Frugal Travel: How to See the World on a Budget

Have you ever dreamed of traveling the world, but felt held back by the seemingly insurmountable cost? Many of us share that feeling, often hearing the same refrain: "I just don't have enough money to travel."

But the truth is, you don't need to be rich to experience the world! Through years of extensive travels, my partner and I, the Frugal Travellers, have perfected the art of seeing the globe on a budget. And it's not about deprivation or missing out on amazing experiences; it's about being smart and strategic. We're talking about savoring the journey, embracing local culture, and creating memories that last a lifetime, all while keeping your spending in check.

In this in-depth guide, I'll share our secrets to frugal travel, weaving in personal anecdotes and practical advice that goes beyond simple tips. Get ready to discover how to see the world on a budget, and even more importantly, how to make it an adventure that enriches your life in ways you never imagined!

The Frugal Travel Mindset: It's Not About Sacrifice, It's About Strategy

The core of frugal travel isn't about deprivation, it's about understanding the nuances of travel costs and making strategic decisions. It's about finding value in unexpected places, embracing alternative methods of transport, and ultimately, enjoying the journey for what it is, rather than what you think it should be.

Here are some key principles we live by:

Travel Slowly: The number one rule of frugal travel is to embrace slow travel. Instead of rushing from one place to another, take the time to truly experience your chosen destinations. This allows you to find hidden gems, discover local markets, and even negotiate better prices for accommodation. Remember, the less you move around, the less you spend on transport!

Research Your Destination: Knowledge is power! Before you travel, dive deep into the destination's culture, history, and attractions. Understand local costs, explore free events and activities, and discover unique, authentic experiences. We've learned that an informed traveler is a happy and budget-conscious traveler!

Have a Travel Budget: A travel budget is essential for long-term travel. While our average daily budget is around US $25 per person, your budget may differ based on your chosen destinations and travel style. However, having a realistic budget helps you avoid financial stress, make mindful spending choices, and stay on track for the journey ahead.

Plan Ahead: Planning your trip can significantly reduce costs. Booking flights in advance, especially for long-haul journeys, often yields the best prices. We've learned that booking in advance can also help you find cheaper accommodation options and secure your spot on popular tours or activities.

Embrace the Sharing Economy: The sharing economy has revolutionized travel, offering a plethora of budget-friendly options. Platforms like BlaBlaCar, EatWith, and RVShare connect you with locals who provide affordable rides, delicious meals, and unique experiences.

Cook Your Own Meals: This might seem obvious, but it's one of the most effective ways to save on travel costs. We've consistently found that cooking our own meals, whether in a hostel kitchen, a rented apartment, or even a campsite, is significantly cheaper than eating out.

Get a Job Overseas: Looking for a way to earn money while exploring the world? Consider a short-term, travel-related job. Many destinations offer opportunities in hospitality, hospitality, teaching English, or even working on farms.

Teach English Overseas: Teaching English overseas can be a lucrative and rewarding experience. With the right TEFL certification, you can find work in countries that are eager to welcome English teachers.

Do WWOOFing and Work on a Farm: WWOOFing (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) allows you to exchange your time and labor for free accommodation and meals on a farm. It's a great way to immerse yourself in rural life, experience new cultures, and connect with nature.

Get Rail Passes: If you plan to travel extensively within a region, consider investing in a rail pass. These passes can significantly save on train travel compared to booking individual tickets.

Sleep in Large Dorms: Hostels offer the most budget-friendly accommodation, and large dorms often come with the lowest prices. While privacy is limited, the social aspect of dorms can be a rewarding part of the travel experience.

Use Student and Other Discount Cards: If you’re a student, teacher, or under 26, take advantage of the many discounts offered with student/teacher/youth cards. These cards can save you a significant amount on attractions, museums, and even travel costs.

Get City Tourist Cards: For those who plan to explore a city extensively, city tourist cards are a great investment. They offer discounted access to major attractions, museums, and often include free public transportation.

Capitalize on Your Skills: Use your skills to earn money while traveling. Offer services like writing, editing, graphic design, or even provide personal services like haircuts or massages.

Get Free Flights: Collecting points and miles can be a game-changer for frugal travelers. Sign up for travel credit cards, maximize everyday spending, and utilize online surveys and bonuses to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodations.

Stay for Free: Couchsurfing is a fantastic way to save on accommodation. This free service connects travelers with locals who offer free housing in exchange for a shared meal, a friendly conversation, or simply a good time.

Hitchhike: Hitchhiking is a free way to travel, although it requires a certain level of comfort and preparation. It's often common in countries like Central America, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, and Australia.

Take Free Walking Tours: Immerse yourself in local culture with free walking tours. These tours, led by passionate guides, offer a comprehensive introduction to a city's history, landmarks, and hidden gems.

House Sitting & Pet Sitting: If you're looking for extended stays in a particular location, consider house sitting or pet sitting. Websites like Trusted Housesitters and Nomador connect travelers with homeowners looking for reliable sitters in exchange for free accommodation.

Use Your Social Network: Don't underestimate the power of your social network. Reach out to friends, family, and colleagues for connections in your destination. You never know who might have a spare couch, a helpful recommendation, or even a free meal waiting for you.

Frugal Travel Tips: Going Beyond the Basics

Frugal Travel Tips: Flying

Comparison Flight Apps: Use comparison flight apps like Skyscanner or Kayak to compare airlines and dates to find the cheapest deals.
Book Direct with Airlines: Book directly with the airline to avoid potential complications with third-party agencies.
Search Incognito or Use a VPN: Search for flights in incognito mode to avoid price hikes based on previous searches.
Be Flexible with Dates: Fly on weekdays, especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays, as flight prices are often cheaper.
Sign up for Cheap Flight Email Notifications: Subscribe to email newsletters from sites like iknowthepilot or Jack’s Flight Club for flight deals.
Look for Alternative Methods of Traveling: Consider train or bus travel, which can often be cheaper and more comfortable.

Frugal Travel Tips: Transport

Walk! Don’t Take Taxis: Walking is the cheapest and healthiest way to explore a city.
Use Taxi Apps to Save Money: Use ride-hailing apps to avoid inflated prices and ensure a safe and transparent ride.
Fix a Price: In countries where informal taxis are common, agree on a price with the driver before you get in.
Stay on Track with a Map App: Use a map app to navigate new cities, avoid getting lost, and discover new places.
Take Public Transport: Embrace local transport like songthaews, chicken buses, matatus, or marshrutkas to connect with local life and save money.
Online Voucher Codes and Discount Codes: Take a few minutes to search for online voucher codes, promo codes, or discount codes to save on travel expenses.

Frugal Travel Tips: Accommodation

Accommodation Booking Sites: Use booking websites like booking.com or Airbnb to compare prices and find the best deals.
Book a Night or Two, Then Shop Around: Give yourself time to physically check accommodations upon arrival.
Location – Avoid the Tourist Zone: Stay outside the tourist zone for quieter, more affordable accommodation options.
Things to Look Out for in Budget Accommodation: Prioritize security, cleanliness, comfort, and safety when selecting budget accommodation.
Work for Some Free Accommodation: Sign up for websites like Workaway, HelpX, or WOOF to connect with hosts who provide free accommodation in exchange for work on farms, hostels, or other projects.
Couchsurfing: Join the Couchsurfing community to experience a world of hospitality, cultural exchange, and free accommodation.
Staying in Hostels: Hostels are a great budget-friendly option, offering a social atmosphere and opportunities to meet fellow travelers.
Camping: Free camping or campgrounds can be a rewarding and affordable way to experience nature, especially if you're traveling in rural areas.
Housesitting: Consider house sitting for extended stays, which allows you to trade your time and care for a home and pets in exchange for free accommodation.
Last Minute Package Deals: Keep an eye out for last-minute package deals that offer significant discounts on flights and hotels.

Frugal Travel Tips: Money

Don’t Change Money in Airports: Avoid exchanging money at airports as exchange rates are often unfavorable.
Bank Charges to Avoid: Be aware of ATM usage fees and international transaction fees.
Use a Currency Conversion App: Utilize currency conversion apps like XE.COM to stay up to date with exchange rates.
Changing Cash on the Street – Tips: If you're in a situation where you need to exchange cash on the street, be cautious and follow safe practices.
ATM Security Tips: Always use ATMs attached to banks for added security.
Carry Some Cash as Back Up: Have a backup of cash on hand for situations where ATMs or credit cards aren’t available.

Frugal Travel Tips: Food

Carry Snacks: Always have snacks on hand to avoid hunger pangs and expensive tourist traps.
Eat Street Food: Enjoy the vibrant flavors and affordability of street food, which is a great way to experience local cuisine.
Follow the Locals: Look for restaurants where locals gather to find the best, most authentic food at reasonable prices.
Escape the Tourist Zone: Venture outside the tourist zones to find more affordable and authentic food options.
Get a Place with a Kitchen: Cooking your own meals is a surefire way to save money.
Eat the Lunch Special: Take advantage of lunch specials offered at restaurants for a budget-friendly meal.
Have a Picnic: Pack a picnic lunch for a cheaper and more scenic meal.
Explore the Supermarkets: Discover local products and explore supermarket deals.
Shop at the Local Market: Experience the vibrant atmosphere and find fresh, locally produced goods at bargain prices.
Check Menu Prices First: Review the menu and prices before ordering at a restaurant to avoid being overcharged.
Watch Out for Hidden Charges: Be mindful of hidden charges like "tourist taxes" or service fees.
End of the Day Bargains: Consider eating out at the end of the day or late afternoon to find discounted meals.
Take a Doggy Bag: Pack a reusable bag to take home leftovers and save money on future meals.
Avoid Drinks with Meals: Order water instead of drinks, as restaurants often mark up drink prices significantly.
Avoid the Booze: Limit alcohol consumption while traveling to avoid unnecessary expenses.
Find the Happy Hour: Take advantage of happy hour specials to save on drinks.

The Essential Apps for Frugal Travellers

xe.com: For currency conversion.
Maps.me: For offline navigation.
Google Translate: For communication in foreign languages.
Duolingo: For language learning.
Skyscanner: For comparing flight prices.
Libby (or a similar app): For access to library books.
Booking.com: For booking accommodation.

Share Your Frugal Travel Tips

We hope you gained something from our list of frugal travel tips. If you have any of your own, we'd love to hear them. So please let us know in the comments box below. We are always keen to learn a new way of traveling for less and we'll share them with the travel community. We did not number these Frugal Travel Tips because we would like to continue adding to them. This is the one blog that most defines our way of travelling. It gives us pleasure to share our knowledge with you and we thoroughly appreciate it when you share yours with us!

Happy Travels!

Who are the Frugal Travellers?

Hi, we’re Lee and Mandy and we are the Frugal Travellers. We met whilst trekking in Nepal in 1996, and have been following our passion for travel ever since – slowly exploring the world by shoestring travel on long-haul journeys to many amazing destinations. We travel for longer by keeping costs low, and we want to share with you our stories and tips on how to see the world on a budget. Find out more by visiting About Us. Join us as we wander the globe!

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Subscribe for regular updates from the Frugal Travellers

About Us

We've devoted our lives to slowly wandering the globe. We're not rich, but we want to see the world, so we get around on a budget and have spent the last 3 decades perfecting the art of Frugal Travel!

We provide travel stories, tips, advice and encouragement so you can get out there yourself!

Our goal is to share the things we’ve learnt on the road in order to help others visit their dream destinations and to show that world travel doesn’t have to cost a fortune!

What is Frugal Travel anyway?

We travel for long periods by keeping the costs down. This doesn’t mean going without too much or missing out on the great sights there are to see out there. It means travelling smart by making the right choices for accommodation, transport and eating options.

We travel on a budget. Our average spend is $25 US a day, each. This covers everything, including transport, accommodation, eating, drinking and everyday costs. In certain parts of the world such as Europe and North America this can be a challenge but for the rest of the world this isn’t difficult at all.

In this manner, we’ve managed to travel slowly around the world, having some incredible adventures along the way.

And we’d like to show you how we do it!

Frugal Travel Tips section

Is frugal travel difficult?

It’s all up to personal choice – for us, it was always about choosing to go to a cheap and cheerful local cafe rather than a Michelin-star restaurant, to take public transport rather than taxis, and to stay in budget hotels/guesthouses with a shared bathroom rather than a 5-star resort.

You can actually travel the world long term, independently for way less than it costs to live in a major capital city like London or New York.

We are currently travelling the world on around US $25 each per day. That’s only $9125 per year!

We know it’s not for everyone but even small changes in the way you travel can mean significant savings… meaning you can travel more often or for that bit longer!

Our Current Journey section

Where to from here?

Read our About Us page for further information about our travels, including meeting in Nepal 24 years ago, and a brief run-down on what we’ve been doing since then.

Our Current Journey

Our Current Journey covers the current leg of our travels – as of January 2018 this is our Grand Tour of the Eurasian Continent. So far this journey has not only taken us to all of the destinations we have links to below, along with many more…

Destinations

Greece

… with many more to come as well… Join us as we wander the globe

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Find out more

Please explore our site a little further, or head over and check out Our YouTube Channel there. In fact we are now starting to veer more towards Vlogging than blogging.

If you have any questions for us, we always love to hear from people so leave a comment below or write to us at thefrugaltravellers@gmail.com

Share and Enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are some ways to travel the world on a budget?

A: There are countless ways to travel the world frugally! The key is to embrace a combination of strategies, including:

Seeking out budget-friendly destinations: Many countries offer incredible experiences at lower costs than popular tourist destinations.
Utilizing free accommodation options: Consider staying in hostels, Couchsurfing, or working for accommodation in exchange for help on farms, hostels, or other projects.
Taking advantage of the sharing economy: Ridesharing, home-cooked meals with locals, and renting cars from locals can significantly reduce costs.
Cooking your own meals: This is one of the most effective ways to save money on food.
Exploring free activities: Take advantage of free walking tours, museum days, parks, and libraries.
Leveraging your skills: Offer services like writing, editing, graphic design, or even personal services to earn income while traveling.
Collecting points and miles: Sign up for travel credit cards to earn points and miles that can be redeemed for flights and accommodations.

Q: What are the essential apps for frugal travelers?

A: Having the right apps can make frugal travel a breeze. Here are some of our favorites:

xe.com: For currency conversion.
Maps.me: For offline navigation.
Google Translate: For communication in foreign languages.
Duolingo: For language learning.
Skyscanner: For comparing flight prices.
Libby (or a similar app): For access to library books.
Booking.com: For booking accommodation.

Q: What is the biggest challenge to frugal travel?

A: The biggest challenge is often shifting your mindset. We’ve had to learn to embrace unconventional ways of traveling, prioritize experiences over luxury, and be adaptable to new situations. It’s about breaking free from the common expectation that travel must be expensive.

Q: How long does it take to travel the world frugally?

A: It depends entirely on your goals and budget. We’ve been travelling for 24 years, but we’ve met travelers who have completed long-term trips in a shorter time frame. The key is to plan realistically, set achievable goals, and embrace the journey for as long as it takes.

Q: What are some personal tips for frugal travel?

A: Here are a few of our personal tips that we've learned over the years:

Learn basic phrases in local languages: Even a few basic phrases can go a long way in connecting with locals and negotiating better prices.
Embrace the “doggy bag” philosophy: Ask for a takeaway container to take home leftovers and avoid unnecessary food waste.
Avoid drinks with meals: Order water instead of alcoholic or sugary drinks, as restaurants often mark up drinks prices significantly.
Take advantage of happy hour specials: Find a local spot that offers happy hour deals to save on drinks.
Be open to new experiences: Don’t be afraid to try new things, even if they’re outside your comfort zone. The best memories are often made from stepping outside your typical routine.

Q: How can I find out more about frugal travel?

A: Please explore our site a little further, or head over and check out Our YouTube Channel there. In fact we are now starting to veer more towards Vlogging than blogging.

If you have any questions for us, we always love to hear from people so leave a comment below or write to us at thefrugaltravellers@gmail.com. We’d love to hear from you!

Share and Enjoy!

We hope you’ve found this guide to frugal travel informative and inspiring. Remember, the world is waiting to be explored, and with a little creativity and a willingness to embrace the unconventional, you can experience it all without breaking the bank.

Happy Travels!

Who are the Frugal Travellers?

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Subscribe for regular updates from the Frugal Travellers

About Us

We provide travel stories, tips, advice and encouragement so you can get out there yourself!

Our goal is to share the things we’ve learnt on the road in order to help others visit their dream destinations and to show that world travel doesn’t have to cost a fortune!

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means we receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking them at no extra cost to you. If you do choose to book through these links, it will help us to continue our travels. We really appreciate your support!

Frugal Travel: How to See the World on a Budget

The Frugal Travel Mindset: It's Not About Sacrifice, It's About Strategy

Frugal Travel Tips: Flying

Frugal Travel Tips: Transport

Frugal Travel Tips: Accommodation

Frugal Travel Tips: Money

Frugal Travel Tips: Food

The Essential Apps for Frugal Travellers

Share Your Frugal Travel Tips

Who are the Frugal Travellers?

We are currently in

Recent Posts

Categories

Subscribe for regular updates from the Frugal Travellers

About Us

What is Frugal Travel anyway?

Frugal Travel Tips section

Is frugal travel difficult?

Our Current Journey section

Where to from here?

Our Current Journey

Destinations

Posts you might like

Find out more

Share and Enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Share and Enjoy!

Who are the Frugal Travellers?

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Recent Posts

Categories

Subscribe for regular updates from the Frugal Travellers

About Us

Share and Enjoy !

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