How to Travel the World on a Budget: A Comprehensive Guide
Are you dreaming of traveling the world but think it’s out of your budget? Think again! With a little creativity and resourcefulness, you can travel the world without breaking the bank. In this article, we’ll show you how to travel cheap and even for free.
The Number One Thing Holding You Back from Traveling: Money
Whenever I ask readers what the number one thing holding them back from traveling is, I almost always get the same answer: money. This problem and how to overcome it is my most asked question. I’ve answered this question in numerous posts, emails, tweets, and Facebook posts. But I know that no matter how often I address this subject, it will come up again.
You Don’t Need to be Rich to Travel
The truth is, you don’t need to be rich to travel. There are plenty of ways to travel on a budget and for free – you just need to be willing to get creative. Traveling the world with little or no money sounds like an impossible dream, but it’s not. It’s not glamorous, but it’s possible.
How to Travel Cheap
There are many ways to travel cheap, and it all starts with a change in mindset. Here are some tips to help you get started:
1. Get a Job Overseas
Not making enough money at your job? Working at a job you hate? Why not get a job overseas? There are plenty of opportunities in the world as long as you aren’t picky. After all, this isn’t a career you’re starting – it’s just a way to earn money for travel.
Some popular and easy-to-find jobs you can get when you travel include:
* Au pair: a live-in caregiver who helps a host family look after their kids
* Bartender: if you have the skills, this is an easy job to move overseas
* Hostel worker: hostel workers rarely stick around for long, which means there is always a demand for new help
* Waitress/waiter: there are tons of seasonal restaurants around the world and around the US that need extra help during the busy tourist months
* Dive instructor: if you have your certification, this is an easy job to travel with
* Tour guide: if you’ve got a knack for history and don’t mind speaking in front of groups, this is the perfect job for you
2. Teach English Overseas
One of the best ways to make money for travel is to teach English overseas. You can make a lot of money teaching – I replenished my travel funds while teaching in Thailand, and I have had friends leave South Korea with tens of thousands of dollars in the bank.
All you need is the ability to speak English fluently and a TEFL degree, depending on the country you work in. If you have a college or university degree, you’ll be able to make more money and apply for better positions – though it’s not necessary for many countries.
3. Go WWOOFing and Work on a Farm
WWOOF stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. It’s a platform that allows you to work on a farm in exchange for free room and board. It’s a great way to see a destination in-depth while allowing you to commune with the great outdoors.
You have to pay to get to the farm, but once you are there, everything else is covered! It definitely will help you travel cheap as well as have a unique experience and meet lots of cool people.
4. Use the Sharing Economy
Use the sharing economy to find cheaper accommodation, quirky tour guides, rideshare options, and home-cooked meals with local chefs. You can bypass the traditional travel industry with sharing economy websites and gain access to locals using their own assets and skills to become small tourism companies with cheaper prices.
Some of my favorite websites include:
* BlaBlaCar: a ridesharing app that connects you with drivers who have extra seats in their car
* EatWith: a platform that connects you with local cooks serving private meals
* RVShare: a website that lets you rent RVs and camper vans directly from locals
5. Cook Your Own Meals
The best way to save money on the road is to cook all your own meals. While in Stockholm, I spent $60 USD for a week’s worth of groceries instead of an average of $15 USD per meal eating out! That’s a savings of $150 USD!
If you are staying in hostels, book accommodation that has a kitchen so you have space to cook. If you’re Couchsurfing or using Airbnb, your host will probably have a kitchen.
6. Get Rail Passes
Rail passes like the Eurail Pass in Europe or the JR Pass in Japan are a great way to save money when it comes to train travel. If you’re traveling around the region for a while, rail passes will likely be much cheaper than just booking individual trips.
7. Sleep in Large Dorms
Large hostel dorm rooms are the cheapest paid accommodation out there. The bigger the dorm, the cheaper it will be. While a 4-6 bed dorm might give you more privacy, a 12-18 bed dorm is going to be a bit cheaper.
8. Use Student and Other Discount Cards
Are you a student, teacher, or under 26? Welcome to the world of 50% off attractions and a plethora of discounts! Get a student/teacher/youth card and save big while you’re abroad.
9. Get City Tourist Cards
If you plan on seeing a lot of sights in a city, you should get a city tourism card. These will offer you discounted and/or free access to the major attractions and museums, as well as free public transportation.
10. Capitalize on Your Skills
Need some cash? Use Craigslist, TaskRabbit, or Gumtree to find paid odd jobs, like assisting people who need a few things done around the house. It’s a way to make money when you travel without committing to a long-term job.
How to Travel for Free
Traveling for free requires a bit more creativity, but it’s definitely possible. Here are some tips to help you get started:
11. Get Free Flights!
Collecting points and miles is the #1 way I’ve been able to afford so many flights and hotels over the years. By using a travel credit card for regular spending on groceries, restaurants, and shopping, I’ve been able to earn free flights and hotel stays – all by spending money I was going to spend anyway!
12. Stay for Free
There are many services that connect travelers with locals who are willing to let them stay with them for free. Using these sites, you will never have to pay for accommodation.
Some popular websites include:
* Couchsurfing
* Servas
* BeWelcome
* Warmshowers
13. Hitchhike
Hitchhiking is a free way to get around that is relatively safe and quite common in many parts of the world, including Central America, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.
Here are a few basic tips to help you get started:
* Use a sign: make a clear sign that lets people know where you’re heading
* Look presentable: wear clean clothing, smile, and don’t obscure your face with something like sunglasses
* Check the laws: hitchhiking is illegal in some places, so always check the laws to make sure it’s okay to do where you are
14. Take Free Walking Tours
Want to learn about the city, get your bearings, and see the major sights? Take a free walking tour. You can find them in most major cities – just ask the local tourist office, your hostel staff, or Google “free walking tour [city name]”.
15. House Sitting/Pet Sitting
If you’re on a tight budget, you can pet and house sit for fellow travel lovers when they go on their own vacations! In exchange, you’ll get free accommodation while you’re watching their home and pets.
16. Use Your Social Network
Does your colleague have a relative in Spain? Or maybe you have a distant cousin who lives in New Zealand? Don’t hesitate to use your social network to find connections and make travel arrangements.
Conclusion
Traveling the world doesn’t have to break the bank. With a little creativity and resourcefulness, you can travel cheap and even for free. By implementing a variety of these tips, you’ll be able to travel for relatively little money.
Remember, it’s not about being rich – it’s about being smart and flexible. So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your next adventure today!
How to Travel the World on $75 a Day
My New York Times bestselling book will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you’ll get off, save money, always find deals, and have a deeper travel experience. It’s your A-to-Z planning guide that the BBC called the “bible for budget travelers.”
Click here to learn more and start reading it today!
Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks
* Book your flight: use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight
* Book your accommodation: use Hostelworld for hostels or Booking.com for other types of accommodation
* Don’t forget travel insurance: it’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong
By following these tips and being open to new experiences, you can travel the world without breaking the bank. Happy travels!
- Get a Job Overseas
- Teach English Overseas
- Go WWOOFing and Work on a Farm
- Use the Sharing Economy
- Cook Your Own Meals
- Get Rail Passes
- Sleep in Large Dorms
- Use Student and Other Discount Cards
- Get City Tourist Cards
- Capitalize on Your Skills
Saving Money While Traveling
When you’re on a tight budget, every little bit counts. Here are some additional tips for saving money while traveling:
* Eat at local markets or street food stalls instead of restaurants
* Use public transportation instead of taxis
* Walk or bike whenever possible
* Avoid touristy areas and opt for local experiences
Staying Safe While Traveling
Staying safe while traveling is important, especially when you’re on a tight budget. Here are some tips to help you stay safe:
* Research your destination thoroughly
* Stay aware of your surroundings
* Keep your valuables secure
* Avoid traveling alone at night
Getting Around
Getting around can be one of the biggest expenses when traveling. Here are some tips for getting around on a budget:
* Use public transportation
* Walk or bike whenever possible
* Use ridesharing apps or hitchhike
* Consider buying a rail pass or budget airline card
Travelling on a Shoestring: The Bottom Line
Travelling on a shoestring doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your safety or comfort. With a little creativity and resourcefulness, you can travel the world without breaking the bank. By following these tips and being open to new experiences, you’ll be able to travel for relatively little money. Happy travels!
- Be flexible: be open to new experiences and changes in your plans
- Be resourceful: use your skills and creativity to save money
- Be patient: don’t rush – take your time and enjoy the journey
Q: How can I travel the world on a budget?
By being creative and resourceful, you can travel the world without breaking the bank. Consider getting a job overseas, teaching English, or using the sharing economy.
Q: What are some ways to make money while traveling?
Get a job overseas, teach English, go WWOOFing, use your skills to find paid odd jobs, or capitalize on your skills.
Q: How can I find cheap accommodation?
Use the sharing economy, stay in large dorms, cook your own meals, or use sites like Couchsurfing or Servas to stay for free.
Q: What are some tips for saving money on food?
Cook your own meals, eat at local markets or street food stalls, and avoid touristy areas.
Q: How can I travel for free?
Get free flights by collecting points and miles, stay for free with sites like Couchsurfing or Servas, hitchhike, or take free walking tours.
Q: What are some ways to save money on transportation?
Get rail passes, use public transportation, walk or bike whenever possible, or use ridesharing apps.
Q: How can I stay safe while traveling on a budget?
Research your destination thoroughly, stay aware of your surroundings, keep your valuables secure, and avoid traveling alone at night.
Q: What are some additional tips for traveling on a shoestring?
Be flexible, be resourceful, and be patient. Don’t rush – take your time and enjoy the journey.
Q: Can I travel the world if I’m not rich?
Yes, you don’t need to be rich to travel. With a little creativity and resourcefulness, you can travel the world on a budget.
Q: How can I find cheap flights?
Use Skyscanner to find cheap flights, collect points and miles, or consider budget airlines.
Q: What are some popular jobs for travelers?
Get a job as an au pair, bartender, hostel worker, waitress/waiter, dive instructor, or tour guide.
