Travel for free or next to nothing? Who’s kidding whom? Is this even possible?
We assure you, it’s very much possible. People are travelling for free all the time.
You just have to know how. Check out how to travel for free or almost nothing and tell us what you think.
Join Volunteer Programs
There are many volunteer organizations that’ll allow you to travel to the country of your choice and pay you for it, too. Some of them will ask for a fee to cover costs, but most are for-profit businesses.
1. Go Wwoofing
The World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, wwoof.org offers free lodging and food in exchange for work on a farm. This group has affiliations in 53 countries. This means you’ll be travelling free in exchange for your time and energy.
2. Join The Peace Corps
The Peace Corps offers two-year travel opportunities to various regions such as Asia, South America and Asia. You can also earn a modest stipend. Anyone can apply for this free travelling opportunity.
3. Join The Volunteers For Prosperity
The Volunteers for Prosperity (VFP) offers very short or very long assignments. If you are looking for a short volunteer-travel opportunity, this might be perfect.
4. Join The United Nations Volunteer Program
As a UN Volunteer, you can visit literally any region on the planet, with all travel expenses paid. You can also benefit from stipends and grants. The UN usually takes people who are experienced in specific fields.
5. Volunteer As A Fundraiser
If you can commit a significant amount of time, join volunteer organizations as a fundraiser. You will get paid for room and board along with flight expenses. Try local organizations such as the Lions Club, Rotary Club and Optimist Club as well as schools and community organizations. Register At Cultural Exchange Groups. Take advantage of the many cultural exchange groups that are available for travel networking.
6. Couch Surf
This is key when knowing how to travel for free. Locate couch surfers at your destination and enjoy staying for free at their homes on couchsurfing.org. You’ll find the best couch surfers on this site, with safety assured for both host and traveler.
7. Become A Global Freeloader
Another option is to register for free as a Global Freeloader on globalfreeloaders.com. This program is similar to Couch Surfers, but Global Freeloaders have to host guests within 6 months of registering.
8. Join The Servas Group Servas
joomla.servas.org is a cultural exchange group that’s UN approved and almost 50 years old. It’s a fantastic, proven network of people and places. Members are rigorously interviewed before they’re approved for membership.
9. Join The Hospitality Club
Join the Hospitality Club (hospitalityclub.org), another cultural exchange program that is entirely internet-based. Members are thoroughly investigated including passport checks, online feedback and bank balance check.
Explore Other Cheap Travel Options
10. Become A Group Tour Organizer
If you can strategize trip itineraries for travel groups, you might be able to work as a travel group leader. It’ll be your job to plan every step of the travel, including visas and stay arrangements. For more information, see adventures-abroad.com.
11. Become A House Sitter
Advertise your house-sitting services on the following sites: mindmyhouse.com and housecarers.com and also on social networking sites. Can you say no to free accommodation in return for watering the plants and feeding the cat?
Check out The Travelling Housesitters course on how to be a housesitter here.
12. Join A Boat Crew
If you can contribute your skills on a cruise or yacht as a handyman, steward, cooking staff, entertainer or event manager, you might be able to join a boat crew. Check out yacht or cruise crew opportunities online at royalcaribbean.com or carnival.com.
13. Transport Vehicles
Check with relocation or rental companies if you can drive people’s cars to their new homes. The car owner will pay for the fuel costs and if you can manage accommodation and food, it’s cheap travel.
14. Obtain A Travel Scholarship
Look up the UNESCO Study Abroad Guide at unesco.org/… for learning opportunities abroad and check out international travel scholarships.
15. Hop Along For The Ride
If someone is traveling the same direction as you, ask if you can join them. You can offset fuel costs with cheap stay options. Check out thorntree.lonelyplanet.com, mitfahren.de and compartir.org. Or try hitchhiking (read our guide to hitchhiking).
16. Barter Labor For Free Stay
If you’re not unwilling to work for your supper, barter labour for stay at hostels. You can apply for hostel jobs before your travel on sites like hostelworld.com and so on. Check out our guide on staying at a hostel.
17. Do Short Term Gigs
Look for short term gigs abroad. You can work as an English tutor, or as an au pair, as a fruit picker at wine farms and so on. Check out the following sites: aupair.com, greataupair.com, anyworkanywhere.com, goworkabout.com, swap.ca.
18. Become A Home Swapper
If you own a house or apartment in any city, advertise it on VRBO, www.lovehomeswap.com, homebase-hols.com or homeexchange.com. You’ll find someone with a house at the place you want to visit. You two can coordinate and swap residences for the trip duration.
