I am always surprised when I see people complain about how expensive travel is or how they can’t strike a balance between saving up for the future and spending money on being a world traveler.
Now more than anytime before, there are are hundreds of opportunities to travel the world for cheap and even for free.
It comes down to being willing to try new styles of travel and being open to immersing yourself in experiences unlike any others.
Here are 4 Apps to help you travel more for less.
TrustedHousesitters
This platform connects home and pet owners with sitters from around the world.
Home and pet owners offer you free accommodation in exchange of looking after their home and pets. The only cost is your annual membership, making it an affordable and fulfilling way to travel.
For pet lovers, this is a great opportunity to cut down on accommodation expenses.
With house and pet sits in over 130 countries, the possibilities are limitless.
The annual membership fee for a basic sitter is $129. You can use this link for a 25% discount on your annual membership.
More packages are available for an additional charge providing vet services, member support, third party liability protection and more.
HomeExchange
HomeExchange is a house swapping platform where two parties agree to exchange their home stays for a set period of time. It can be an exchange of the entire home or just a room.
It’s also possible to organize non-reciprocal exchanges using Guestpoints. GuestPoints are earned by hosting other members.
Pro Tip: When you create your account, verify your information, complete listing your home and contact a few people, you can easily accumulate 800 Guest Points. 800 GPs is equivalent to 4 nights stay in Sedona, Arizona for FREE
HomeExchange allows you to discover the world in a more authentic way by living just like a local.
Workaway
Workaway is a platform that connects “Workawayers” with cultural exchange, working holidays and volunteering in 170 countries. Workawayers are expected to work a pre-agreed amount of time per day in exchange for lodging and food, which is provided by their host.
There plenty of opportunities for:
- Community projects
- Sustainable projects
- Animal wellfare and pet sitting
- Sailling
- Working with NGOs
- Cultural exchange
You might come across some paid opportunities on the platform but they are rare.
You can browse opportunities on Workaway for free but you have to register in order to contact hosts. Registering with Workaway is $44 for an individual account and $56 for a couple account. Accounts are valid for one year.
Worldpackers
Worldpackers is a platform somewhat similar to Workaway.
Wordpackers connects you with hosts all over the world, where you can stay by exchanging your skills for accommodation.
It’s great for work exchange, volunteering abroad and for gap year.
The membership fee to become a verified member is currently $49.