Plenty of phrases work as interesting ways to say “goodbye” to someone.
Things like “safe travels” and “take care” are popular. Although, “safe travels” might not hold up as well in professional contexts.
So, it’s worth having a few alternatives prepared.
This article has gathered some synonyms to show you a better way to say “safe travels.”
Is It Polite to Say “Safe Travels”?
It is polite to say “safe travels.” Overall, it’s a very popular choice to use as a farewell when someone is going away for a while (i.e., on vacation).
However, it’s unprofessional in an email. You can say it in spoken situations, even if they’re formal, but we don’t recommend using it in emails.
It is appropriate to say “safe travels” as a polite farewell. So, feel free to use it in most situations (besides an email).
Here’s an example showing you how it works:
Safe travels, Jackie! I hope you have the best time out there with the others.
Pros
- It’s very friendly and joyful.
- It’s a great way to say goodbye to people you care about.
Cons
- It’s a little too conversational for an email.
- It doesn’t work unless someone is going traveling (meaning it’s limited).
Clearly, “safe travels” isn’t the best choice to include in a business email. Therefore, you should have a few professional alternatives ready to go.
Keep reading to learn what to say instead of “safe travels.” We will share some great formal synonyms to mix things up.
What to Say Instead of “Safe Travels”
- Enjoy your trip
- All the best for your trip
- Enjoy your vacation
- Have the best time away
- Enjoy your time off
- I hope you travel safely
- See you after your travels
- Best wishes on your travels
- Make the most of your travels
- Safe journey
1. Enjoy Your Trip
When people spend time away from work, it’s likely they’re doing so to enjoy themselves and relax. After all, work can get stressful and difficult. We all need to unload sometimes.
Therefore, “enjoy your trip” is a great formal alternative to “safe travels.” It shows you hope someone has a good time away from work.
We recommend using it when emailing clients. This phrase works well when your client is about to leave on holiday. It’ll put them in a good mood (providing they read your email before leaving).
Check out the following example while you’re here:
Dear Daniel,
Thank you so much for getting back to me on such short notice. I hope things go well while you’re away.
Enjoy your trip,
Bradley Smith
2. All the Best for Your Trip
You can always use “all the best” at the end of an email. It’s a very common way to sign off a formal email. But you don’t have to stop there.
Try adding “for your trip” to the end of it when someone is going on vacation. “All the best for your trip” is a polite and friendly phrase that works as an email closer.
It shows you wish someone the best time away. Again, work can be stressful. So, any time people get the chance to get away from it should be the best time away!
Here’s an email example that should help you understand it:
Dear Duncan,
I appreciate that you’re out of the office now until the 25th. However, I would like to say thank you for all your help.
All the best for your trip,
Dean Watmore
3. Enjoy Your Vacation
Simplicity is key in emails. Overly complicated language or long-form sentences can make your emails undesirable to read. People may even skip over them.
So, why not keep your synonyms simple like “enjoy your vacation.” It’s a better way to say “safe travels” that keeps things friendly and formal.
You can use it regardless of the connection you have with the recipient.
For instance, it works well when emailing employees. If they’ve booked some vacation time, use it when sending your last email to them.
We also recommend reviewing this email sample:
Dear Ailee,
This is great news. I knew you were working on something big for us. I’m so happy you’re on our team.
Enjoy your vacation,
Brent Fikowski
4. Have the Best Time Away
Another great way to close an email is “have the best time away.” It shows you how to wish someone safe travels in a more polite and formal way.
It’s best to use this when emailing your boss. It keeps things civil and friendly, allowing you to wish them well when you know they have time off booked.
It’s highly effective in most formal emails, though. It doesn’t just have to work for your boss.
As long as you know someone has booked some time away, feel free to include it at the end of an email.
Don’t forget to review this sample email:
Dear Miss Adams,
Thank you for reaching out to update me. Of course, I’ll let you know as soon as I have more information to share.
Have the best time away,
Brian Donovan
5. Enjoy Your Time Off
“Enjoy your time off” is a formal way to say “safe travels.” It works really well when someone has booked vacation time at work, and you want to wish them well.
Generally, this phrase works better when emailing employees. It’s quite a polite and friendly alternative, showing that you’re happy to grant them time off.
After all, if you’re the boss, employees usually have to ask you for vacation time. So, you’ll know when it’s coming up. If you remember it and wish them well, you’ll sound like you care more.
This email example will help you understand it better:
Dear Melissa,
I will let you know as soon as I find out more about your application. I have high hopes for you.
Enjoy your time off,
Brenda Carlisle
6. I Hope You Travel Safely
“Safe travels” in itself isn’t a bad way to wish someone well before a trip. However, it’s too informal. A formal rewording should help to make it more appropriate in formal emails.
You can reword it to say “I hope you travel safely.” This is much more professional and works well when wishing someone well before a vacation.
Try it as an email closer when speaking to coworkers. It shows you want them to enjoy themselves while they’re away and get to their destination unscathed.
We also recommend reviewing the following example:
Dear Kylie,
Of everyone in the office, you certainly deserve vacation time the most. So, I hope you enjoy yourself out there.
I hope you travel safely,
Jon Wells
7. See You After Your Travels
When someone goes on vacation, it’s usually only for a week or two at a time. Therefore, they’ll be back at work in no time. So, you’ll see them again soon.
You can use “see you after your travels” as another way to say “safe travels.” It suggests that someone is going away for a few weeks, but you plan on seeing them after they return.
For instance, you can use it when colleagues book time off. It shows you’re happy to see them getting away from work and can’t wait to hear about what they get up to on their return.
Here’s a useful example to show you how it works:
Dear Maria,
I have contacted our client to see what they want to do with the system. I’ll be in touch when they reply.
See you after your travels,
Ben White
8. Best Wishes on Your Travels
Generally, “best wishes” is used as a formal email closer. It’s similar to writing things like “all the best” and “best regards.”
You can extend it, though. Add “on your travels” to create “best wishes on your travels.”
This is a very polite and friendly way to close an email. It shows you hope someone makes the most of their time off.
Check out this example if you still need help:
Dear Mitchell,
This is the only time I can arrange the meeting. Don’t worry; I’ll provide notes for you on your return.
Best wishes on your travels,
George Marshland
9. Make the Most of Your Travels
It’s all too easy to get caught up at work and let stress consume you. It then becomes easy to also forget to take the time to enjoy yourself when you book time off work.
However, with “make the most of your travels,” this problem tends to disappear. It’s a great way to close a friendly and formal email.
We recommend using it when you want someone to have the best vacation. It reminds them to enjoy themselves because they won’t be at work for a few days.
Perhaps this email sample will also help you:
Dear Bryan,
Opportunities like this don’t come up often. I’ll let you rest for now, but we’re going to need to work together when you return.
Make the most of your travels,
Melanie Beau
10. Safe Journey
The problem with “safe travels” is that “travels” makes it a little too conversational. You can eliminate this issue by switching “travels” with “journey.”
Now, “safe journey” is a more professional alternative. It helps you to sound more polite and respectful in an email and is a better way to say “safe travels.”
You can use it when emailing employees who are planning a trip. It’s highly effective and allows you to retain a formal tone.
Here’s a great email example to help you with it:
Dear Stuart,
Thank you so much for your reply. I appreciate you’re busy trying to sort out your trip, but I’ll have a few answers for you when you return.
Safe journey,
April O’Neill