How To Journey The World For Free

Think about unlocking the secrets and techniques of find out how to journey the world without spending a dime.

Sounds engaging, doesn’t it?

If you happen to’re right here, it’s doubtless as a result of the spirit of journey tugs at your soul, however the pressure in your pockets holds you again.

Concern not! This information is your key to a world the place free lodging isn’t a dream, however your nightly actuality, the place transportation prices are a factor of the previous, and the place the worldwide smorgasbord of meals doesn’t include a test.

Feels like a fairy story? Consider me, it’s not. Be part of us on this journey. In any case, the enjoyment of journey isn’t simply within the locations, however within the freedom of figuring out that the necessities like meals and a spot to sleep are completely taken care of, with out costing you a dime.

Earlier than we begin, a phrase of to the smart – you realize that previous saying “there’s no such factor as a free lunch“? Nicely, for essentially the most half, we’ve to agree that it’s true. Whereas we offer you loads of hacks to get free journey right here, there’s nearly all the time a distinct worth to pay, whether or not it’s time invested in analysis and preparation, hours spent engaged on an natural farm in trade for a spot to remain, or time spent working a job on the street.

Now that we’ve sparked your creativeness, let’s delve into the nitty-gritty of creating this free journey dream a actuality.

How one can Journey the World for Free

We’re going to discover the magic of bank card and rewards factors, the potential of engaged on the street, and the wealthy experiences supplied by volunteering.

We’ll define methods to attain free lodging, transportation, leisure, and meals as you traverse the globe.

So buckle up, adventurers! It’s time to show find out how to journey the world without spending a dime from a whimsical notion into your on a regular basis life.

First up, let’s do a fast take a look at a couple of fast methods to get free flights, lodging, meals, and leisure in your travels: utilizing factors, volunteering, getting a job as you journey, and even an uncommon tip we haven’t seen anyplace else.

As soon as that’s executed, we’ll get into some actual, sensible suggestions for touchdown free meals, lodging, flights and leisure as you trip across the globe.

Use your factors

Let’s begin with a tried and true strategy of many vacationers: redeeming factors for journey.

There are two principal methods to do that, through the use of both:

• bank card factors, or
• rewards program factors, like AIRMILES

Utilizing factors for journey works properly when you have factors that you just’ve already earned, or in the event you’re touring six or extra months sooner or later, and may earn factors by spending within the meantime. It doesn’t work particularly properly in the event you don’t have a lot cash to spend, or in the event you’re touring straight away (and don’t have any factors saved up).

Volunteer

I feel one of many greatest myths in journey is that you could journey for nearly free in the event you’re prepared to volunteer. Sadly, it’s fairly darn onerous to get a volunteer gig without spending a dime. Most volunteer placements require you to pay to your personal airfare, and plenty of require a charge for a volunteer placement. Some even require you to pay to your lodging.

That stated, there are a couple of methods to volunteer on a funds, together with this one.

Do you belong to an area church or group affiliation? Church buildings generally ship volunteers overseas. You might get your bills paid, however you’ll positively want to spend so much of effort and time to boost cash and volunteer when you’re overseas.

That stated, volunteering generally is a very rewarding option to journey and offer you an prolonged period of time working intently with locals and studying what actual daily life may be like in some international locations. It can be a good way to study a language since a variety of placements are far-off from the vacationer path.

Study extra in our article Can You Volunteer Overseas Low cost or Free? The Actual Price of Volunteering Abroad.

Work Overseas

Whereas working is usually thought of the other of free, the fact is that not each facet of journey will all the time be paid for. So, get a job as you journey so you may pay for objects that you could’t get without spending a dime.

Whereas there are many jobs, these are our high picks.

Working Vacation Visa

If you happen to’re underneath 35 years of age, see in case your vacation spot nation affords a youth working vacation visa.

Many international locations (together with Canada, Australia, and New Zealand) have agreements that enable younger individuals to work on a working vacation visa for as much as one yr. Try Wikipedia’s record of working vacation visa packages.

Au Pair

An au pair or touring nanny place is a well-known option to get free lodging as you journey, plus a wage. It’s solely a terrific gig in the event you like youngsters, although, and in the event you handle to get a very good host household.

Train English abroad

Instructing English overseas is a good way to get spending money, and plenty of positions supply free lodging as properly.

It’s additionally a good way to satisfy locals (and fellow vacationers). China, South Korea, and Center Japanese international locations are sometimes the best paying international locations. Some faculties even pay to your flight. You’ll doubtless want a TEFL certification, and also you’ll wish to analysis the variations in TEFL vs TESL vs TESOL.

Try our article on the Finest International locations to Train English Overseas.

On the lookout for extra nice concepts for getting a job as you journey? Try these articles for useful suggestions:

Enter contests

I don’t typically hear anybody point out getting into contests as a option to get free journey. Whereas your probabilities of successful a serious lottery are nearly zero, you may very well have an opportunity to win a smaller contest on a model’s social media web page.

Years in the past I received a brief haul flight with Aptitude Airways (then known as New Leaf Airways) on a contest by their electronic mail record.

To seek out contests with journey prizes, try Instagram and Fb, or you may look into contest selling web sites. Whereas greater firms typically have greater contests, the chances of successful are sometimes a lot decrease so search for smaller run contests with much less individuals signing as much as improve your odds.

How one can get free lodging while you journey

Prepared to show your goals of free lodging into actuality?

As an skilled traveler, I can let you know it’s not as elusive because it might sound. On this part, we share sensible suggestions and methods that will help you safe the coziest corners of the world with out loosening your purse strings.

From swapping properties to browsing couches, and from volunteering at native communities to working in trade for a mattress, we’ve received you lined.

Stick with us, as we navigate the thrilling panorama of free lodging, making find out how to journey the world without spending a dime your new regular. It’s not simply in regards to the journey or the vacation spot – it’s additionally about discovering a house wherever you go, with out it costing you a dime.

Right here arr our high concepts for getting a free place to remain as you journey.

Housesitting

Websites like Trusted Housesitters allow you to swap housesitting without spending a dime lodging. Most housesits contain caring for pets and crops, along with sustaining the home and property so ensure you issue that into your timeline when agreeing to any keep.

Home swap

Dwelling Change and Love Dwelling Swap are nice selections in the event you occur to have a house already. These websites allow you to swap a keep at your private home with another person in a distinct space. If your private home is in a fascinating space, you’ll have higher luck discovering a home you discover equally interesting.

Couchsurfing

That is one thing we’ve by no means executed, as a result of we prefer to be extra … comfy as a household. As a feminine traveler, crashing at a stranger’s home simply makes me uneasy nonetheless there are millions of individuals who swear by it. We’ve additionally stayed at mates and have family and friends stick with us so we think about it’s one thing like that.

Free lodging in trade for work

Worldpackers, Workaway, or WWOOF (Worldwide Alternatives on Natural Farms) all supply time-tested methods to get free lodging in trade for time serving to your host. Meals is usually included as properly and, because you’re typically working with produce each day, you realize it will likely be freshly picked.

Use your private connections

On the lookout for someplace free to remain? Go old-fashioned, and crash on a relative or buddy’s (or buddy of a buddy’s) sofa. Have prolonged household you barely know? Possibly it’s time to achieve out. We’ve heard nice tales of individuals assembly household from generations again that have been welcomed in with open arms.

Change work for lodging

Generally, you may luck in on a option to make cash as you journey, by doing an odd job for a hostel or small lodge. We helped clear a hostel for a few weeks in trade for a free double room in Adelaide, Australia and it was just a few hours a day of labor. Saved us a couple of {dollars} and gave us a motive to stand up sooner than we might have so helped maintain our nightly bills down too.

Camp without spending a dime

Tenting on Crown land in Canada is free, and tenting on Bureau of Land Administration (BLM) land within the USA is free, however there are limits on how lengthy you may keep in a single spot. There are related legal guidelines you’ll find across the globe. You can too use apps like iOverlander to search out free spots exterior of free public land.

Make the most of free nights whereas flying or driving

Make the most of in a single day ferries, night time buses and red-eye flights to get a free night time’s lodging. When you may not get the most effective nights sleep, it’s a great way to avoid wasting versus having to pay for 1 extra nights keep.

Press journeys or free nights at a lodge by running a blog or influencing

This one’s not for everybody. To get free lodging as a YouTuber, blogger or influencer, you’ll want a sizeable variety of followers, or a terrific natural engagement in a particular area of interest, to qualify for press journeys or free nights lodging. Simply be warned that press journeys contain a variety of work writing and posting on social media, and also you’ll want to stay to the organizers (typically exhausting) schedule.

All the time be well mannered right here, and ensure you actually supply a profit to the corporate you’re reaching out to, as a variety of firms are (rightfully) bored with being hit up without spending a dime stuff.

College or highschool pupil trade packages

College, school, and highschool pupil trade packages can allow you to go to one other nation, stay with an area household, and get your schooling on the identical time.

Language Exchanges

Look into websites like Lingoo, that supply language trade holidays and homestays or stick with a trainer.

How one can get free meals while you journey

It’s time to embark on the tastiest a part of our journey – the search without spending a dime meals.

As an skilled traveler, I can guarantee you that eating out doesn’t all the time imply digging into your financial savings.

On this part, we feed your wanderlust with a buffet of methods (see what I did there, lol) to eat without spending a dime.

From looking down free samples in bustling native markets to celebrating your birthday with a feast on the home, we’ve received your plate full. We’ll delve into the world of zero-waste apps and supermarkets the place you may fill your bag with out emptying your pockets, and discover low cost meals apps that make eating out a delight reasonably than a drain in your funds.

Tip: Most of those concepts work higher within the USA and Canada, however your mileage might range in Europe or different elements of the world.

Free samples

Supermarkets typically supply free samples within the grocery store aisles, and Costco nonetheless affords samples (even after slowing down a bit after the pandemic). You’ll find free samples in native espresso outlets, bakeries, delis and extra. When you received’t get full, they do make a terrific free snack.

Free meals in your birthday

Many eating places nonetheless supply free meals in your birthday (you often have to point out ID right here, nevertheless it’ll assist for 1 out of three hundred and sixty five days). Some chains and eating places additionally supply a reduction that may work for the week and even the month of your birthday so it’s not a foul option to save.

Join a supply app

Join a meals supply app to get the introductory coupon. If you happen to’re cautious, you will get a $15 coupon, and order $15 of meals, making your meal free. Simply don’t be an a$$gap, and spend a few bucks to tip the hard-working driver.

Free meals for downloading a restaurant’s app or rewards packages

Search for apps that supply a free meals bonus only for downloading the app. That is really fairly widespread to get a small meals merchandise like a free donut (thanks Krispy Kreme) or free Blizzard (thanks Dairy Queen) in the event you obtain the app or join their rewards program.

Forage

An alternative choice is to forage for meals on public land, or politely ask householders or farmers in the event you can harvest further fruit or veggies from their property. Providing to only seize the fallen fruit or the too overripe to promote produce is your finest guess. Simply don’t steal and all the time ask for permission first.

Change into a thriller diner

These are aggressive gigs, and also you’ll typically must pay out of pocket to your meal, write the assessment, and get reimbursed later.

Search for zero-waste supermarkets and apps

Many of those work with pay-what-you-feel distribution facilities, which regularly allow you to volunteer to work within the warehouse as fee as a substitute of money.

You can too search for zero-waste apps to search out free meals. Apps like Olio join you to see who has extra meals objects.

Pancake breakfasts

On the lookout for a free breakfast? Relying on the time of yr, and the place you’re situated, pancake breakfasts at church buildings and through some occasions (just like the Calgary Stampede) could also be a very good possibility. Search for festivals and upcoming occasions on the place the place you’re heading to see what’s on the menu.

Dumpster diving

It is a fairly excessive possibility, to make certain, however higher than going with out meals. I haven’t tried this myself, however I’m guessing the most effective time to do that could be at closing time. Some bakeries and produce facilities even supply them out free to closing clients.

Free lodge breakfasts

If you must pay for a hostel or lodge, search for one that gives free meals. Some solely supply free cookies and low, however others supply a full breakfast, and nonetheless others supply supervisor’s completely satisfied hours with loads of nice meals available.

Examine your receipts

Examine your receipts for surveys that supply a free meals bonus for taking a buyer satisfaction survey.

Discounted meals apps

Obtain a reduced meals app like Flashfood.

Meals isn’t free on these apps, however it’s closely discounted. Flashfood is free to obtain – try this beneficial Flashfood assessment right here.

Change work for meals

Not having a lot luck? Take into account exchanging work for meals, by working in a restaurant or grocery store that provides you some meals without spending a dime as a perk of your employment.

How one can get free transportation while you journey

It is a robust one. Transportation may simply be the toughest journey value to get without spending a dime.

On this part, we’ll rev up your journey recreation with a couple of methods to hit the street, sail the seven seas, or fly the skies without spending a dime.

Whether or not you’re a pupil on the lookout for the most effective reductions, an airline worker able to benefit from these well-deserved perks, or a social butterfly who loves the thought of carpooling, we’ve received the tickets to your subsequent journey.

In any case, the enjoyment of journey isn’t simply within the vacation spot, but additionally within the thrill of getting there with out breaking the financial institution.

Get a job with an airline

We’ve a buddy who used to work with Air Canada properly over a decade in the past. He nonetheless has a number of family and friends passes that allow him and a visitor journey anyplace on this planet Air Canada flies without spending a dime. I’m unsure if all airways supply this perk to workers, or even when it’s nonetheless accessible at Air Canada, nevertheless it’s the most effective methods to get free flights I’ve ever heard of.

Get free transit passes as a baby, pupil, senior, or when you have a low earnings

Relying on the place you’re visiting, and for a way lengthy, you could possibly get discounted or free public transportation. You might also be eligible when you have a incapacity.

Bicycle (or e-bike)

When you’ll must pay the upfront value for a motorcycle (or e-bike), you’ll get loads of train, and by no means should pay for fuel in the event you journey by bike.

Working as a yacht crew

We volunteered as yacht crew for night cruises on the yacht membership in Brisbane and located the membership and captains to be pleasant and open to our assist.

Relying on the place you volunteer, you could possibly get a trip across the harbor for a day, or embark on a crusing journey all over the world.

Carpool

Have a buddy who’s touring? Ask them in the event you can trade some driving time for a trip. Be sure to make clear who’s paying for fuel right here – many individuals will count on carpoolers to separate the price of fuel (or not less than pitch in).

Share your trip sharing refer-a-friend code

A number of trip sharing apps (Uber and Lyft) supply a refer-a-friend bonus in the event you refer somebody who creates an account, and makes use of the service, together with your refer-a-friend code.

Transport a car to its closing vacation spot

There are websites the place you may enroll as a driver and get a gig delivering a automotive to its vacation spot. Automobile and RV dealerships or automotive rental firms generally rent individuals to drive vehicles to a distinct vacation spot.

There aren’t any ensures with these, however you simply might luck out with websites like Canada DriveAway, Vehicles to Florida, or HitTheRoad.ca.

Work on a cruise ship

There are many jobs accessible on cruise ships, from entertainers, to cooks, to housekeepers, to nearly something you may think about.

These jobs are higher suited to single individuals, as you’ll be on the street a bit.

You’ll additionally journey to unique ports of name, however you’ll doubtless solely keep for lower than a day, and return to the identical port. The one exception listed below are repositioning cruises, the place you’ll crew a ship on a a method journey to a brand new vacation spot port.

Work on a cargo or container ship

Whereas not as glamorous as engaged on a luxurious cruise liner, engaged on a container ship generally is a extra leisurely option to see the world. Employees typically act as lookouts and carry out upkeep like portray and sustaining containers. You’ll want a highschool diploma and plenty of deckhands have coaching by business or labor union faculties.

How one can get free leisure while you journey

Let’s set the stage for essentially the most enjoyable a part of your journey – scoring free leisure.

Whether or not you’re a pupil seeking cultural enrichment, an airline worker seizing these further perks, or a savvy traveler able to faucet into the native scene, we’ve the keys to unlock a world of leisure. In any case, journey isn’t merely about shifting—it’s about creating recollections, and they’re each bit as treasured once they come and not using a price ticket.

Volunteer at Occasions

I’m stunned how hardly ever I see this tip, however most festivals and occasions supply their volunteers free tickets (and generally further perks) in trade for volunteering. Positive, you must do some work to get the free tickets, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a fairly candy deal. You’ll have higher luck with smaller native occasions, and fewer luck with enormous festivals like Coachella or Burning Man however even these positions must get stuffed one way or the other.

Attend free occasions

Most cities have loads of free occasions, that are simply an web search away. Some are surprisingly prime quality, starting from free yoga courses, to theater and late night time motion pictures on the garden occasions, to festivals, to free sporting matches!

Make the most of free nights

Many museums and artwork galleries supply free nights for admission. They’re often evenings or weekends (although not all the time). We’ve visited museums all over the world on their free entry days. Most weren’t that costly however when touring with 4 of us these prices can rapidly add up.

Do free issues

Fortunately, there are many free issues to do for enjoyable while you journey. You might wander by town middle (or take a free strolling tour), go to native parks or the seashore, go to the library, hike, take within the structure, or individuals watch.

How one can journey the world without spending a dime

Are you prepared to remodel your adventures into priceless moments, all whereas on a good funds?

Keep in mind, the world is your oyster and it’s filled with treasures which can be there for the taking.

The subsequent step? Make the leap, let go of these monetary reins, and embark in your journey to journey the world without spending a dime. In any case, the best adventures you ever take may simply be those who value you nothing, however enrich you in methods past measure.

So, right here’s to free journey and the infinite recollections it would convey! Secure journeys fellow nomads​.