Travel around the world without money

Dropping everything and backpacking around the world is a dream many of us dream of. This exciting long-haul journey is often hampered by time and money. However, some people nicknamed " round-the-worlders " are fulfilling their thirst for discovery and traveling the planet on a minimal budget , or even without any money.

World Tour, the reasons for success

More and more of these globetrotters are embarking on an exhilarating journey of traveling the world . Why such a craze for such a long trip ?

According to Wikipedia, a world tour is a journey that involves traveling the entire globe in a predetermined direction, ending at the starting point. However, traveling around the world doesn't mean visiting every country and continent. Just look at a few world traveler blogs to see how their travel itinerary changed during their trip.

Typically, a world tour takes place over a year, visiting about ten countries on two different continents. A world traveler travels by plane between continents, then uses local transportation (bus or train), eats at street restaurants, and chooses affordable or free accommodations by staying with locals.

The most adventurous decide to travel the world by bike, while others take to the road in their campervan or van, or sail with the currents on their sailboats. But why is traveling around the world so popular?

Traveling the world helps you get out of your comfort zone

Deciding to temporarily leave your job by taking a sabbatical, moving away from your family and friends, requires taking the first step outside your comfort zone. A world traveler typically travels solo to unfamiliar destinations where the cultural and linguistic change means they lose their bearings. They sometimes encounter unforeseen events that they must face. It's a challenge that allows them to recognize their limits and overcome them.

Travel the world to be free

The feeling of freedom has never been as intense as when you travel for an extended period. You no longer have to worry about dress codes imposed by your workplace. The professional pressure of a boss no longer exists, and you no longer have time or location constraints. You wake up every morning with the feeling that anything is possible. Your travel plan can be changed depending on the people you meet or the feeling of well-being you feel in a country. Traveling around the world offers the opportunity to rediscover your true self.

Travel the world to live in the present moment

Have you ever checked on someone and heard the response: "I'm fine, but I'm busy!"? We never have time, we live life in the fast lane, we're stuck in a routine: work, subway, sleep, where we catch our breath for a weekend or a vacation.

The world traveler no longer experiences this mad race against time; he savors the time to live. He organizes his days at his own pace, according to the activities of the moment, he lives fully according to the Buddhist philosophy of "here and now." It's a true luxury that the urban average person only enjoys during his annual vacation.

Travel the world to meet new people

World travelers often set off alone, but they don't stay that way for long. Traveling around the world means meeting new people.

Talking with people of different nationalities, being interested in new ways of thinking, in new cultures, opens the mind fabulously in a way that is beneficial for personal development.

Meeting other travelers also allows you to disconnect from the virtual world and realize that the real world remains an inexhaustible source of wonder.

5 tips for traveling around the world without money

One of the biggest drawbacks to a round-the-world trip is a lack of money. You can cross it off your list; here are some tips for traveling without spending a dime on a round-the-world trip.

1 - Stay with locals.

If you're embarking on a year-long trip, return the keys to your apartment to your landlord, sell your belongings, or store them in a storage unit. You're already free of a rental budget. Before you head out into the world, open an account on couchsurfing.com, which connects travelers with locals or expats offering free accommodation in their homes.

Another option is pet-sitting. The idea is to stay with a local for free in exchange for taking care of their pets and their home during their absence.

You can also opt for affordable overnight stays in shared dormitories in youth hostels or camping if you have brought your tent.
There are also makeshift accommodations: airports, bridges, squats, gas stations.

2 - Use your feet or local transport for your travels.

If you haven't decided to travel the world by bike, you can make the most of your travels by alternating hours of walking with hitchhiking. Another option is to travel by local buses. It will cost you a small fee and you'll have plenty of time to enjoy the scenery.

3 - Eat like a local or ask for a meal.

If you have a budget for a world tour of around €1 or €2 per day, you can easily feed yourself one or two meals a day in some countries in Southeast Asia or Latin America. Alternatively, imagine yourself as a contestant on the reality TV show "Peking Express" and learn to beg for food.

Prepare your speech explaining your experience traveling around the world without money and that you are willing to accept unsold goods. This challenge will help you step out of your comfort zone.

If you are staying in a country where supermarket food waste is common, the trick is to wait until the bins are out and do your shopping.

4 - Volunteer or work during your stays abroad.

Volunteering is an option that allows you to stay for a few weeks and receive room and board in exchange for work. Working as an au pair with a family is an alternative to volunteering; sometimes, you even receive financial compensation for your hours of work.

5 - Take your time.

Since you're planning to travel the world without money , don't be in a hurry. Since train or plane travel won't fit your budget, you'll need to be patient when traveling on foot or by bus, as you'll no longer have control over time, so make room for improvisation.