How to Travel the World on a Shoestring Budget · Indie Travel Guru (2024)

FAQs

How to travel the world on a shoestring budget? ›

Besides becoming a travel storyteller, here are a couple of examples of jobs that'll let you earn a living as you travel: Trip leader: Manage trips for a travel company, get to meet new people and experience new places, and get paid in the process. Best for extroverts and those who love to geek out on logistics!

Air travel is, predictably, the simplest way to traverse the globe.

Perhaps the easiest way to figure out your budget is to work backward and figure out how much will it cost per day. Several popular travel blogs, such as A Little Adrift, Never Ending Footsteps, and Earth Trekkers, all agree that a baseline of $20,000 per person for one year is doable.

Just take that $20,000 and divide it by 12 months to set your monthly savings goal. You'll need to save a bit more than $1,600 each month to make that happen. Or, if you're looking to travel for 6 months, you'll need about $10,000, which means you'll need to save just over $800 a month for a year to achieve your goal.

TopDeck Travel:

They offer a daily stipend or hourly wages, paid flights, and accommodation including meals, health insurance, etc. Thus, it is one of the most popular companies that pay you to travel.

Tour guide

Tour guide is another popular choice particularly if you are proficient in foreign languages and love travelling. Being a tour guide doesn't require as much as some of the jobs above do, which is a huge plus, especially if you're just starting out in your career.

How can I travel the world without a job? ›

While the destinations might not always be your first choice, jobs that pay you to travel will keep you on the move, gaining diverse experiences. Think flight attendant, cruise ship team member, or national account representative. You'll go where the business needs you to go.

So, How Much Does it Cost? In general, you should expect it to cost between $25,000 to $35,000 per person to travel around the world for a year. This rough estimate comes from reading travel budgets of other bloggers, various travel planning resources, and our own experience. This is just the midrange.

If you're looking for tips on how to travel for free long term, volunteer opportunities and work exchanges are your new best friends. Simply sign up (most come with an annual membership fee of around $50 to $100), select the locations and industries you're interested in, and start contacting hosts.

Take advantage of seasonal specials. Foods, especially fresh fruits and vegetables, are generally less expensive when in great supply. Go shopping as few times as possible. Frequent trips can add to family food costs because it is easy to buy extra items each time.

Luckily, it is possible, and many people have traveled the world on minimal budgets. There's no reason why you can't do the same. The goal here is not to burn through much of your savings which can sit tight in a cash ISA. Undoubtedly, you will have to dip into your savings pot at some point.

Avoid tourist-heavy locations, as they tend to be overpriced. Instead, visit local shops and attractions. This can help you save money as well as see a different side of your destination. Bring your own food.