Travel the World Cheaply, Without Dying - A Complete Guide
The moped hurled me over the cliff. Air. Wind. Silence. My thoughts moved slowly like this:
1. I’m airborne.
2. Hey, this feels incredibly like a Playstation BMX racing game!
3.
Look at those rocks below.
4. I’m going to die.
5. I’m going to die and
my life is not flashing before me.
6. I’m going to die and my last
thoughts involved a Playstation!?!?!!
7. Wow, that ground is… [Impact]
My unintended flight on the Greek
island of Alonissos didn’t kill me, but the medical bills and my
perpetually throbbing foot are reminders of what not to do while
traveling abroad.
I’ve discovered much in my college-budget trips
through Europe, Africa, and South America, and to save my traveling
brethren the same parting thoughts of Playstations, I’ve compiled this fairly comprehensive guide to making your next trip a little cheaper… and pain
free.
Do your homework
This should be where your trip
begins. Start by deciding when (and where) to go - will it be during
the peak tourist season? Will the climate require any special clothing
or travel arrangements? Are there any immunizations needed for the region (and any proof of immunizations, such as the Yellow Fever card)?
Make friends
Friends are always handy, but they’re
essential when traveling abroad on a budget. If you have a friend that
lives in the locale you’re visiting, ask if you can crash at their
place. Make sure you leave some money to cover all the orange juice you
drank… generosity deserves generosity in return.
If you don’t have an expatriate friend to show you the city,
traveling in a small group might be wise. By adding one or two friends
to your trip, you can split the most expensive costs (lodging, meals)
while ensuring a memorable trip.
Two words of warning, though: never
travel in a group larger than 3-4 (decisions will be nigh impossible
otherwise) and only invite friends with whom you willing to spend a lot
of time.
Carpe Diem… and do not go gentle into that good night
Most of your expeditions should take place in daylight. Some
cultures–I’m looking at you, Britain–shut down quite early (many
restaurants and businesses close up between 5-6 p.m.), which means
you’ll need to rise earlier than normal. I’ve often justified
sleeping-in while abroad, but that’s a mistake - you’ll get enough
sleep when you’re dead, and you’ve only so many hours of daylight. So,
go to bed early, wake up early, and relish in the full day you have
ahead. Many European hostels also offer free “continental” breakfast (Get it? On
the continent?); another cost saving measure.
Another reason to sleep early is more practical: bad things happen
at night. Sure, you can get mugged at
the Spanish Steps at noon, but
there truly is safety in numbers, meaning that it’s more likely to
happen at midnight than noon. Navigating a city in the dark is also
much more difficult, compromising both safety and sanity.
Oh, and on the subject of sleep… bring along plenty of earplugs.
They’re the traveler’s best friends. And to avoid jet lag, resist the
temptation to fall asleep before the sun goes down and consider buying
some No Jet Lag tablets that work wonders for some.
Protect yourself
The majority of Earth’s
population is nice the majority of the time, but there are
exceptions. Thankfully, vigilance and common sense can save you from
all but the most brutal of our race.
First, keep track of your belongings. Always. When walking with
bags, hold them so that no one can access them without you noticing
(e.g. sling your backpacks around to your side). When seated, put your
foot through the straps; when dining, set the bag on the table. A
hidden waist pouch is excellent for carrying your valuables.
If you must leave your bags unattended (to the chagrin of that annoying airport intercom), use a ziptie or combination travel lock to clip the zippers closed. One of my favorite travel accessories is the Pacsafe eXoMesh
that encloses my bags in a steel wire mesh that locks to a nearby
object, keeping the bag from being slashed or stolen. These are
essential if you’re staying in a hostel.
Watch your P’s and Q’s and ATMs
Banks exist to make
money; remember that while you travel. Chances are, your credit card or
bank is charging you 1-3% on every purchase you make with their
card. To avoid this, consider opening an account with another bank if
they’ll waive the fees for awhile. While I studied in the UK last year,
Bank of America was willing to waive all foreign transaction fees if I
opened an account. Though I was happy with
the service, I closed my
account when I returned in favor of my main bank. This tip alone can
save you hundreds of dollars.
If you want to use a credit card, hunt for one with no transaction fees,
such as those from Capital One. Credit cards are a safer than a debit
card; you have more chargeback privileges in case you get ripped off
(No! Seriously! It’s a real Rolex!) and if it’s stolen, no money is
withdrawn from your bank account. Just ensure that your card company
knows you’re going abroad before you leave… many a voyager has had her
card deactivated due to use away from home.
Travel light, travel right
Assemble everything you
need for your trip 3 days before you leave. Then remove half of it. You
now have the essentials. Use those 3 pre-trip days to live out of your
suitcase, so you can discover if you’ve forgotten any essentials. A packing list can also be handy.
You might consider moving entirely to a carry-on.
It’s not a simple adjustment, but it’ll save you time (no waiting at
the baggage claim), stress (never a lost/damaged/pilfered bag), and
money (no fees for overweight checked bags).
Planes, Trains, and Mopeds
In Europe, travel is cheaper and easier than in America. EasyJet and RyanAir
sell plane tickets that can cost as little as $30-60, and train tickets
are even cheaper. If you plan to do considerable travel by rail, look
into getting a Eurail or Britrail Pass to save cash. And it goes without saying (though I’ll go ahead and say it): avoid mopeds. At all costs. They’re one of the highest causes of injuries
for traveling Americans (which I discovered after my accident). Much
like a sorority girl, they seem easy and fun. Don’t be fooled.
McDiet
Two pieces of seemingly contradictory advice:
eat the local fare and experience international fast food.
You haven’t
really experienced a city without eating its food; Paris isn’t Paris
without a warm, freshly made Nutella crepe. Having said that, it can
also be fun to visit your hometown fast food joints. McDonalds - which
I otherwise loathe - is a welcomed taste of home while abroad. It’s
also entertaining to see how other nations integrate themselves into the McWorld; some marketing gimmicks (“McTexas” in Italy) are downright hilarious.
If cheap is what you’re after, consider cooking your own food.
Grocery stores are a fascinating insight into culture and help the
wallet considerably.
Stay connected and informed
If you’re traveling
alone (as I often have), ensure that someone knows your whereabouts at
all times. If you’re in an accident (as I was), they’ll know where to
look. A cell phone can give cheap peace of mind and pay-as-you-go plans
are easier to find worldwide than in the US. A digital copy of your
insurance records, urgent prescriptions, passport, airline itinerary,
and other important documents add even more security - store them
somewhere free like box.net for easy, international access.
Fly the frequent skies
Frequent flier miles are like a second currency - you can buy them,
exchange them, earn them, and burn them. Although they can buy you free
flights, you’ll get more for your miles if you use them for upgrades to
business or first class.
How to maximize your miles? First, be loyal to an airline. Choose one
that has good coverage, good prices, and good customer service. That’s
tough in the U.S., but you’ll only harness the power of miles if
they’re consolidated with one airline. Second, use a credit card that
gives large rewards. Miles-geeks currently laud the Starwood American Express card,
which gives you points that can be transferred to almost any airline
program… and can get you free nights at Starwood hotels. It carries a
$30 annual fee after the first year, though, which is an important
consideration. Third, look for opportunities to earn miles, with credit
card promotions and other giveaways. Finally, make sure your miles
don’t expire; if you don’t earn or spend any miles for 18 months, most
airlines reset your account to 0. See the related resources (at the
bottom of the page) for sites with more information on miles programs.
Skip Souvenirs
Quick - recall all the souvenirs
you’ve purchased on your last two trips. Where are they now? If you
bought them for yourself, have you thought about all of them since your return? If they were a gift, how many are in use?
Almost every souvenir I’ve ever purchased, for myself or a friend,
has been a waste. The stupid stuffed “Nessy” beanie thing I bought at
Loch Ness (”it’ll be a conversation piece in my lonely graduate student
apartment!”), the djembe drum I bought in Kenya; all collecting dust.
The hand carved salad tongs I gave to my grandmother, now buried deep
in a dark drawer.
The only souvenirs worth buying are those that will hold special
meaning for someone. If it’s an obligatory souvenir (grandmothers,
in-laws), buy something cheap that either looks expensive or has a good
story attached. Splurge on the unique, local gifts that will be a
keepsake for someone in the future. Avoid all the rest.
The road less traveled
Don’t overlook the charms of small towns. Sure Paris is fun (and we’ll always have Paris),
but why not take a train to the hidden gems of Normandy? The further
you venture from the heavily traveled areas, the cheaper and more
unique the world becomes.
Your travels will also be much more meaningful if you integrate
your itinerary with your interests. Fans of Wordsworth and Coleridge
(and, in fact, anyone visiting the UK) would be remiss to pass an
opportunity to discover the lake country. Christians should guarantee
that Thessaloniki, Phillipi, Athens, and Corinth are central to any
travel in Greece.
In conclusion…
Mark Twain states in Innocents Abroad,
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness,
and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad,
wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by
vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.
He’s
right - few things can enlarge your cultural and intellectual horizons
like a journey to an unknown land. It’s an exercise in discovering our
unique quirks and qualities and the things that unite us as a people.
Thankfully, mopeds don’t have to be one of them.
Further Resources
If you liked this article, why not subscribe to this blog? In the coming weeks I’ll detail how to survive an accident while traveling, my favorite travel accessories, and more. Besides, it’s a fun place to hang out.
Websites:
onebag.com -
An absolutely essential page detailing how to travel light. It has
revolutionized the way I pack and will do the same for you. Highly
recommended.
kayak.com - A travel search site that aggregates all the best prices from the airline websites and other search engines, like orbitz.
FlyerTalk -
A community dedicated to getting the most out of mileage programs.
These folks (mostly men, it seems) are hardcore travelers - listen and
learn.
freefrequentflyermiles.com
- A frequently (often daily) updated site with the latest ways to score
easy flier miles. Gary also explains how to get the most out of a miles
program.
SmarterTravel - Good articles on various travel topics.
Books:
The
Packing Book: Secrets of the Carry-on Traveler - An excellent book, similar in topic to
onebag.com, that goes into greater depth on packing well.
Smart Packing for Today’s Traveler - Another good traveling book, offering similar but unique information to that in The Packing Book.
Tips for the Savvy Traveler - Indispensable tips for the new traveler with good advice for the more seasoned among us.
Traveler’s
Tool Kit - A great general travel manual, covering topics
ranging from planning a trip to medical emergencies. Highly recommended.
Guerrilla Travel Tactics
- This is true road warrior stuff. It’s a great book if you’re looking
for ways to save time, money, and your blood pressure level.
Thanks to chacabuco for the moped photo. I didn’t take one because, ya know, I was flying on it.
