Almost Free Travel

How much can thrifty travellers shave from travel costs? Some people save to prepare for trips across the globe. Yet others prefer short trips to surrounding countries to enjoy more frequent getaways with less damage to bank balances.

Sometimes though, all you need is a small outlay to start your journey. After that, the momentum of thriftiness…helped with some creative survival techniques, could very well reward you with an extended period of free, or almost free, travel.

Well then, how would a traveller get to travel free? Read on!

Volunteering on travel

Many countries have non-profit organisations (NGOs) that regularly welcome help from passing travellers. What’s more, people looking to donate their time, effort and money can choose from organisations involved in education, youth or conservation efforts. 

Working on travel

If you find yourself running out of cash when abroad, you could look to casual work like waiting tables to sustain your globe-trekking. Many youth hostels and organic farms offer bunks in exchange for work, and you could also teach. 

However, you should check visa restrictions of the target country before responding to any Help Wanted ads, to ensure that you are legally able to work part-time.

Travel slow

It’s been said before – travelling slow can save you a bundle. If you traverse countries on two wheels, and also stick to more frugal hostels, food and sightseeing, you won’t be rushed for time to catch the next flight or train out. 

 

You have the leisure of free time to discover countries in more depth.

Learn a skill

Be it being a chef, photographer or musician, having a skill increases your chances of getting work, wherever you arrive, and where you lay your hat. There’s also another perk when working closely alongside locals, you’ll pick up the language in faster time. 

Now isn’t that a perk? Adding a new skill to yourself simply by travelling?

Be an actor

Off tangent? Not if you consider that the cast of Flipper filmed in the exquisitely beautiful Caribbean islands of Bahamas. And Julia Roberts enjoyed the scenery of three continents in Rome(Italy), India and Bali(Indonesia) when filming the blockbuster Eat, Pray, Love. Of course, we aren’t all veteran actors, but it’s an idea.

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Travelling is all about choices, and you may be surprised how your choice to go for it low-cost may actually bring about welcomed results.  

For one lucky traveller, budget travel managed to save him more than a year’s worth of expenses, compared to what he would spend at home in the course of a year. So if you’re in need of a gap year, an extended holiday, or career break, going it the (almost) free way could be the answer to your wish to see the world on a shoestring.