Do you have a milestone birthday coming up and want to celebrate it in style? Travelling to a favourite or bucket list destination for your birthday makes the day even more special. Read on for the best birthday trip ideas that will take your birthday to the next level.
Best Birthday Trip Ideas for 2019
Going away for your birthday may sound like the best thing ever, and no doubt it will be, but like everything, there are pros and cons. Before we get into the best places to go for a birthday, let’s highlight the pros and cons of a birthday trip.
Birthday vacation pros:
- Experience gifts almost always trump materials gifts
- You’ll get to tick off a destination on your travel wish list
- You won’t get a whole bunch of gifts you don’t want
- No indecision about who to invite, or not invite, to a birthday party
- You won’t have to go to work
- You’ll meet new people and have new experiences
Birthday vacation cons:
- You may not get to share the birthday with your friends and family
- Depending on where you travel, you may not get a birthday cake
- If you invite friends or family along, the ones who don’t get an invite may be hurt
- Extravagant trips may require years of planning and saving
Birthday Ideas for 20-somethings
Entering your twenties is a big deal. Whether you’re looking for 20th birthday ideas, 25th, or 28th birthday ideas, we know your 20s is often spent living large and learning lots. Many twenty-somethings look for fun birthday ideas involving sunshine, parties, and a bit of risk. In addition to far-out fun, we’ve listed a few bucket list birthday places to go for people in their 20s.
Las Vegas
Las Vegas is a party town and on any given night, it can be filled with 21-year-olds celebrating one of the biggest milestone birthdays of them all. There’s so much do to, you probably won’t spend much time hanging by your Las Vegas pool. Instead, think Black Jack, cocktails, and dancing the night away.
Caribbean
For fun in the sun on your 20-something birthday look no further than the glorious islands dotted in the Caribbean Sea. Feel irie (good) in Jamaica or swim with Manta Rays in the Caymans. For the most part, your birthday is guaranteed to be blessed with sunshine and good vibes.
New Zealand
For an adventure down under, travel to New Zealand and meet scores of other young people touring the small South Pacific country. Top things to do on your birthday will include tandem skydiving, bungee jumping, and jet boating down narrow rivers.
Birthday Trip Ideas for Your 30s
Whether it’s the big 3-0 or the frightful 3-9, it’s time to celebrate big time! Here are a few 30th birthday trip ideas that will make it memorable.
Paris
Paris is on many travel wish lists so it makes perfect sense to visit for a big birthday. Imagine your day filled with delicious French cuisine, bubbly champagne, and all the pastries you can eat.
Bangkok
The thing about travelling to Thailand in your 30s is that you’re still young enough to party with the best of them. Spend a few days shopping, sightseeing, and exploring Bangkok before heading to Ko Samui or Ko Phi Phi for some late-night beach parties.
Vancouver
If you’ve never been to Vancouver, or even if you have, it’s a surefire winner for any 30-something birthday. Vancouver is all about shopping, wining, dining, and clubbing, all while keeping healthy. Splurge on a new outfit on Robson Street before dinner, drinks, and dancing at chic nightclubs in Gastown or Yaletown. In Vancouver, you can have your cake and eat it too. And don’t worry, you can walk it off in Stanley Park the next day.
40th Birthday Trip Ideas
Make this milestone fabulous with these 40th birthday trip ideas. Okay, 40 is the time for an all-out super-duper dream vacay. These overseas birthday ideas guarantee birthday memories for the rest of your days.
Australia
Another top destination for a birthday trip is Australia. Air Canada flies direct to Sydney from Vancouver, which makes for an enjoyable long-haul flight. Travel a few days before your birthday to be sure you’re in tip-top shape to explore the city. Take in a show at the Sydney Opera House before heading off to the beaches of the Gold Coast or snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef in Far North Queensland.
Ireland
The Emerald Isle is a charming wee island in which to celebrate your 40th with the friendly Irish. Visit Dublin for a pint, or 3, of Guinness draught at the many traditional pubs and small bars. While you’re there, discover the city’s rich history and heritage with a DIY bike tour. Ireland is also fantastic for a road trip to see the lush countryside and picturesque Cliffs of Moher.
Japan
If you love castles, samurai, and sushi then Japan is the perfect go-to place when looking for what to do on your birthday. A trip to Japan will have you exploring ancient history, devouring delicious food, and being wowed by technology. Generally, travellers choose Tokyo, Osaka or Kyoto as a base, however, look for opportunities to experience something truly unique, such as dressing up in traditional Japanese clothing. Treat yourself for your birthday and book a stay at a Japanese ryokan, where you can stay overnight in a hot spring resort.
Celebrate With These 50th Birthday Trip Ideas
You’re older, wiser, and have a bit more savings for birthday vacations (hopefully). Here’s a chance to make 50 fabulous.
New York
Take a bite out of the Big Apple with birthday activities that would make Carrie Bradshaw jealous! Spend the day in Manhattan shopping for designer handbags and shoes or relaxing at a luxury day spa priming yourself for birthday drinks. Then, take in a Broadway show and a late dinner and cocktails in the city that never sleeps.
Banff
One of the most beautiful places in Canada is Banff National Park, a mere 2-hour drive west of Calgary Airport. Whether or not you’re a skier or hiker makes no difference – this place is teeming with stunning scenery that you don’t have to be amongst to enjoy. Birthday trip ideas include a stay at the castle-like Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, a pampering day at their onsite Willow Stream Spa, and an elegant dinner at Eden, one of the town’s best fine dining restaurants.
Hawaii
If laid-back beach life is more your style, Hawaii will always be a top spot for any birthday celebration. Relax on the beach or by the pool with a good book and a colourful cocktail (or two). If you’re up for more, there’s always snorkelling, surfing, hiking, and a Hawaiian luau.
Start Planning These 60th Birthday Trip Ideas
Many people wait until retirement, or close to retirement, to take the biggest and best trips of their lives.
Alaska
One of the most popular ways to see Alaska is by cruise ship. May through October is cruise season up north with many different cruise companies offering Alaskan cruises from Vancouver. It’s one helluva way to travel: lux cabins, all-you-can-eat buffets, non-stop entertainment, and crew members waiting on you like you’re royalty. Seeing the beauty of Alaska is sure to be a highlight of turning 60.
Nepal
If you want to do something epic for your 60th birthday trip, a visit to Nepal and a trek in the Himalayas will definitely do the trick. Your friends and family may think you’ve lost it, but with the right training, gear, and guides, you can go home with a mighty feather in your cap.
Bordeaux, France
If scaling mountains is too much for your 60-year-old body, ease into your 6th decade on earth with a gentler trek around the vineyards of Bordeaux. If the timing is right, head over for the annual Bordeaux Wine Festival for the ultimate celebration of your birthday and grapes alike.
Birthday Weekend Getaways
We appreciate that not everyone can take off overseas for their birthday trip. If sticking closer to home suits your budget and schedule better, try these weekend getaways for your birthday celebrations.
Toronto
Toronto birthday ideas are aplenty for all age groups. If you live in Ontario, a weekend getaway to T.O provides an opportunity to get arty, toast yourself at hip boutique bars, and dine at the plethora of multi-cultural restaurants dotted around the province’s capital city. There are also several birthday party venues in Toronto if you so wish to throw down on a party or spectacular day out. In particular, check out iFly Toronto for a little indoor skydiving suitable for ages 3 and over.
For Toronto birthday ideas for adults only, Bar + Karaoke Lounge offer a stylish space to embrace your inner superstar. This birthday trip idea is perfect for outgoing groups who just want to have fun.
Whistler
For many Vancouverites, a day trip to Whistler is a monthly event. But for some, a weekend stay is reserved for special occasions and what better time than a milestone birthday? Tucked away in the Coast Mountains of BC, this elite mountain town serves up premium skiing in the winter, and epic hiking adventures in the autumn and summer. No matter which season your birthday falls in, a weekend in Whistler will take the (birthday) cake.
Quebec City
A weekend in historical Quebec City will make a birthday weekend something to remember. Take a short ferry to Lévis, a charming town across the Saint Lawrence River. Explore the town library, which is homed in a former chapel. Back in Old Quebec, be sure to post a shot of Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac on your Instagram feed, and if your budget doesn’t allow a sleep-over there, at least wander the lobby and grab a coffee.
Love these birthday trip ideas?
If we’ve inspired a birthday trip for your next big day, start planning! You’ll find the best prices on cheap flights, hotels, and car rentals using Skyscanner search engines and our handy app.
