Career Break
Take a break from work. Make time for life.
A career break gives you the freedom to step away from your routine and spend your time doing something you've always wanted to do: travel.
Featured career break trips
Handpicked experiences worth checking out
Make your career break your own
A career break doesn't have to look like a traditional gap year. Maybe you've been working for five years and need some time away from your normal routine. Maybe you're changing careers and want to use the time in between jobs to travel. Or perhaps you've simply realised that there's more to life than saving your annual leave for two weeks in summer.
Whatever your reason, you can build your career break around what matters to you. Spend a few months backpacking through Asia, combine several countries in South America, take a language course, volunteer on a conservation project or finally tackle that trek that's been sitting on your bucket list.
And you don't have to choose just one. A career break is your time, so mix different travel styles and destinations to create something that feels right for you.
Go on a roadtrip through Australia
Finally take that trip to Peru
Go on that safari in Botswana
Go hiking in Patagonia
Need help planning your career break?
Our travel experts can help you refine your ideas, pick the right destinations and plan your trip from start to finish.
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Travel further, without figuring it all out yourself
Planning a longer trip can feel like a full-time job in itself. Which countries should you visit? How long should you stay? Do you need visas? What's the best way to get around? And how do you make everything work within your budget?
That's where KILROY comes in. Your travel expert can help you turn your ideas into a realistic itinerary, from choosing destinations and arranging flights to booking accommodation, transport and experiences. You can have the important parts sorted before you leave while still keeping enough flexibility to change things along the way.
Whether you know exactly where you want to go or only know that you need a break, we'll help you work out the rest.
Travel through South East Asia
Spend a month in South Africa
Discover white beaches in Belize
Go on a roadtrip through the USA & Canada
Hike to the Machu Picchu in Peru
What can you do during a career break?
Your career break can be as active, relaxed or adventurous as you want. There's no rule saying you need to spend six months backpacking from one hostel to the next.
Backpacking: Travel through several countries, follow a route you've always dreamed about and give yourself enough time to actually experience each place.
Learn something new: Use your time away to learn to surf, take a Spanish course, get your diving certification or pick up a completely new skill.
Volunteer abroad: Combine travel with a project that matters to you. Help with wildlife conservation, community projects, environmental work or other responsible volunteering projects.
Work abroad: Make your career break longer by working while you travel. Australia and New Zealand are popular options for a Working Holiday, allowing you to earn money while exploring the country. Working Holiday visas are generally available for travellers aged 18–30, although some destinations and nationalities have a higher age limit.
Get active: Use your time away to do something you've never had time for at home. Trek through the jungle, hike mountains, dive tropical reefs or take on a multi-day adventure.
Take a road trip: Rent a car or campervan and explore at your own pace. Road trips are a great way to get beyond the main tourist spots and have the freedom to change your plans along the way.
Learn how to dive
Trip to Antarctica
Roadtrip through Australia
Everest Basecamp trek in Nepal
Frequently asked questions
Planning a longer trip can come with quite a few questions. Here are some of the things you might want to know before taking your career break.
That depends on what you want from your time away. Australia and New Zealand are great if you want nature, road trips and outdoor adventures. Southeast Asia is ideal if you're looking for affordable long-term travel, beaches, culture and plenty of backpacker infrastructure. Central America is a great option for surfing, volcanoes, wildlife and outdoor adventures.
Absolutely. In fact, this is one of the best things about taking a longer trip. You could start with a language course, join a small group adventure, spend a few weeks volunteering and finish with a road trip or some time on the beach.
Not necessarily. It's usually a good idea to arrange the important parts, such as international flights, visas, key experiences and the first few nights of accommodation. After that, you can leave room for flexibility. Your KILROY travel expert can help you find the right balance between having a plan and keeping your options open.
It doesn't have to be. Your budget depends on where you go, how long you travel and how you choose to travel. Southeast Asia and parts of Central America can be relatively affordable, while Australia and New Zealand generally require a larger budget. We can help you build a route that works with the money and time you have available.
You don't have to figure out a long trip alone. KILROY has been helping travellers plan big adventures for more than 30 years. You'll get personal advice from a travel expert who can help you put the pieces together, find the right experiences and make sure the practical side of your trip is sorted.
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You should take a career break if you...
...feel like you need a change
Sometimes you don't need another holiday. You need some proper time away from your normal routine to figure out what comes next.
...have always wanted to travel for longer
Stop trying to squeeze your dream destinations into two weeks of annual leave. A career break gives you the time to slow down and actually experience them.
...want more than a holiday
Learn a language, volunteer, work abroad, take on a new adventure or challenge yourself with experiences you wouldn't normally have time for.
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