Think about unlocking the secrets and techniques of how you can journey the world free of charge.
Sounds attractive, doesn’t it?
In the event you’re right here, it’s seemingly as a result of the spirit of journey tugs at your soul, however the pressure in your pockets holds you again.
Worry 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.
Seems like a fairy story? Imagine 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 realizing that the necessities like meals and a spot to sleep are fully taken care of, with out costing you a dime.
Earlier than we begin, a phrase of to the sensible – you recognize that previous saying “there’s no such factor as a free lunch“? Effectively, for essentially the most half, now we have to agree that it’s true. Whereas we provide you with loads of hacks to get free journey right here, there’s nearly at all times a special value to pay, whether or not it’s time invested in analysis and preparation, hours spent engaged on an natural farm in alternate for a spot to remain, or time spent working a job on the highway.
Now that we’ve sparked your creativeness, let’s delve into the nitty-gritty of creating this free journey dream a actuality.
Journey the World for Free
We’re going to discover the magic of bank card and rewards factors, the potential of engaged on the highway, and the wealthy experiences provided 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 how you can journey the world free of charge from a fantastic notion into your on a regular basis life.
First up, let’s do a fast have a look at just a few 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 finished, we’ll get into some actual, sensible ideas 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 primary methods to do that, through the use of both:
- bank card factors, or
- rewards program factors, like AIRMILES
Utilizing factors for journey works nicely if in case you have factors that you just’ve already earned, or in case you’re touring six or extra months sooner or later, and might earn factors by spending within the meantime. It doesn’t work particularly nicely in case you don’t have a lot cash to spend, or in case you’re touring straight away (and don’t have any factors saved up).
Volunteer
I believe one of many greatest myths in journey is which you can journey for nearly free in case you’re keen to volunteer. Sadly, it’s fairly darn laborious to get a volunteer gig free of charge. Most volunteer placements require you to pay on your personal airfare, and lots of require a price for a volunteer placement. Some even require you to pay on your lodging.
That stated, there are just a few methods to volunteer on a price range, together with this one.
Do you belong to a neighborhood church or neighborhood affiliation? Church buildings typically ship volunteers overseas. You could get your bills paid, however you’ll undoubtedly want to spend so much of effort and time to boost cash and volunteer when you’re overseas.
That stated, volunteering could be a very rewarding strategy to journey and provide you with an prolonged period of time working intently with locals and studying what actual everyday life could be like in some international locations. It will also be an effective way to study a language since numerous placements are far-off from the vacationer path.
Be taught 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-about the alternative of free, the fact is that not each side of journey will at all times be paid for. So, get a job as you journey so you possibly can pay for gadgets which you can’t get free of charge.
Whereas there are many jobs, these are our prime picks.
Working Vacation Visa
In the event you’re below 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 folks to work on a working vacation visa for as much as one 12 months. Take a look at Wikipedia’s record of working vacation visa applications.
Au Pair
An au pair or touring nanny place is a well-known strategy to get free lodging as you journey, plus a wage. It’s solely an awesome gig in case you like youngsters, although, and in case you handle to get a great host household.
Train English abroad
Instructing English overseas is an effective way to get spending money, and lots of positions supply free lodging as nicely.
It’s additionally an effective way to satisfy locals (and fellow vacationers). China, South Korea, and Center Japanese international locations are sometimes the very best paying international locations. Some faculties even pay on your flight. You’ll seemingly want a TEFL certification, and also you’ll wish to analysis the variations in TEFL vs TESL vs TESOL.
Take a look at our article on the Greatest Nations to Train English Overseas.
On the lookout for extra nice concepts for getting a job as you journey? Take a look at these articles for useful ideas:
Enter contests
I don’t typically hear anybody point out getting into contests as a strategy to get free journey. Whereas your probabilities of profitable a significant 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 referred to as New Leaf Airways) on a contest via their electronic mail record.
To search out contests with journey prizes, try Instagram and Fb, or you possibly can look into contest selling web sites. Whereas greater corporations typically have greater contests, the percentages of profitable are sometimes a lot decrease so search for smaller run contests with much less folks signing as much as enhance your odds.
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 ideas 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 alternate for a mattress, we’ve obtained you coated.
Stick with us, as we navigate the thrilling panorama of free lodging, making how you can journey the world free of charge your new regular. It’s not simply concerning 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 prime concepts for getting a free place to remain as you journey.
Housesitting
Websites like Trusted Housesitters allow you to swap housesitting free of charge lodging. Most housesits contain taking good care of pets and vegetation, along with sustaining the home and property so be sure you issue that into your timeline when agreeing to any keep.
Home swap
House Alternate and Love House Swap are nice selections in case you occur to have a house already. These websites allow you to swap a keep at your own home with another person in a special space. If your own 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 finished, as a result of we wish to be extra … comfy as a household.
As a feminine traveler, crashing at a stranger’s home simply makes me uneasy, nevertheless there are literally thousands of individuals who swear by couchsurfing. We’ve additionally stayed at associates and have family and friends stick with us so we think about it’s one thing like that.
Free lodging in alternate for work
Worldpackers, Workaway, or WWOOF (Worldwide Alternatives on Natural Farms) all supply time-tested methods to get free lodging in alternate for time serving to your host. Meals is usually included as nicely and, because you’re typically working with produce day by day, you recognize it will likely be freshly picked.
Use your private connections
On the lookout for someplace free to remain? Go old skool, and crash on a relative or buddy’s (or buddy of a buddy’s) sofa. Have prolonged household you barely know? Perhaps it’s time to achieve out. We’ve heard nice tales of individuals assembly household from generations again that had been welcomed in with open arms.
Alternate work for lodging
Generally, you possibly can luck in on a strategy to earn 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 alternate for a free double room in Adelaide, Australia and it was only some hours a day of labor. Saved us just a few {dollars} and gave us a purpose to rise up sooner than we might have so helped maintain our nightly bills down too.
Camp free of charge
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 possibly can keep in a single spot. There are comparable legal guidelines you could find across the globe. You can even use apps like iOverlander to search out free spots exterior of free public land.
Reap the benefits of free nights whereas flying or driving
Reap the benefits of in a single day ferries, night time buses and red-eye flights to get a free night time’s lodging. When you won’t get the very best nights sleep, it’s a great way to save lots of versus having to pay for 1 extra nights keep.
Press journeys or free nights at a lodge via 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 an awesome natural engagement in a selected area of interest, to qualify for press journeys or free nights lodging. Simply be warned that press journeys contain numerous work writing and posting on social media, and also you’ll want to stay to the organizers (typically exhausting) schedule.
At all times be well mannered right here, and be sure you really supply a profit to the corporate you’re reaching out to, as numerous corporations are (rightfully) bored with being hit up free of charge stuff.
College or highschool scholar alternate applications
College, school, and highschool scholar alternate applications can allow you to go to one other nation, dwell with a neighborhood household, and get your training on the identical time.
Language Exchanges
Look into websites like Lingoo, that provide language alternate holidays and homestays or stick with a instructor.
get free meals while you journey
It’s time to embark on the tastiest a part of our journey – the search free of charge meals.
As an skilled traveler, I can guarantee you that eating out doesn’t at all times 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 free of charge.
From looking down free samples in bustling native markets to celebrating your birthday with a feast on the home, we’ve obtained your plate full. We’ll delve into the world of zero-waste apps and supermarkets the place you possibly can fill your bag with out emptying your pockets, and discover low cost meals apps that make eating out a delight moderately than a drain in your price range.
Tip: Most of those concepts work higher within the USA and Canada, however your mileage could fluctuate in Europe or different components 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 retailers, bakeries, delis and extra. When you received’t get full, they do make an awesome free snack.
Free meals in your birthday
Many eating places nonetheless supply free meals in your birthday (you normally have to point out ID right here, but it surely’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 strategy to save.
Join a supply app
Join a meals supply app to get the introductory coupon. In the event you’re cautious, you may 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 applications
Search for apps that provide a free meals bonus only for downloading the app. That is truly fairly frequent to get a small meals merchandise like a free donut (thanks Krispy Kreme) or free Blizzard (thanks Dairy Queen) in case you obtain the app or join their rewards program.
Forage
Another choice is to forage for meals on public land, or politely ask householders or farmers in case you can harvest additional fruit or veggies from their property. Providing to only seize the fallen fruit or the too overripe to promote produce is your finest wager. Simply don’t steal and at all times ask for permission first.
Change into a thriller diner
These are aggressive gigs, and also you’ll typically have to pay out of pocket on your meal, write the evaluation, 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 cost as a substitute of money.
You can even search for zero-waste apps to search out free meals. Apps like Olio join you to see who has extra meals gadgets.
Pancake breakfasts
On the lookout for a free breakfast? Relying on the time of 12 months, and the place you’re situated, pancake breakfasts at church buildings and through some occasions (just like the Calgary Stampede) could also be a great choice. Search for festivals and upcoming occasions on the place the place you’re heading to see what’s on the menu.
Dumpster diving
This can be a fairly excessive choice, to make sure, however higher than going with out meals. I haven’t tried this myself, however I’m guessing the very best time to do that can 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 blissful hours with loads of nice meals available.
Examine your receipts
Examine your receipts for surveys that provide 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 evaluation right here.
Alternate work for meals
Not having a lot luck? Think about exchanging work for meals, by working in a restaurant or grocery store that offers you some meals free of charge as a perk of your employment.
get free transportation while you journey
This can be a powerful one. Transportation would possibly simply be the toughest journey price to get free of charge.
On this part, we’ll rev up your journey recreation with just a few methods to hit the highway, sail the seven seas, or fly the skies free of charge.
Whether or not you’re a scholar searching for the very best reductions, an airline worker able to benefit from these well-deserved perks, or a social butterfly who loves the concept of carpooling, we’ve obtained the tickets to your subsequent journey.
In any case, the enjoyment of journey isn’t simply within the vacation spot, but in addition within the thrill of getting there with out breaking the financial institution.
Get a job with an airline
We now have a buddy who used to work with Air Canada nicely 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 free of charge. I’m undecided if all airways supply this perk to staff, or even when it’s nonetheless obtainable at Air Canada, but it surely’s the most effective methods to get free flights I’ve ever heard of.
Get free transit passes as a baby, scholar, senior, or if in case you have a low revenue
Relying on the place you’re visiting, and for the way lengthy, you might be able to get discounted or free public transportation. You might also be eligible if in case you have a incapacity.
Bicycle (or e-bike)
When you’ll have to pay the upfront price for a motorbike (or e-bike), you’ll get loads of train, and by no means need to pay for gasoline in case 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 might be able to get a journey 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 case you can alternate some driving time for a journey. Ensure you make clear who’s paying for gasoline right here – many individuals will count on carpoolers to separate the price of gasoline (or no less than pitch in).
Share your journey sharing refer-a-friend code
A number of journey sharing apps (Uber and Lyft) supply a refer-a-friend bonus in case you refer somebody who creates an account, and makes use of the service, together with your refer-a-friend code.
Transport a automobile to its remaining vacation spot
There are websites the place you possibly can enroll as a driver and get a gig delivering a automobile to its vacation spot. Automobile and RV dealerships or automobile rental corporations typically rent folks to drive vehicles to a special vacation spot.
There aren’t any ensures with these, however you simply could luck out with websites like Canada DriveAway, Vehicles to Florida, or HitTheRoad.ca.
Work on a cruise ship
There are many jobs obtainable on cruise ships, from entertainers, to cooks, to housekeepers, to nearly something you possibly can think about.
These jobs are higher suited to single folks, as you’ll be on the highway a bit.
You’ll additionally journey to unique ports of name, however you’ll seemingly solely keep for lower than a day, and return to the identical port. The one exception listed here are repositioning cruises, the place you’ll crew a ship on a a technique 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 could be a extra leisurely strategy 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 lots of deckhands have coaching via business or labor union faculties.
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 scholar in quest of cultural enrichment, an airline worker seizing these additional perks, or a savvy traveler able to faucet into the native scene, now we have the keys to unlock a world of leisure. In any case, journey isn’t merely about transferring—it’s about creating recollections, and they’re each bit as treasured once they come with out 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 typically additional perks) in alternate for volunteering. Certain, you must do some work to get the free tickets, but it surely’s nonetheless a reasonably candy deal. You’ll have higher luck with smaller native occasions, and fewer luck with big festivals like Coachella or Burning Man however even these positions have to get crammed someway.
Attend free occasions
Most cities have loads of free occasions, that are simply an web search away. Some are surprisingly top quality, starting from free yoga courses, to theater and late night time films on the garden occasions, to festivals, to free sporting matches!
Reap the benefits of free nights
Many museums and artwork galleries supply free nights for admission. They’re normally evenings or weekends (although not at all times). 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 via town heart (or take a free strolling tour), go to native parks or the seaside, go to the library, hike, take within the structure, or folks watch.
journey the world free of charge
Are you prepared to rework your adventures into priceless moments, all whereas on a decent price range?
Bear in mind, the world is your oyster and it’s stuffed with treasures which are 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 free of charge. In any case, the best adventures you ever take would possibly simply be those who price you nothing, however enrich you in methods past measure.
So, right here’s to free journey and the limitless recollections it’ll deliver! Secure journeys fellow nomads.