and brainstorm. What is actually important to you?
- Review and Update: Once you’ve created your list, don’t be afraid to review and update it regularly. Just like we change with time, your list might change, too. It’s okay for that to happen, and it should! Mine is always being added to and reprioritized.
How to Use the Travel Bucket List Template
This travel bucket list template has everything you need to create a fantastic travel bucket list! It takes you through the steps to finalize a list depending on the type you want to make, with three different options at the end!
Before you create your list, the template will take you through the reflection, brainstorming, and planning phases. With these three phases, start broad, and as you plan things out, you’ll begin to narrow down the things that are most important to you.
These are meant to help you plan, so if you don’t find them helpful, skip them! I recommend using them, though, because they will help you create a more meaningful bucket list.
If you are not seeking help planning your bucket list, you can still easily use this template. Just skip those pages and choose your bucket list template. You can choose to use more than one, too!
Template option 1: Bucket list experiences
- Write down your bucket list experience
- It could also be used for a general bucket list!
- Time frame
- Location
- Costs
Template option 2: Bucket list travel achievements
- Write down your bucket list travel achievements
- Take notes on details, next steps, and anything else you’d like to capture
Template option 3: Bucket list travel
- Use this template if you want to organize your trips into specific categories.
- Create groups/categories
- Write down a description for the categories
- List everything in the category underneath in a checklist
Ideas for Your Bucket List
Your bucket list should be unique to you, but with that said, research and inspiration help us develop a comprehensive list! Below are some ideas for your bucket list.
- Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Peru.
- Camp under the Northern Lights in Iceland or Norway.
- Climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
- Explore Patagonia in Chile and Argentina.
- Go on a safari in the Serengeti, Kenya, or Kruger National Park, South Africa.
- Dive in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
- Sandboard down dunes in Namibia or Peru.
- Zipline through a rainforest in Costa Rica.
- Explore Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend in Arizona, USA.
- Visit the Taj Mahal in India.
- Experience cherry blossom season in Japan.
- Attend the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Discover ancient Petra in Jordan.
- Explore the pyramids of Giza in Egypt.
- Participate in a tea ceremony in Kyoto, Japan.
- See the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City.
- Walk the Great Wall of China.
- Eat authentic sushi in Tokyo, Japan.
- Take a pasta-making class in Italy.
- Sip wine in the vineyards of Bordeaux, France, or Napa Valley, USA.
- Try street food at a hawker center in Singapore.
- Indulge in a traditional omakase experience.
- Have tea at a café in Istanbul overlooking the Bosphorus.
- Stay in an overwater bungalow in the Maldives or Bora Bora.
- Soak in a geothermal spa like the Blue Lagoon in Iceland.
- Take a scenic train ride on the Glacier Express in Switzerland.
- Cruise through the fjords in Norway.
- Relax on pink sand beaches in Bermuda or the Bahamas.
- Attend Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany.
- Celebrate Holi Festival in India.
- Ring in the New Year in Times Square, NYC.
- Watch hot air balloons at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, USA.
- See the lantern festivals in Thailand
- Stay in an igloo hotel in Finland.
- Sleep under the stars in a desert like Wadi Rum, Jordan.
- Float in the Dead Sea in Israel or Jordan.
- Go dog sledding in Alaska or Canada.
- Ride a camel at sunset in the Sahara Desert.
- Visit Iguazu Falls in Argentina and Brazil.
- See the Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA.
- Witness the bioluminescent bay in Puerto Rico.
- Explore Banff National Park in Canada.
- Marvel at Mount Everest from Base Camp or on a scenic flight.
- Take a photo at the quirky giant heads of Easter Island in Chile.
- Tour Hobbiton in New Zealand for “The Lord of the Rings” fans.
- Visit Dracula’s Castle in Romania.
- Stand at the Equator in Ecuador.
- Go island hopping in Greece.
- Visit all 7 continents.
- Visit all 7 wonders of the world.
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I hope this travel bucket list template and planner help you create your own incredible travel bucket list! It’s so fun to have a list of aspirations and keep track of them over time. I’m lucky to be a part of that, and I hope these tips will help you create a list that is a stretch and still attainable! Happy travels!
I probably need to get a tool or even a spreadsheet to track all the things on our travel bucket list. It used to be easy when there were mostly big trips on there. But as we have been working our way through that list, each trip adds things that we want to put on our every growing bucket list. A good list of ways to find new bucket list spots we might not have really thought about yet.
We have similar bucket lists! I’ve done a lot them!!
Amazing! Would love to hear what is different – there’s so much to see in the world. 🙂
What a fun idea! We want to visit all 50 states by the time we are 50 and 60 countries by 60. What a great way to organize and focus those goals.
Those are such fun goals! I am big right now on getting to all 7 continents and all 7 wonders of the world.
This is fun! I love the thought you put into this. A lot of people don’t think about where they want to travel or why, I need you a great job, giving people things to consider as they dream up their bucket list!
Intentions are always important!