The world is a big and beautiful place, and it makes sense that you want to get out and see it. You may look at images of islands in the sun, mountains, volcanos, deserts, dunes, waterfalls, lakes, endless sandy beaches, forests, and your appetite is whetted. You desire nothing more than to hear the sounds of the rainforest, or to have a Mai Tai in on a beach in Thailand. Unfortunately, money concerns and worries may make you think twice about taking that journey of a lifetime. It is definitely not fair that everyone else seems to be doing it, but you can’t. That is why we are writing this blog for you today. Even if money is a major concern for you, there are ways and means to travel, if that is what your heart desires. You don’t have to be rich. You have to be prepared to do what’s necessary and plan things out.
Plan
Travelling on a budget means you have to be clever about how you travel. You will need to check out the best places to stay and have a rough idea of what cities and towns you are going to travel too and how you are going to get from place to place. So, if you get the hostels and hotels booked in advance, you may get a cheaper deal. Also, it may be worth looking for special deals on credit cards for flights, for example, if you start early and are determined enough, you will find a whole range of ways to save money. The more you can think up before you travel, the less you will have to worry when you are out and about trying to enjoy yourself.
Think about working overseas
If you really want to make the best of it, why not think of jobs that you can when you are away. Common roles while you travel are bartender, waiter or waitress, farmworker, casual labourer, boat cleaner, etc. It is up to you, as part of the planning process, if you are interested in working abroad then cater this into your plans. You can base the itinerary around places that you will easily be able to find a casual role. You may be able to extend your travelling experience, and you will worry less about money. Alternatively, if you can secure a role as a freelancer, depending on what the job is, you may be able to take your laptop with you and work anywhere in the world, providing it has an internet connection. This could work out ideal for you. Many people are turning to freelancing for the freedom it gives them. Here are The Ten Tools That Every Freelancer Needs if that avenue is for you.
Teaching English
This is clearly another working option, however, it may require a little more preparation and time spent in each country. Think about getting the TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate to help you secure that English job. Also, a role like this one is probably not going to help you much if you go to an English speaking country, i.e. Australis, Canada, the United States…etc.
Travel off-season
Okay, you may not want to do this, but you can save an awful lot of money by travelling off-season. You will also have more time as there will be fewer queues to deal with for everything, as well as lower prices. Do not travel during the school holidays, for example, hotels, flights. Everything is more expensive. You will need to do a lot of research to discover the least expensive times to go to the destinations of your choice. Again, travelling on a budget is all about the planning stage. You will find you can do anything you like as long as it is well thought about and planned to perfection.
Think accommodation
Where are the cheapest places to stay? If you are on a budget, you need to be prepared to get down and dirty, well to an extent anyway. Sorry, but be realistic, you are not going to be in five-star luxury hotels, no, you are going to be in hostels and dorm rooms. So remember the ear plugs and eye masks. You may even want to think about camping. There is also Airbnb and Couchsurfing. Get online and find the cheapest places to stay, and your budget will stretch much further.
Pack like a pro
You may need to travel light, but you need to pack all you need. You don’t want to be wasting money on constantly buying this, that, and the other. Make sure you have the wet weather gear, as well as something warm, even if you are going to the tropics. And you need to be prepared to wear the same thing over and over, especially if you are backpacking. There is no room to be precious about your clothes, etc. Think of it all as part of the adventure. Travelling like this will teach you a lot about what you need in life and what is superfluous.
Transport
Okay, so you may need to book a flight initially to get to the continent you intend to explore. However, go economy, book these flights early and get a good deal. You can usually purchase plane tickets a year in advance and the more time goes on, the more expensive they become. But once you reach the destination, how are you going to get around? You are going to have to get public transport. Buses are a great, cheapish way to travel. There is also the option of hitchhiking, although in some places this is not advisable. Again do some research, and only embark on a hitchhiking adventure if you are not alone, and have the confidence to do so. Also, what about walking? You could always save money, and really see the land by walking. Or even purchase some cheap bicycles wherever you may be. Think outside the box and be prepared to take a few mitigated chances.