Traveling for free – dream or reality?

Traveling is certainly one of life’s greatest pleasures. Who wouldn’t love to roam around the world, discovering new places and cultures, living a life full of amazing adventures and making wonderful memories along the way? However, more often than not, travel dreams are cut short due to lack of funds. Your imagination runs wild in remote corners of the world and then you look at your bank account and get a sobering wake-up call. If only your finances wouldn’t stand in the way, you could become a modern age explorer.

But what if we told you that traveling doesn’t have to be an expensive endeavour and you can travel for cheap or, even better, for free. These days, almost everyone can afford to travel, regardless of their budget. It’s normal to raise an eyebrow and be sceptical about it. When something sounds too good to be true, you have all the reasons to question it. But hear us out a bit. There are ways to bypass the traditional travel approach that allow you to visit stunning destinations without having to spend a dime. Willpower and a bit of creativity will get you further than you can imagine. Here’s how you can turn your dreams into reality.

Look for free flights

Budget airlines are known to offer amazing deals quite often, and every now and then they even offer free flights. You’ll have to pay taxes and fees, but that’s not a big deal when you get to fly for free. Obviously, you won’t come across these offers on a daily basis, so you’ll have to keep a close eye on budget airlines if you want to be the first in line when the sale goes live. Subscribing to newsletters and following the social media accounts of low-cost carriers in your area is the best way to stay in the loop.

Free accommodation hostels

A lot of hostels around the world give visitors the possibility to offer their services in exchange for accommodation. So, if you’re willing to help with housekeeping chores, you’ll get a roof above your head and sometimes free breakfast. It’s a win-win situation and if you’re lucky, you might even get a small compensation for your work. Sites like HelpStay can help you find amazing free accommodation opportunities.

Couchsurfing

Those who are used to traveling on a budget have surely heard about Couchsurfing. This global social network allows you to connect with people from every corner of the world who are willing to accommodate you in their house (on a couch or extra room) for one night or more, so you can explore the local culture and lifestyle. The host can act as a local guide and you can help around the house as a way to thank them for their kindness.

House swap

House swapping is a great idea if you want to enjoy the comfort of a real home in the destination you plan to visit, but you don’t have money to rent a place. House swapping or home exchange is a simple concept for low-budget travellers: you get to stay in someone else’s house and that person stays in your house, and neither of you have to pay for accommodation. Some home exchange sites require members to pay an annual fee, but that’s just a small expense for the amazing benefits you receive.

Volunteer

Volunteering programs give you the chance to do some good while exploring the world at the same time. There are many volunteering programs worldwide that you can join, depending on your skills, preferences and availability. Most of them will cover for accommodation and basic expenses, so don’t expect to get rich. But it will definitely be a rewarding experience that will broaden your horizons and enrich you spiritually.

Work on organic farms

If you are a green thumb and love to spend your days caring for plants, this passion can help you in your travel ventures. Wondering how these two aspects are connected? Through WWOOF - World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, a network of organizations that links volunteers with organic farmers in countries across the globe. In exchange for four to six hours of work on the farm each day, you get room and board, and the chance to immerse yourself in the local culture.

Teach abroad

Even if you don’t have any teaching experience, sought-after skills can become your ticket to free travel. Fluent English speakers can find teaching jobs in a lot of interesting locations, especially in countries in the Middle East and Far East. Most teaching abroad programs will cover basic expenses like housing and transportation, and you’ll also earn a salary for the classes you give. The United Arab Emirates, China, Japan, South Korea, Spain or India are just some of the destinations where you can become a teacher.

Become a house sitter

Lots of people are uncomfortable with leaving their house empty while they’re away, especially if they’ll be gone for a long period. If they have pets that they can’t take with them and they don’t have anyone to take care of them, the only option is to find a house sitter. And just like that you get another opportunity for free accommodation. It’s true that good house sit jobs don’t come around easily and you’ll have to put in some work to keep the property in good condition (and the pets happy), but the benefits are still attractive.

Sail on a cruise ship

If sailing the seven seas is the kind of travel adventure you’re seeking, working on a cruise ship can give you the chance to turn your plans into reality. Cruise ships need all sorts of professionals on their crew from cooks and waiters to entertainers, IT experts and engineers, so you’ll easily find a position you can apply for. Regardless of the job you take on, you’ll have to work hard, but you’ll also get to visit amazing destinations that some people only dream of.

Cynthia Madison is a young blogger and economics and marketing graduate. She writes about home, lifestyle and family topics and is a senior contributor to popular niche publications.