How to Afford Long Term Travel
Long term international travel can be done on a budget, and in some cases can even cost less than staying at home – if you are determined enough. Adding up the money spent on a couple of six week trips to Europe, the UK and the USA a few years ago I found I had spent less than I normally would have at home. How is that possible?
Firstly, many countries are less expensive to live in than Australia. Not just countries in Asia and the Pacific, even parts of Europe and the USA once you get out of major cities like London, New York and Paris. Often it’s as simple as living, and minimising costs, the way the locals do.
However, this current year based in France is not so frugal because it includes French language studies and organised walks and tours. That is not the same as simply living like a local!
Airfares are not your biggest expense
When you take off for long term travel the airfares to and from Australia can end up being one of the smaller expenses – accommodation tends to be the largest expense over an extended time away. Food can also be a major cost if you eat out, but if you buy locally and prepare your own meals food can be very inexpensive.
With accommodation, as long as you book many months ahead websites such as AirBnB and Booking.com can have inexpensive options available, and country pubs in the UK often offer great food for not a lot of money – see our accommodation page for more info.
Bookings that include breakfast at minimal extra cost can also save you heaps. An extensive buffet, or a full English breakfast, can easily become the main meal of the day, after which we often have no need for lunch, and perhaps just cheese, chocolate and a glass of wine for dinner.
Many bookings on accommodation websites, or direct with the property, have free cancellation up until a few days or weeks before your arrival. So if you see a good deal on dates that will probably suit, book it immediately! You can always change or cancel it as your plans evolve, and it is good to remain as flexible as possible.
My key points for travelling on less money are:
- As far as possible eliminate your at-home expenses – for this current 12 month trip I sold my car, downsized my stuff, and rented out my place. On previous trips, when renting, I either moved out completely or sub-let the place to a friend or family member.
- Book airfares and accommodation as far in advance as you can, and be flexible on dates to get the best prices.
- Look for accommodation bookings with free cancellation to lock in the best deals yet stay flexible.
- Use flight aggregator service like Google Flights to find the best airfares and airline options – check our airlines and airfares page.
- Live like a local – average wages in most countries are much lower than in Australia, so do what the locals do to make ends meet. Find out where to stay, shop and eat – it won’t be in the tourist areas!
- Local grocery shopping can be very effective if you buy what’s in season or surplus. But you will probably need to change your choices – it’s hard to find a steak at anywhere near the price or quality that you might be used to in Australia.
- Travel and stay in places during their low season. Many European countries, have very clearly defined high seasons when the sun shines or the snow falls, and during those times tourism is huge and so are the prices.