Portable Hobbies for Travelers
Are you looking for portable hobbies that you can easily take on the go? As a full-time traveler who has spent several years without a permanent home base, these are some of my top suggestions for you.
These portable hobbies are perfect to take with you anywhere you go. Some hobbies require you to have a lot of space or equipment, but these are hobbies that are extremely portable and minimalist!
If you travel a lot and are looking for hobbies that you can take with you anywhere in the world, these are some great options. Here’s a look at the best portable hobbies that you can start today:
1. Reading
Reading is my personal favorite hobby, and it’s SO portable. Not only can you bring a book anywhere you go, but you can now bring infinite books on the go if you read digitally on a Kindle or on your phone.
I really got back into reading in the summer of 2020, and since then, I’ve been averaging around 70 books per year. This is definitely one of the easiest hobbies you can start, and it has so many benefits. Personally, I’ve replaced a lot of my screen time of aimlessly scrolling with reading instead, and it’s amazing.
Since I travel a lot, reading is something I enjoy doing while in transit, while eating a meal, or in bed before I go to sleep. I also enjoy reading books set in destinations I travel to. For some recommendations of great books set around the world, check out my Around the World in Books reading challenge.
2. Crochet or Knitting
If you like working with your hands, crochet or knitting are two excellent hobbies you can try. Crochet is usually considered to be more beginner-friendly, while knitting has a higher learning curve. But once you get the hang of either activity, it’s something that can keep you occupied for hours, and it’s very portable.
All you need is yarn and your crochet hook or knitting needles. If you travel a lot, this is a great way to pass the time while in transit. (And yes, you can bring crochet hooks and knitting needles on flights!)
You can also find stores that sell local yarn all around the world in case you need more for a project you’re working on. And this is an excellent hobby for travelers because you can use the destinations you visit as inspiration for your next crochet or knitting project, making for a unique souvenir.
3. Journaling
Another portable hobby that’s perfect for travelers is journaling. All you need is a notebook! I have a big list of travel journal prompts you can check out in case you need some ideas for what to write about.
If you want to get even more creative, you can try junk journaling. This combines journaling with scrapbooking, and it’s a cool way to document your travels. You could also combine journaling and sketching if you want to tap into your artistic side while also having a place to write your thoughts.
4. Puzzle Books
Puzzle books are a fun hobby you can bring on the go. These are easy to pack up, and you can take them anywhere with you. They’re also a great way to pass the time while in transit on a long flight or train ride.
You can get puzzle books that include a variety of puzzles, or one specific type of activity. Sudoku, word searches, anagrams, or crossword puzzles (my personal favorite!) are all examples of puzzles you can do. Another benefit to this hobby is that puzzles keep your brain active and engage your thinking skills.
5. Blogging
Blogging is another one of my personal favorite hobbies. The great thing about this blog that you’re reading is that it’s not only a place to document my travels, but it’s also a business that I earn money from.
Starting a travel blog (or any type of blog) is very easy, and you can create your own website with a .com domain name for less than $50 in an afternoon. I have a guide on how to start a travel blog that you can check out. The guide also covers how to make money from your blog, if you’re interested in that.
Of course, you don’t have to monetize your blog. Many people enjoy blogging as a hobby and treat it like a digital journal. It’s a great way to channel your creativity and connect with like-minded people online.
6. Photography
Photography is another hobby that I love. It’s something that anyone can start; no fancy camera equipment needed. You can learn to take incredible photos simply using the camera on your smartphone.
If you do want to invest in a nicer camera and lenses, it can start to become a little bulky, but it’s still a pretty portable hobby overall. And if you travel a lot, you’ll never run out of things to photograph.
7. Drawing
Drawing is one of the easiest art forms to bring with you on the go! You don’t need many supplies, just a sketchbook and some drawing pens or pencils. This is a perfect hobby for travelers.
You can draw anywhere you go and capture memories of your travels through your artwork. With a small sketchbook, you can sit on a park bench, in a museum, on a train, in a restaurant, or in front of a scenic view, and draw your surroundings. This is something I personally want to get back into!
8. Language Learning
Learning a foreign language is a hobby that keeps your mind in top shape and can also be extremely useful while traveling. And it’s now easier than ever to learn a foreign language on your own.
Apps like Duolingo allow you to start learning a language on your phone for free. You can also pay for one-on-one virtual language lessons using a platform like Preply. And once you have the basics down, you can improve your skills by reading books or listening to music and podcasts in the language you’re learning.
I’m personally on a lifelong journey to improve my Spanish and French skills. While traveling, I have even taken immersive language learning lessons in countries like Guatemala, Honduras, and France.
9. Needlepoint
A creative hobby that you can easily do anywhere is needlepoint. Similar to crochet or knitting, needlepoint requires very little space and few supplies — just a canvas, some colorful thread, and a needle.
Not only are needlepoint supplies easy to travel with, but you can also create unique souvenirs inspired by your travels, like needlepoint patches for your backpack or wall decor you can hang at home.
10. Coloring Books
You might think that coloring books are just for kids, but that’s totally not the case! Adult coloring books have seen a huge surge in popularity, and this is a hobby that I personally enjoy a lot.
It’s so relaxing and fun to complete a coloring page. Naturally, I have several travel-themed coloring books, but you can find coloring books with all sorts of themes! All you need to get started with this hobby is a coloring book and a set of colored pencils or markers. (No artistic skills required!)
Coloring is surprisingly therapeutic, making it a great way to de-stress. It’s also the perfect hobby for travelers, because you can pass the time coloring while on a long flight or train ride, for example.
11. Yoga
Some active hobbies are hard to maintain while traveling, because they require you to have access to certain spaces (like a gym, a tennis court, or a Pilates studio), or require you to have special equipment.
But one of the most portable active hobbies that you can do anywhere is yoga. All you need is a yoga mat, which can be rolled up and packed in your luggage. (And in a pinch, you can also get by without a mat!) You can easily follow along with YouTube videos or just move through your own yoga flow alone.
And I’ve noticed that yoga classes are easier to find in many places around the world, compared to more niche workouts such as Pilates classes or spin classes. So it’s something you can really do anywhere!
12. Walking
Never underestimate the power of walking! I don’t really exercise or work out regularly, but I love walking. It’s one of my favorite things to do at home and when exploring a new destination. It’s so simple, and all you need is a comfortable pair of walking shoes. Your own two feet can take you on incredible journeys.
You can discover city streets or beautiful paths in nature. When traveling, I also like to combine walking with photography and go on “photo walks,” seeking specific themes or subjects to photograph.
Portable Hobbies for Travelers
These are some of the best portable hobbies that are ideal for travelers.
I hope you found some ideas from this list for a new hobby you can start. The great thing about all of these hobbies is that they have a low barrier to entry, and you can easily pick them up and bring them on the go.
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