We all know that traveling around the world is expensive, but what if I told you that with a little creativity and compromise a trip to your dream destination could cost a fraction of the normal price. Below are my favorite resources for discovering budget-friendly trips.
Become an Au Pair with AuPairWorld
Do you like kids? Have you ever wanted to teach English? Well, with programs such as AuPairWorld you can get paid to live with a family abroad in exchange for childcare and usually helping with English language learning. AuPairWorld is the number one free resource for finding a host family but there are other resources and agencies available if you’d rather pay. Be sure to do a thorough background check on potential families and meet with them via Zoom or Skype before accepting any offers.
Do a Work Exchange with WWOOF & Workaway
Are kids not your cup of tea? No worries. You can still exchange work for room and board with a variety of other programs. Two of my favorites are WWOOF and Workaway. WWOOF stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. With this program, you get to learn about sustainable agriculture while working a few hours a day on a farm. In your free time, you get to explore. Workaway is similar except there are other opportunities besides agriculture. Depending on your skills and interests, with this platform, you can find opportunities to teach English, work at a hostel, do social media, and so much more in exchange for room and board. Again, do your research about any potential host family before getting on the plane.
Find Cheap Flights with Secret Flying, Skyscanner, & Hopper
Even if you find a good work exchange opportunity, flights can be very expensive. If you have some flexibility on when to travel and where one of my favorite sites for finding cheap flights is Secret Flying. This site helps you find flight deals and error fares so that your next trip doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. If you want more control over when and where you travel, sites such as Skyscanner and Hopper can help you find the cheapest flight, and they even allow you to watch a flight and will notify you based on price trends when to buy your ticket.
Stay in a Hostel with Hostelworld & Airbnb
So, working while traveling isn’t really for you, or you still need to find cheap lodging in between host families. Hostels can be a great way to save money and meet fellow travelers and depending on the place, you might even get free/discounted tours or food. My favorite two sites for finding hostels are Hostelworld and Airbnb. Both sites can help you find great accommodations at a fraction of hotel prices.
