The Best Way To Save Those Travel Dollars
If you’re open to trying something new, it is possible to travel the world for free—or at least pretty darn close to it. Here are the best ways to see the world without breaking the bank.
Travel Hacking
A lot of us don't believe it, but Air Miles and credit card rewards really do add up. It does take some savvy, but you can save a lot on your travel expenses by signing up for travel credit cards and taking advantage of sign-up bonuses and points.
Travel Hacking (cont’d)
The most important thing to do when travel hacking is to keep track of your finances—you don't want to spend more money in an attempt to save some cash on your next vacation. Decide on your next destination and then start focusing on earning the points to get there.
TUBIRY.PHOTOGRAPHY, Shutterstock
Housesitting
Housing isn't just a way to keep people's homes safe while they're adventuring around the globe—it's also a great way for you to see the world, too, and get a free roof over your head while you do it. And if you like friends of the four-legged, furry variety, housesitting can also be a unique chance to try your hand at being a pet owner.
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Housesitting (cont’d)
Finding a place to housesit doesn't have to be difficult—there are lots of reputable websites that can connect you with safe homeowners. TrustedHousesitters and Housecarers are just two examples, and you don’t have to put your own home on offer to sign up as a housesitter.
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Work Exchange
If you're willing to do a bit of part-time work, joining a work exchange program is a great way to get free room and board in some of the world’s most beautiful destinations. Like housesitting, you can look online for trusted websites, like Workaway, which will help you connect with hosts in your country of choice.
Work Exchange (cont’d)
Now, we know that at first, it might not sound like fun to be working while your on vacation, but you only have to put in a few hours each week, leaving lots of time to enjoy your trip. A work exchange is also a great way to meet locals, immerse yourself in the host country, and even gain some experience for a future career.
Couchsurfing
Couchsurfing is a bit like getting an Airbnb without having to pay for it. There are many people around the world who have spare rooms and, of course, vacant couches, giving travelers a chance to get free accommodations and meet friendly locals.
Couchsurfing (cont’d)
Websites like Couchsurfing can help you find safe places to stay, with reviews of all the hosts. Of course, though, having a backpack plan is key to ensuring your safety when couchsurfing. You are, after all, relying on the kindness of a stranger and don’t want to be stuck in their home on the off chance that things go sideways.
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Volunteering
Volunteering is a meaningful way to help the communities you visit during your travels. It can also be a great way to get a free place to stay—and sometimes, even free meals.
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Volunteering (cont’d)
With organizations like International Volunteer HQ, you can choose from a wide range of cool projects in your most desirable destinations. One thing to look out for, however: Any website asking you to pay hundreds of dollars to "volunteer" is a shady business and should be avoided at all costs.
Free Tours
If you’re ever traveling and think you can’t afford to go on a tour, think again. Cities around the world are full of free walking tours, or those that charge on a pay-what-you-can basis.
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Free Tours (cont’d)
Websites like Free Tours By Foot can show you available tours all over the world. Technically, the tours aren’t completely free, since a $10 or $15 tip is customary, but it’s still a heck of a lot cheaper than many traditional tours.
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Crowdfunding
If you’ve got a supportive network, chances are you could try crowdfunding on platforms like Patreon or GoFundMe to save up for your bucket list destinations. In exchange, for their support, use your platform to share things like vlogs, personalized updates, and souvenirs from your travels.
Crowdfunding (cont’d)
For crowdfunding to work, you’ll need a good marketing strategy and a gripping story. If you’re trip has a heartfelt goal behind it—like taking a family member back home to visit long-lost relatives—crowdfunding is a great way to save up for your travels.
Make Friends With Locals
Getting to know locals can lead to travel benefits like free accommodations, meals, and tips on the best places to explore. And of course, you get the added benefit of a unique friendship and a more immersive look at the places and cultures you'll be visiting.
Make Friends With Locals (cont’d)
Sites like Meetup make it easy to find events where you can meet friendly locals. Being open and showing a genuine interest is the key to forming strong connections that can enhance your travel experiences. Of course though, like couchsurfing, have a backup plan if you take new friends up on an offer to stay overnight.
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Do Remote Work
Remote work opens up a world of opportunities, including the freedom to travel the world. If your job can be done virtually, then you can take work with you anywhere in the world.
Do Remote Work (cont’d)
Platforms like Hacker Paradise can offer you tailored trips with accommodations, spaces to work, and fun excursions at a cheaper price than if you planned it all on your own. And you get to be part of a friendly community of digital nomads, taking away some of the stress of planning a workcation.
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Teach English
If you want to earn some money while you see the world, teaching English is a great opportunity, especially in Asian and Middle Eastern countries. However, opportunities for teaching English can be found all over the world, since the language is in high demand.
Teach English (cont’d)
ESL teaching abroad often comes with benefits like free room and board, a competitive salary, and paid travel expenses. There are lots of online job postings for ESL teachers, but you’ll usually need a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification (which you can get online) to get approved by anywhere reputable.
Travel Grants And Scholarships
There are lots of organizations that offer funding for educational, research, or cultural excursions. Even National Geographic has a travel grant, given to explorers, researchers, and teachers who do work with educational, conservational, and storytelling projects.
Travel Grants And Scholarships (cont’d)
If you want to apply for a travel grant, you’ll need to plan out your goals and present them in a detailed proposal. If you get accepted, the grants can cover a large portion of your travel expenses.
Live Like The Locals
Living like a local is a great way to save some cash while you’re traveling. Instead of hitting up touristy hotels and restaurants, look for food at local markets and use public transportation to get around.
Live Like The Locals (cont’d)
In addition to saving you money, staying clear of tourist hotspots will give you a more authentic experience while you’re traveling. Shopping and eating at local haunts are the perfect ways to immerse yourself in the culture of your destination.
Sell Your Skills
If you got a particular skillset, like photography, you could barter your skills for free accommodations, meals, or other perks, like tours. If you’re a photographer for example, you could offer to take promotional photos for a hotel in exchange for free room and board.
Andrey Sayfutdinov, Shutterstock
Sell Your Skills (cont’d)
Websites like Fiverr and Upwork can be great ways to connect with reliable clients around the world. These sites are particularly useful for those who provide freelance services.
Use Hospitality Networks
Hospitality networks like BeWelcome and Servas International are another way for travelers to connect with locals and get free accommodations. Cultural exchange is the priority on these networks, and they make it easy to build friendships with people across the globe.
Use Hospitality Networks (cont’d)
Hospitality networks may sound like couchsurfing platforms, but the difference here is the focus on cultural exchange, not just a free place to stay. It’s a great way to learn about a city’s hidden gems and get a more authentic view of a place.
Free Events
We all know that tourist attractions and fun events can add up. Luckily, many cities are host to lots of local attractions that are free, or pretty darn close to it. With just a little extra research beforehand, you can find all the free events in your next destination.
Free Events (cont’d)
Parks, museums, and local festivals are often free to attend or offer free entry on specific days of the week. You can check websites like Meetup or Eventbrite to see what free things might be going on. Visitor centers and tourist sites will also have information about what’s going on in your chosen destination.
