If you have everything, you might as well go explore the world. That’s what happens to some people with the Travel Bucket List: They take off and see all the amazing sights the world has to offer. How can they do that if they don’t have much time? If we’re being honest, traveling takes a lot of time and planning. It requires lots of money, too. But it doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, there are many ways to travel for free or for very little money.
Figure out where to start
One of the first things you’ll want to do is figure out where to start. You might have a Travel Bucket List that includes Australia, Europe, and Asia, but you’d still like to start with a specific country. Or you might have a big list of 100 places you’d like to see.
The first step will be to decide on the country you’ll start with. Once you have that figured out, the next step will be to narrow down the list of places. Now, don’t get frustrated. It might seem like you’re not making any progress, but that’s just because you’re not starting anywhere. With a little patience and effort, you’ll get there.
Decide what to see and do
Once you’ve got your list narrowed down to a few places, it’s time to start figuring out what to see and do. There are a lot of options once you start exploring a new place. Go to the museum. Go to the local market. Explore the city or town. Go hiking. Go to the beach. There are endless things to do when you’re traveling.
Some of these things might be specific to that place, such as exploring the history of a medieval city or the culture of a remote island. But there are usually a few basics that apply everywhere, too. You can eat the local food. You can go swimming in the local water. You can go hiking in the nearby mountains.
Talk to locals for tips on where to go
Once you’ve got your list narrowed down and you know what you want to do, it’s time to start talking to locals. Traveling is all about experiencing the culture. You learn so much when you talk to locals and ask them where they recommend going, who they visited, and what they recommend. Remember that each person has a unique perspective, so you’re going to get a different perspective than anyone else.
That’s why it’s important to talk to as many locals as possible and not just rely on online reviews and articles. You can ask people on the street or in a bar. You can ask friends. You can ask your family. You can ask coworkers. If there’s a local meet-up group, you can join it and meet new people.
Stay in local accommodation when possible
The best way for you to see a new place and experience a new culture is by staying in local accommodation. Some places are too expensive or too far away to allow this. Perhaps you’d like to stay in a hostel or guesthouse in Europe.
It might be too expensive or too far away to stay there. Instead, you can stay in something closer. You can stay in a nearby city. You can stay in a nearby town. You can stay in a nearby neighborhood.
Don’t be afraid to camp or sleep on a train
There are a lot of ways to travel for free. Some are convenient and comfortable, while others are a bit more adventurous. Camping is one of those adventurous ways to travel. You might be surprised to learn that there are plenty of campgrounds and even some private campgrounds that allow this.
You can also sleep on a train. Obviously, this is not for everyone. But have you ever thought about it? There are plenty of trains that allow you to sleep in a sleeper cabin. This is an amazing way to travel because you get to experience a new place and meet new people in a way that’s almost like a guided tour.
Stay safe while traveling – including at night
No matter what you choose for your adventures, you need to be safe while you’re traveling. It’s your job to make sure that you’re not putting yourself in any danger. However, it’s also important to be respectful and friendly to all the locals you meet.
There are plenty of ways to keep yourself safe while you travel. You can take safety precautions, such as staying away from seedy places, keeping your wits about you, and not diving into sketchy activities by yourself. You can also make friends while traveling, especially with people who are traveling the same way you are. That way, you can travel faster and more safely.
Final words
Traveling can be costly and time-consuming. With careful planning, you can make it happen without breaking the bank or missing out on the most important things in life while you’re away. It’s important to remember that there are a lot of ways to travel for free. It’s up to you to harness their power and make the most of your time abroad.
