Meg Goes Global

how to travel for free

Money is often the first obstacle people consider when wanting to travel. The biggest misconception I hear when talking to people about my travels is that I must be rich or just be spending ‘daddy’s money`, because travelling is just so expensive and unachievable right? Wrong! This, I feel, is where the difference between holidaying and backpacking lie, not that either of them are right or wrong, but there is a difference. People are able to keep travelling for extended periods of time by working as they go, staying in cheap accommodation and living the opposite to luxury. If you want to see the world on a budget it is entirely possible, you just have to give up the idea of the holiday lifestyle and glamour, and put in the work. Once you have saved up some money for flights, the world really is your oyster and you can keep travelling for a long time with not much money to your name. (That being said, some expenses like travel insurance are a non-negotiable.)

When I say travel ‘for free’, I mean finding accommodation for free, or earning to keep up with your spending so you have no net outgoings. There are lots of ways to achieve this when you ditch the expectations and understand you do not have to be rich to travel.

working holidays

This is such a widely accessible way to travel on a strict budget. Working holidays in countries like Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the UK are really popular choices where you can live for a year or few, (visas depending on nationality and which country) and have a lot of freedom to work as you go. It’s a good idea if you want to use these as a base to save and make money in a new place and then travel the surrounding areas.

While these probably won’t be the best paid jobs you can get, it gives you a replenished budget for further travels. Working in hostels and other hospitality, au pair work, yoga/surf instructors or yacht work are just some ideas to consider but there so many options you just have to be open minded. Anything you are doing at home you can probably do elsewhere.

world packers

This is a site used to find work in return for accommodation and food in any country you can think of. All you have to worry about is flights and maybe some extra money for activities. There are so many fun opportunities all across the world and it’s really good to try things you would otherwise never think of. Plenty of people stay abroad for months, hopping between different work.

On this same theme is WWOOFing. This stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms and similarly involved working on a farm in return for accommodation and food. The only expense here is getting to the farm and then the rest is covered. An alternative if you love the great outdoors.

seasonal work

Similar to working holidays, a great option would be doing a ski season or other type of seasonal work. You don’t even have to be able to ski, you can do housekeeping work and learn while you are there. If it’s the adrenaline of the slopes you’re after then this is great fun. People often chase the snow and do a season in the northern hemisphere followed by one in the south so you get to make money all year round doing something you love.

house/pet sitting

I’ve mentioned this before because I think house and pet sitting is the best way to save money on the road. It’s a no brainer really if you aren’t specific about where exactly and for how long you want to be somewhere, because it’s minimal work for free accommodation. And it gives you total freedom anywhere you could want in the world. There’s plenty of sites you can sign up to for a small fee like Trusted Housesitters and Nomador, and it allows you to connect with hundreds of people who need someone to house sit for them. The sites also offer security so you won’t get scammed and can read real reviews.

couch surfing

This is really not for anyone looking for any form of luxury but couch surfing can save you a lot of money. It’s a site that allows you to connect with people who have places to offer for you to stay for free. Eliminating the cost of accommodation can save you lots if you’re not fussy, and most often offers a kitchen to save money on meals too. It’s a great short term option if you’re staying somewhere for a short period of time.

teach English

There are heaps of opportunities for teaching abroad, particularly in popular Asian destinations. Making a difference in any way you can to children’s lives is a thoroughly enriching experience that you will gain a lot more than just money from. Most of the time all you need is a TEFL degree qualification and you’re good to go.

This is the time to be the most picky and do your research into where you are working. Working with children can surface ethical issues if the turn over of staff is so large, it means the children getting attached to their teachers only for them to leave soon after. This can create a vicious cycle. Where it is done putting the children’s need first, these opportunities can be really beneficial for everyone.

it’s about who you know

Start using your social network and don’t be afraid to ask. Whether you have a relative in France, friend in Germany or a friend of a friend in Australia, people will be more generous than you realise. Staying with people you know is a great option, most likely more enjoyable than staying with a stranger, and a great chance to make even more connections worldwide. It’s often overlooked in the world of travel but it’s just as valid as other forms of accommodation and often helpful to get a local’s take on the area you’re staying in.

Hopefully this has helped open your eyes to the world of budget travel and shows you don’t need half as much as you think to achieve your goals. All it takes is some hard graft, creativity and an open mind to make things happen.