How To Have A Vacation With No Money

Updated: 5/28/21 | May 28th, 2021

Whenever I ask readers what the number one matter holding them dorsum from traveling is I almost always get the same answer: Coin.

This is something I hear from everyone I talk to: "Matt, I simply don't take enough money to travel."

This problem — and how to overcome it — is my virtually asked question. Over the past 12 years, I have answered this question in a plethora of posts, emails, tweets, and Facebook posts. Long-term readers might even be getting sick of me discussing this field of study because information technology is one I talk well-nigh so much.

But I know no matter how often I accost this question, it will come up again.

Since this question comes up so oft, I similar to constantly remind people of this fact: You do not need to be rich to travel.

Let'due south repeat that: You do not need to exist rich to travel.

In that location are plenty of ways to travel on a budget (and for free) — yous just demand to be willing to get creative.

Traveling the world with no money sounds like an impossible dream. But it is possible, and you tin do it responsibly without breaking the bank. It should be said that in that location are some expenses yous shouldn't compromise on (like travel insurance) but there are tons of means you can travel the world on a budget — including enough of ways you can actually travel for costless.

In this post, I'm going to show you 2 things:

How to travel inexpensive
How to travel for free

Traveling cheap is all near taking advantage of helpful apps and websites that salve you money, finding ways to lower your expenses, and fifty-fifty making money as you travel. It'southward about finding value and lowering your expenses while still being able to afford to practise what you want.

Traveling for complimentary entails taking advantage of free accommodation, transportation, and activities that are already out there, thereby reducing your price to nix. Here, you sacrifice condolement and convenience to extend your travels as long equally possible.

With the right budget and the right mindset, you can make your travel dreams a reality. Even if you don't earn a lot or you take debt, there are all the same enough of ways to go overseas (I withal had debt when I went on my first trip around the globe). They may non exist fancy or luxurious, but if travel is your priority then you tin can definitely brand it happen!

Ready to kick-start your budget travels and save money? But click on either of the links below to jump directly to that department!

1. Get a Job Overseas

Not making enough money at your task? Or, even worse, are y'all working a job you hate? Why not go a chore overseas? There are enough of opportunities in the world as long every bit you aren't picky. After all, this isn't a career y'all are starting — information technology's simply a way to earn money for travel.

Hither are some popular (and piece of cake to find) jobs you tin get when you travel:

Au pair – An au pair is a live-in caregiver who helps a host family by looking later their children and doing some basic housekeeping. In exchange, you get free room and board and a small bacon. This is a corking route if you're looking to learn a new language or immerse yourself in a new culture. You can read this post for more info on beingness an au pair.
Bartender – It's always 5 o'clock somewhere, and then if you take the skills then this is an easy chore to move overseas. Information technology'south also an like shooting fish in a barrel task to get under the table if you make up one's mind to get that road. If you lot don't have the skills to tend bar, consider being a dishwasher or busser.
Hostel worker – Hostel workers rarely stick effectually for long, which means there is always a demand for new assistance. Information technology's a great way to meet other travelers while adjusting to a new location. You can unremarkably too start off as a volunteer (in commutation for a gratis room) to avoid visa complications. Three websites that tin can assistance you lot find hostels to volunteer at are Worldpackers, Workaway, and HelpX.
Waitress/waiter – There are tons of seasonal restaurants around the world that demand extra help during the busy tourist months. If you have feel, this is an easy job to detect abroad.
Farm worker – While hardly glamorous, if you lot don't mind the hard work this is a swell manner to make a lot of money in a curt menstruation of time (every bit you won't accept time to spend your money considering you'll exist farming out in the heart of nowhere!). This chore is very popular in Australia and New Zealand.
Swoop teacher – If y'all take your certification, this is an like shooting fish in a barrel job to travel with as swoop instructors are needed everywhwere. All-time of all, these jobs are usually in picturesque tropical locations!
Bout guide – If you lot've got a knack for history and don't mind speaking in forepart of groups, this is the perfect task for you lot. It's also usually a cash chore, which means yous get your tips directly.
Prowl ship worker – This is a much more formal position than the ones in a higher place, but information technology'due south a bang-up manner to travel. The hours are long, but there'due south something to be said almost living at sea!
Casino worker – While this might crave some training, if you lot're a dark owl and don't mind the casino scene this is a fun chore to work away.
Seasonal worker at ski resorts – Instructors, eating house staff, hotel staff, lifeguards — ski resorts need all sorts of staff to keep things moving, making this a goldmine for the overseas traveler (every bit long as you don't heed the snow!).
Yacht worker – While the hours tin be long, yous can make groovy money working for the rich and famous on their yachts. Best of all, you're usually in some pretty amazing destinations!
Yoga teacher – If you have the skills (and certification), teaching yoga away is an easy manner to brand some spending money. While you might need to know the language, there are yoga studios in pretty much every metropolis in the world.

Working overseas frequently gets discounted equally an option because it seems hard to exercise. Information technology'southward non. Just be open. These jobs don't crave avant-garde degrees or a lot of work experience either.

Are you lot going to become a high-paying role task? No.

Will you go a shitty, low-wage chore that will pay all your travel bills? Yep!

I've met people from all walks of life, both from Western and not-Western countries, funding their travels this way. It's an piece of cake, fun way to lengthen your travels, deepen your experience, and brand a petty money.

READ MORE Almost WORKING OVERSEAS: 15 Ways to Notice a Job and Work Overseas

two. Teach English language Overseas

One of the best ways to brand money for travel is to teach English overseas. You tin can make a lot of money teaching — I replenished my travel funds while working in Thailand, and I have had friends leave Republic of 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. The world is yearning for teachers, and this is a chore in high demand; many companies in Asia will fifty-fifty pay for your flight over.

If you lot have a college or academy degree yous'll be able to make more coin and apply for better positions though it's not necessary for many countries.

Additionally, there are many websites and services out there that allow you to teach almost. As long as you accept a great Wi-Fi connection, yous can help people learn English from anywhere in the world!

Some places you tin can teach online are:

italki
VIPKid
Cambly

READ MORE ABOUT TEACHING OVERSEAS:

The Best TEFL Courses for Teaching English Away
Discover How to Get an English Pedagogy Job Overseas
The 9 Best Places to Teach English Overseas

iii. Practice WWOOFing and Work on a Farm

WWOOF stands for Earth Broad Opportunities on Organic Farms. It's a platform that allows you to work on a farm in exchange for gratuitous room and board. It's a great mode to see a destination in-depth while allowing you to district with the peachy outdoors. You have to pay to go to the subcontract, merely once you are at that place, everything else is covered! It definitely will assist you travel cheap likewise as have a unique feel and meet lots of cool people.

WWOOF has opportunities bachelor in 130 countries around the world, with over 12,000 hosts available. Some of the most popular destinations for WWOOFers are France, Italy, Costa Rica, Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii.

READ More than Virtually VOLUNTEERING:

How to Travel and Work Around the Globe with WWOOF
How to Ethically Volunteer Anywhere in the World

four. Use the Sharing Economy

Use the sharing economy to observe cheaper accommodation, quirky tour guides, rideshare options, and home-cooked meals with local chefs. You can bypass the traditional travel industry with sharing economic system websites and proceeds access to locals using their ain avails and skills to become small tourism companies with cheaper prices. Moreover, locals know where to find deals. They know which supermarket is cheapest, which stores offer the all-time sales, and where to find the hole-in-the-wall restaurants and bars with the tastiest food at the lowest prices. Talking straight to them gives you access to that cognition.

These websites accept changed the travel game and made travel more attainable for everyone.

Here are some of my favorite websites:

Airbnb – The go-to platform for finding upkeep adaptation.
BlaBlaCar – A ride-sharing app that connects yous with drivers who have actress seats in their machine (primarily for medium and long distances).
EatWith – Platform that connects you with local cooks serving private meals.
RVShare – Lets you rent RVs and camper vans directly from locals.
Turo – A car sharing market place that lets you rent vehicles from locals.
Campspace – This platform lets y'all army camp on individual property. Properties range from basic tent plots to luxurious glamping and RV stays.

READ MORE ABOUT THE SHARING ECONOMY:

How to Use the Sharing Economy to Travel on a Budget
How to Find the perfect Flat on Sites Similar Airbnb

v. Cook Your Own Meals

The best way to salvage 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 saving of $150 USD!

I've done the same matter in dozens of countries all around the world — particularly in expensive destinations like Iceland where eating out can really destroy your budget.

If y'all are staying in hostels, book adaptation that has a kitchen then you have space to cook. If you lot're Couchsurfing or using Airbnb,your host will probably have a kitchen.

No kitchen? Pack your own container and cutlery and brand some sandwiches and salads on the go. Not every meal requires a stove, right?

But because you lot are traveling doesn't hateful you lot need to eat out every meal. You won't ruin your trip to Paris if you make up one's mind not to eat out one day! There's simply no reason to be spending lots of money on nutrient on your trip!

READ More than Virtually SAVING MONEY ON FOOD WHEN You TRAVEL:

How to Lower Your Food Expenses When You Travel
How to Eat Around the World on a Vegan Diet

6. Get Rail Passes

Track passes (like the Eurail Pass in Europe or the JR Laissez passer in Japan) are a great way to relieve coin when it comes to train travel. If you're traveling effectually the region for a while, rail passes will likely be much cheaper than but booking individual trips.

If y'all are booking individual trips, booking ahead of time can ordinarily salvage y'all about l% of the cost of a train ticket. However, that fixes y'all to a set timeline. If you don't want to be tied into a fixed schedule, track passes tin save you a lot of money while giving you the flexibility you need. I've saved hundreds of dollars in Europe doing this!

7. Slumber in Large Dorms

Large hostel dorm rooms are the cheapest paid accommodation out there. If Couchsurfing isn't your thing, this is your adjacent best fashion to save money on a place to sleep. The bigger the dorm, the cheaper it will be. While a 4-half dozen bed dorm might give you more privacy, a 12-18 bed dorm is going to be a bit cheaper. In the long run, this volition add up. As long as you've got earplugs and a sleeping mask, opt for the bigger door to keep your upkeep intact!

If you're a light sleeper, make sure you read the reviews before you book to ensure you lot don't choose a political party hostel. In larger cities, you can usually find a hostel that is quieter than the others. It might not exist as social, but you'll at least be able to go a good sleep.

In a large dorm, you're nigh guaranteed to have some snorers. If earplugs don't quite do the play tricks, download an app like Rain Pelting, which plays rain sounds on a loop. You can set a timer and then they stop playing after an hour or ii, helping you ignore the noises of the dorm while you lot try to fall comatose.

8. Employ Student and Other Discount Cards

Are you a pupil, teacher, or under 26? Welcome to the world of 50%-off attractions and a plethora of discounts! Get a student/teacher/youth carte du jour and save large while y'all're abroad. Even if you've recently graduated, chances are you can still get past with your expired ID carte du jour (every bit long as information technology doesn't have an expiry engagement). Always ask if in that location are discounts available for students or youth as this is an easy way to salvage tons of cash as you lot travel around!

Museums, galleries, and other major tourist attractions unremarkably accept discounts (particularly in Europe). It never hurts to ask!

9. Become City Tourist Cards

If you plan on seeing a lot of sights in a urban center, yous should get a city tourism card. These will offer you discounted and/or free access to the major attractions and museums, as well as complimentary public transportation. I saved over $100 USD with the London pass, $80 USD with the Paris Museum card, $50 USD with a Helsinki card, and tons more with other city tourism cards.

They are an amazing way to save money on attractions that not enough people use. Just head to the local tourism office to detect out what cards are bachelor. They tin can help answer all your questions and make sure yous salvage as much coin as possible. Non every city has them, just nearly major destinations do and you'll salvage a lot of money if you program on seeing the major sights.

x. Capitalize on Your Skills

Need some cash? Use Craigslist, TaskRabbit, , or Gumtree to find people who need a few things washed effectually the firm and become paid to help them. It's a style to make money when you travel without committing to a long-term job.

Additionally, if you have a skill, sell it. Offer haircuts to other travelers, busk for money, provide online services like editing, graphic design, or consulting. It's never been easier to piece of work online. Equally long every bit you have Wi-Fi you tin make coin. The sky is the limit here — get creative!

xi. Travel Hack and Get Free Flights!

Travel hacking is the #1 fashion I've been able to beget so many flights and hotels over the years. Merely 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 coin I was going to spend anyway!

These days, there are tons of ways to earn free flights. Simpley sign up for a few travel credit cards, collect miles, and and so wing for free.

Most cards offer sign-up bonuses of fifty,000 points (or more) — which is oft enough for a free round-trip flight correct there. And if you sign upwards for both an airline card (e.grand., a United Airlines credit card) and a full general rewards carte like the Chase Sapphire, you can combine the two point balances and get a cheap flying faster.

By collecting points and miles through credit card bonuses, smart everyday spending, online surveys, bonuses, and other methods, yous'll accrue a ton of miles even before y'all've left for your trip. You tin can go a lot further in the world when you accept away the cost of flights and some accommodation.

Information technology's not only for Americans either (though US residents take the best options). Canadians can travel hack also, every bit can folks from Australia and New Zealand and the Great britain.

Europeans also have several options as well, including all kinds of airline cards such every bit Norweigan Air, SAS, Aer Lingus, Lufthansa, and more than.

READ MORE ABOUT TRAVEL HACKING:

The Ultimate Guide to Travel Hacking
How I Earn ane Meg Frequent Flier Miles Each Year
The Best Travel Credit Cards

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, y'all volition never have to pay for accommodation. Years ago I read nigh a guy who traveled for years while only Couchsurfing.

I've used this service dozens of times over the years times and always meet amazing people. Sometimes y'all get a room, sometimes a couch, sometimes an air mattress, but it's e'er free.

Ideally, yous'll want to repay your host'due south kindness by cooking them a meal, bringing them a souvenir from dwelling, or taking them out for a drink. But that will nonetheless be much cheaper than paying for accommodation!

In that location are as well local Couchsurfing group encounter-ups that can help you make friends in your new city.

Moreover, because of the ascension of the sharing economy in the final few years, there are now websites that let you lot not just stay with locals but share rides, meals, train tickets, gear, and much more! These websites not only save you a TON of coin only they as well get you off the tourist track and into the local life. Win-win! Here is a list of websites to apply for free accommodation:

Couchsurfing
Servas
BeWelcome
Warmshowers

READ More ABOUT FINDING CHEAP OR Free ACCCOMMODATION:

How to Observe Cheap Accommodation
How to Get a House Sitter and Never Pay for Accommodation
How to Crush it on Couchsurfing

thirteen. Hitchhike

Hitchhiking is a free way to become around that is relatively safe and quite mutual in many parts of the globe, including Central America, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, Commonwealth of australia, and New Zealand.

I've hitchhiked in more than a handful of countries (and I know solo female travelers who have done the aforementioned!). Sure, information technology has a bad reputation in N America, but with some mutual sense and a bit of patience, y'all tin hitchhike almost anywhere — saving you tons of coin in the procedure!

Here are a few basic tips to assist you go started:

Utilize a sign – Make a clear sign that lets people know where you're heading. That volition assistance drivers decide if they can help.
Wait presentable – Article of clothing clean clothing, smile, and don't obscure your confront with something like sunglasses. People want to see who they are picking up.
Check the laws – Hitchhiking is illegal in some places. Always check the laws to make sure it's ok to exercise where you are.
Have precautions – Note the license plate of anyone who picks you up and text information technology to a friend. Chances are y'all won't need it simply it's better to be safe than deplorable!
Proceed your valuables on yous – Don't get out whatever valuables in your bag if it goes in the trunk in case it gets left in the motorcar (or stolen).
Consult Hitchwiki – Hitchwiki is the #1 hitchiking resources at that place is. Always consult it before you hitchhike to choice upwardly tips and ensure you're hitchhiking in a rubber place.

READ More than Almost HITCHHIKING:

14 Ways to Safely Hitchhike Across the United States
What I Learned Hitchhiking Around Red china
A Lesson in Kindness While Hitchhiking through Republic of iceland

14. Have Free Walking Tours

Want to learn about the city, go your bearings, and encounter the major sights? Take a gratis walking tour. You tin find them in virtually major cities — just ask the local tourist role, your hostel staff, or Google "costless walking tour (urban center name)."

You'll become a solid introduction to the city while also getting access to a local guide you can ask questions to. I ever start my visits to a new metropolis with one. Just be certain to tip your guide at the end (that's how they go paid).

READ MORE Virtually TAKING Free WALKING TOURS:

Historical Walking Tours of NYC
The Best Walking Tour Companies in London
8 Ways to Choose the Perfect Tour Company in 2018
A Self-Guided Tour of Colonial New York

15. House Sitting & Pet Sitting

If y'all're on a tight budget and can't afford a vacation, consider watching someone's house while they go on theirs! You tin sign up for i of the sites below and watch people's homes (and their pets) for free, allowing yous to stay in ane destination for a while without having to pay for accommodation. Everyone's account is verified and has reviews so you know you won't get cheated.

This is a bully platform for long-term travel with an important added bonus: you get a kitchen to cook your food (which saves you even more than money!).

Y'all will likewise often get access to a vehicle and sometimes volition exist left a tip or gratis groceries. It's usually people who are well off that can afford multi-calendar month vacations so you're usually in pretty squeamish homes and apartments too!

Here are the best house-sitting websites to check out:

Trusted Housesitters
Habitation Exchange
House Carers

READ MORE ABOUT Business firm SITTING:

How to Go a Business firm Sitter and Never Pay for Accommodation

16. Use Your Social Network

Does your colleague accept a relative in Spain? Or maybe you have a distant cousin who lives in New Zealand. Or perhaps a babyhood friend of yours is working down in Brazil.

These days, we have a vast social network of friends and family unit that stretches across the world. Don't hesitate to use that! Enquire your co-workers and friends if they know anyone where yous're going. Get your mom to enquire her co-workers and friends, too.

Using your social network tin be hugely helpful in traveling the world. You never know who knows who!

***

By implementing a variety of these tips, you'll be able to travel for relatively piffling money. Gone are the days of overpriced hotels and expensive flights. With a little planning and some creativity, yous can travel the earth for cheap.

Because if I can practise it, you tin can do information technology as well!

Whether it's 2 months, two years, or just a two-week vacation, travel doesn't need to cost a ton. The key is to leave of the mindset that you must travel using a flying/hotel combination. Using out-of-the-box, nontraditional ways to travel tin can pb to big savings.

It all starts with a change in mindset. From in that location, with some patience and do, you'll exist able to make your travel dreams a reality — without breaking the banking company!

Want to Acquire How I Travel the World for Free?

Terminate paying full price! Download our gratuitous guide to travel hacking and learn:

How To Pick a Credit Card
How To Earn Miles for Free Flights & Hotels
Is Travel Hacking Really a Scam?

Go THE Complimentary GUIDE

How to Travel the World on $fifty a Day

My New York Times best-selling paperback guide to world travel will teach you how to chief the art of travel then that you lot'll get off the beaten path, salve coin, and take a deeper travel experience. It's your A to Z planning guide that the BBC called the "bible for budget travelers."

Click hither to learn more and start reading it today!

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Notice a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It's my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you e'er know no rock is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation
You tin book your hostel with Hostelworld. If yous want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, apply Booking.com as they consistently render the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don't Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance volition protect you lot against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It'south comprehensive protection in case annihilation goes incorrect. I never proceed a trip without it as I've had to employ it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

SafetyWing (all-time for anybody)
Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Set to Book Your Trip?
Bank check out my resources page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I utilize when I travel. They are the best in grade and you can't go wrong using them on your trip.

Disclosure: Delight notation that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no boosted cost to you lot, I earn a committee if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site customs supported and ad gratis.

Source: https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/the-ultimate-guide-to-traveling-when-you-have-no-money/

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