Image: Daniela Nob
If you’re one of the fortunate few to have had the savvy to save for your holidays, then you’re likely to laugh in the face of free travel. Whereas, if you’re a member of the not-so-money-canny crew and think that travelling the world on a few credit cards is one of the better ideas you’ve had in life, maybe you should read on.
Note one: travelling the world on credit cards alone is never a good idea. Well, that is, unless a loaded rich rellie is going to pay them off for you. Note two: travelling anywhere for free is always, and ever will be, top trumps in the good idea stakes, and wholly enjoyable into the bargain.
Problem is; how do you go about it? Well, it can be done, here’s how:
1. Sail Around the World
Image: sharkbait
Sailing can offer a certain amount of freedom in travel for those willing to learn the ropes, quite literally. A week-long course will teach you all the basic sailing techniques and safety procedures to ensure you’ll be a valuable member of any crew. The rest is up to you. Gaining experience is relatively easy, just head down to your local marina and offer to crew for free at weekends, races or regattas. It will make you more confident out in the big blue. Then seek out yacht deliveries around the world on the Global Crew Network and enjoy the perks of slow travel.
2. Get WWOOFing
Image: Eco Truly Park
WWOOF, or World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, offers a place to stay for anyone interested in learning about sustainable living. A list of organic farms and businesses seeking willing workers is published on the WWOOF network, and updated regularly (membership is $12). In exchange for your hard work, host farms provide meals, accommodation and an insight into sustainable practices in various parts of the world.
3. Kip on a Couch
Image: Dave Austria
People have been sleeping on sofas since sofas were invented, probably. But since the advent of Couchsurfing.com, the experience has become a worldwide phenomenon. Founder Casey Fenton came up with the idea on a short trip to Iceland, when he decided to spam over 1,500 Icelandic students, asking them if he could stay on their sofa instead of a dreary hotel. The response was huge, and after spending a crazy weekend in Reykjavik with his new-found friends he decided to share his experience with others and provide a platform for couch surfing the world over. Registration is free, as is the service, all you need to do is search for empty couches in the areas you intend to visit and start meeting new people. The Couchsurfing online community is a good place to start. Global Freeloaders is a similar site, which depends on the good will and charity of others to put up weary travellers.
4. Home Swap with Strangers
Image: coffeelatte
The thought of complete strangers having the roam of the house fills some people with dread, but to others, it’s a great way to ensure your house is looked after while you’re away. This, of course, is only any good for those who own their house – your landlord might not be too keen on the idea. There are a number of home swap companies found easily online but these usually entail a hefty registration fee, although they do ensure a certain level of insurance against weirdos. But if you’re not terribly bothered about logistics, sites like Craigslist, Gumtree and Loquo often have great home swap opportunities.
5. Become a House Sitter
Image: Bedlam Ranch
You’d be foolish in thinking that it’s easy to find a straight-up fancy house sitting position where all you have to do is water the plants once a week. Oh no, that would be far too simple. Most people who advertise on the various house sitting websites are looking for someone to tend their garden or look after their pets while they’re away, which isn’t all bad news for animal fanatics. There is usually a small registration fee involved but nothing else. Check out Caretaker.org and Housesitworld.com for opportunities.
6. Hitchhike
Image: Dan Buczynski
Sounds obvious, but alas this once great practice has fallen out of favour among travellers due to safety worries, yet, in some areas of the world hitchhiking is still a wholly accepted way of travelling. But before you go practicing this much neglected art, just check out local customs and ask other travellers about their experiences. Reports are that Ireland, Japan and New Zealand are top spots for happy hitchhiking.
7. Accrue Air Miles
Image: Sir Mildred Pierce
This can be a bit of a slow burner, but if you’re a frequent traveller it makes sense to take advantage of credit cards offering mileage rewards. As every dollar you spend on the card translates to frequent flyer points or air miles, if you want to make the card work for you, you need to use the card for everyday purchases to maximise your air miles, but be sure to pay off the balance every month or your debt will soar.
8. Get Sponsored
Image: raineys
Without having to do anything outlandish, it is possible to get sponsored by some of the big brands if you’re willing to do something for them in return. Photographers could try approaching camera companies to try out new equipment. They sponsor your travels while you test and write about their product. This could work for travel equipment, rock climbing equipment etc, too.
9. Volunteer Hiking Holidays
Image: HF Holidays
A popular European hiking tour operator, HF Holidays is always looking for hiking enthusiasts to lead one of their many walking holidays in various destinations across Europe. Walk leaders are provided with meals and accommodation in return for their services, some travelling expenses are covered, too. The company also has regular paid vacancies in country houses across England, which also offer workers live-in accommodation.
10. Volunteer at the Source
Image: Notre Dame University
Don’t be fooled by the hoards of volunteer travel companies demanding wads of cash for your willingness to volunteer. Cut out the middle-man and travel to where you want to go, take time to meet the locals, speak to the village elders, and simply offer your time and expertise for free. Many places are desperate for skilled workers, either to carry out manual labour or to train locals and the community on building techniques or environmental practices. In return travellers are often put up in the village for free. Any money you do have, spend within the village so you know they will benefit directly, and not the often-unscrupulous tour companies.
11. Win Your Way to a Free Stay
Image: Nollie
If you’re oozing with talent and fancy a free holiday, why not try your hand at one of the many travel writing or photography competitions, many of which run annually. Successful candidates not only get amazing travel prizes, but usually get their career kick-started through publication of their winning piece. Intrepid Travel, Wanderlust magazine, and the Independent newspaper run yearly comps with great prizes. The good thing is, it doesn’t matter where in the world you live – the majority of competitions accept online applications.
12. Put Your Trust in Human Kindness
Image: Meanest Indian
As slushy as it sounds, it’s surprising how many people are only too eager to help the lonesome traveller. A smile and good manners in most parts of the world will ensure a bed for the night and some food in your belly. As long as you don’t take advantage of other people’s generosity, this type of travel can be the most rewarding, for both you and your host.
Linda is a writer and editor who gave up life in London for a life Down Under, and more sunshine.
Please be careful. Not all strangers are kind-hearted.
Good tips…here’s one: whilst couch surfing about the US, you can also enjoy a complimentary breakfast at any respectable hotel from about 6am till 9am if you just wander into the lobby and look like you just woke up to come downstairs and grab your free continental breakfast. Done it many times as a touring musician. You can also catch up on the latest news and usually snag a WI-FI signal.
That I believe is called stealing. No good at all!
How can you steal a free continental breakfast?
If not stealing (which it is), its definitely highly unethical. Its not like you are just walking by…you actually have to find out where one of those hotels are, drive there, park there, and then mozy in acting like you are a customer! What do you do if they ask if you stayed at the hotel last night? Lie? Or is that just creative storytelling in one word?
It’s called being cheap.
In Germany, hitchhiking is a way of life. It’s easy, safe, and fun. Hitchhiking to Munich once, I walked to the outskirts of town, and by the highway to Munich, there were several abandoned hitchhiking signs that just said “M.” I picked one up, held it up, and had a ride within a minute.
Top notch list! Perhaps it’s due to my current home-base in Arizona, but the sailing around the globe option has held a huge appeal since I first heard about it. Thanks for the link to that directory! May be something I give a solid go!
I’ve ALWAYS wanted to hop one of the many freight trains leaving the yards in the Chicagoland area. I just wanted to see where I would end up.
You could also try the Caretaker Gazette.
GREAT list! Going to try some of this. 2 things: I laughed at the Frequent Flyer section and the use of a UPS plane. Not a great way to accrue frequent flyer miles unless you’re fond of the inside of boxes. Also, as a frequent world traveller on the cheap, check out the film “A Map for Saturday“, a wonderful documentary I know you’ll love!
My neice did the couch thing in San Fransico last fall and it worked out great. I love to volunteer and didn’t know about the organizations you mentioned. This is great.
Len, a word of warning if you decide to do this: Bring along supplies. Trains these days travel from coast to coast stopping rarely, so prepare for several days without access to food or water so you are not forced to leap from a moving train in the middle of Nebraska instead of dehydration.
My solution has been contract work in Antarctica. Free R/T airfare to New Zealand (or Chile) – I also scored a PAID Antarctic cruise on this deployment! Six months on ice with no living expenses and then six months off to travel and vagabum around!
I’ve spent a lot of time trying to get work in Antarctica, and I’ve found it easier said than done, and thus I’ve never succeeded. How do you do it?
I’d love to know, too. How do you do it? When I looked into it years ago, it seemed like such a long shot, I never pursued it.
I would love to have any tips or information your can provide.
thanks