With some creativity and resourcefulness, you can travel for free (or at least very cheaply). Transportation and hotels/lodging are two of the biggest expenses when it comes to travel, so if you can find ways to reduce or eliminate those costs, you'll be well on your way to saving some serious money. Read on for some tips and resources that can help make your dream of free travel a reality.
There are plenty of ways to get around without spending a lot of money (or any money at all). If you're traveling within the United States, consider taking advantage of Amtrak's "Student Advantage" program, which offers 15% discounts on train fares to full-time students. Greyhound also has a similar program called "Greyhound Extra," which offers discounted fares to students, seniors, military personnel, and children.
If you're traveling internationally, check out websites like Hitchhiking.org and Couchsurfing.com. The former is a great resource for those looking to hitchhike around the world; the latter allows you to connect with locals who are willing to host you for free or in exchange for help.
Hostels are much cheaper than traditional hotels, and they're a great way to meet other travelers from all over the world. If you're not sure where to start your search for hostels, Hostelworld.com is a great place to begin. You can also try websites like Airbnb and VRBO, which list rooms and entire homes that you can rent for short periods of time (often at a fraction of the cost of a hotel).
If you fly frequently for work or leisure, chances are you have amassed a nice cache of frequent flier miles over time. These miles can be redeemed for free or discounted flights, so if you have some saved up, put them to good use!
If done responsibly, getting a travel credit card can be a great way to earn rewards that can be used towards future travel expenses—think free flights, hotel stays, etc. Just make sure that you're paying off your balance in full each month so that you're not hit with high interest rates; otherwise, the rewards won't be worth it in the long run.
Loyalty programs offered by airlines, hotel chains, and even credit card companies can be extremely valuable if used correctly. If you frequently stay at a particular hotels, signing up for their loyalty program could earn you free nights down the road; ditto if you frequently fly a particular airline that offers a loyalty program that allows customers to rack up points (which can be redeemed for free flights) with each purchase . . . even if it's just buying a cup of coffee at an airport café!
Travelers who pack their own food for the day rather than buy food when they're hungry save significant money while on vacation. Packing snacks will also save you from having to buy unhealthy foods like chips and candy. Bring along some granola bars, nuts, dried fruit, and dark chocolate to tide you over until your next meal without breaking the bank—or weighing you down too much while carrying your luggage around!
With a little bit of creativity and resourcefulness, it is possible to travel for free (or close to it). There are many ways to save money on transportation and lodging costs; it just takes some research and planning ahead. By utilizing resources like loyalty programs and packing your own food from home, you can stretched your travel budget even further.