Have you ever wondered if it’s possible to travel for free? Well, me too. After doing some research, I found some pretty cool ways to do that! In today’s post, I will share all those with you! So say tuned!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure here.
Accommodations
Working on a farm while getting a free room
This can be cool with friends, or even a family vacation, and you will learn a lot about animals!
Go abroad as nanny or Au-Pair!
This one is for those wishing to go abroad for a longer period of time, between 6 months and 2 years.
You get paid as an Au Pair too, which is another reason why it’s amazing!
Couch surf
I personally haven’t tried that yet, but I know a lot of people who have and loved it. Just be careful where you go.
House Swap
After seeing a movie where two women swapped houses for the holidays, I have been dying to do it!! But I guess I gotta wait until I have my own house. haha.
But until then, I can tell you that my family has done it and it’s so awesome! Here is the website we use to find houses to swap.
Volunteer projects with free accommodation
Even though you don’t get paid for the work, it’s an amazing way to learn something new, meet new people, and get free accommodation and meals.
You usually have to pay for the agency who places you though. But those prices range from as little as 200, up to even 2000 dollars, depending on length and location.
Work on a cruise
Honestly, this sounds like so much fun!! Working on a cruise would be a good way to travel while making money and gaining experience.
Be a house sitter
Who has been on vacation and struggled with leaving pets and plants alone for a few days or weeks?
Haven’t we all wished for someone helping us out? BE THAT PERSON. Offer your help in exchange for living there. Best would be in another country of course.
Work in hostels/hotels
This is another way to make some money while having a place to stay for free.
Do some research and I’m sure you’ll find hotels and hostels hiring, especially now for summer!
Work in a Ski- or Beach resort
Whether it’s summer or winter where you live, I’m sure you can find a job in a beach resort (How fun is that?!) or a ski hotel/camp.
Work in a summer camp
Working in a summer camp has become pretty common, and is an easy way to get some money and have fun in your summer break!
Teach English abroad
Teaching English abroad is something you usually don’t need certifications or a degree for, as long as you’re a native or high-level English speaker! (you can do this with any other language too, like German, Spanish, etc.)
Need more ideas? Here are 15+ ways to make money!
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Flights
(no promotion! These are just general tips for you. I just listed the Airlines that I’m sure of having these programs.)
SkyMiles system
Collect points by paying with a special credit card and earn points, which you can redeem for free flights or bonuses.
Miles&More System
This is pretty much the same system as above, but also for Europeans! I also started collecting miles with it and can’t wait to use them!
Look for overbooked flights
Overbooked flights are usually those between big cities. Many times the airlines sell more tickets than they have seats because they know that a percentage of the people don’t show up (idk how they calculate that).
Sometimes when they do show up, the plane doesn’t have enough seats and the staff is looking for people to give up their seats.
Often they also do that to sell last-minute tickets for more money. You then get an upgrade on the next flight or something else as a thank you.
SkyMiles online shopping
This works with the same system as that for the free flights. Not by buying with their credit card, but by shopping online and earning points for every dollar spent.
Please only do that when you actually need the product, and not just to get the miles for it. The money you will spend on your purchases will probably outweigh the benefits from the redeemed miles.
If you somehow can’t get that all working, here is my favorite flight search engine to find the cheapest flights.
Overall Spending
Cook instead of going out every night!
Easy one, but always works. Unless the place you are at has really cheap restaurants (please don’t just eat fast food.
You have that at home anyway), I would recommend buying your groceries and cook in your apartment or Airbnb.
Talking about Airbnb, you can save $40 off your first stay HERE. (don’t forget to change your region and currency on the bottom:))
Mystery Shopping
Mystery shopping is to eat or shop at certain places and get money back for a review for them. You usually have to sign up for that on an app or website.
Get free stuff on your birthday
With the app of the restaurant or shop, you can usually get free stuff or at least a discount. That is usually said in the app itself.
Sneaky Pro Tip: Set up several accounts with different birthdays. Maybe try it with your real birthday first and see if they ask for your ID at that particular place.
Then you know for the future. OK, you probably should NOT be going there every single day- a little suspicious.
There are many ways to save money while traveling. You can travel with the smallest budget! With these ideas of how to get free accommodations, save on flights, and also while traveling, you’re ready to travel on a budget!
Of course, most of these require some work and patience, but I feel like that’s okay for getting to travel for free, or at least save money!
And, every possibility of getting free accommodation in exchange for money is pretty awesome, because you either get paid additionally and if not then you have some experience to list in your CV!
I hope you liked my post on how to travel for free, and share it with your friends so you can travel TOGETHER!
Until soon,
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