How to Travel for Cheap (or Free) in 2025

At any time when I ask readers what the primary factor holding them again from touring is, I virtually all the time get the identical reply: cash.

This downside — and the way to overcome it — is my most requested query. “Matt, I don’t know the way to afford journey. Assist!”

I’ve answered this query in a plethora of posts, emails, tweets, and Fb posts. Lengthy-term readers would possibly even be getting sick of me discussing this topic as a result of it’s one I discuss a lot.

However I do know regardless of how usually I tackle this query, it is going to come up once more.

Since this query comes up so usually, I prefer to always remind folks of this truth: You do not want to be wealthy to journey.

There are many methods to journey on a funds (and without spending a dime) — you simply should be prepared to get inventive.

Touring the world with little or no cash feels like an unimaginable dream. However it is attainable. It’s not glamorous, nevertheless it’s attainable.

It ought to be mentioned that there are some bills you shouldn’t compromise on (like journey insurance coverage) however there are tons of the way you possibly can journey the world on a funds — together with loads of methods you possibly can truly journey without spending a dime.

On this put up, I’m going to indicate you two issues:

1. Methods to journey low-cost
2. Methods to journey without spending a dime

With the appropriate funds and the appropriate mindset, you can also make your journey goals a actuality. Even if you happen to don’t earn so much or you might have debt, there are nonetheless loads of methods to go abroad (I nonetheless had debt after I went on my first journey around the globe). They is probably not fancy or luxurious, but when journey is your precedence then you possibly can undoubtedly make it occur!

Able to kick-start your funds travels and lower your expenses? Simply click on on both of the hyperlinks beneath to leap on to that part!

1. Get a Job Abroad

Not making sufficient cash at your job? Working at a job you hate? Why not get a job abroad? There are many alternatives on the planet so long as you aren’t choosy. In any case, this isn’t a profession you’re beginning — it’s only a method to earn cash for journey. Listed here are some standard (and simple to seek out) jobs you may get if you journey:

1. Au pair – An au pair is a live-in caregiver who helps a number household take care of their children. In trade, you get free room and board and a small wage. You possibly can learn this put up for more information on being an au pair.
2. Bartender – It’s all the time 5 o’clock someplace, so in case you have the abilities then that is a straightforward job to maneuver abroad. It’s additionally a straightforward job to get underneath the desk if you happen to determine to go that route. For those who don’t have the abilities to have a tendency bar, take into account being a dishwasher or busser.
3. Hostel employee – Hostel employees not often stick round for lengthy, which implies there’s all the time a requirement for brand new assist. It’s a good way to satisfy different vacationers whereas adjusting to a brand new location. Three web sites that may allow you to discover hostels to volunteer at are Worldpackers, Workaway, and HelpX.
4. Waitress/waiter – There are tons of seasonal eating places around the globe (and across the US) that want additional assist in the course of the busy vacationer months. In case you have expertise, that is a straightforward job to seek out overseas.
5. Dive teacher – In case you have your certification, that is a straightforward job to journey with as dive instructors are wanted in every single place. Better of all, these jobs are normally in picturesque tropical areas!
6. Tour information – For those who’ve obtained a knack for historical past and don’t thoughts talking in entrance of teams, that is the right job for you. It’s additionally normally a money job, which implies you get your suggestions straight.
7. Cruise ship employee – This can be a rather more formal place than those above, nevertheless it’s a good way to journey. The hours are lengthy, however there’s one thing to be mentioned about dwelling at sea!
8. Seasonal employee at ski resorts – Instructors, restaurant workers, lodge workers, lifeguards — ski resorts want all kinds of workers to maintain issues transferring, making this a goldmine for the abroad traveler (so long as you don’t thoughts the snow!).
9. Yacht employee – Whereas the hours will be lengthy, you can also make nice cash working for the wealthy and well-known on their yachts. Better of all, you’re normally in some fairly superb locations!
10. Yoga teacher – In case you have the abilities (and certification), instructing yoga overseas is a straightforward method to make some spending cash. When you would possibly have to know the language, there are yoga studios in just about each metropolis on the planet.

Working abroad usually will get discounted as an choice as a result of it appears onerous to do. It’s not. Simply be open. These jobs don’t require superior levels or loads of work expertise both.

Are you going to get a high-paying workplace job? No.

Will you get a shitty, low-wage job that can pay all of your journey payments? Yep!

I’ve met folks from all walks of life, each from Western and non-Western nations, funding their travels this fashion. It’s a straightforward, enjoyable method to lengthen your travels, deepen your expertise, and make a bit cash so you possibly can carry on touring.

READ MORE ABOUT WORKING OVERSEAS: 15 Methods to Discover a Job and Work Abroad

2. Educate English Abroad

Among the best methods to generate profits for journey is to show English abroad. You may make some huge cash instructing — I replenished my journey funds whereas instructing in Thailand, and I’ve had mates depart South Korea with tens of 1000’s of {dollars} within the financial institution.

All you want is the flexibility to talk English fluently and a TEFL diploma, relying on the nation you’re employed in. In case you have a school or college diploma, you’ll have the ability to earn more money and apply for higher positions although it’s not crucial for a lot of nations.

Moreover, there are a lot of web sites and providers on the market that let you train nearly. So long as you might have a terrific Wi-Fi connection, you possibly can assist folks study English from anyplace on the planet! Italki is likely one of the hottest on-line platforms.

READ MORE ABOUT TEACHING OVERSEAS:

3. Go WWOOFing and Work on a Farm

WWOOF stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. It’s a platform that lets you work on a farm in trade without spending a dime room and board. It’s a good way to see a vacation spot in-depth whereas permitting you to commune with the good outdoor. It’s a must to pay to get to the farm, however as soon as you’re there, all the things else is roofed! It undoubtedly will allow you to journey low-cost in addition to have a singular expertise and meet a number of cool folks.

WWOOF has alternatives out there in 130 nations around the globe, with over 12,000 hosts and 100,000 WWOOFers. A number of the hottest locations for WWOOFers are Portugal, France, Italy, Costa Rica, Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii.

This put up can provide the entire low down on the way to journey and work around the globe with WWOOF.

 

4. Use the Sharing Economic system

Use the sharing economic system to seek out cheaper lodging, quirky tour guides, rideshare choices, and home-cooked meals with native cooks. You possibly can bypass the normal journey business with sharing economic system web sites and acquire entry to locals utilizing their very own property and expertise to turn into small tourism firms with cheaper costs. Furthermore, locals know the place to seek out offers. They know which grocery store is most cost-effective, which shops provide one of the best gross sales, and the place to seek out the hole-in-the-wall eating places and bars with the tastiest meals on the lowest costs. Speaking on to them offers you entry to that data.

Listed here are a few of my favourite web sites:

• BlaBlaCar – A ride-sharing app that connects you with drivers who’ve additional seats of their automobile (primarily for medium and lengthy distances, and primarily in Europe).
• EatWith – Platform that connects you with native cooks serving non-public meals.
• RVShare – This web site enables you to lease RVs and camper vans straight from locals.
• Turo – A automobile sharing market that allows you to lease automobiles from locals.
• Campspace – This platform enables you to camp on non-public property. Properties vary from primary tent plots to luxurious glamping and RV stays.
• Trusted Housesitters – Connects you with locals with whom you trade pet and home sitting providers without spending a dime lodging.

 

5. Prepare dinner Your Personal Meals

One of the simplest ways to economize on the street is to cook dinner all your personal meals. Whereas in Stockholm, I spent $60 USD for per week’s value of groceries as an alternative of a median of $15 USD per meal consuming out! That’s a financial savings of $150 USD!

I’ve carried out the identical factor in dozens of nations all around the globe — particularly in costly locations like Iceland the place consuming out can actually destroy your funds.

If you’re staying in hostels, guide lodging that has a kitchen so you might have house to cook dinner. For those who’re Couchsurfing or utilizing Airbnb, your host will most likely have a kitchen.

No kitchen? Pack your personal container and cutlery and make some sandwiches and salads on the go. Not each meal requires a range, proper?

Simply since you are touring doesn’t imply it’s worthwhile to eat out each meal. You gained’t break your journey to Paris if you happen to determine to not eat out in the future! There’s merely no cause to be spending a number of cash on meals in your journey!

READ MORE ABOUT SAVING MONEY ON FOOD WHEN YOU TRAVEL:

 

6. Get Rail Passes

Rail passes (just like the Eurail Pass in Europe or the JR Pass in Japan) are a good way to economize relating to prepare journey. For those who’re touring across the area for some time, rail passes will probably be less expensive than simply reserving particular person journeys.

If you’re reserving particular person journeys, reserving forward of time can normally prevent about 50% of the price of a prepare ticket. Nevertheless, that fixes you to a set timeline. For those who don’t need to be tied into a hard and fast schedule, rail passes can prevent some huge cash whereas supplying you with the pliability you want. I’ve saved hundreds of dollars in Europe doing this!

READ MORE ABOUT RAIL PASSES:

 

7. Sleep in Giant Dorms

Giant hostel dorm rooms are the most cost effective paid lodging on the market. The larger the dorm, the cheaper will probably be. Whereas a 4-6 mattress dorm would possibly provide you with extra privateness, a 12-18 mattress dorm goes to be a bit cheaper. In the long term, it will add up. So long as you’ve obtained earplugs and a sleeping masks, go for the larger dorm to maintain your funds intact!

In a big dorm, you’re virtually assured to have some snorers. If earplugs don’t fairly do the trick, obtain an app like Rain Rain, which performs rain sounds on a loop. You possibly can set a timer in order that they cease enjoying after an hour or two, serving to you ignore the noises of the dorm when you strive to go to sleep. Spotify additionally has all types of rain and white noise playlists too.

For reductions on hostels in Europe, take a look at HostelPass. This card offers you as much as 20% off hostels all through Europe. They’re always including new hostels too. I’ve all the time wished one thing like this and am glad it lastly exists! (Use code NOMADICMATT for 25% off your membership.)

READ MORE ABOUT HOSTELS:

8. Use Pupil and Different Low cost Playing cards

Are you a scholar, instructor, or underneath 26? Welcome to the world of fifty%-off sights and a plethora of reductions! Get a scholar/instructor/youth card and save massive when you’re overseas. Even if you happen to’ve just lately graduated, likelihood is you possibly can nonetheless get by along with your expired ID card (so long as it doesn’t have an expiry date). All the time ask if there are reductions out there for college students or youth as that is a straightforward method to save tons of money as you journey round!

Museums, galleries, and different main vacationer sights normally have reductions (particularly in Europe). It by no means hurts to ask! (There are additionally usually reductions for senior vacationers and veterans as properly, so all the time ask!)

9. Get Metropolis Vacationer Playing cards

For those who plan on seeing loads of sights in a metropolis, it’s best to get a metropolis tourism card. These will give you discounted and/or free entry to the key sights and museums, in addition to free public transportation. I saved over $100 USD with the London move, $80 USD with the Paris Museum card, $50 USD with a Helsinki card, and tons extra with different metropolis tourism playing cards.

They’re a tremendous manner to economize on sights that not sufficient folks use. Simply head to the native tourism workplace to seek out out what playing cards can be found. They may help reply all of your questions and ensure you save as a lot cash as attainable. Not each metropolis has them, however most main locations do and also you’ll save some huge cash if you happen to plan on seeing the key sights.

10. Capitalize on Your Abilities

Want some money? Use Craigslist (operates in 70 nations), TaskRabbit (primarily within the US and Canada, although additionally in Italy and Spain), or Gumtree (UK-based) to seek out paid odd jobs, like helping individuals who want just a few issues carried out round the home. It’s a method to generate profits if you journey with out committing to a long-term job.

Moreover, in case you have a ability, promote it. Provide haircuts to different vacationers, busk for cash, present on-line providers like modifying, graphic design, or consulting. It’s by no means been simpler to work on-line. So long as you might have Wi-Fi you can also make cash. The sky is the restrict right here — get inventive!

11. Get Free Flights!

Gathering factors and miles is the #1 manner I’ve been capable of afford so many flights and motels over time. Through the use of a journey bank card for normal spending on groceries, eating places, and purchasing, I’ve been capable of earn free flights and lodge stays — all by spending cash I used to be going to spend anyway!

Today, there are tons of the way to earn free flights. Merely join just a few journey bank cards, accumulate miles, after which fly without spending a dime.

Most playing cards provide sign-up bonuses of fifty,000 factors (or extra) — which is commonly sufficient for a free round-trip flight proper there. And if you happen to join each an airline card (e.g., a United bank card) and a basic rewards card, you possibly can mix the 2 level balances and get an inexpensive flight quicker. There’s even a card now — The Bilt Mastercard®– that allows you to earn factors in your lease!

Gathering factors and miles isn’t just for People both (although US residents have one of the best choices). Canadians can accumulate factors too, as can of us from Australia and New Zealand and the UK.

READ MORE ABOUT POINTS & MILES:

 

12. Keep for Free

There are a lot of providers that join vacationers with locals who’re prepared to allow them to stick with them without spending a dime. Utilizing these websites, you’ll by no means should pay for lodging. I’ve used this service dozens of occasions over time and all the time meet superb folks. Generally you get a room, generally a sofa, generally an air mattress, nevertheless it’s all the time free. These web sites not solely prevent a TON of cash but additionally get you off the vacationer monitor and into the native life. Win-win! Here’s a record of internet sites to make use of without spending a dime lodging:

13. Hitchhike

Hitchhiking is a free method to get round that’s comparatively protected and fairly widespread in lots of components of the world, together with Central America, Scandinavia, Jap Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

I’ve hitchhiked in additional than a handful of nations (and I do know solo feminine vacationers who’ve carried out the identical!). Positive, it has a foul status in North America, however with some widespread sense and a little bit of persistence, you possibly can hitchhike virtually anyplace — saving you tons of cash within the course of!

Listed here are just a few primary suggestions that can assist you get began:

• Use an indication – Make a transparent signal that lets folks know the place you’re heading. That can assist drivers determine in the event that they may help.
• Look presentable – Put on clear clothes, smile, and don’t obscure your face with one thing like sun shades. Folks need to see who they’re selecting up.
• Examine the legal guidelines – Hitchhiking is against the law in some locations. All the time test the legal guidelines to verify it’s alright to do the place you’re.
• Take precautions – Be aware the license plate of anybody who picks you up and textual content it to a good friend. Likelihood is you gained’t want it nevertheless it’s higher to be protected than sorry!
• Preserve your valuables on you – Don’t depart any valuables in your bag if it goes within the trunk in case it will get left within the automobile (or stolen).
• Seek the advice of Hitchwiki – Hitchwiki is the #1 hitchhiking useful resource there’s. All the time seek the advice of it earlier than you hitchhike to select up suggestions and make sure you’re hitchhiking in a protected place.

READ MORE ABOUT HITCHHIKING:

 

14. Take Free Strolling Excursions

Need to study concerning the metropolis, get your bearings, and see the key sights? Take a free strolling tour. You could find them in most main cities — simply ask the native vacationer workplace, your hostel workers, or Google “free strolling tour (metropolis title).”

You’ll get a stable introduction to the town whereas additionally gaining access to a neighborhood information you possibly can ask inquiries to. I all the time begin my visits to a brand new metropolis with one. Simply be sure you tip your information on the finish (that’s how they receives a commission).

This web page has an inventory of all my favourite strolling excursions around the globe damaged down by metropolis.
 

15. Home Sitting & Pet Sitting

For those who’re on a good funds, you possibly can pet and home sit for fellow journey lovers after they go on their very own holidays! In trade, you’ll get free lodging when you’re watching their house and pets (animal care is concerned 99% of the time).

You possibly can join one of many websites beneath to begin home sitting, permitting you to remain in a single vacation spot for some time with out having to pay for lodging. Everybody’s account is verified and has opinions so you gained’t get cheated.

This can be a nice method to journey long-term, with an necessary added bonus: you get a kitchen to cook dinner your meals (which saves you much more cash!).

Additionally, you will usually get entry to a car and generally will likely be left a tip or free groceries. It’s typically people who find themselves properly sufficient off that they will afford multi-month holidays, so that you’re normally in fairly good properties and flats too!

The very best web site for that is Trusted Housesitters.

You possibly can learn this put up to study extra about the way to begin home sitting.
 

16. Use Your Social Community

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

Today, we have now an enormous social community of family and friends that stretches throughout the globe. Don’t hesitate to make use of that! Ask your co-workers and mates in the event that they know anybody the place you’re going. Get your mother to ask her co-workers and mates, too.

Utilizing your social community will be massively useful in touring the world. You by no means know who is aware of who!

***By implementing a wide range of the following pointers, you’ll be capable of journey for comparatively little cash. With a bit planning and a few creativity, you possibly can journey the world for affordable.

As a result of if I can do it, you are able to do it too!

Whether or not it’s two months, two years, or only a two-week trip, journey doesn’t have to value a ton. The secret is to get out of the mindset that you have to journey within the typical method of merely reserving a flight and a lodge. Utilizing out-of-the-box, nontraditional methods to journey can result in massive financial savings.

However it all begins with a change in mindset. From there, with some persistence and follow, you’ll be capable of make your journey goals a actuality — with out breaking the financial institution!