Most people love travelling, but a low bank balance can certainly get in the way of touring the world. Obviously, you’re going to need some cash on hand for your journeys, but the good news is that you can still see places around the globe without being wealthy. If you’ve decided to prioritise travel, that’s great because it has many benefits, including boosting creativity, broadening your horizons, building your confidence, and creating lifelong memories. Ready to book those tickets? Use this guide to help you hit the road even if you’re broke.
Consider Voluntourism
Voluntourism is a term coined for people who travel the world and volunteer for a variety of entities along the way. If you provide the work, you often get to stay for free. This might be teaching English as a second language or helping build a house or school for a community in need. As long as you put in the work, you can be compensated for your travels, enabling you to travel with no money. You can use a website such as Project’s Abroad to find opportunities around the world.
Look for a Job That Includes Travel
Many companies have offices around the world and if you can find work with them, you can often travel for work. This gives you the chance to see places other than your own country, while also getting paid to do your job.
Try Housesitting
If you’re looking for a free place to stay, housesitting is a great solution. You can stay in someone’s house, taking care of it for them while they’re away, and in return you get free lodging. This can save you so much money that you’ll have some cash to see the area and enjoy the local culture while you’re there.
Work Remotely
With so many people working from home more and more these days, there are loads of opportunities out there for you. Connect with groups that travel and work remotely together and you’ll have a built-in network of like-minded people to galivant around the globe with. You can stay put in places you love for a while or keep on moving so you can see more of the world and travel with no money.
Start Crowdfunding
People have used crowdfunding for everything from raising money to pay medical bills to having a party for a loved one. There are people all over the world who want to help you and setting up a crowdfunding account gives them that chance. If several people share just a small amount of money with you, you’ll raise the funds to travel in no time at all.
Look for Free Tours
Maybe you have the money to get where you want to go, but won’t have much left upon arrival. Look for free tours. Many cities offer free walking tours so you can see all of the sights without spending a dime. There are also free museums and attractions all over the world that you can enjoy and those that typically cost money often feature free days that you can take advantage of from time to time. Walking the neighbourhoods and meeting the locals won’t cost you anything either.
Consider a Road Trip
A road trip is infinitely cheaper than traveling by air and it gives you the unique opportunity to see more of the world around you. Even if you have to rent a car, it’s going to be a lot cheaper than booking airfare. Pack some snacks and hit the road. Look for campsites along the way where you can pitch a tent, often for little or no money at all. If you take a road trip with a friend, you can split the costs and your holiday will be even cheaper.
Avoid Tourist Traps
Touristy places often cost more simply because everyone wants to see them. Instead of stopping at the hyped-up restaurants, bars, and other places, seek out local spots where you can enjoy the cuisine and make friends among the people who live there. You’ll get to enjoy delicious food and great company at a significant fraction of the cost. Also, look for special offers and deals that make popular places cheaper. Unfashionable and unseasonal times are usually cheaper.
Traveling is a wonderful part of life. It lets you see the world, experience other cultures, and have fun at the same time. Experts suggest taking a break to travel at least a couple of times each year. Even if you don’t have a lot of money on hand, you can still enjoy hopping on a plane or gassing up your car. Just make sure you don’t forget your camera!
