18 underrated tools for dirt-cheap travel
After sharing photos from some picturesque city on social media, the most frequent question I get asked is “How can you afford to travel so much?”. Some assume its daddy’s money, which couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, it all comes down to simple research, planning, and budgeting. Becoming a globetrotter shouldn't be a financial tightrope walk. There is a PLETHORA of resources out there that make leaving your hometown a lot cheaper than you might think. I've stumbled upon a treasure trove of apps and sites that practically shout, "Literally leave your office right now". These digital sidekicks have been my guiding force that’d lead me from backpacking Mexico alone to paint murals, or to Costa Rica to live in a beautiful jungle house with my best friends. So, pull out your notes app; let’s get down to it! 🌍✈️
Flights
For me, flights seem to be the travel category with the least amount of wiggle room. With that being said, my biggest tip for flights is to be flexible with the date and location of your adventure! Here are my favorite tools to find cheap flights:
Google Flights: Basic, but works. Input a date (make it well into the future), then click on the map view. From there, you’ll see a plethora of affordable flights to random locations all over the world. When it comes to budget travel you choose the price first, then the location; not the other way around.
Note: If you have a place you are desperate to explore, allow Google to email you notifications on price changes, and use the calendar feature to browse what times of year this location is affordable to fly to.
Skyscanner: Just like Google flights, set email notifications for places you may want to go. Watch the prices fluctuate, and then when you’re happy with the price, attack!
Skiplagged: Similar to the two above
Accommodations
In my experience, accommodations have been much more interesting and flexible. Here are some unique options!
Worldpackers/Work-Away: These two sites I could go on and on about. Here is where you’ll find the key to affordable and unique accommodations. Worldpackers, and WorkAway alike, are two platforms where you trade your time/skills for a place to stay. Whether it's working reception at hostel in Barcelona, promoting a party boat in Ibiza, or tending to animals on a homestead in California, these sites connect you with hosts worldwide, offering a budget-friendly way to travel while making meaningful connections. Housing is free and these jobs often come with 1-3 free meals per day, as well as other freebies like tours, use of equipment, yoga classes; whatever it may be.
Note: a Worldpackers subscription costs $50 a year, but absolutely worth every penny.
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico - This was me leading a hiking tour as the activities guide at The Mayan Monkey hostel. In exchange for 25 hours of work per week, I was given free lodging and 2 delicious, free homemade meals per day. I also had access to free tours, pool use, and activities. I used my free time to explore Cabo, and make friends along the way.
WWOOF: WWOOF is very similar to Worldpackers, except this is almost exclusively farm work. I have heard good and bad things about some of these jobs so just make sure you read reviews and get a full understanding of the work before heading out.
HelpX: Very similar to the three above, but seems to have less organization/testimonials as the others.
Couchsurfers.com: Couchsurfers is a straightforward platform connecting travelers with hosts offering a couch or spare room for FREE. These hosts often would like to exchange learning your language/culture, or have some meals cooked for them from your country.
Note: There is a small annual subscription fee, but less than the average cost of a hotel for one night.
TrustedPetSitters: Join this site for a small fee, and you’ll be connected with hosts around the world who will allow you to stay in their house for free while watching their animals or caring for their home while they are away.
Note: There are also some free facebook groups that do the same, just much harder to find jobs.
Find Pet Sitters & House Sits Worldwide | TrustedHousesitters.com
“Host-a-Sister” facebook group: (female solo/pair only). This very large, worldwide wide facebook connects female solo travelers with hosts who want to offer housing as a kind gesture. These are often spare bedrooms in someones home, always for free.
On this page, you can offer to be a host, ask for housing, or simply find other women to travel and meet up with. Such a unique and wholesome group!
Airbnb: Yeah, this one is pretty obvious. But depending on your travels, it can be very affordable in some parts of the world. For example, I lived in Costa Rica for a month, a mile from the beach with 5 of my best friends in a beautiful poolside house for $420 each. Note: Southeast Asia has EXTREMELY affordable, stunning poolside homes for under $50 per night.
In Hawaii, I rented a pimped-out minivan on Airbnb instead of hotels for a week. So I saved money on housing AND transportation. Then I got to wake up to the beach sunrise every morning.
Work
Depending on where you are, you have to ask yourself if it is more worth your time to work remotely online or to work where you are. Below, I will highlight tools to help you find both:
Remote Work:
Remote.co, Flexjobs, Working Nomads: These are sites explicitly used to find remote work. These jobs tend to be for skilled workers but have many different options to explore from.
LinkedIn: Filter setting to remote under your industry of choice, and work online while you move.
Seasonal/Gig Work:
TEFL (Teach English abroad): First, you need a certification to do so. But after that, you can be paid to fly around the world to teach English!
Coolworks.com: This is a personal favorite of mine. Seasonal work in the US is a goldmine for saving up some good money AND living new experiences. Many of these jobs pay $15+ per hour while also providing food and housing.
I’ve met many people who have done this full-time for a few years transferring between ski lift operators, to surf attendants, to forest rangers, and back, racking up thousands.
Instawork: This is where companies will post listings for things like event servers, bartenders, cleaning crew, etc. You can apply on the app.
Download the app “Instwork” In the appstore
Facebook Groups: Take whatever area you’re looking to work in, and search “_ city _ odd jobs" or “_ city _ gig work". Join those groups and see what they have to offer.
or Getting a local job.
Depending on where you are in the world and how long you are there, many tourist industry jobs are equipped to handle short-term work. Try asking around local coffee shops, restaurants, tour companies, bars, hostels, etc.
*If you have any one-and-done skills, do some research in your field and see how you can offer your skills to locals. For example, I am a muralist. If I was traveling to Alaska for a few weeks, I may reach out to local businesses and ask them if they’d like a mural painted. You can earn money for your travels along the way.
Swimming with a stunning 21 ft Whale Sharks in La Paz, Mexico. Tour was listed for $200, but I got it for $120 due to the simple hack I listed below.
*Here’s one more notable hack I’ve used along the way to save money:
Offer social media content: Reach out on Instagram to small tourism companies, and offer to make social media content for them in exchange for free/discounted trips. I took two free all-inclusive booze cruises and got 30% off a “Swimming with Whale Sharks and Sea Lions” tour, all without a large social media. I would bet this would work for some restaurants as well! FREE FOOD!
As always, be safe, be respectful towards locals and the planet, and have a kickass time doing it.
