There are many ways to travel for free.The cost is one of the greatest inhibitions for people on the verge of a great adventure.You don't have to spend a lot of money while travelling.You only have to be willing to work, sometimes stay on farms or in the wilderness, and have an urge to meet locals and really experience the cultures surrounding you.It is easier to save money the longer you stay.Throw your ledger away, and begin the process of planning your free, or dirt cheap trip abroad.
Step 1: It is possible to stay at places for free or next-to-nothing.
You can stay in a hostel and meet people from all over the place.There are services that allow you to stay at someone else's house for free.You might like to work on a worthwhile project and get a place to stay at the same time.
Step 2: You can give couchsurfing a try.
If you want to check it out, go to couchsurfing.org.People all over the world are willing to host you for a set number of days for free.Anyone from anywhere can sign up to be verified and receive a postcard with a serial number which you can enter into the website to become verified.Peer reviews are also a part of the verification.After you stay with the person, the idea is that you leave a comment rating them.The reviews are completely transparent and the couch surfers have no control over whether or not they appear on their profiles.If you want to stay somewhere, send a request to the host.You decide if it's the right fit and how long you'll stay with them.Since the verification process is not very strict, be aware that you could run into problems, but use your intuition, read the reviews and steer clear of people who have not yet been reviewed.There are groups on the site which may be a great way to meet people travelling.
Step 3: It's possible to try Airbnb.
You can get some good deals with this service if you search at the low end of the prices offered.At the low end of the price range, you'll usually get a single room or a pull-out sofa bed with a shared bathroom.The reviews should be read to discern trustworthiness.A service fee is taken by the company running the site.
Step 4: Work outside of the country.
There are many ways to help make a difference.WWOOF international is a group.WWOOF is a great way to meet people and learn from them.WWOOF stands for world wide opportunities on farms.It connects travellers willing to work on farms with farmers in hundreds of countries across the globe.A small fee is usually paid.This will give you access to the contact information of hundreds of farms.You should be prepared to work.You work for them and they feed you and give you a place to stay.This is done with the intention of teaching and learning techniques, however this is not always the case.It gives you a chance to meet people from all over the globe, even if some people think it's free work.You will get a direct back-stage pass into the lives and cultures of the locals if you are working on construction or something else.You can live and work with locals for free if you aren't picky about accommodations, diet restrictions or food.Make sure you know what you're getting into.
Step 5: Link up with people you haven't seen in a while.
It is possible to stay with people you don't know in different parts of the world if you have a trusted person vouch for you.It's possible to score yourself a new friend or make new family connections by doing this.Ask your friends and family if they know of people you can ask about staying.If you do get to stay with people in this way, don't expect too much and pitch and help a lot.You might be a source of burden for some people, either because they're not well off, or they felt obliged to help you but didn't really want to.You can either offer money to cover your costs or give them back their space if you pick up such vibes.
Step 6: Be careful and sensible.
It's important to be alert when something is cheap or free.While there are a lot of good people out there, some of them are shady and even dangerous, so you need to be careful when staying with people you don't know.There are websites devoted to people's experiences with services that didn't work out well.Failure to connect, rudeness during the stay, and expectations that you'll contribute in some way are all examples.Trust the reviews when you meet people.If a place doesn't feel right, trust your instincts and move on.
Step 7: It is possible to travel between cities and countries abroad for free or very cheap.
People are not always friendly or have good intentions, so you need to be careful.
Step 8: bla blacar.com is a website.
There are people travelling in personal cars all over the world on this website.There is a higher level of trust when travelling with strangers because of the verifications and peer reviews on this website.Caution is always advised, and often you will have to pay a small amount of gas for the journey.
Step 9: Hitchhiking is a good way to get around.
Hitchhiking has been done for hundreds of years and can allow you to travel short distances for free and chat with people.This type of travel should be considered on a country or region specific basis because it's dangerous in some places and safe in others.Hitchhiking in France is easy and safe.If you are a female and travelling alone, you should not even consider it.Use your intuition.It's important to decide whether or not to accept rides from strangers.Don't ride the ride if you feel uncomfortable.Before you tell your destination, it is a good idea to ask where they are going.You can quickly assess the person and decide if you want to accept.Hitchhiking is illegal in some places.It might not be a good idea to go to jail for a night.
Step 10: If you work on a container ship or working boat you will get free passage.
This means real hard work.If you're not fit, the captain won't hesitate to take you for no cost, even if it's raining or the sea is rough.You'll probably need to negotiate by email or letter exchanges if you plan on doing this.
Step 11: It's not impossible to eat for free abroad.
It's important to summon up the courage to ask for food.It can seem awkward, but people are generous.Large chains aren't likely to help you out.At the end of the day, go to a family owned restaurant.If they are going to throw food out, ask.It is possible to score some great meals that would have gone to waste.Some products in small grocery stores and family owned markets are about to expire.You will be surprised by the results once you get used to asking for things.There are a lot of products that are still good.Surplus produce can be found at outdoor markets and fairs.They may be willing to give you some for free or for a discounted price if the item is tomatoes or strawberries.If you go right as the fair is closing for the day, you will be able to get rid of extra unsold product.A background story that's fascinating can be a real benefit to explain that you're traveling the world without any money or luxuries.You won't get your supper if you make it a good tale.
Step 12: Work when you need to.
Finding a job to off-set any unavoidable costs is a useful way to support yourself while you're abroad.Look for casual work, pop-up work opportunities or even making your own work through busking.Workaway.com is one of the other possibilities.This is a great website to visit.It is similar to WWOOF in many ways, but it is not limited to farms or the pretense of organic farming.You volunteer your time and labor in exchange for a place to stay and food.It's a great way to get involved with foreign communities and learn a new language.If you want to travel to a country or a city, you can find employment there.Teaching English, getting a job on a cruise ship, or working as a tour guide are some of the jobs that can be found abroad.You just need to look at the opportunities that are out there.Either a busk or a guide.If you know the area well enough, you can offer to take walking tours if you are good at something.You can offer to be someone's butler for a day.
Step 13: Spending on the basics will keep your budget in check.
This means not buying a lot of things that tourists are known for buying, such as guided tours, souvenirs, overpriced boat trips, "must-do" sites and eateries, expensive meals, top-end hotels, and so forth.It is possible to realize that you are not missing out on anything by avoiding these things.You're more likely to get to know the real place if you don't stay in a fancy hotel and eat at the best restaurants.
Step 14: You can use the following ways to keep your spending down.
Don't buy the souvenirs.You don't need all those things.Think of those you've purchased in the past and how much dust is accumulating on them or how they're already forgotten at the back of a drawer.If you want to help a local culture, donate your time, knowledge, or money instead.If breakfast is included, eat everything.At someone else's expense, fill up at the beginning of the day.You can eat lunch from the supermarket pickings.Many of the places that serve vegetarian food have decent feeds for a small price.You should walk as much as you can.If you know an area is safe, you can find out a lot by walking through it.You have to pay to see or enter certain sites.Don't check off every must-see in the guidebook, instead go to those that are meaningful to you.It's not worth the money if it doesn't appeal to you.You can find a lot of free activities.As the locals do and flock to the free things they're doing, such as fairs, festivals in parks, watching street theater and hanging about watching people, think as they do.There are free events thrown for the locals.Don't eat meals if they cost more on transportation.You can take your own food.Pre-planning is an essential part of budget travel even if it means being organized ahead of time.