It is one thing to travel on a budget, and quite another to travel without money. This entails making a trip without any budget for transportation, lodging and food. You may take some money with you, but only for unforeseen situations. It is a very intense experience, that only the most intrepid travelers dare to do. travel without money It requires motivation and commitment from those who decide to undertake it. And, although it sounds impossible, many have dared to leave their comfort zone to travel the world, with nothing in their pockets.
How to travel without money?
When we talk about travel without money, we refer to the fact of not carrying money with you. It may be that on your journey you have to get it, in order to cover some of your needs. But, when you start, you leave without any money, but you will have to solve your transfer, food and lodging through exchanges, volunteering and the good of the people you meet on your trip.
Well, let’s see how to move from one place to another, stay and eat when you travel without money. Read to the end!
How to go from one place to another?
The hitch-hiking It is the way that we have seen the most in the movies and the most classic way to travel without spending a single penny. If it is not located with the word «hitchhiking», it refers to when people wait on the side of the road and someone gives them a lift in their car. The universal this of sticking out the thumb is used to indicate that you need help to move. To be successful with this method, it is important to look good and smile.
There are social networks where people share their car trips. Here you can pay something to the driver. So you can travel a little safer and cheaper to travel, where you can also meet people while traveling.
Where are you going to sleep?
One of the first things we ask ourselves when we think of travel without money is, where are we going to sleep? And although it seems incredible, this can be one of the easiest things to solve when embarking on a trip of this type.
There are several options that we can perfectly consider. Like the possibility of obtaining lodging in exchange for work, in hostels, farms, bars, among other places.
couchsurfing
This is one of the most popular ways to get free hosting in Europe. The couchsurfing is a global accommodation and hosting exchange service. It is a kind of traveler network that allows thousands of people around the world to request and offer accommodation for free.
The fundamental principle of this platform is cultural exchange. The hosts open the doors of their houses to meet the visitors who will stay. Depending on the people, it may be that in addition to a place to sleep, they take the trouble to take them to see the city.
The most important thing if you decide to resort to couch surfing to the travel without money is, be very kind and grateful. Although sleeping places can vary, from a room to just a mat on the floor. What must prevail is that thanks to your hospitality we get rid of sleeping on the street.
House Sitting
This form of free lodging consists of taking care of the houses of other people who want to travel for a considerable time and do not have anyone to leave their pets with and do not want to leave their house alone for a long time. So, they hire people, who could be a lucky traveler, to take over the responsibility of taking care of the pets and in return they have a place to live without paying a dime.
Home exchange
This is another modality where you do not have to pay anything to stay in another destination. If you are in a tourist city and have your own house. You can exchange your house with other people around the world, so that both of you can enjoy a vacation with free accommodation.
To camp
Hundreds of travelers decide to camp at travel without money, as also a free hosting alternative. The biggest drawback with this one is that you can’t camp everywhere you’d like. Many countries have special designated zones, and even charge a minimal fee per night.
However, there are other countries, where hostels rent space per night and give access to common areas, bathroom and kitchen. Although it is not completely free, it is a cheaper alternative to staying in a hostel or hotel.
What will you eat when traveling without money?
This is where creativity is revealed, the desire to survive a trip without money and the willingness to do any job. Well, it’s obvious that if you’re traveling penniless you should look for ways to get what you need to survive. You can do this by getting temporary jobs at the places you go.
The website work away offers a large number of options to work in exchange for room and board. It is worldwide, so you will be able to find this type of exchange in hostels around the world. Here, you can also find a lot of volunteer work for which you don’t have to pay (there are places where you have to pay up to 49 dollars to be able to get a job as a volunteer), also with the same maxim of working a few hours a day in exchange for shelter and maintenance.
There are options such as volunteering, where for doing any work in assigned places you receive a payment or exchange a few hours of work for food and even lodging. On web pages like HelpStay they offer free volunteering, where in exchange for their time they give you room and board.
In conclusion, it is possible travel without money. Only, to achieve this, you have to have an open mind, eliminate prejudices and be willing to do anything to enjoy a unique and enriching experience. And, would you dare to make a trip without money? Tell us!