Do you have an itch to see more of the world? Is the only thing holding you back your bank account? Traveling sounds like a great idea to many of us, but we don’t think that we can afford it. Luckily, if you’re willing to cut a few corners, or rough it a little bit, you can travel the world on a budget. Below are a few suggestions to consider, and to start seeing more of the world no matter how much money is in your wallet.
Volunteer Organizations
One of the most rewarding ways to see more of the world is through volunteer organizations. These groups send volunteers to different locations all over the world, allowing you to see exotic locations and give back to those local communities. In exchange for cheaper travel, you’ll be doing things like helping to build schools, teach children English, or clean up the area. At the end of the trip you’ll have gotten a true sense of a new culture, you’ll feel good about helping out others, and you’ll have seen a new location on a budget.
Hitchhike or Backpack
If you’re feeling adventurous, many people have seen the world by bumming rides from strangers. This mode of transportation comes with some risk, but if you’re a friendly person, and you don’t want to (or can’t) take your own car on a road trip, you can try relying on the kindness of strangers. You’ll have to pack light, so grab yourself a big backpack and throw everything you can into it. Also have some flexible travel plans, as you never know where or when you will arrive.
Even if you do have your own transportation. or you’re taking a flight overseas, you can still pack light and travel with a backpack. Many people have backpacked through Europe – sleeping on trains or in hostels – hopping from country to country with only the bag on their backs. Here is a great list of items to bring if you plan on going this route.
Find Cheap Accommodations
One of the biggest barriers to travel for many is the cost of lodgings wherever you go. Trying to book a hotel for each night of your trip adds up, and before long your budget is blown on a long weekend trip. However, there are plenty of ways to save yourself some money on places to stay, if you are willing to scale back your expectations and do a bit of searching. For starters, hostels are located all over the world, providing communal lodgings for travelers at a discounted price. For a lower price, you’ll be given a bunk in a room with other travelers, and likely have access to things like a communal kitchen and bathroom.
Another option is looking on sites like AirBNB. AirBNB allows people to rent out their spare bedrooms, apartments or homes, and you can typically find a place to stay anywhere in the world. Costs depend on whether or not you want a place to yourself, the location, and how nice the accommodations are, so you can decide for yourself how much you want to spend. While not always the cheapest option, and without some of the perks of a hotel, renting out someone else’s room for a few nights can be a great affordable option. Another cheap option is to stay at an RV park or campground wherever you go.
Sail Around The World
Another problem people face is stretching their dollars into a longer trip. If you have money saved up, but want to travel for months rather than days or weeks, maybe sailing around the world will interest you. Of course, this requires that you buy a boat, learn to sail it, get it sea-ready by installing things like marine vinyl fabric, and taking safety courses, but if you want the adventure of a lifetime, this will provide it for you. What could be better than months at sea, enjoying the ocean and visiting tropical locations at your leisure?
Get Paid To Travel
Lastly, rather than spending money on travel, why not get paid to travel? A lot of people these days are getting paid to visit new locations and write about them, and you could be next. Take a look at some popular travel blogs and see how they do it. This option requires a decent amount of leg work, dedication and time, but if traveling is your passion, it could be the route to go.
Don’t Let Your Bank Account Stop You
Just because your savings account is not as full as you’d like it does not mean you can’t see more of the world. You just need to be willing to think outside the box, be more adventurous, and maybe cut back on some of the extravagances. If you can do this, you’ll find that there are plenty of ways to travel the world on a budget.
