10 WAYS TO TRAVEL FOR FREE - AND EVEN GET PAID FOR IT
Yes, it is possible to travel around the world on an empty wallet. Here is what you can do ...
1. House Swap
Inspired by the Cameron Diaz/Kate Winslet movie The Holiday, this option requires for you to have a house (that you are willing to trust a stranger to live in!). But if you do have a house you are willing to put up, there are many websites out their that provide ways to advertise your home and find another to swap with. We recommend checking out homeexhange.com.
2. House Sit
Free accommodation for watering plants, walking dogs and attending to light errands sounds pretty darn good if you ask me. Believe it or not, homeowners from around the world are looking for house sitters! You would be surprised as to how many people are doing it, with multiple established websites out there. One we recommend is mindmyhouse.com, it is $20 per year to sign up, but there are some amazing house sitting opportunities available on their site. We love the idea of not only living rent free, but being able to spend time in one place for a longer time than you would of been able to if you had to pay for accommodation.
3. Couchsurf
CouchSurfing is a website providing a platform for traveller to "surf" on couches by staying as a guest at a host's home. You will get a night or two for free, plus get to experience a new place with a local. The site allows you to read reviews from past guests so you can get a feel for the person and their home before contacting them.
couchsurfer1
4. Jump on the Car Pool Wagon
We love the idea of car pooling and BlaBlaCar is a great way to do this. The idea is that people share expenses and travel by land. You simply enter in your departure and arrival points, it looks for drivers offering rides going that way, get in touch with the driver and your on your way. Again, this website has a rating system so you can read past reviews on the drivers.
5. WWOOF it
World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) is an international network of organic farmers who offer opportunities for volunteers to join them in exchange for free housing and food. Workdays average five to six hours and once your shift is over you are free to explore your new home town.
6. Get Paid to Ski
Ski resorts seem to always be looking for people to hire from all over the world to fill positions - from ski lift operators to hotel and restaurant staff. You can literally get paid to ski by taking part in seasonal work at mountain ski resorts.
Ski
7. Like a Challenge?
If you are the type of person who would welcome the challenge of climbing Everest for charity, this one is for you. Lately a lot of travel companies have been getting on board with people seeking challenges, all in the name of charity. You do the climb (or any adventure of your choice), and raise the sponsors, they take care of the rest! If you are interested a good start would be to check out Global Adventure Challenges, Across the Divide and Charity Treks.
8. Find a Host Family and Become an Au Pair
If you are like myself and love working with young children, there are families who are looking for Au Pairs to help take care of their children. There are a number of companies out their that help connect host families with potential Au Pairs. This is something we would consider you do if you are looking for an opportunity to be immersed in a family of that culture and get to see the ins and outs of every day life. It allows for you to see a portrait of life in another country that you would often never get to experience.
9. Teach English Abroad
Teaching offers the opportunity to go almost anywhere in the world, and was a large factor in my decision to complete a teaching degree. It is also undoubtedly one of the most rewarding options for travellers. Not only will you be immersed by a new culture and meet plenty of like-minded people also teaching abroad, most expenses are covered and many schools even pay you on top of this. Most opportunities require that instructors are TEFL certified which does requires some coursework.
10. Why not become an Instructor?
If you have a skill, why not us it? Are you a pro surfer? An amazing rock climber? A fanatic diver? Why not put those skills to good use and teach people from around the world whilst doing what you love.
Are there any tips you know of to help others travel for free?
READ NEXT: HOW TO AFFORD A LIFE OF TRAVEL
This post was inspired by Adrift Anywhere's - "15 Free Ways (Or Even Get-Paid) To Travel That Will Enrich Your Life".
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