After high school, how do I travel aborad? What if I don’t have a lot of money?
There are TONS of options to get you abroad cheaply! If you are resourceful, adventurous, and a little creative, it’s very easy to do!
Couchsurfing.org – This is a site where like-minded world travelers offer up their couches (or air mattresses, spare rooms, etc.) for free to travelers passing through. It is based on a system of references, so before you request to stay with someone, you can see what other travelers around the world said about them. Couchsurfing is a way for you to stay with the locals and learn about language, culture, and the local city from someone who lives there!
WWOOF – This site matches up travelers who are willing to work (on organic farms) in exchange for food and lodging.
AirBnB – Like Couchsurfing, you stay in someone else’s home, but unlike Couchsurfing, the other person might not be there and you have to pay. Still, it’s considerably cheaper than most hotels.
BlaBlaCar – This is a way to get around cheaply (or free) in other countries. The site connects travelers with locals who are traveling, and allows travelers to share drivers’ empty seats to get to and from their destinations.
Vayable – This site connects you with locals with a special skill to offer. Book unique experiences (tours, cooking classes, art, etc.) with locals.
EatWith – Eat with locals at their home with this site!
Use apps for museums! – Many major world museums have apps that function as great guides to the art and culture within the museum. You can use your own headphones and be guided around the museum for free instead of paying for a human or audio guide.
HouseCares and MindMyHouse – House sit abroad in exchange for a place to stay!
CrewSeekers – Yachts often need to hire (amateur) crew! Why not work on one and travel?
HostelWorld – Work in a hostel in exchange for lodging. Check out the message board here for potential jobs.
GreatAuPair – Become an au pair! Care for a family’s children in exchange for food/lodging.
AnyWorkAnyWhere – Search listings for short-term or seasonal work for travelers.
Ryan Air – Traveling to Europe? Then you MUST get to know Ryan Air! You definitely will NOT be flying in style, but you’ll be flying so cheap that you won’t care!
Vaughan Systems – Volunteer in Spain!
Birthright Israel – Are you Jewish? Get a free trip to Isreal!
Workaway.info – Stay free in exchange for work!
HelpX – an online listing of host organic farms, non-organic farms, farmstays, homestays, ranches, lodges, B&Bs, backpackers hostels and even sailing boats who invite volunteer helpers to stay with them short-term in exchange for food and accommodation.
Hospitality Club – Thousands of Hospitality Club members around the world help each other when they are traveling – be it with a roof for the night or a guided tour through town.
Be Welcome – Similar to CouchSurfing!
Scott’s Cheap Flights – There is both a free version and a paid version to this. It gives you alerts to cheap fares (some are flash sales, some are actual mistake fares, etc.) around the world! I blogged about my love for SCF here.