It seems that traveling can be done ALMOST free! You can stay free in luxury homes in exotic places….sleep free in the homes of locals all over the world…..or you can work temporary jobs for bed, board, & sometimes food. Just you need the information. Here is some of them for you.
I’ve been an active member of www.couchsurfing.org for a number of years. I have lifelong friends around the world that I have met through this site. With couchsurfing, you tap into like minded yet diverse people who love to travel, meet new people, learn the culture, and who trust humankind! There are millions of members in over 230 countries and territories around the world. It’s an experience that I believe EVERY traveler should attempt. Another benefit of this site is the wealth of real time information about the city, country, people, activities, etc of the city or country you are planning to visit…or live.
If you find yourself stranded in between destinations at an airport or just don’t have the money to spend on a bed, www.sleepinginairports.com tells you where to find hidden corners of major airports where you can have some privacy & sleep in relative comfort. The information is provided by real people sharing their experiences. Not only that, the site also gives you information on WiFi availability, airport hotels, charging stations, showers, and other tips.
Belodged.com “opens a borderless world of unique contacts”. Very similar to Couchsurfing and it is free as well!
It’s a fact that rich people don’t like to leave their houses empty. So house sitters can live in mansions, farms, ranches, resort or vacation homes, yachts, retreat centers, camps, hunting and fishing lodges, private islands, and any other kind of property imaginable for weeks or months, completely rent-free! The Caretaker Gazette, www.caretaker.org, is a subscription newsletter that brings house owners & house sitters together.
In the same vein but restricted only to the USA is www.housecarers.com. It, however, costs $55 a year for house sitters. It is free for homeowners.
Servas International, www.servas.org, is an organization of people working to build understanding, tolerance & world peace by opening their homes & pantries to travelers at no cost for a minimum of 2 days. Some people are hosts, some are travelers, & some are both. There is a fee for membership & host lists as well as other requirements, depending on if you are hosting or traveling.
Similar to couchsurfing but with a small fee, there’s Worldwide Homestay,www.worldwidehomestay.com. Homestay programs are a great way to meet locals on your trip, people who aren’t trying to sell you something or be your paid guide. It can be an enriching experience for both parties and can save you a significant sum of money, especially in countries where lodging is expensive. It gives you a chance to see how the locals live and to get an insider’s perspective on the area. The people you stay with often know the best local bargains, the most worthwhile things to see and do, and the easiest way to get from point A to point B. In places with limited public transportation, your hosts will often pick you up from the train station, bus station, or airport.
Place2Stay.net provides a point of contact for individuals worldwide who need a place to rest their heads for free. Again, similar to couchsurfing.
Www.affordabletravelclub.net requires a small annual membership fee + a very small fee to stay in the homes of other members around the globe. The hosts provide accommodations, breakfast, & an hour of their time to acquaint the guest with their area.
Monasteries & convents around the world offer cheap beds & meals. The prices vary but most are as cheap or cheaper than hostels. Good Night & God Bless is the most comprehensive website I found for this type of accommodation,
www.goodnightandgodbless.com.
Another, which is restricted to Italian monasteries iswww.monasterystays.com.
www.goodnightandgodbless.com.
Another, which is restricted to Italian monasteries iswww.monasterystays.com.
When students go home for the summer & holidays, many colleges and universities open their dorms to visitors. Expect basic but very affordable accommodations (bathrooms may be down the hall, for example). An upside of this type of accommodation is that restaurants, bars and entertainment venues often surround college campuses, so there should be plenty of action nearby. There are few central databases of this type of lodging —University-Rooms.com is one to try — but it’s worth calling a few local campuses directly to see if anything might be available during your trip. The local tourist board may also be able to help.
iStopOver.com, offers travelers the option of renting a room in someone’s house, a cottage or a private studio apartment for low nightly rates (it’s not uncommon to see prices under $50 per night). It’s a way for hosts to open up their homes and make a little extra money, while giving travelers a great deal and a local’s-eye view of a destination. On this site, you can do a “WiseAsk” to get hosts to compete for your business.
One can find freedom for a modest membership fee (about $25 for 2 years) onwww.helpx.net. As a “volunteer helper”, you can join for free too but you won’t be able to utilize all they have to offer. During your travels, if you find you are low on funds or if you just want to stay with local people & gain practical experience, you can find a short-term job for room & board. Some jobs offer that plus a small stipend. Read the ads carefully & ask lots of questions! Those who wish to host can join for free.
Then there is Work Away, www.workaway.info, which works pretty much the same as HelpX. There is a $28 fee for 2 years.
World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, www.wwoof.org, is a group of organizations that link volunteers up with organic farmers. In return for volunteer help, WWOOF hosts offer food, accommodation and opportunities to learn about organic lifestyles.
Www.oneworld365.com, is a directory of travel opportunities including volunteer projects, gap year ideas, career break & year out projects, TEFL/ESL teaching & courses, seasonal work, summer/winter jobs, working vacations, adventure breaks, expeditions & tours featuring 10,128 organizations worldwide.
The Jobs Abroad Bulletin Board (JAB), www.jobsabroadbulletin.co.uk, has ads offering seasonal jobs of almost every kind almost everywhere. This site includes numerous links to other travel related job, volunteer, & lifestyle sites.
Www.the-working-traveller.com, also offers up a number of helpful travel, overseas job & volunteer links.
www.summercampjobs365.com offers…you got it…summer camp jobs!
Always dreamed of crewing on a yacht?
www.crewfile.com & www.floatplan.com offer jobs openings for just that! Sail to your next vacation location while earning your way!
www.crewfile.com & www.floatplan.com offer jobs openings for just that! Sail to your next vacation location while earning your way!
Then there’s the dilemma of how far you have to walk or how long is that bus or train ride. Why not share a ride? Sure, hitchhiking isn’t what it used to be back in the day but it’s still alive. Safer though, is finding someone going your way before you hit the tarmac! There are several sites dedicated to getting you there more economically & ecologically! Find the one that’s right for you!
eRideshare.com consists mostly of commuter listings for daily commutes to work. The site also syndicates rideshares from Craigslist.
AlterNetRides.com gives users a way to share rides within the framework of their own communities.
Ridester.com is a feedback-rated rideshare community.
CarpoolWorld.com is a ridesharing solution for 24 different countries.
Zimride.com is a carpool service that started on facebook, but now also works with Universities and companies.
Hitchhikers.org is an international bulletin for hitchhikers.
Digihitch.com is a forum for hitchhikers that offers up advice & answers general hitchhiking questions.
ZipCar.com is the largest car sharing service in the USA. Offers the convenience of car access without the hassle of car ownership.
http://www.travbuddy.com
http://www.travbuddy.com
