This is from an Travel FAQ Series I did for my friend Rani of Cheema's NYC a few years ago. Reposted here (and updated semi-regularly) just for you.
Travelling for Free
Other Ways to Fund your Travel
I’ve met a number of people who have been travelling for years based on the income they receive from freelance work they do online. This is great news for any of you with freelance-able talent. If you can do your work from elsewhere, do it! Not only will it mean you can travel, you might even be able to take advantage of lower living costs to reduce your budget and allow you to save more. Just make sure that wherever you are going has reliable internet access so that you can actually continue to work.
If, like me, you have no such skills, don’t be too bummed. You can also fund your travels, or at least make your living costs disappear, by working short stints at hostels or bars (usually under the table) along the way.
If you are still in school or fairly young, you’ll be happy to know that lot more partially or fully funded travel opportunities for students and youth exist than you might have previously thought. One of the best places to find out about these is the database at HeySuccess.
If you are under 30/35, you can also try for work visas to Australia or to NewZealand. If you’re a citizen of a Commonwealth country, you may be able to get a working holiday visa for the UK or other Commonwealth countries such as Canada as well. Some people may also be eligible for European work visas or those from other countries. Check the visa requirements for your country to see.
Do a bit of research. Get creative. You never know what you’ll find.
A Note on Taxis:
While taxis, particularly in Asia and South America, are significantly cheaper than they are elsewhere, I usually still try to avoid taking them unless I am with a big enough group to warrant it, the route there by public transit is either non-existent, obscenely time consuming or so convoluted as to be nearly impossible, or it’s too late at night and nothing else is running. I do this for several reasons. 1) While the taxis might be cheaper than back home, they still cost more than other methods of transport and the costs will eventually add up. 2) Taking public transport is an awesome way to see how the locals actually live and get around. 3) It gives me a way better understanding of the layout of the city and keeps me from getting too lost later on. And, 4) While you might get lost and end up somewhere entirely different than you planned, at least it’s an adventure!
If you do decide to go with taxis (even if it’s only to and from the airport), do a bit of research beforehand to see which taxi companies are considered reputable and what, approximately, your ride should cost. This will help to keep you from being held up for additional money or just plain ripped off. Also be aware of countries, such as Bolivia, where simply flagging a taxi down on a street rather than arranging on before hand can prove dangerous (many tourists have reported being robbed this way).
Even better, many countries now have Uber or Uber-like ride-hailing apps (like the excellent Gojek and Grab apps in SouthEast Asia). In some countries even the major taxi companies have switched over to app format, making hailing a ride even easier.
Be Flexible
I’ve already mentioned that being flexible with your timing can help you get great deals on flights and discount vacation packages. It can also get you great deals on everything else. If you have the time to wait around and join up with others who are travelling, particularly in remote places, it makes it that much easier to group together and split costs. It also makes it easier to plan a rideshare or couchsurfing slot.
Take Advantage of Youth and Student Deals and Discounts
Although it might not feel like it when you consider what you are paying for tuition. Being a student can save you a ton of money. In many countries students with a valid ID (the most widely accepted of which around the world is the International Student ID Card or ISIC card) will be able to get massively discounted ticket or entry prices. In many countries, such as Egypt and China, entry to almost all of the major tourist attractions is HALF-PRICE for all those with an ISIC card!
In Europe, you don’t even need to be a student to benefit as those under 26 can often (though not always) get discounted rail tickets.
Once again, I cannot stress the importance of a little research. Don’t be afraid to ask if you qualify for anything when you get to the front desk. Do a quick Google search to see if you can find any coupon or discount codes posted by others online. Take advantage of all your resources!
Visas
An unfortunate reality of travel is the fact that a number of awesome countries that are just begging to be visited require visas – which often don’t come cheap (China, Russia and India, I’m looking mainly at you!). Before you plan to go anywhere, make sure you check whether or not you’ll need a visa. Requirements will be based on where you are visiting, where your passport is from, where you are currently and, possibly, your work history/any current work visas (these are usually helpful, not hindering).
If you do need a visa, make sure you try to get it well in advance (if possible). I prefer to go to the embassy/consulate/visa application centre to apply for my visa in person (do a quick search to see where the closest one for that country is to you), but if it’s not possible, many embassies/consulates allow you to mail in your applications. For the best results, make sure that you have all of the necessary documents for your required visa type and that everything is in order before you submit. This will ensure that there are no delays and you won’t have to re-submit anything. If you are unsure about any of the requirements or have any questions, don’t hesitate to call the relevant embassy/consulate/visa application centre. It’s best to know exactly what you’ll need beforehand.
A Note on Getting Visas While Abroad:
If you are like me and your travels often go in unplanned directions, you will, at some point in your life, be required to get a visa while abroad. The good news is that this is generally very possible. The bad news is that there are often restrictions involved. You may only be allowed to get a shorter visa (you can usually extend once you are in the country), you may have to pay extra (especially if you have to get a rush visa), you may need to provide extra details in order to get it or, most annoyingly, you may have to travel to a specific other country/city to apply. Given this, the second I know I’m going to a country where I’ll need a visa, I go online to figure out where I can apply and what I’ll need. I then do my best to get this done as early as possible to prevent any issues from arising.
Where to Sleep
I’ve slept everywhere while travelling from tents in the mountains to ferry terminals, airports, trains, overnight busses, bath houses, hostels, the occasional five star hotel and, oddly enough, a local gas station owner’s couch.
If, like me, you aren’t too picky, you’ll find a wealth of places to sleep.
At the cheapest end for many countries, you have: camping (of course this means you need gear, a safe and legal place to pitch your tent and a way to cook and store food); strategic transport planning so that much of your inter-city travel occurs overnight – just remember, you’ll want a shower and good night’s rest at some point; and Couch Surfing. For those who don’t know, couch surfing is an awesome free hosting service where people all over the world volunteer to host you on their couches, spare beds or floors. While I do love couch surfing, I try to only stay with hosts when I know I don’t have a bunch of other plans that might be super inconvenient for them. People often ask if it’s safe, the answer is yes, surprisingly so. The rating and feedback system ensures that bad hosts or guests are flagged and the good ones get much deserved praise. Definitely check out a person’s profile and decide if you feel comfortable with them before you go. You may also want to bring them a small thank you gift. Couch Surfing is also a great way to find locals who may not be able to host you, but who are more than willing to show you around, invite you over for dinner and/or take you out for a night on the town.
At the slightly more expensive end of the cheap travel spectrum, we have hostels. Best places to find those are on Booking.com, Hostelworld and Hostel Bookers. Other site such as Agoda often have deals as well. Of these, Booking is my favorite. It tends to have the best deals and most up to date info and reviews. You will also often get discounts when booking through them. That being said, you can always look up the hostels online and contact them directly. If you do use a booking service to book, don’t forget to write a review!
If you can afford to pay slightly more and/or are staying in one place for a bit longer, definitely check out AirBnB.
Eating
I don’t have too much advice here – mostly because I love food, so it’s the one thing I spend money on. First thing’s first, the cheapest places will always be off the beaten track and will be places where locals, and not tourists, go. This means that you may not be able to read the menu. I consider that to be just another part of the adventure. Look around and ask for whatever looks good that someone else is eating. As a note, this is definitely not something to do if you have known food allergies – particularly anaphylactic ones.
In general though, I find eating at local markets or cooking my own food in the hostel kitchen (usually with other hostellers) is the cheapest way to go. It’s also nice in that it lets you try things you might not otherwise have tried or make new friends with people from elsewhere. Otherwise, if I do eat out, I either just splurge, or do what I would do back home when trying not to eat too expensively.
Tours, Guides and Info
While I love just wandering and exploring cities on my own, sometimes it’s really nice to have a guided tour. Happily, more and more cities around the world are offering free walking (and sometimes even biking) tours. Just Google ‘free walking tour’ and the city of your choice and see what turns up.
In addition to free tours, you can also often find free city and country guides online or as smartphone apps. Possibly one of the best free reasources out there is Wikitravel, literally the wikipedia of travel. There are also plenty of region-specific blogs and guides online that make excellent sources of information. Some of these, like Caravanistan for Central Asia, are regularly updated. For others, you are really just looking for the most current info you can find. If you are more of a city person, Hostelworld offers free mini city guides and, particularly if you are travelling to Europe, their update-to-date In Your Pocket Guides can be invaluable.
Another great resource when it comes to travel planning and deciding what to do is always TripAdvisor. While it's not the most helpful if your aim is to get off the beaten track, it is still an excellent place to find info, reviews and details about where to stay, what to eat and what to do wherever you are.
Language Barriers
You don’t speak the local language, and the people wherever you are don’t speak English. Sometimes problems are unavoidable. Happily, this one isn’t. More and more people around the world speak English, making travel even easier for those of blessed with it as their mother tongue.
Having said that, unless you will be on a cruise or staying in a resort, I do not recommend relying on the English skills of others to always see you through the day, 1) because sometimes you will find yourself in a place where these skills are actually non-existent; 2) because this leaves you no way of knowing when you are being cheated; 3) because this means you will be missing out on a vital part of human interaction in the country you are visiting; and, 4) because you would be surprised at the treats, hugs and smiles (not to mention occasional bursts of laughter) you will get when you try to communicate in the local language; 5) because there's really no reason not to try!
Budgeting
One of the most important aspects of travelling on the cheap is having a budget and sticking to it. Before I go, I often determine just how much money I have available, and then subtract some portion of that (usually the equivalent of a flight home plus half as much again) to be kept as my ‘cash in reserve’. This ‘cash in reserve’ effectively acts as my safety net should anything go wrong. While I have had to use it in the past (and trust me, you are so thankful that it’s there when this happens), it’s even better when I don’t have to touch it because it often means that I can splurge on something ridiculous at the end of my trip, travel for a few extra days (or weeks) or even just that I have enough to live on when I get back home so I don’t have to work straight away or spend as much time saving up for my next trip.
Next, I figure out approximately how much everything will cost (at the maximum end) where I am going. I check hostel prices to get an idea of accommodation, food and attraction prices (on trip advisor) and transport prices to, from, around, and in between the places I am planning to visit. I also check out the exchange rate on XE. Based on all of those things, I work out a daily budget, weekly budget and monthly budget that I use to figure out approximately how long I can travel for on what I have. When expanding my daily budget up to a week or month, I usually add a little extra (yes, this is in addition to my cash in reserve) to compensate for any unexpected issues or potential chances to splurge that might pop up. I figure that it’s always better to end your trip with a little cash left than it is to find yourself destitute on a foreign street somewhere. If this does happen - and it sometimes does - not all is lost! Try to find either a hostel that will take you in and give you food and board for work or, if all else fails, contact the local embassy for your country.
Your daily budget will depend completely on where you are and what you are planning to do. I’ve spent time in Europe for as little as $20/day and as much as $100. In Southeast Asia, I never managed to spend more than an average of $50/day even while trying. More frequently, I was spending around $20 (though I’ve survived on as little as $5-10/day).
Cash vs. Cards
Nowadays, not many people use traveller’s cheques, particularly as major credit cards are more and more accepted around the world. As most debit cards issued by major world banks can now be used to withdraw nearly anywhere, I also find that there is little need to carry obscenely large amounts of cash while travelling (unless you are going to the middle of nowhere – in which case too much cash would likely be unnecessary). This having been said, many economies are still cash economies, so make a note about where and when ATMs will be available so that you ensure that you do have enough cash on you.
Another thing to note is that, while many ATMs around the world do not charge withdrawal fees, your bank will charge you an international withdrawal fee (mine charges me $5 per transaction). In order to avoid getting dinged with this too frequently, I will often withdraw a fairly large amount each time.
Definitely check with your bank before you head out about what kind of fees they charge you for withdrawing abroad. I know some US cards are amazing and charge nothing, and depending on your bank and account plan in Canada, you might be able to wrangle a deal to get them to waive your fees for your trip. But my biggest suggestion here is to sign up with an online international bank like Revolut or Wise (<- who I have and LOVE) because they have amazing withdrawal policies and you never get dinged on the currency conversions. Wise also gives you both a physical and a digital card (depending on your location) and the ability to freeze access through the app/website in case things get lost or stolen. As an added bonus, they will ship a replacement card to you, wherever you are in the world, something most other banks wont do!
Many hostels often have free or cheap computers
for guest use and internet cafes are rarely too far away (<- LOL this last line of advice is so outdated I really should get rid of it, but I am leaving it here for my own amusement. Makes me realize just how old I am and how long I've been travelling, sigh. Remember the days of buying international phone calling cards and then finding a pay phone that would let you dial a string of like 40 numbers just so that you could spend $10 to phone home for 10 mins and talk to your family for the first time in weeks? Yeah, good times :P).
Research
I don’t think I can stress enough the importance of even doing the tiniest bit of research. Quick online searches are wonderful and will often turn up loads of information about what is or is not appropriate for the culture you are visiting, important safety info, potential deals and discounts, great attractions, food locations and much more. The few times I have failed to run a quick search before turning up, I’ve always been disappointed to find out that I missed out on something later.
And, Finally:
This is your trip, enjoy it! Remember that, so long as you are being respectful of the people, culture and environment around you, there is no right or wrong way to travel. If you want to skip out on a ‘must-see’ museum or sight because you aren’t feeling it, are too tired/hungover that day or are just plain not interested, skip it. If you want to splurge on that lovely scarf or statuette, gourmet dinner or awesome skydiving adventure and you won’t have to forgo too many meals to afford it, do it! (Just check that your insurance covers it/remember that you may have to carry your purchases home and you won’t want your bags to be overweight). If you decided that you want to alter your trip altogether and stay where you are for longer or go somewhere new entirely, change it! This is your life to live, do it the way you want to!
Ally’s Tips for Travelling on the Cheap
Always wanted to travel, but think it’s only something that rich people can afford to do?
Think again.
Always wanted to travel, but think it’s only something that rich people can afford to do?
Think again.
People always tell me how lucky I am that I’ve gotten to travel
so much, and in many ways, they’re right, I am lucky – just not in the ways
that they think. I’m lucky that I come from a country with a passport that
allows me to travel fairly widely without visas, I'm lucky that I don't have anyone depending on me for physical and financial support, and I'm lucky that I realized
at such a young age both just how much I loved to travel and how easy it was to
do on the cheap.
Many people assume that travel has to be expensive; I’m here to tell you that
it doesn’t.
Travelling for Free
Over the years, I’ve managed to get a number of my trips
paid for by working abroad first and piggybacking my trip off that. I’ve taught English in Korea, travel blogged
in Taiwan, done archaeology in Peru and used a funded conference I was
attending for university as a springboard to explore Russia. Even if trip costs
aren’t fully covered, having some things paid for is better than none.
In all cases, make sure you do your RESEARCH. If it sounds too good to be true, it likely is. Horror stories abound of contracts that go wrong, passports that get held or hidden costs and fees. Whatever you do, make sure that the company that you are going with or that the individual you will be working for has a good reputation. If there is no way to check directly, ask them for references and then follow up with them. Your safety and well-being should be paramount.
Once you start travelling, it becomes even easier to do so for free. A number of airlines and credit cards run travel rewards programs with points that accrue the more you use their services (You can find a list of the best airline travel programs here; all the airline travel reward programs here; the best travel credit card programs for Americans here; and everything you need to know about point programs here). As points build up, you can get things like cash back, luggage, bus tickets, insurance and even plane tickets for free. I personally prefer the airline rewards programs and which are free to use. I am not a big fan of paying expensive annual credit card fees, but I’ve paid for a number of my trips using points from both.
Working Abroad
Right now, the best way to travel free is to teach English in Asia. This is because, not only will your travel costs to and from be covered, you will often get a settlement allowance and your rent may even be paid for. While many of the better paying countries such as Korea and Japan will require you to have a TESOL/TEFL/TESL or CELTA certificate, for others, such as Thailand and China, all that is sometimes required is that you be a native English speaker. This having been said, opportunities and pay are better with certification (done in-class or a mix of in-class and online - many places no longer accept certificates done entirely online). A number of companies such as ITTT, i-to-i and the International TEFL Academy also offer the opportunity to take the course abroad and be placed immediately in a school there.
You can also teach English in Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and and former USSR countries. Just be warned that, for the last two, pay is often lower and/or transport costs not covered. In the case of Europe, the more expensive CELTA certification is often, though not always, required. For the Middle East, contracts are often two years in length and English Majors or Certified Teachers are often preferred.
Dave’s ESL Cafe and Teach Away are great places to find job postings and intel on teaching abroad. No worries if you’re not great with kids, a number of companies and postings are specific to teaching adults or business English.
Au Pairing is another great way to get the bulk of your trip and living costs paid for. Au pair’s are live-in part-time childcare and household chore workers. I’ve heard some horror stories (usually from Turkey), but for the most part, everyone I’ve spoken to who has au paired in Northern Europe or Scandinavia has had a wonderful time. Many of them even go on paid trips with their host families. The most popular and well-reviewed au pairing sites are Au Pair World and Great Au Pair, though it should be noted that the latter requires more info from applicants.
In all cases, make sure you do your RESEARCH. If it sounds too good to be true, it likely is. Horror stories abound of contracts that go wrong, passports that get held or hidden costs and fees. Whatever you do, make sure that the company that you are going with or that the individual you will be working for has a good reputation. If there is no way to check directly, ask them for references and then follow up with them. Your safety and well-being should be paramount.
Once you start travelling, it becomes even easier to do so for free. A number of airlines and credit cards run travel rewards programs with points that accrue the more you use their services (You can find a list of the best airline travel programs here; all the airline travel reward programs here; the best travel credit card programs for Americans here; and everything you need to know about point programs here). As points build up, you can get things like cash back, luggage, bus tickets, insurance and even plane tickets for free. I personally prefer the airline rewards programs and which are free to use. I am not a big fan of paying expensive annual credit card fees, but I’ve paid for a number of my trips using points from both.
Working Abroad
Right now, the best way to travel free is to teach English in Asia. This is because, not only will your travel costs to and from be covered, you will often get a settlement allowance and your rent may even be paid for. While many of the better paying countries such as Korea and Japan will require you to have a TESOL/TEFL/TESL or CELTA certificate, for others, such as Thailand and China, all that is sometimes required is that you be a native English speaker. This having been said, opportunities and pay are better with certification (done in-class or a mix of in-class and online - many places no longer accept certificates done entirely online). A number of companies such as ITTT, i-to-i and the International TEFL Academy also offer the opportunity to take the course abroad and be placed immediately in a school there.
You can also teach English in Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and and former USSR countries. Just be warned that, for the last two, pay is often lower and/or transport costs not covered. In the case of Europe, the more expensive CELTA certification is often, though not always, required. For the Middle East, contracts are often two years in length and English Majors or Certified Teachers are often preferred.
Dave’s ESL Cafe and Teach Away are great places to find job postings and intel on teaching abroad. No worries if you’re not great with kids, a number of companies and postings are specific to teaching adults or business English.
Au Pairing is another great way to get the bulk of your trip and living costs paid for. Au pair’s are live-in part-time childcare and household chore workers. I’ve heard some horror stories (usually from Turkey), but for the most part, everyone I’ve spoken to who has au paired in Northern Europe or Scandinavia has had a wonderful time. Many of them even go on paid trips with their host families. The most popular and well-reviewed au pairing sites are Au Pair World and Great Au Pair, though it should be noted that the latter requires more info from applicants.
Other Ways to Fund your Travel
I’ve met a number of people who have been travelling for years based on the income they receive from freelance work they do online. This is great news for any of you with freelance-able talent. If you can do your work from elsewhere, do it! Not only will it mean you can travel, you might even be able to take advantage of lower living costs to reduce your budget and allow you to save more. Just make sure that wherever you are going has reliable internet access so that you can actually continue to work.
If, like me, you have no such skills, don’t be too bummed. You can also fund your travels, or at least make your living costs disappear, by working short stints at hostels or bars (usually under the table) along the way.
If you are still in school or fairly young, you’ll be happy to know that lot more partially or fully funded travel opportunities for students and youth exist than you might have previously thought. One of the best places to find out about these is the database at HeySuccess.
If you are under 30/35, you can also try for work visas to Australia or to NewZealand. If you’re a citizen of a Commonwealth country, you may be able to get a working holiday visa for the UK or other Commonwealth countries such as Canada as well. Some people may also be eligible for European work visas or those from other countries. Check the visa requirements for your country to see.
Do a bit of research. Get creative. You never know what you’ll find.
Choosing your Trip
Type – Nice Vacations can also be Cheap!
While I love to backpack, couchsurf, hostel and camp, it’s not exactly everyone’s cup of tea. Not to worry, if you are one of those people who just doesn’t have the time for a long drawn out trip or who just wants to finally take that cruise or beach holiday they’ve always dreamed of, I’ve got tips for you too.
There are a number of wonderful sites such as Sell off Vacations, Expedia, Red Tag, Vacations to Go, Holiday Pirates, and Discount Cruises which allow you to take advantage of last minute deals and cancellations at ridiculously cheap prices so long as you are flexible enough with your destinations and timing.
While I love to backpack, couchsurf, hostel and camp, it’s not exactly everyone’s cup of tea. Not to worry, if you are one of those people who just doesn’t have the time for a long drawn out trip or who just wants to finally take that cruise or beach holiday they’ve always dreamed of, I’ve got tips for you too.
There are a number of wonderful sites such as Sell off Vacations, Expedia, Red Tag, Vacations to Go, Holiday Pirates, and Discount Cruises which allow you to take advantage of last minute deals and cancellations at ridiculously cheap prices so long as you are flexible enough with your destinations and timing.
Finding Cheap Flights
If you aren’t going on a package tour or have no way to get your flights paid for, it’s likely that your plane tickets will make up the bulk of your costs.
If you aren’t going on a package tour or have no way to get your flights paid for, it’s likely that your plane tickets will make up the bulk of your costs.
The best way to find cheap flights is to be flexible with
your dates – flights are often cheaper mid week, at off peak hours (like super
early in the morning or late at night), and during low season.
While you may stumble upon some sweet deals as an airline member, the best way I’ve found to find the cheapest flights is to run a quick search through all of the engines listed below. If I could only choose one, I’d go with either Google or Kayak as those are where I usually find the cheapest flights - although China's 'Trip' has been best for Asia most recently.
Momondo http://www.momondo.com/
Kayak http://www.kayak.com/
Skyscanner http://www.skyscanner.com/
Vayama http://www.vayama.com/
Mobissimo http://www.mobissimo.com/search_airfare.php
Trip https://www.trip.com/
Google Flights https://www.google.com/flights/
ITA Matrix http://matrix.itasoftware.com/
Another favourite tactic of mine is to use a flight hacking website like Kiwi.com (or the new travel toy out of MIT, Escape) to find the cheapest routes, but then to see if I can book them myself for those prices directly through the airlines so that I can be sure I am not beholden to a third party operator. One issue with this (and with fare hacking sites in general) is that, unless the airlines are in an alliance or have code sharing deals and can check you all the way through, you will likely need to pass through immigration and pick up your bags between each leg of the trip - so make sure that you allot the time and visa considerations necessary if this is the case.
Depending on where you are based and how flexible you are), you could also sign up for mailing lists like Scott's Cheap Flights - now called Going (US) or YYZ Deals (Toronto) and take advantage of the offers there.
Beware of Added Costs
Just as a heads up, many of the cheapie airlines (such as WizzAir, Ryanair and EasyJet in Europe; Tiger Air, Jetstar and Lion Air in Asia) will initially show the cheapest seat prices. Be warned that all of these airlines charge extra for checked baggage, food and anything else you might want for comfort (in the case or Tiger, even water!). Ofttimes, this means that, unless you are travelling with only a carry-on, the price could add up to be more than or equal to the price of a ticket on another, all inclusive, airline. Definitely double check and do the math before booking!
Check out any Third Party Suppliers before Purchase
Many of the cheapest tickets come from third party (online travel agency) flight ticket suppliers (like Expedia, CheapoAir, Travelocity, itravel2000). While many of these are reputable companies (and I have used many of them quite frequently), just be aware that they are acting as a middle man, and might not be able to offer the same direct customer support/connection that purchasing direct from the airline will get you. While this isn't usually a problem, issues do occasionally crop up when plans changed or flights get cancelled or rearranged.
Because of this, I will usually try to purchase my tickets directly from the airline unless there is a significant difference in price or I am not particularly concerned by the idea of flight/travel disruptions on that journey.
It also pays to check out any of the suppliers you are thinking of purchasing from online first - that way you can see what experiences others have had with them.
Getting Around Once You’re There
Getting from one Place to Another:
The cheapest ways of getting around can often be country/region/city specific. Again, here a little bit of research will go a long way as you will sometimes be surprised. In Europe, if you are booking a few months in advance, flights on some of the cheap carriers (and even some of the national carriers) or rides on some of the train lines may be even cheaper than the bus. That having been said, booking in advance isn’t always cheaper. In Europe and Russia, train tickets are cheapest when you buy them from inside the country or wherever you are departing from. Sadly, when visas are required or you are on a tight schedule, this is not always possible.
Trains:
Trains are an excellent way to travel cheaply from place to place if, like me, you find them easy to sleep on, don’t mind travelling 3rd class (which is actually my favorite as you get to meet loads of new people and the trains are often perfectly clean – note that this is not the case in India!), and enjoy watching the scenery as you go by. They are often also excellent options for those who like to ride 1st and 2nd class. For all things train related, check out The Man in Seat 61.
Buses:
I personally don’t like busses as much, but they are often the cheapest form of inter-city travel. Do a web search before you go and check out any reviews for price, timeliness and security for the companies you find. Unless there’s a special offer available online, I usually just buy tickets there on the day or, if it looks to be busy, a few days before.
Other Forms of Local Transport:
Sometimes, your cheapest form of transport will be a boat, the back of a converted flatbed truck, a tuktuk, minivan, rickshaw (now usually expensive and used by tourists only), rented bicycle or scooter, your own feet, a camel or a horse and buggy. Whatever it is, the cheapest form of transport will likely be whatever the locals are using. Often, you’ll have a hard time convincing them that you do, in fact, want to take the cheaper way. People assume that as a ‘rich tourist’, comfort is your biggest priority. Don’t be dissuaded. If you smile and are persistent enough, they will eventually write you off as crazy and let you get on your way.
Ride Shares and Hitch Hiking:
Although I don’t advocate hitch hiking in countries where it is illegal, in some cases – particularly in rural or third world communities – it may be your only option. If this is the case, make sure someone knows where you are going, and always opt for cars or trucks that look like they have other passengers. In places where it is a common or only mode of transportation for locals, there will be established practices, pick up spots and maybe even a small agreed-upon fee. Check with your host, hostel owner or site worker and see if they can help you set something up. Whatever you do, don’t be too blindly trusting.
For the best info on Hitching anywhere in the world, check out Hitch Wiki. If it’s something you can plan (even just a few days) in advance, there are many websites available (such as Carpooling, Share My Fare, Pick up Pal, and even Couch Surfing) that allow you to connect with people and co-ordinate ride shares beforehand. For safety’s sake, make sure the person has an updated and thorough profile, visible photo and good reviews.
Car Rental:
My favourite service for this is hands down RentalCars.com. Not only have I consistently found them to have the best prices (even better than the rental companies themselves usually), I tend to prefer their insurance coverage packages (though I have yet to have to claim anything - knock on wood!). Even better, so far everything (pick up, drop off, exchanges when a car had a problem) has gone seamlessly any time I have booked through them.
Getting around within a City:
Public transport, public transport, public transport! In many countries (often not the US) buses, subways, streetcars, trams, share taxis and public minivans will be the cheapest way to get around town. Try to find out beforehand if the city offers multi-ride, family, weekly or weekend passes that might serve you better, or discounted fare cards for tourists (these are often in conjunction with city passes that give you discounts on entry to major sights as well).
While you may stumble upon some sweet deals as an airline member, the best way I’ve found to find the cheapest flights is to run a quick search through all of the engines listed below. If I could only choose one, I’d go with either Google or Kayak as those are where I usually find the cheapest flights - although China's 'Trip' has been best for Asia most recently.
Momondo http://www.momondo.com/
Kayak http://www.kayak.com/
Skyscanner http://www.skyscanner.com/
Vayama http://www.vayama.com/
Mobissimo http://www.mobissimo.com/search_airfare.php
Trip https://www.trip.com/
Google Flights https://www.google.com/flights/
ITA Matrix http://matrix.itasoftware.com/
Another favourite tactic of mine is to use a flight hacking website like Kiwi.com (or the new travel toy out of MIT, Escape) to find the cheapest routes, but then to see if I can book them myself for those prices directly through the airlines so that I can be sure I am not beholden to a third party operator. One issue with this (and with fare hacking sites in general) is that, unless the airlines are in an alliance or have code sharing deals and can check you all the way through, you will likely need to pass through immigration and pick up your bags between each leg of the trip - so make sure that you allot the time and visa considerations necessary if this is the case.
Depending on where you are based and how flexible you are), you could also sign up for mailing lists like Scott's Cheap Flights - now called Going (US) or YYZ Deals (Toronto) and take advantage of the offers there.
Beware of Added Costs
Just as a heads up, many of the cheapie airlines (such as WizzAir, Ryanair and EasyJet in Europe; Tiger Air, Jetstar and Lion Air in Asia) will initially show the cheapest seat prices. Be warned that all of these airlines charge extra for checked baggage, food and anything else you might want for comfort (in the case or Tiger, even water!). Ofttimes, this means that, unless you are travelling with only a carry-on, the price could add up to be more than or equal to the price of a ticket on another, all inclusive, airline. Definitely double check and do the math before booking!
Check out any Third Party Suppliers before Purchase
Many of the cheapest tickets come from third party (online travel agency) flight ticket suppliers (like Expedia, CheapoAir, Travelocity, itravel2000). While many of these are reputable companies (and I have used many of them quite frequently), just be aware that they are acting as a middle man, and might not be able to offer the same direct customer support/connection that purchasing direct from the airline will get you. While this isn't usually a problem, issues do occasionally crop up when plans changed or flights get cancelled or rearranged.
Because of this, I will usually try to purchase my tickets directly from the airline unless there is a significant difference in price or I am not particularly concerned by the idea of flight/travel disruptions on that journey.
It also pays to check out any of the suppliers you are thinking of purchasing from online first - that way you can see what experiences others have had with them.
Getting Around Once You’re There
Getting from one Place to Another:
The cheapest ways of getting around can often be country/region/city specific. Again, here a little bit of research will go a long way as you will sometimes be surprised. In Europe, if you are booking a few months in advance, flights on some of the cheap carriers (and even some of the national carriers) or rides on some of the train lines may be even cheaper than the bus. That having been said, booking in advance isn’t always cheaper. In Europe and Russia, train tickets are cheapest when you buy them from inside the country or wherever you are departing from. Sadly, when visas are required or you are on a tight schedule, this is not always possible.
Trains:
Trains are an excellent way to travel cheaply from place to place if, like me, you find them easy to sleep on, don’t mind travelling 3rd class (which is actually my favorite as you get to meet loads of new people and the trains are often perfectly clean – note that this is not the case in India!), and enjoy watching the scenery as you go by. They are often also excellent options for those who like to ride 1st and 2nd class. For all things train related, check out The Man in Seat 61.
Buses:
I personally don’t like busses as much, but they are often the cheapest form of inter-city travel. Do a web search before you go and check out any reviews for price, timeliness and security for the companies you find. Unless there’s a special offer available online, I usually just buy tickets there on the day or, if it looks to be busy, a few days before.
Other Forms of Local Transport:
Sometimes, your cheapest form of transport will be a boat, the back of a converted flatbed truck, a tuktuk, minivan, rickshaw (now usually expensive and used by tourists only), rented bicycle or scooter, your own feet, a camel or a horse and buggy. Whatever it is, the cheapest form of transport will likely be whatever the locals are using. Often, you’ll have a hard time convincing them that you do, in fact, want to take the cheaper way. People assume that as a ‘rich tourist’, comfort is your biggest priority. Don’t be dissuaded. If you smile and are persistent enough, they will eventually write you off as crazy and let you get on your way.
Ride Shares and Hitch Hiking:
Although I don’t advocate hitch hiking in countries where it is illegal, in some cases – particularly in rural or third world communities – it may be your only option. If this is the case, make sure someone knows where you are going, and always opt for cars or trucks that look like they have other passengers. In places where it is a common or only mode of transportation for locals, there will be established practices, pick up spots and maybe even a small agreed-upon fee. Check with your host, hostel owner or site worker and see if they can help you set something up. Whatever you do, don’t be too blindly trusting.
For the best info on Hitching anywhere in the world, check out Hitch Wiki. If it’s something you can plan (even just a few days) in advance, there are many websites available (such as Carpooling, Share My Fare, Pick up Pal, and even Couch Surfing) that allow you to connect with people and co-ordinate ride shares beforehand. For safety’s sake, make sure the person has an updated and thorough profile, visible photo and good reviews.
Car Rental:
My favourite service for this is hands down RentalCars.com. Not only have I consistently found them to have the best prices (even better than the rental companies themselves usually), I tend to prefer their insurance coverage packages (though I have yet to have to claim anything - knock on wood!). Even better, so far everything (pick up, drop off, exchanges when a car had a problem) has gone seamlessly any time I have booked through them.
Getting around within a City:
Public transport, public transport, public transport! In many countries (often not the US) buses, subways, streetcars, trams, share taxis and public minivans will be the cheapest way to get around town. Try to find out beforehand if the city offers multi-ride, family, weekly or weekend passes that might serve you better, or discounted fare cards for tourists (these are often in conjunction with city passes that give you discounts on entry to major sights as well).
A Note on Taxis:
While taxis, particularly in Asia and South America, are significantly cheaper than they are elsewhere, I usually still try to avoid taking them unless I am with a big enough group to warrant it, the route there by public transit is either non-existent, obscenely time consuming or so convoluted as to be nearly impossible, or it’s too late at night and nothing else is running. I do this for several reasons. 1) While the taxis might be cheaper than back home, they still cost more than other methods of transport and the costs will eventually add up. 2) Taking public transport is an awesome way to see how the locals actually live and get around. 3) It gives me a way better understanding of the layout of the city and keeps me from getting too lost later on. And, 4) While you might get lost and end up somewhere entirely different than you planned, at least it’s an adventure!
If you do decide to go with taxis (even if it’s only to and from the airport), do a bit of research beforehand to see which taxi companies are considered reputable and what, approximately, your ride should cost. This will help to keep you from being held up for additional money or just plain ripped off. Also be aware of countries, such as Bolivia, where simply flagging a taxi down on a street rather than arranging on before hand can prove dangerous (many tourists have reported being robbed this way).
Even better, many countries now have Uber or Uber-like ride-hailing apps (like the excellent Gojek and Grab apps in SouthEast Asia). In some countries even the major taxi companies have switched over to app format, making hailing a ride even easier.
Be Flexible
I’ve already mentioned that being flexible with your timing can help you get great deals on flights and discount vacation packages. It can also get you great deals on everything else. If you have the time to wait around and join up with others who are travelling, particularly in remote places, it makes it that much easier to group together and split costs. It also makes it easier to plan a rideshare or couchsurfing slot.
Take Advantage of Youth and Student Deals and Discounts
Although it might not feel like it when you consider what you are paying for tuition. Being a student can save you a ton of money. In many countries students with a valid ID (the most widely accepted of which around the world is the International Student ID Card or ISIC card) will be able to get massively discounted ticket or entry prices. In many countries, such as Egypt and China, entry to almost all of the major tourist attractions is HALF-PRICE for all those with an ISIC card!
In Europe, you don’t even need to be a student to benefit as those under 26 can often (though not always) get discounted rail tickets.
Once again, I cannot stress the importance of a little research. Don’t be afraid to ask if you qualify for anything when you get to the front desk. Do a quick Google search to see if you can find any coupon or discount codes posted by others online. Take advantage of all your resources!
Visas
An unfortunate reality of travel is the fact that a number of awesome countries that are just begging to be visited require visas – which often don’t come cheap (China, Russia and India, I’m looking mainly at you!). Before you plan to go anywhere, make sure you check whether or not you’ll need a visa. Requirements will be based on where you are visiting, where your passport is from, where you are currently and, possibly, your work history/any current work visas (these are usually helpful, not hindering).
If you do need a visa, make sure you try to get it well in advance (if possible). I prefer to go to the embassy/consulate/visa application centre to apply for my visa in person (do a quick search to see where the closest one for that country is to you), but if it’s not possible, many embassies/consulates allow you to mail in your applications. For the best results, make sure that you have all of the necessary documents for your required visa type and that everything is in order before you submit. This will ensure that there are no delays and you won’t have to re-submit anything. If you are unsure about any of the requirements or have any questions, don’t hesitate to call the relevant embassy/consulate/visa application centre. It’s best to know exactly what you’ll need beforehand.
A Note on Getting Visas While Abroad:
If you are like me and your travels often go in unplanned directions, you will, at some point in your life, be required to get a visa while abroad. The good news is that this is generally very possible. The bad news is that there are often restrictions involved. You may only be allowed to get a shorter visa (you can usually extend once you are in the country), you may have to pay extra (especially if you have to get a rush visa), you may need to provide extra details in order to get it or, most annoyingly, you may have to travel to a specific other country/city to apply. Given this, the second I know I’m going to a country where I’ll need a visa, I go online to figure out where I can apply and what I’ll need. I then do my best to get this done as early as possible to prevent any issues from arising.
Where to Sleep
I’ve slept everywhere while travelling from tents in the mountains to ferry terminals, airports, trains, overnight busses, bath houses, hostels, the occasional five star hotel and, oddly enough, a local gas station owner’s couch.
If, like me, you aren’t too picky, you’ll find a wealth of places to sleep.
At the cheapest end for many countries, you have: camping (of course this means you need gear, a safe and legal place to pitch your tent and a way to cook and store food); strategic transport planning so that much of your inter-city travel occurs overnight – just remember, you’ll want a shower and good night’s rest at some point; and Couch Surfing. For those who don’t know, couch surfing is an awesome free hosting service where people all over the world volunteer to host you on their couches, spare beds or floors. While I do love couch surfing, I try to only stay with hosts when I know I don’t have a bunch of other plans that might be super inconvenient for them. People often ask if it’s safe, the answer is yes, surprisingly so. The rating and feedback system ensures that bad hosts or guests are flagged and the good ones get much deserved praise. Definitely check out a person’s profile and decide if you feel comfortable with them before you go. You may also want to bring them a small thank you gift. Couch Surfing is also a great way to find locals who may not be able to host you, but who are more than willing to show you around, invite you over for dinner and/or take you out for a night on the town.
At the slightly more expensive end of the cheap travel spectrum, we have hostels. Best places to find those are on Booking.com, Hostelworld and Hostel Bookers. Other site such as Agoda often have deals as well. Of these, Booking is my favorite. It tends to have the best deals and most up to date info and reviews. You will also often get discounts when booking through them. That being said, you can always look up the hostels online and contact them directly. If you do use a booking service to book, don’t forget to write a review!
If you can afford to pay slightly more and/or are staying in one place for a bit longer, definitely check out AirBnB.
Eating
I don’t have too much advice here – mostly because I love food, so it’s the one thing I spend money on. First thing’s first, the cheapest places will always be off the beaten track and will be places where locals, and not tourists, go. This means that you may not be able to read the menu. I consider that to be just another part of the adventure. Look around and ask for whatever looks good that someone else is eating. As a note, this is definitely not something to do if you have known food allergies – particularly anaphylactic ones.
In general though, I find eating at local markets or cooking my own food in the hostel kitchen (usually with other hostellers) is the cheapest way to go. It’s also nice in that it lets you try things you might not otherwise have tried or make new friends with people from elsewhere. Otherwise, if I do eat out, I either just splurge, or do what I would do back home when trying not to eat too expensively.
Tours, Guides and Info
While I love just wandering and exploring cities on my own, sometimes it’s really nice to have a guided tour. Happily, more and more cities around the world are offering free walking (and sometimes even biking) tours. Just Google ‘free walking tour’ and the city of your choice and see what turns up.
In addition to free tours, you can also often find free city and country guides online or as smartphone apps. Possibly one of the best free reasources out there is Wikitravel, literally the wikipedia of travel. There are also plenty of region-specific blogs and guides online that make excellent sources of information. Some of these, like Caravanistan for Central Asia, are regularly updated. For others, you are really just looking for the most current info you can find. If you are more of a city person, Hostelworld offers free mini city guides and, particularly if you are travelling to Europe, their update-to-date In Your Pocket Guides can be invaluable.
Another great resource when it comes to travel planning and deciding what to do is always TripAdvisor. While it's not the most helpful if your aim is to get off the beaten track, it is still an excellent place to find info, reviews and details about where to stay, what to eat and what to do wherever you are.
Language Barriers
You don’t speak the local language, and the people wherever you are don’t speak English. Sometimes problems are unavoidable. Happily, this one isn’t. More and more people around the world speak English, making travel even easier for those of blessed with it as their mother tongue.
Having said that, unless you will be on a cruise or staying in a resort, I do not recommend relying on the English skills of others to always see you through the day, 1) because sometimes you will find yourself in a place where these skills are actually non-existent; 2) because this leaves you no way of knowing when you are being cheated; 3) because this means you will be missing out on a vital part of human interaction in the country you are visiting; and, 4) because you would be surprised at the treats, hugs and smiles (not to mention occasional bursts of laughter) you will get when you try to communicate in the local language; 5) because there's really no reason not to try!
Some things that I always try to learn to say (or read) no
matter how short I am staying are: hello, goodbye, the number/counting system, how
much is this?, toilet/bathroom, where is…?, my name is…, what is your
name?, how are you?, good, bad, so-so,
and my hostel/host’s address and name.
Budgeting
One of the most important aspects of travelling on the cheap is having a budget and sticking to it. Before I go, I often determine just how much money I have available, and then subtract some portion of that (usually the equivalent of a flight home plus half as much again) to be kept as my ‘cash in reserve’. This ‘cash in reserve’ effectively acts as my safety net should anything go wrong. While I have had to use it in the past (and trust me, you are so thankful that it’s there when this happens), it’s even better when I don’t have to touch it because it often means that I can splurge on something ridiculous at the end of my trip, travel for a few extra days (or weeks) or even just that I have enough to live on when I get back home so I don’t have to work straight away or spend as much time saving up for my next trip.
Next, I figure out approximately how much everything will cost (at the maximum end) where I am going. I check hostel prices to get an idea of accommodation, food and attraction prices (on trip advisor) and transport prices to, from, around, and in between the places I am planning to visit. I also check out the exchange rate on XE. Based on all of those things, I work out a daily budget, weekly budget and monthly budget that I use to figure out approximately how long I can travel for on what I have. When expanding my daily budget up to a week or month, I usually add a little extra (yes, this is in addition to my cash in reserve) to compensate for any unexpected issues or potential chances to splurge that might pop up. I figure that it’s always better to end your trip with a little cash left than it is to find yourself destitute on a foreign street somewhere. If this does happen - and it sometimes does - not all is lost! Try to find either a hostel that will take you in and give you food and board for work or, if all else fails, contact the local embassy for your country.
Your daily budget will depend completely on where you are and what you are planning to do. I’ve spent time in Europe for as little as $20/day and as much as $100. In Southeast Asia, I never managed to spend more than an average of $50/day even while trying. More frequently, I was spending around $20 (though I’ve survived on as little as $5-10/day).
Cash vs. Cards
Nowadays, not many people use traveller’s cheques, particularly as major credit cards are more and more accepted around the world. As most debit cards issued by major world banks can now be used to withdraw nearly anywhere, I also find that there is little need to carry obscenely large amounts of cash while travelling (unless you are going to the middle of nowhere – in which case too much cash would likely be unnecessary). This having been said, many economies are still cash economies, so make a note about where and when ATMs will be available so that you ensure that you do have enough cash on you.
Another thing to note is that, while many ATMs around the world do not charge withdrawal fees, your bank will charge you an international withdrawal fee (mine charges me $5 per transaction). In order to avoid getting dinged with this too frequently, I will often withdraw a fairly large amount each time.
Definitely check with your bank before you head out about what kind of fees they charge you for withdrawing abroad. I know some US cards are amazing and charge nothing, and depending on your bank and account plan in Canada, you might be able to wrangle a deal to get them to waive your fees for your trip. But my biggest suggestion here is to sign up with an online international bank like Revolut or Wise (<- who I have and LOVE) because they have amazing withdrawal policies and you never get dinged on the currency conversions. Wise also gives you both a physical and a digital card (depending on your location) and the ability to freeze access through the app/website in case things get lost or stolen. As an added bonus, they will ship a replacement card to you, wherever you are in the world, something most other banks wont do!
Also, whatever you do, be sure to notify your local credit card
company and bank of where you are going and how long you will be there if you
are planning to use your cards while travelling. Otherwise, you may find
yourself with no money and blocked cards (in which case, call the number on the
back of the card and try to get that sorted out ASAP). NOTE: Some companies now claim they have "smart systems" which can detect whether you are travelling, so you no longer need to inform them. Given how many times I have had to call to get my card unblocked since they've put the systems in place, I have serious doubts about how "smart" they actually are...
Many developing countries have local money transfer or phone cash apps (or kiosks) where you can put money on your phone (or just top up your balance) and transfer it to other people from there. This is a massive game changer in places where carrying around too much money or frequently withdrawing from ATMs is unsafe or inconvenient. Some of these will let you withdraw any excess money at the end from a little kiosk while others wont, so definitely do some research to see what's up wherever you are going.
Phones
First off, if you are using your phone from home, make sure you have turned off any features that may result in you being charged exorbitant roaming fees. When I travel, I usually just buy a local pay as you go SIM card and use that. Data is affordable (if not down right cheap pretty much everywhere in the world that is not North America). If you have an iPhone or another dual SIM card that supports it. The existence and rollout of digital eSIMs in many countries has made life even easier as you can now just get an eSIM for even cheaper in advance and have data and calls from the moment you land in a new location.
For calling home/calling internationally, voice call an messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram are super useful (provided the people you are calling also have the apps). For when I need to phone actual phone lines, I have a Fongo (Canada) number, as well as a Skype account (which gives you 60 mins free/month if you have Microsoft 365 or which you can just top up) and a Google phone (all of which are registered under the same Fongo number). You can also usually buy international minutes or plans fairly cheaply and/or find out what international calling apps the locals use in most countries if need be.
Travelling with Technology
I usually try to avoid travelling with too much expensive tech if I can. I just don’t enjoy dealing with the hassle of worrying about it and ensuring that it is safe. This means that I often just travel with a smart phone, my old e-reader, a camera and possibly my small, cheap netbook/laptop if I'm working from the road. I might also take a mini Satellite Messenger/SOS tool if I will be trekking a bunch in the backcountry, but the average traveler is unlikely to need that last item.
Many developing countries have local money transfer or phone cash apps (or kiosks) where you can put money on your phone (or just top up your balance) and transfer it to other people from there. This is a massive game changer in places where carrying around too much money or frequently withdrawing from ATMs is unsafe or inconvenient. Some of these will let you withdraw any excess money at the end from a little kiosk while others wont, so definitely do some research to see what's up wherever you are going.
Phones
First off, if you are using your phone from home, make sure you have turned off any features that may result in you being charged exorbitant roaming fees. When I travel, I usually just buy a local pay as you go SIM card and use that. Data is affordable (if not down right cheap pretty much everywhere in the world that is not North America). If you have an iPhone or another dual SIM card that supports it. The existence and rollout of digital eSIMs in many countries has made life even easier as you can now just get an eSIM for even cheaper in advance and have data and calls from the moment you land in a new location.
For calling home/calling internationally, voice call an messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram are super useful (provided the people you are calling also have the apps). For when I need to phone actual phone lines, I have a Fongo (Canada) number, as well as a Skype account (which gives you 60 mins free/month if you have Microsoft 365 or which you can just top up) and a Google phone (all of which are registered under the same Fongo number). You can also usually buy international minutes or plans fairly cheaply and/or find out what international calling apps the locals use in most countries if need be.
Travelling with Technology
I usually try to avoid travelling with too much expensive tech if I can. I just don’t enjoy dealing with the hassle of worrying about it and ensuring that it is safe. This means that I often just travel with a smart phone, my old e-reader, a camera and possibly my small, cheap netbook/laptop if I'm working from the road. I might also take a mini Satellite Messenger/SOS tool if I will be trekking a bunch in the backcountry, but the average traveler is unlikely to need that last item.
Research
I don’t think I can stress enough the importance of even doing the tiniest bit of research. Quick online searches are wonderful and will often turn up loads of information about what is or is not appropriate for the culture you are visiting, important safety info, potential deals and discounts, great attractions, food locations and much more. The few times I have failed to run a quick search before turning up, I’ve always been disappointed to find out that I missed out on something later.
And, Finally:
This is your trip, enjoy it! Remember that, so long as you are being respectful of the people, culture and environment around you, there is no right or wrong way to travel. If you want to skip out on a ‘must-see’ museum or sight because you aren’t feeling it, are too tired/hungover that day or are just plain not interested, skip it. If you want to splurge on that lovely scarf or statuette, gourmet dinner or awesome skydiving adventure and you won’t have to forgo too many meals to afford it, do it! (Just check that your insurance covers it/remember that you may have to carry your purchases home and you won’t want your bags to be overweight). If you decided that you want to alter your trip altogether and stay where you are for longer or go somewhere new entirely, change it! This is your life to live, do it the way you want to!
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