How do you travel without money? A full guide to budget travelling

Dreaming of exploring the world but feeling held back by an empty wallet? The good news is that traveling on little to no money is possible—you just need creativity, flexibility, and the right strategies. From hitchhiking and couchsurfing to working abroad or finding free food and accommodation, there are countless ways to experience new places without breaking the bank. In this guide, we’ll explore practical tips, budget-friendly travel hacks, and real-life methods to help you see the world, even when your finances are tight. Whether you’re looking for volunteer opportunities, travel grants, or hidden tricks to score free transportation, we’ve got you covered. Because travelling without (or only little) money is possible. Let me show you how.

You can make money while travelling

One of the first things to know if you are short on money during a trip is how to actually make some money while travelling. There are countless options for basically anyone and it allows you to leave your savings untouched or to stay a little longer in a country. Plus, it makes the whole adventure even more special. You get a closer contact to the locals and the culture of the place you’re visiting.

Work and travel

The probably most famous and most popular option is to go on a Work and Travel adventure. This can be your best choice if you want to travel with little money. Work and Travel is a great way to work in a foreign country and make enough money to pay for your accommodation and your future trips. Still, there is a limited list of countries which allow Work and Travel and in which working is actually profitable.

• New Zealand
• Australia
• Canada
• Japan
• UK
• Iceland

The listed countries each hold special Working Holiday Visas which allow you to work during your stay. The special permit is your entry fee to the Work and Travel world. Especially New Zealand, Australia and Canada are popular destinations for Work and Travellers, as you can get quite nice jobs with a solid income. Are you ready for being a waitress, a fruit picker, a hotel cleaner or a tour guide? Then this is your chance!

Good to know: Especially in fruit picking, you can earn some good money in a short time (but be aware that this is hard physical work). Also farm work in Australia is well-known to be perfect for anyone who wants to earn good money in a shorter amount of time.

Work as a freelancer

If you want to be completely independent during your travels and to not commit to any job, being a freelancer is a good option. This is for the long-term travellers and for those who seek to be working from anywhere in the world.

Yes, it might take some time to build up your reputation and to get some customers, but once you reach this point the world is basically yours. Being a freelancer requires some sort of “talent”. Whether you love to write, design, translate or edit, the following platforms are worth be checked out:

• Fiverr
• Upwork
• Toptal
• PeoplePerHour
• Simply Hired

If you are planning on travelling for a while and do not want to travel with little money all the time, then it is advised to start building your little freelancer career today!

How to save money while travelling: Travel (almost) for free

Besides making money while you’re travelling, you can as well check out the options on how to save some money on the road. There are multiple options which allow you to not spend money for accommodation (which mostly is the main part of the travel expenses).

Woofing: accommodation in exchange for work

Let’s start with the best options on how to stay in a place for free. Have you ever heard of “woofing”? The term originates in “Working on organic farms”, but has now been extended to hostels offering free accommodation in exchange for work.

Especially in places like Australia, New Zealand, UK, South East Asia and some countries in Europe, this is the way to go. You can see the ads for woofing on typical backpacker platforms. Hostels are searching for some help in the morning with cleaning the rooms and managing the property. In exchange you get to stay for free and can experience the life of a local. The ideal experience to find a home away from home and settle in a place for a while. If you are on a super tight budget, you can even combine woofing with working in the afternoon. This way, you do not only save money but also earn some at the same time.

Workaway: The ultimate local working experience

For budget travellers this is one of the best options. Workaway is an international organization allowing people to connect worldwide. You have access to countless “hosts” who offer you a free place to stay and if you are lucky free meals in exchange for some work. From farm work to teaching in a family or a gardening project – Workaway has it all!

This option is best for a traveller who would love to stay in one place for a while and to really connect with a country, its locals and their way of life. Make sure to plan your trip a few weeks ahead as some hosts are really busy and it might be hard to get a free space. But still, you can also find a nice place spontaneously. It is a great way to gather new experiences and at the same time hold on to your budget.

Free camping adventure

How do you travel with little money? Right, by spending your nights for free. Another option to stay for free is camping. In some countries, free camping is totally common. Bringing your own tent (or renting or buying a campervan) is therefore a great option to spend your nights for free. Of course, this requires a total new way of travelling and brings less comfort, but it is indeed budget friendly.

In countries such as Australia, New Zealand, South of Europe, North of Europe or Canada, living the life on the road is an experience itself. A good way to keep your expenses low and to feel as close to nature as possible!

How to travel with little money as long as possible

Apart from working abroad during your travels, you can also learn how to save as much money as possible. This can help you to find your own routine on how to travel with little money for a while. Again, this is for both short trips or long-term travel adventures. Budget travelling can actually be a never-ending learning process. There are new tips and tricks in each new country you visit and new perspectives from the people you meet.

Book a hostel with breakfast

A great way to start saving money on your trip starts by your choice of accommodation. Some hostels and home stays or even budget friendly hotels offer a breakfast. If the breakfast is already included in the price for the room, then this is a deal you should not miss.

Depending on the accommodation, the free breakfast can actually be a delicious meal. But even if you just get the basic option, this is a good way to save some money. Use the feature “breakfast included” in booking.com or other apps to see the options available.

Eat the delicious street food

Another easy tip to save money and to keep your budget low is the food. While you can always eat in expensive restaurants and cafés there are different and more budget-friendly options. Especially in countries in Asia or South America, the street food is the way to go. Eating local will help you save as much money as possible and get a full and very delicious meal for just a few euros.

Plus, this is a great experience to get to know the culinary side of a country – a win-win that saves you money!

Use the public transport and book your flights early

Transport can be expensive as well. Flights or taxis are one of the main expenses on a trip. But with the right knowledge, you can keep your budget low and still get to all the places you dream about.

• Book your flights early to get some great deals
• Use the public transport such as busses or tuk-tuks to get around
• Take the bus instead of the plane if you cross boarders (especially in Europe, South East Asia or South America)
• Walk around the city instead of getting a taxi
• Hire your own motorbike in Asia to get around (much cheaper)

If you are travelling on your own, transport can be a lot more expensive than when you’re travelling with a friend or a partner. To save some money on transportation, try to connect yourself with people in your hostel and share a taxi.

Go on free sightseeing when you travel a city with little money

In many cities and foreign places, you got plenty of free sightseeing options. Museums, temples, churches, national parks and monuments often offer a free entry. It is always worth to check out the sightseeing before you visit a place to see if it is budget-friendly.

And even if some attractions cost money, others won’t. Make sure to get the information necessary and plan your stay in advance. This will help you get a better picture of the budget you need and whether you can afford it or not. Free walking tours are also quite popular and help you to explore for FREE!

No money? No Problem!

Travelling does not require a lot of money. It does not require a full bank account nor a certain amount of money to simply start. If you really want to travel (long-term or just for a few weeks), money is never the problem. You will always find a way to make that work, promise!