16 ways to travel the world as cheap as possible

A collection of ideas from experienced travelers!

1. Swap houses

Although the idea that when you are out in your home living someone else, perhaps uncomfortable, the idea of exchange houses ( Homeexchange ) between the families is becoming increasingly popular. The bottom line: on the theme portal you find a family from a place that you yourself would like to go to, which goes to your city. You are written off, you agree on terms - and, with a successful deal, you will be provided with free accommodation for the duration of your vacation.

2. To look after someone else's farm

On various forums and websites with ads you can meet the requests to look after the house while its owners are away. If you succeed in intercepting such an announcement in a city that you would like to visit, then you will get free housing at your disposal in exchange for the need to walk someone else’s dog, feed the fish and water the ficuses.

3. Become a volunteer

Some charitable organizations provide housing, food and scholarships to volunteers, some only housing, some only an opportunity to help people and nature and develop spiritually. One way or another, every year more and more travelers join the ranks of volunteers, saving endangered animals, teaching English in third world countries, or working with children in shelters. Most volunteer programs are aimed at long-term cooperation - from a few months to several years, so you should consider this option if you want to distract from the usual lifestyle for the long term.

4. Rent housing

If you are lucky to have your own apartment or car, then renting this wealth for rent during your absence will significantly replenish your finances.

5. Search for fellow travelers on cars

This type of movement is popular, for example, in Europe: there it is called “Rideshare”. A driver traveling from one city to another is picking up travel companions via the Internet in order to save on gasoline. If you cannot find a car in the direction you need, you can always ...

6.… hitchhike

This means of moving around the world almost penniless, it seems, will never outlive itself. Thousands of books and manuals are devoted to hitchhiking, but most experienced travelers claim that all you need to get from one city to another is the track, a raised hand and a good mood. Well, intuition along with the rules of security has not been canceled.

7. Get on the yacht

Fortunately, in order for you to be accepted into the yacht crew, it is not at all necessary to be an experienced sailor. Of course, having experience in working with equipment or navigation will be a definite plus, but sometimes the captains of ships look for a team of people who are just ready to help with physical labor. In exchange for this, you will drive to the point you need free of charge.

8. Work on a cruise ship

There are more vacancies on cruise liners than on private yachts, however, the conditions are heavier: you have to work in strict discipline, almost without days off and even without the opportunity to properly see the world from behind a window. But they pay on the liners very regularly, so if your goal is not so much to travel as to earn money and improve English, then you should consider this option.

9. Overtake cars

Many move in this way, for example, in America. Do you have rights? Enter the magic word “driveaway” in the search engine: by it you will find companies engaged in driving cars from point A to point B and you can apply for employment. Just imagine: to get, say, from New York to San Francisco, you not only do not spend money on renting a car, but also earn money for transportation services!

10. Challenge

One of the main modern trends among advanced travelers is to do something truly crazy. For example, cross the Eurasian continent on foot, conquer Everest with a minimum of equipment or overcome the Sahara on a bicycle. If you invent your original idea and attract the attention of sponsors, then you can kill three birds with one stone: go all the way, become famous and earn money. Just for starters make sure that you are not afraid of such troubles as physical exhaustion, deprivation or even death.

11. WWOOF

The World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (“Global Opportunities on Organic Farms ”) is an association of farmers from all over the world who are ready to offer food and lodging for the night in exchange for household help. Travelers who have worked on farms claim that this is simply an amazing opportunity not only to save money, but also to look from the inside at the way of life of this or that country.

12. Gather a tourist group

No, this is not about working as a guide. Simply, many travel agencies offer discounts on flights and hotels, if you submit group applications. With the word of mouth and social networks, find more like-minded people and hit the road.

13. Couchsurfing

The name of the social network of hospitality Couchsurfing has long been a household name, implying a disinterested exchange of housing and experience in different cities and countries. Many travel, staying in hospitable strangers' houses, not so much with the aim of saving, but for the sake of new acquaintances and intercultural communication. True, we must be mentally prepared for the fact that we will have to sleep in chairs, on cots, and, sometimes, even on the floor.

14. Take a tent with you

Perhaps this will be an extra burden, but a portable overnight stay can come to your aid if you want to live in nature, away from the beaten paths.

15. Work in a hostel

Many budget hotels are ready to provide free housing and a modest salary in exchange for room cleaning, assistance in accommodating guests or working on the night shift.

16. Travel slowly

Whenever you get on a plane, bus or ship, your expenses will increase at times. If you really want to save money, then take the journey not just as a vacation, but as a way of life. Do not try to see everything at once, but instead study one country and one city as closely as possible and longer. It will save your money and expand the world view.