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cheap

10 of the Best ‘Cheap Sleeping Bags’ for Camping

by Fuel For The Sole April 5, 2019

written by Fuel For The Sole

The search for the perfect sleeping bag can be daunting. There are seemingly endless options, choices, and features available. And if camping, hiking, and backpacking are new to you, sticking to a budget is another important factor. Well, you have come to the right place. We have already done the research for you. Read on to find the best cheap sleeping bags the internet has to offer.

You see, up until 3 years ago, all of our camping experiences took place during Ontario summers. Here the days are hot and the nights are warm and dry. So the quality of our sleeping bag was never much of a concern.

Our story changed when we moved to Western Canada. Here we began exploring the coasts and the mountains where the weather became much more extreme. We had a lot to learn about outdoor travel gear and what we needed to keep us safe and happy.

We were quick to figure out that sleeping bags are one of the more important items to take with you on camping and hiking trips. They provide you with shelter, warmth, safety, comfort, and a way to rest and recover from the day.

It became apparent that we needed a bag of high quality which could provide plenty of warmth without weighing too much – and all at a budget price. A tall order.

But our research paid off and we found plenty of fantastic affordable options online. Here we will go over the best cheap sleeping bags we have used ourselves and seen on our travels. We will break it all down into 5 main features which are important when buying a sleeping bag: Lightweight, 4 Seasons/Winter, Waterproof, Mummy Style, and a Trusted Brand Name.

Pssst.. Feel free to skip to the end for a quick comparison chart.

#1 – Lightweight and Compact Sleeping Bags

This is our #1 feature for a sleeping bag. We have fallen in love with overnight hiking that gets you deep into nature. And so we look for warm sleeping bags that are ultralight weight so it doesn’t take up much room in our packs. Finding a lightweight sleeping bag is key since this is one of the heaviest items you will bring on an overnight hike. The others being your tent and your pack itself. For this category, we will consider anything under 3 lbs to be lightweight.

Of course, if you will only be car camping, you can ignore this category as size and weight are irrelevant.

#2 – 4 Seasons (AKA Winter Sleeping Bags)

If a sleeping bag is rated as being ‘4-seasons’ they are promising the bag will be comfortable all year round, whether it is summer or winter. Generally, this means you will be comfortable in temperatures over 20° F, but check the product description to confirm.

We will list the ‘comfort temperature rating‘ of each bag. This is the lowest temperature at which you will remain warm and comfortable. Sometimes you will see an even lower temperature listed as ‘survival temperature rating‘. This means you could survive at this low temperature, but it is not ideal for comfort.

#3 – Waterproof Sleeping Bag

This is something you may not think about when buying a sleeping bag. Of course, this is important on any multi-day hike in the chance of rain. But even for a simple car camping trip, this is very useful. Have you ever woken up to a damp tent with moisture forming around the edges? This dampness can get into your bag and keep you cold and uncomfortable. A waterproof bag will keep you dry and warm.

#4 – Mummy Style Sleeping Bag

Mummy style sleeping bags take a bit of getting used to. This type of sleeping bag has a hood attached to it and tends to narrow around the legs. We prefer a mummy style bag because it offers you the option of getting really warm when and if you need it. These bags are much more versatile as they are comfortable in cold weather, but can also be adapted and used in warm weather. If there is only money in the budget for one bag, a mummy style is a great option because it is suitable in all conditions.

#5 – Trusted Brand Name

The internet is full of one-off, unknown sleeping bag brands. We often take our chances on these brands (as long as they have good reviews) and have found great success at budget prices. This is where you can find the best deals. But if you are the type to trust brand names, we will keep track of the trusted brands for you. But keep in mind, this comes at a price.

What are you using your sleeping bag for? What are the key features you search for when purchasing a new bag? Let us know in the comments below!

If you are serious about stepping up your camping and hiking game, check out our outdoor adventure posts:

10 Best Budget Sleeping Bags for Camping, Backpacking and Hiking

Farland Mummy Sleeping Bag

Comfort Temperature Rating: 20° F

Weight: 4 lbs.

The FARLAND Sleeping Bag is our most recent purchase. We needed something warm for our converted SUV camper and weight didn’t matter as much. Weighing in at 4 lbs, this bag still isn’t too heavy and it provides tons of warmth!

So far we love this bag! We are used to very lightweight bags so we have sacrificed that ‘plush’ sleeping bag feeling. But this bag is thick, soft and super comfortable. What a treat!

Here are the features:

The filling is polyester (as opposed to down), which means it dries quickly, remains durable and is non-allergenic.
Waterproof and weather resistant.
Comfortable for 4 seasons.
The sleeping bag comes with a compression sack so you can compress it down to about the size of a basketball.
These bags can be zipped to another bag making it double the size and perfect for two people.
You can purchase this bag in a mummy-style or rectangle style.
There are tons of fun and bright colour options.

This is our ⭐ top choice ⭐ for warmth in all cheap sleeping bags.

Geertop Ultralight Sleeping Bag

Comfort Temperature Rating: 32° F

Weight: 790g

The Geertop Ultralight Sleeping Bag was the first lightweight sleeping bag we bought when preparing for our 7-day hike along the west coast of Vancouver Island.

After tons of research, we risked it with this brand. We were very attracted to the price and the ultralight weight of the bag.

The risk paid off! This bag is extremely lightweight and compacts down super small but it also provides us with the perfect amount of warmth and comfort. This bag is a steal!

Here are the features:

The filling is ‘silk-like’ cotton so it will dry quickly.
Water resistant.
Extra long and will fit someone up to 6′ 2″.
Comfortable for 3 seasons and warmer winters.
Comes with a compression sack and compresses down super small – about the size of a large thermos.
Comes with an 18-month warranty.

This is our ⭐ top choice ⭐ for ultralight weight in all cheap sleeping bags.

Coleman Sunridge Sleeping Bag

Comfort Temperature Rating: 40° F

Weight: 4.3 lbs

The Coleman Sunridge Sleeping Bag gives you brand name quality at a great budget price. This is the most basic of sleeping bags Coleman offers but it still provides great warmth and comfort.

This bag would be a great option for car camping trips.

Here are the features:

Trusted brand name.
Polyester fill for quick drying.
Big enough for people up to 5′ 11″.
Comfortable for 3 seasons.
Does not come with a compression or carry bag.

Coleman Heritage Extra Long Sleeping Bag

Comfort Temperature Rating: 0-10° F

Weight: 8.9 lbs

The Coleman Heritage Sleeping Bag is a bit pricier than the Sunridge but offers up a much larger space, is extra long (up to 6′ 7″) and has 4 season comfort. It also has a softer lining than the Sunridge if that is your preference.

Here are the features:

Trusted brand name.
Comfortable for 4 seasons.
Extra long bag for people up to 6′ 7″ tall.
Flannel liner and their ‘Thermolock‘ draft tube for extra warmth.
2 bags can be zipped together.
Does not come with compression or carry bag.

Sportneer Sleeping Bag

Comfort Temperature Rating: 20° F

Weight: 4.2 lbs

The Sportneer Sleeping Bag is another great all-around bag perfect for camping or overnight hikes.

This bag, in particular, has some rave reviews online which makes it a safe bet for cheap sleeping bags. Sportneer also offers superb customer service.

Here are the features:

Waterproof.
Comes with a compression bag.
Polyester filling for quick drying.
Comfortable in 4 seasons.
Has a fantastic warmth-to-weight ratio.

Odoland Sleeping Bag

Comfort Temperature Rating: 40° F

Weight: 3.8 lbs

We like the Odoland Sleeping Bag because it has some unique features that are hard to find. The bag has armholes if you need to cool off or easily reach something in your tent. It also opens at the bottom to allow your feet to escape if you get too warm.

Here are the features:

Waterproof.
Unique armholes.
Unzips from the bottom for feet escape.
Comes with a compression bag.
Comfortable for 3 seasons.

Samhe Lightweight Sleeping Bag

Comfort Temperature Rating: 41° F

Weight: 2.2 lbs

The Samhe Sleeping Bag is like a hybrid between a mummy-style and an envelope style bag. They term it ‘barrel-shaped’ which means it is wide at the shoulders, and narrows slightly at the legs, but not as narrow as a typical mummy style bag. This may be a good alternative if you don’t like the restriction of a traditional mummy style.

Here are the features:

Comfortable for 3 seasons.
Waterproof.
Very lightweight and compressible.
Will fit people up to 5′ 11″.
Comes with a carry bag but no compression sack.
Polyester filling for quick drying.

Bigfoot Lumberjack Sleeping Bag

Comfort Temperature Rating: 32° F

Weight: 3.3 lbs

We love the Bigfoot Sleeping Bag because it comes from a great Nevada, USA company. Bigfoot Outdoor Products stand behind their products 100% and will repair or replace any damaged items. They have developed a strong reputation for quality outdoor and travel products.

The Bigfoot bag is perfect for car camping on warm summer nights.

Here are the features:

Water resistant.
American made.
100% virgin cotton flannel interior lining. Cotton flannel provides increased breathability and an alternative to a slippery polyester lining.
Comes with a compression sack.
Extra long and can fit someone taller than 6′.
Comfortable in 3 seasons.

Are you into road tripping? So are we! 😉 Check out all our car camping posts!

HiHiker Winter Sleeping Bag

Comfort Temperature Rating: 25° F

Weight: 8 lbs

The HiHiker Sleeping Bag is a great all-around bag for hiking and backpacking. But what we love most is that it comes with a compressible travel pillow that fits into the compression sack. Your whole bed all in one sack! 😄

Here are the features:

Comes with a compression sack.
Comes with a compressible travel pillow.
Has a Lifetime Warranty (a great feature for a budget bag!).
Comfortable for 4 seasons.
Waterproof.

Teton Trailhead Sleeping Bag

Comfort Temperature Rating: 20-35° F

Weight: 2.4 lbs

Teton has an excellent reputation for outdoor adventure gear and the Trailhead Sleeping Bag is great all around. This bag is everything you will need for any type of camping, hiking or backpacking trip. You get a trusted brand name and it still comes in at a cheap price.

Here are the features:

Trusted brand name.
Comfortable in 4 seasons.
Draft tubes along the zipper to keep drafts out.
Water resistant.
Lifetime Warranty
Come with a stuff sack. 😃

This is our ⭐ top choice ⭐ for best-all-around in all cheap sleeping bags.

If you are new to camping, hiking and backpacking, there are plenty of great cheap sleeping bags available. We hope you found some good ones here! What are your favourite brands for camping and hiking gear? Let us know in the comments below!

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*This post may contain affiliate links that help to keep this blog running. Read our disclosure for more information.

April 5, 2019

Best & top rated cheap, affordable & budget restaurants in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada - where to eat, food, snacks, menu, food truck, cafe, things to do, travel guide, tips, ideas hacks fuelforthesole.com

Best Budget Restaurants in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

by Fuel For The Sole December 12, 2018

written by Fuel For The Sole

If you live in or are planning to visit Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada – this post is a necessity. Yes, the rumors are true. Vancouver is a very expensive city. It is especially expensive for tourists as the big ticket items here are hotels, sightseeing activities and restaurants.

We lived in Vancouver for about two years, and being the crazy budget seekers we are, we have a pretty good grasp on how to save big on your food budget. And you don’t even have to sacrifice quality! Vancouver has plenty of tasty and delicious cheap eat options for you to try.

Make sure you travel to Vancouver like a PRO with our ‘Top 5 Must-Have Items‘ for the city with endless views, and endless rain 😉

J-Pillow Travel Pillow– Our FAVOURITE Travel Pillow
Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask
Repel Windproof Travel Umbrella
Hunter Rain Boots
Fugetek Selfie Stick

Alright, let’s dive in. Here are our top picks and tools for the best budget restaurants, cheap eats and affordable food in Vancouver:

The Famous Warehouse

This is probably the most popular and well known restaurant in the city – and for good reason. This half restaurant, half bar is always a great party with an attractive and fun staff. There is always a DJ playing themed music like 80’s, 90’s or funk. The ‘grungy’ decor makes you feel strangely comfortable. And the best part – their entire menu is priced at $5.95 per meal.

The Warehouse Group actually has a few restaurants in Vancouver – El Furniture Warehouse on Granville and on West Hastings, The Dime on Granville and Commercial, and The Moose on Nelson. All locations serve up a slightly different menu, but stick to the $5.95 deal.

Our favourite dishes at El Furniture are the chicken wings, west coast fish tacos, braised beef dip au jus, braised beef spaghetti and the sundried tomato pesto penne.

Basil Pasta Bar

There’s no need to break the bank on a nice Italian meal – just visit Basil Pasta Bar in downtown Vancouver or in Kitsilano.

Build your own pasta or choose from a huge variety of signature pasta dishes for a delicious and huge portion of the good stuff! All of the pasta dishes are about $10 and perfect for a dinner out.

The Pawn Shop

It’s definitely a tough decision, but The Pawn Shop on Granville might just be my favourite Vancouver restaurant. It’s slogan “Tacos, Taps and Tequila” just speaks to me. The restaurant is right in the middle of all the action, has a great atmosphere and a super friendly staff.

Price aside, I love this place simply because they have the best nachos in the world! But it’s also a great budget spot with their daily drink specials, a daily happy hour menu including $1.50 tacos and most meals coming in under $12.

Joe’s Grill

This no-frills diner has three locations throughout the city – on Davie Street, Denman Street and Main Street.

Joe’s Grill is very popular for it’s cheap, daily breakfast and lunch specials. Meals start as low as $5.65 and almost all meals are under $10. While you are there, try some of their best dishes – blueberry pancakes, waffle sandwiches and breakfast burritos.

The best and top rated budget, cheap, affordable restaurants in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada - travel, vacation, holiday, trip, save money, food, meals, fuelforthesole.com — Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada has some of the best ramen in the country. You can find fantastic budget, cheap and affordable restaurants in the city with our travel ideas, tips and hacks.

Ramen

Ramen is a big deal in Vancouver – and an absolute must-try when you visit! It is the perfect meal for the city – a great budget deal and something warm and comforting when you need to get out of the rain.

Our absolute favourites (along with many others’ as made apparent by the constant lines) are Ramen Danbo and Ramen Santouka. These restaurants serve up huge bowls of noodles – giving you a full and satisfying meal for under $10.

Ramen Danbo has it all – the perfect thin and soft noodles, the all-day simmered and fatty broth, and great choices for toppings. There are two locations in Vancouver – one in the West End and one in Kitsilano.

Ramen Santouka is another city favourite. They are known for their super flavourful broth and also have two locations – one in the West End and one in Fairview.

Great Wall Mongolian BBQ

If you have never had Mongolian style food – this is the best place to try it. A Mongolian Grill restaurant allows you to create your own stir-fry by picking out your own meats, seafoods, veggies, sauces and noodles. They take your creation and grill it up on a super hot, well seasoned grill – right before your eyes! It’s a vibe.

Restaurants like the Great Wall Mongolian BBQ are great for travel because everyone in your group can get what they want, you can easily adapt for individual diets and dietary restrictions, it’s super filling and it’s cheap – $12 for lunch and $16 for dinner.

La Taqueria

Tacos are a big deal in Vancity. It almost seems like their is a competition for who can make the tastiest and most authentic taco in the city. Of course, there are tons of options for tacos – and they all serve up authentic Mexican street-food style tacos served on two fresh corn tortillas with fresh and spicy shredded meats, and topped with raw onions, cilantro and a lime wedge.

Our favourite taco spot is La Taqueria. They have lots of different meat, seafood and vegetarian options, each one as delicious as the next. With four locations throughout the city, you’ll find one close to where you are visiting. Their tacos start at only $2.50 each. They also have daily deals, happy hour deals and serve up cold Mexican beer.

Looking for more cheap travel tips and hacks? Check out our budget travel series:
‘How to Find Budget Accommodation Anywhere in the World’
‘Things to do for Free While Traveling’
‘Maintain Your Food Budget While Traveling’
‘How to Travel the World for Free’

Straight Outta Brooklyn Pizzeria

This is not only the best pizza in Vancouver, but it’s the best pizza I have ever had (and I’ve been to Naples). I came across this gem on Instagram and as soon as I saw it I knew I had fallen in love.

Straight Outta Brooklyn Pizzeria dishes out Brooklyn style slices of pizza – the thin crust, delicately topped, sweet sauce, huge, foldable kind. You get a huge slice for about $4. Perfect for an on-the-go lunch while shopping and sightseeing around Robson Street. Or check out their Main Street or Kingsway locations.

Sushi

You cannot visit Vancouver without going to a sushi restaurant (or two, or ten). This city is known for having the best sushi in the country – most likely due to the high Asian population and the availability of fresh, local fish and seafood. There are seemingly endless options for sushi in Vancouver and you will see a sushi joint on every block.

We like Momo Sushi downtown because it offers amazing quality sushi at a great budget price. Here you’ll find all your favourites and the rolls start as low as $2.95. Try their best dishes – sashimi, dragon roll and octopus.

We have also fallen in love with Bistro Sakana in Yaletown. This is a beautiful and low cost option in an otherwise pricey location. They are not generally a cheap eats place, but their happy hour menu is insane! We found some of the best happy hour deals in the city here on both food and drinks. If you go, promise me you will try their Smoked Saikyo Misozuke (Miso Black Cod).

Peaked Pies

This tasty food stop has held the number one top spot on TripAdvisor’s cheap eats list for a long time. And it’s no surprise because this restaurant caters to the huge Aussie population in Vancouver with it’s Australian style meat (and vegetarian) pies. Try a traditional beef and onion pie, or go exotic with butter chicken or kangaroo filling.

The pies at Peaked Pies start at a great price of only $4.75 – and for a full and satisfying meal, add on mashed potatoes, mushy peas and gravy for only $3.75.

Granville Island Market

You are definetly going to want to check out Granville Island on your trip to Vancouver. This is one of the best landmarks in the city – and totally free to visit!

Granville Island sits right in the middle of it all – just south of the downtown area. The island offers plenty of water activities, restaurants, shopping and great views of the city.

We think the best part of the island is The Granville Island Public Market. This is a huge indoor market featuring stalls filled with local meats, seafood and produce, local artisans and boutiques, and dozens of delicious food options. The market is perfect for travelers because you can choose any type of cuisine and size of meal you would like, and you will find great deals and cheap meals here.

Food Trucks

Vancouver is famous for food trucks – perhaps due to the year-long mild weather, or the fact that rental costs for a physical restaurant are astronomical. Whatever the reason, the city has fabulous food truck options that change up daily. They are perfect for the traveler as you can try out tons of different cuisine and grab a quick and cheap meal on the go.

Check out the Street Food App for Vancouver to get a listing of all the food trucks in the city that day and where they are all located. Most trucks are situated downtown but you can find them spread all throughout the city.

TripAdvisor

The TripAdvisor website is always our first go-to when trying to find budget restaurants in any city we visit around the world. The site allows you to get really specific with what you are looking for. We filter for “cheap eats” to make sure we will find an affordable restaurant.

You can also filter for the type of cuisine you want, what neighbourhood you are in and if you want dine-in, take out or delivery.

Brewhound

Brewhound is an awesome app for Vancouver. Download it and it will show you all the daily deals and happy hour specials going on in the city that day. It lists the restaurants based on your actual location so you will see the closest restaurants to you first. The app is kept up-to-date and has a surprisingly comprehensive listing of most of the restaurants in the city.

If you are visiting Vancouver, make sure to download this app to find the most affordable food deals of the day.

Groupon

The old tried and true – Groupon. Make sure you always check out Groupon for local deals. The site has tons of restaurant deals to choose from that will save you lots of cash. We love it because it allows us to try out pricier restaurants for a bargain price.

If there is a restaurant you really want to try out, check Groupon first and you might find some great savings.

Fellow Vancouverites – what are some of your favourite budget restaurants? Comment below!

Do you love our post? Share it on Pinterest!

*This post may contain affiliate links that help to keep this blog running. Read our disclosure for more information.

December 12, 2018

How to Find Budget Accommodation Anywhere in the World _ Cheap _ Money _ Tips _ Tricks _ Hacks _ Travel Fuelforthesole.com

How to Find Budget Accommodation While Traveling

by Fuel For The Sole November 9, 2018

written by Fuel For The Sole

Continuing on with our budget travel series – we are talking about finding cheap lodging and accommodation. Besides actually getting to your destination, accommodation will take up the biggest portion of your travel budget. Therefore, there is another huge opportunity here to save lots of cash. But like all budget methods, it will take you a bit more time, effort and open-mindedness to get there.

Overall, the best way to find economical accommodation is to start planning your vacation early and spend time on researching your options carefully. There is so much information online and so many opportunities to find great deals but you have to put in the work. Don’t worry – it will pay off! It always does.

Want to learn more about budget travel? Check out our budget series:

‘How to Travel the World for Free’

‘How to Maintain Your Food Budget While Traveling’

‘Things to do for Free While Traveling’

Alright, let’s jump right into it. Here’s our top tips on how to find budget accommodation anywhere in the world!

Stay at Hostels

If you are comfortable with the idea, using hostels is a great way to save money while traveling. Staying in hostels is significantly cheaper than hotels and utilizing them will allow you to stretch your travel budget a lot further. You may have to give up a bit of privacy and comfort – but what you will gain is friendships, learning more about the local life, sharing experiences with other travelers, and saving money on accommodation and on food by being able to cook for yourself.

Hostels are becoming more popular which means you will find them in most cities and they are trending toward a higher quality with more amenities and cleanliness standards.

Hostels come in all shapes and sizes, so take your time to look around and find the right one for you. You will find a wide variety of room options. You can get a private room if that is what you prefer, but it will cost you extra. The cheapest room you will get will be in a dormitory style room with an average of 8 beds and a shared bathroom.

There are tons of resources to search for hostels online. Here are some of the more popular:

Hostelworld
Booking.com (watch carefully for your ‘total price’ before booking – sometimes there are hidden fees)
Hostels.com

House Sitting

One of our favourite words in the world is ‘free‘ – I’ll take a wild guess and bet yours is to. House sitting is one way to get absolutely free accommodation anywhere in the world. It takes a bit more effort to get into but it is worth it for the ability to travel the world at a very low cost.

If you have never heard of house sitting before it is definitely worth looking into before planning your next trip. Essentially, house sitting involves a home owner who will be away and who needs a house sitter to watch their property and any pets they have. This will give you free lodging and you can find gigs anywhere in the world.

Join one of the sites below to get involved. Each site will charge you an annual fee (ranging from $20 – $119 USD/year) to use their services in order to connect you to home owners. There is a lot of competition on these sites and you will have more luck landing a gig if you have some experience. Consider house sitting near your hometown first in order to establish some credibility so you have a better chance of being selected when you are ready to house sit abroad.

Here are the most popular sites for house sitting:

House Swapping

Again – FREE! Another way to get free accommodation is by house swapping. House swapping is a very unique experience where two parties connect and swap homes for a set period of time. If you live in a city where others want to visit, you’re in luck. Set up a profile and check out who else is offering a house swap in areas you want to visit and see if you can find a match.

There are many sites dedicated to connecting house swappers. Here are some of the most popular:

Stay for Free With Locals

‘Couchsurfing’ is becoming a trendy term and is also a great way to travel the world for very little money. Members of this community offer lodging in their home for free. The lodging could be a private room, an air mattress or a couch, but it’s always free. Taking part in this type of exchange will give you an authentic local experience and you will get invaluable information of the city you are visiting. The process is quite safe as the hosts are given a thorough background check and verification process and you can find reviews of each host that have been made by past guests. You will also have lots of communication with the host before your visit so you will get an idea of the person and if you mesh well.

There’s a plethora of sites dedicated to this. The idea of couchsurfing is growing in popularity and with more like-minded people building this community, the easier it will be for you to find the perfect match. Check out these popular sites:

Don’t be a fool, and travel like a pro! Travel can be exhausting, overwhelming and stressful – so make sure you bring along the right gear! Make sure you read our post Top 10 Must Have Items for Long Travel Days and carry along these items to help improve comfort and sleep, and reduce anxiety and stress:

J-Pillow Travel Pillow – Our FAVOURITE Travel Pillow
Hydro Flask 32 oz. Water Bottle
Physix Compression Socks
Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask
Sony Noise Cancelling Headphones

Home Rental Sites

We use these very often and it is definitely our go-to when first looking for accommodation. There are so many benefits to renting a home when you travel – 1) It is so popular now that you can find homes in every city worldwide; 2) You can always find a room or home for less than the cost of a hotel; 3) You experience life as a local as you are literally ‘walking in their shoes’; 4) You get great amenities like a kitchen and laundry; 5) You get more space and privacy compared to a hostel or hotel room. You will pay more for these homes compared to some other options on this list, but because of all these benefits it is worth checking out these sites before booking your lodging.

One important note – pay attention to the reviews. Unfortunately, there are scams present on these sites. Seek out home owners who have many recent reviews and have a high rating – read all the comments to get an idea of the true condition of the home.

The feature we love on these sites is the ability to filter. By using the the filter you get to look at exactly what you want. You can choose whether you want a private room or an entire home to yourself. You can set your budget so you are not shown options that are outside of your price range. You can locate homes on a map so you can easily pick the locations you want to visit.

Check out these popular sites for great lodging options:

Hotel Booking Sites

If you are set on staying in a hotel, always check out hotel booking sites to compare prices and ensure you are getting the best rate. These sites are so popular now and they do a great job at searching the internet for the best rate, so make sure you take advantage of them.

When we were in Zurich, we found an amazing hotel that included daily breakfast for less than an Airbnb or hostel would have cost. This hotel was spectacular and set on top of a mountain that overlooked the whole city. Hotels will randomly offer great deals for multiple reasons, so make sure to check out these sites before booking.

We found this budget, yet luxury, hotel on **hotels.com**. By researching cheap and affordable accommodation, we were able to find this gem in Switzerland.

Local Deals Websites

Each city will have their own ‘daily deals’ site you can look into. If you sign up for sites like this, you can search through all the local deals that are being offered. It is common to find hotel packages with an all-in-one price which includes accommodation, meals and sometimes activity or spa credits. It’s worth a look to see if there’s a package deal that would be cheaper than booking everything individually.

Popular sites in North America are listed below, but research the city you are visiting for other options:

Camping

If you are backpacking or driving throughout your destination, why not give camping a try? Camping is so popular worldwide and you can always find cheap campsites at the fraction of the cost of a hotel. Of course, you’ll save lots of money this way, but you’ll also get out of touristy areas, explore the beauty of the land you are visiting, get some amazing views and photo-ops, and you will get your own space, privacy and a much quieter night’s sleep.

While touring around, be prepared to camp out and bring along lightweight camping gear like hammock tents, lightweight sleeping bags and all-in-one cooking sets. We have an extremely thorough post on lightweight (and budget!) camping and backpacking gear – check out ‘Backpacking Essentials: What to Bring and What Not To’ to learn more.

Overlanding

We talk a lot about overlanding because it is an incredible way to save money and travel on a small budget for a long time. If it is possible for you to drive to your destination, consider taking a camper van or RV to save on accommodation, transportation and food costs. This type of travel offers you freedom, flexibility and a whole new perspective on the world. If you are interested in this type of travel and want to learn more, check out our post ‘Backpack Travel Vs. Overland Travel’.

To find budget campsites for tent camping, car/van camping, or RV camping worldwide, check out:

Night Trains and Buses

If you are on a backpacking trip and traveling from city to city, take advantage of the cheaper night trains and buses. You’ll save money this way by traveling at a less desirable time. And you will also save a night’s lodging cost by sleeping on an overnight ride. Train and bus seats offer more room and comfort than a plane – so if you bring along a travel pillow and light blanket you will be able to get a good night’s rest. Even if you do this a handful of times throughout your trip, you will still save a good amount of money and every bit counts.

Travel to Budget Countries

When you are planning your next vacation spot, try to keep an open mind. Think beyond the most popular destinations and you can reduce your travel budget significantly. You will save money not only on lodging, but on transportation and food costs as well.

Here’s a list of the world’s top 10 most expensive cities to visit: (Source: The Telegraph.co.uk)

Singapore
Paris, France
Zurich, Switzerland
Hong Kong
Oslo, Norway
Geneva, Switzerland
Seoul, South Korea
Copenhagen, Denmark
Tel Aviv, Isreal
Sydney, Australia

Other notoriously expensive cities to visit are:

New York City, New York
London, England
Los Angeles, California
Tokyo, Japan
Rome, Italy
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Honolulu, Hawaii.

Some of the cheapest destinations in the world (and the most interesting in our opinion) include:

Southeast Asia: Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos etc.
Mexico
Columbia
Uruguay
Guatemala
Cuba
Eastern Europe: Bulgaria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Poland, Croatia etc.
Greece
Portugal
Turkey
South Africa
India

What ways do you save on accommodation while traveling? Let us know and comment below!

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Travel tips, tricks, ideas, hacks & guide on finding budget, cheap, affordable, inexpensive & free accommodation, lodging, hotels, home rentals, hostels, save money Fuelforthesole.com

*This post may contain affiliate links that help to keep this blog running. Read our disclosure for more information.

November 9, 2018

Things to Do for Free While Traveling

by Fuel For The Sole November 2, 2018

written by Fuel For The Sole

You’ve done it. You’ve booked time off work, picked your perfect vacation spot, found economical transportation and lodging – now that you are there, what do you do?

You’ve likely spent a good chunk of cash to get to your destination and would now like to keep your travel expenses to a minimum. No problem!

Every city, big or small, has loads of free activities to partake in that still allow you to experience the city to the fullest.

Forget expensive tours, tickets to attractions and pricey excursions – you don’t need to spend much to get a truly rich experience.

Want to learn more about budget travel? Check out our budget series:

‘How to Travel the World for Free’

‘How to Find Budget Accommodation Anywhere’

How to Maintain Your Food Budget While Traveling’

Free Travel Activity Ideas

Parks – There are so many to choose from and they are usually built around locations of interests. Public parks are run by the city and therefore tend to be clean, maintained and well manicured making for a pretty view. You may also find some great amenities like restrooms, picnic tables and bbqs so you can spend the day.
Beaches – Sun, sand and an ocean view – there is nothing more I need. Get there early, scout out a primo spot, bring a picnic and a shelter, and spend the day enjoying the warmth and local people.
Museums – Get your dose of culture and history. Many cities offer free admission either daily or on specific days of the week – check ahead to see the best deal.
Outdoor concerts, festivals and fairs – Every city has their own unique celebrations and these go all year round. Ask the locals, your tourism office or hotel reception for events in your area.
Hiking – Go on a day hike and see sights off the beaten path. Find a trail that will take you to a beautiful vantage point, spend the day resting at the top and watching the beautiful sights below you.
Local Markets – These pop up all over the place – on main streets, on side streets, in alleyways, in the countryside. Here you will meet locals, get a real sense of the local culture, grab some cheap souvenirs and the cheapest and most authentic food available.
Parades – Parades are an amazing way to get excellent free entertainment – each city will offer it’s own blend of music, dancing, costumes and culture – a treat for the senses!
Government buildings – Check out historic architecture, gain knowledge of the city and most will offer a free tour.
College and University Campuses – An often overlooked option. Here you’ll find beautiful architecture and low-cost events like concerts, plays, science fairs, art shows, and sporting and athletic events.
Geocaching – Geocaching is essentially a worldwide scavenger hunt. This free mobile app allows you to see nearby hidden hide and seek containers filled with tiny treasures and a log book to show you completed the mission. There are millions hidden all over the world. They are usually hidden near interesting spots and gets you out into different areas of the city and countryside.
Snorkeling – Bring along your own snorkel gear and spend hours exploring the water (just remember to put some SPF on your back!).

While you are traveling around and having fun (for free!), make sure you bring along high energy snacks so you don’t ruin your travel food budget. Check out our post ‘Healthy Food Ideas for Snacks and Meals While Hiking‘ for a list of high energy, non-perishable foods you can bring along with you while you tour your destination.

Tips on Cheap Things to do on Vacation

Bike Rentals – This is our favourite thing to do and has popped up in practically every large city around the world. It’s simple to use – bike docking stations appear all over the city, just find one, bike wherever you wish and drop it off at any other docking station you see. You can get a fairly inexpensive day pass and explore the entire city this way – and cover way more ground than on foot.
Outdoor Community Pools – A great spot to relax and spend the day by the poolside. Large cities will have these and usually charge a very small fee to enter for the day. A much cheaper alternative to a fancy resort or waterpark.
Tastings at a Winery or Brewery – You’ll get some education about the local culture here and finish off with a tasting for free or cheap.
National Parks – A national park will usually charge a small fee for a day pass but there are endless things to do once you’re in. Spend a whole day discovering natural beauty, hike, picnic, take a free tour and learn about the history of the land.
Local Sporting Events – Sports are a big deal everywhere in the world. Check out a local sports team and witness first hand the passion of the locals.
Transit Passes – Grab a bus or subway day pass and tour the whole city on the cheap. If you know where you are going and where the best places are, you can avoid expensive ‘Hop On, Hop Off’ buses.
Rent a Canoe or Paddle Boat – Get off the land and explore the lakes and rivers – get off your feet and get a new perspective from the water.

Find Budget Deals With Websites & Apps

Forum sites like Tripadvisor give you great information because it consists of posts and reviews from fellow travelers. Check out the ‘Top Things To Do’ in the city you are in and get an idea of what is worth seeing, price comparisons and free activities.
Sites like Groupon offer a huge amount of deals on local activities, classes and restaurants. Always check here first and you may find just what you are looking for at a much cheaper price.
Sites like Craigslist are an amazing resource while traveling. Check out Craigslist for the city you are visiting. There is a ‘community’ section where you will find tons of local activities, events, classes etc.
Google things like ‘free walking tours’ and ‘free events’ to find out what’s happening near you. Another great activity are ‘Self Walks’ – Google this and you will get a walking route that you can take on your own without paying for a tour guide.
Vayable.com is a fantastic community built site to help you find free and cheap activities to do in the cities you are visiting. The posts are put up by locals and experienced travelers so you know you are getting the best insider tips.
Most major cities offer free walking tours. This is a great way to explore and learn more about the city you are visiting. Websites like Free Tour, Free Tours by Foot and New Europe Tours allow you to search cities worldwide for free and cheap walking tours.
Check the tourism website and community calendar of the city you are visiting for free events happening in the community.
We also found a post by The Mindful Wonderer very helpful – check out their “59 Budget Travel Tips”.

J-Pillow Travel Pillow – Our FAVOURITE Travel Pillow
Hydro Flask 32 oz. Water Bottle
Physix Compression Socks
Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask
Sony Noise Cancelling Headphones

List of Hacks to Find Affordable Activities

Stop in at Tourist Centers – Each city has one. Take advantage of these – ask for a map, tips on transportation, and free local activities and events happening nearby.
Avoid Expensive Organised Tours – Unless you are going to a dangerous or extremely remote spot, ditch the paid tour. Check out public transportation routes or rent a car and you can check out local attractions for a fraction of the cost.
Pick up brochures for coupons and local newspapers for a list of free events.
Visit Smaller Cities and Towns – Large, popular and capital cities will always be the most expensive to tour in. You are more likely to be charged to enter public spaces and buildings there. Smaller cities will offer more free activities and have more local events, markets and festivals to explore. It will also give you a slower, calmer and more authentic experience.
Connect with Locals – Talk to the local people you come across at cafes, markets and on the street. These are the true experts of the city you are visiting and they are often happy to give you advice. Ask about the best parks, hikes, restaurants, events and festivals to check out.
Take Advantage of the Library – You’ll get some beautiful architecture, lots of free activities for kids, clean public restrooms, use of their WiFi and computers, and borrow books, DVDs and CDs to entertain yourself on rainy days or long trips.
Volunteer for a Local Cause – Support the community you are traveling in and meet locals. You may even be rewarded with a free lunch.
Be Flexible – The most interesting places we have happened upon were on days we had no schedule and no destination – we were just wandering the city or countryside. This is how to find unique and local events you may not hear about any other way.

Famous Free Activities Around The World

Staten Island Ferry, New York – A ride on the Staten Island Ferry is free and takes you past Governors Island, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.
Paris, France – You will get free admission to many museums in Paris on the first Sunday of each month.
Cathedral of Our Lady of Paris (aka Notre Dame), Paris – Always free admission.
Rome, Italy – You will get free entry to state-owned museums and heritage sites – such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum – on the first Sunday of each month.
St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican – It is always free to enter St. Peter’s Basilica, with admission fees for a few other areas if you wish.
Parc Güell, Barcelona – You can enter the ticketed monumental area for free on some Sundays, but you can walk the surrounding park for free anytime. At the end of the walk you end up at the top of a mountain with the best view of Barcelona.
Melbourne, Australia – The central section of the tram system – the CBD and the docklands of Victoria Harbour – in Melbourne is free for all users.
The British Museum, London – Always free admission. Also, most museums in the UK have free admission.
Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC – Offers 19 museums that all have free admission.
US Capitol, Washington DC – Get a free parliamentary tour at the center of politics itself.
Full Moon Rave, Thailand – On the full moon and half moon of each month, this huge beach party takes place for free in Koh Phangan.
Golden Temple, India – Every day the temple in Amritsar dishes out a free meal for around 40,000 people.
Grand Bazaar, Istanbul – It is always free to visit one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world – with 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops to explore.
Bahá’í House of Worship (aka Lotus Temple), Delhi – People of any faith are free to visit the temple and pray or meditate.

Do you have any great tips for things to do for free while traveling? Comment below!

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*This post may contain affiliate links that help to keep this blog running. Read our disclosure for more information.

November 2, 2018

Easy tips and hacks on how to travel with a food budget. Save money on cheap meals and snacks while on vacation or holiday. And stay healthy doing it! Road trips and food to go. Fuelforthesole.com

The Easiest Ways to Travel on a Food Budget

by Fuel For The Sole October 30, 2018

written by Fuel For The Sole

We all want to travel and we all want to save money. You do not have to choose between the two. Use our best tips on how to maintain a food budget while on vacation.

And you can trust my credentials because I am a budget junky.

Ever since I was a child, I have been frugal. It definitely runs in my family so I come by it honestly. I tend to get a bit obsessed with finding the free or cheapest option for anything I am doing – at home or on vacation.

With a little extra effort, you can always find something cheaper than the most convenient and obvious alternative.

The cheap part of me shines when I am traveling. I strive to limit our budget and find ways to stick within it. Of course, it’s essential to research affordable flights and hotels – but once you are at your destination, food and drink will take up a huge chunk of your travel budget.

The problem is this – food is a huge part of travel. When we travel we want to experience the local cuisine, convenient options are constantly tempting us and we tend to be a little lazy and want to relax. This all equals money!

But there are easy ways to enjoy yourself and stick to your travel food budget at the same time. Check out some of our favourite ways to keep a food budget while traveling. Try a few of these tips on your next trip and you will find a big difference in the amount you spend.

We are curious – how do you save money when you are on vacation? Do you find the biggest money saving tricks are on flights, hotels, food or activities? Let us know in the comments below!

Want more tips on budget travel? Check out our budget series:

‘Things to do for Free While Traveling’

‘How to Travel the World for Free’

‘How to Find Budget Accommodation Anywhere’

Vacation Tips – How to Save Money on Food

Save Money on Your Food Budget by Cooking and Buying Groceries

I mention this a lot in our posts because I think it’s the easiest way to save money while traveling. The absolute cheapest way to eat on holiday is to continue cooking your own meals. By avoiding restaurants you can save thousands on your travel food budget.

Read How to Travel the World for Free and Why you Should Consider Camper Travel for more on cooking for yourself while traveling and how to save money in other ways.

First things first, you’ll need a kitchen. This is why we tend to stick to home rental sites like Airbnb and VRBO when we travel. If you plan to stay in a hotel, check to see if any rooms offer a suite or mini kitchen before booking. Even hostels usually have a communal kitchen you can use. And if you are traveling by car, consider packing a camp kitchen or take a camper or RV so you have a kitchen wherever you go.

If you are lucky enough to have a full kitchen, try to cook as many meals as you can. Buy groceries for the week and choose quick cooking options like eggs, cereals, oatmeals, sandwich materials, pre-cooked meats, pre-cut veggies, and salad kits. This way you won’t spend all your vacation time in the kitchen.

Even if your accommodation has no kitchen at all, you will likely have a mini fridge and a coffee maker. Pro tip: You can usually request a mini fridge free of charge at your hotel. Stock your fridge with simple items like milk (for cereal), sandwich materials and snacks. Utilize your coffee maker to make hot water for quick cook meals like instant ramen soups and oatmeal.

A great tip that we always live by is to pack our own snacks. If we are taking a road trip or touring the city for the day, we pack lots of snack options for healthy food on the go. You will inevitably get hungry while touring around and packing food to go will help you avoid all those expensive temptations out there.

Use Websites and Budget Apps to Find Food and Meal Deals

We are big Tripadvisor fan. If we do plan to go to a restaurant while on vacation, we always utilize this app. First, we check the ratings of the restaurant to ensure we are spending our money on a quality establishment. Secondly, we take advantage of their filters. You can filter your restaurant search for a particular neighbourhood, meal time, cuisine – and most importantly – price. Check off ‘cheap eats‘ to find the most affordable restaurants in your area.

Discount sites like Groupon, LivingSocial and Restaurant.com are other fabulous resources. These budget websites will find tons of options for deals on restaurants in your area. It is very common to find discounts for 50% to 70% off the regular rate. A common deal would be something like ‘$15 for $30 worth of food’ – you pay $15 and can order $30 worth of food off their menu. You need to sign up for these sites (free!) in order to use them. After that, it is a very simple process. Purchase your deal and show up to the restaurant. You can print out your coupon or simply show from your phone.

We also search for local food apps to save money on our food budget. There are great apps out there to help you find happy hour deals and daily food deals near you. ‘Happy Hour Finder’ will locate where you are and show you all the local food and drink deals. However, for more up to date information, check to see if the specific city you are in has its own app. For example, Vancouver has its own amazing app for all restaurant deals called ‘BrewHound’. Hawaii has it’s own called ‘Hawaii Happy Hours‘. Reykjavik has ‘Appy Hour’. Paris has ‘HappyBill’.

Don’t be a fool, and travel like a pro! Travel can be exhausting, overwhelming and stressful – so make sure you bring along the right gear! Check out our carefully curated Travel Resources page for the best travel gadgets, outdoors gear and helpful apps. In the meantime, here are our Top 5 Travel Gear Must-Haves:

J-Pillow Travel Pillow – Our Favourite Travel Pillow
Hydro Flask 32 oz. Water Bottle – Stay eco-friendly and avoid single-use plastics while traveling.
Master Lock Portable Safe – Pack a lightweight portable safe to keep your valuables secure in your hotel room.
Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask – The easiest way to sleep soundly while traveling.
Sony Noise Cancelling Headphones – The best budget headphones on the market (for noisy flights and public transportation).

Restaurant Hacks and Finding Cheap Meal Deals

At some point in your trip, you are going to want to eat at a local restaurant. Stay smart when eating out and you can still stick to your food budget.

Check out local markets. First of all, this is a great activity to do for any trip. You can really get an idea for the local culture in a market. You will usually find great deals on food here. There are many options so everyone in your group will be satisfied. Choose between a small snack or a large meal. Find the city’s most authentic cuisine. Pick up unique food items for cooking at your hotel or vacation rental.

Street food and food trucks. These small restaurants will always be cheaper than a meal at a restaurant. They do not have the overhead a restaurant has so they are able to charge less. You will also find much more unique food options and meet some interesting people. In places like Latin America and Southeast Asia, street food will only cost you a few dollars a meal.

Look for a hotel that offers free breakfast. Many hotels offer breakfast with accommodation and they are usually the same price as a hotel that doesn’t offer breakfast. Try to eat a substantial breakfast at your hotel and maybe you won’t need to bother with lunch. Also, grab some extra fruit, yogurt, bagels and pastries from the breakfast buffet to keep you fueled throughout the day.

Look for restaurants with a ‘kid’s eat free‘ deal. Why pay for your kid’s meals if you don’t have to? Many large restaurant chains offer this either daily or on a specific day of the week. Some restaurants who offer this are IHOP, Denny’s, Bob Evans, Steak ‘n Shake, Ruby Tuesday, TGI Fridays, Applebee’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Chick-fil-A, Lone Star, and Pizza Hut.

If there is a restaurant you really want to try on your vacation, go during lunch or at happy hour rather than at dinner when prices are highest.

A simple tip to save money at a restaurant is to order apps or split one entrée between two people.

Avoid tourist restaurants. If the restaurant is located on a popular street or there is someone outside asking you to come in, this place will likely be expensive. Stick to smaller, local or family run businesses off the beaten path for cheaper and more authentic food.

Look for buffets. You can find really inexpensive buffets, especially for brunch and lunch. If you have a family, a buffet can feed everyone for very little.

Talk to locals. They will give you the best recommendations that won’t be found through your concierge or online.

Are you planning your next vacation? Let us help make your next trip go smoothly with our travel planning posts:

Drinks - Easy tips and hacks on how to travel with a food budget. Save money on cheap meals and snacks while on vacation or holiday. And stay healthy doing it! Road trips and food to go. Fuelforthesole.com — The cost of drinks on holiday can add up quick. Use these money saving tricks to keep your travel food budget down.

Tips on Saving Money on Drinks

When touring around or eating out, drinks can add up quickly and take a huge chunk out of your food budget – not worth it! Use these simple hacks to save money on you travel budget;

Always carry your own refillable water bottle to refill as you need. You’ll save quite a bit by avoiding bottled waters and drinks while on the go.
When you are eating out, just order water. A pop or coffee will be between $2.50 to $3.50 a person. And these costs increase when you add tax and tip on top of it. Beverages are where restaurants make a lot of their money – don’t fall for it!
Coffee – avoid the $6 coffee at the cafe. Make your own coffee in your hotel before you leave for the day (or grab one free from the lobby).
Alcohol – an inevitable part of traveling that will cost you a huge amount. Stick to your budget by using some of these tips: find a happy hour deal that will likely split the cost of drinks in half; check out breweries and wineries for free tastings; enjoy some cocktails in your hotel room before going out for the night; bring along a flask if you will be out for the evening; find a lovely park and bring a bottle of wine to enjoy (this is actually legal in most countries outside of North America, can you believe it?!).

Do you have any tips that help you save money in your food budget while traveling? Let us know in the comments below!

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*This post may contain affiliate links that help to keep this blog running. Read our disclosure for more information.

October 30, 2018

Best tips, ideas and hacks on how to travel the world for free. Really cheap oppurtunties to travel abroad with no money. House sit, work, volunteer & more. Fuelforthesole.com

How to Travel the World for Free (or Really Cheap)

by Fuel For The Sole October 5, 2018

written by Fuel For The Sole

Wouldn’t we all love to travel for free? A love for travel is one of those things that we all seem to have in common. It is something that appeals to most people, no matter what their walk of life.

So why do people dream about travel but never take the plunge? The logistics, the planning, the lack of time, the responsibilities at work and home – there’s a plethora of reasons people have that prevent them from travelling the world.

But let’s get real, a major reason people give for not travelling more often is having no money. When we think about travel and begin to plan our vacations, we expect to shell out thousands of dollars (and we usually do) – but this restrains us from doing it more often. Such a shame.

BUT.. What if you didn’t need money to travel? What if you could travel abroad with the pitiful amount of money you have in your account right now? Perhaps travel exists beyond the extravagant all-inclusive beach resort.

Well, you’re in luck, my friend! Because if you open your mind (rather than your wallet), you can travel to every corner of the world even if you’re broke. It might take more planning, more effort, more balls – but it’s worth it!

There are many money-saving hacks and budget tips when it comes to travel. And the best part is that these cheap options will give you a richer experience of the city or country you are visiting.

The Best Tips and Ideas to Travel Abroad Even When You Are Broke

So let’s take a look at the options out there.

Check out all of our posts on budget travel and how to save money on your vacation or holiday:

‘How to Find Budget Accommodation and Lodging Anywhere in the World’

‘Things to do for Free While Traveling’

‘How to Maintain Your Food Budget While Traveling’

Travel the World by House and Pet Sitting

This is our favourite way to travel for free!

Each site will charge you an annual fee (ranging from $20 – $119 USD/year) to use their services in order to connect you to home owners. There is a lot of competition on these sites and you will have more luck landing a gig if you have some experience. Consider house sitting near your hometown first in order to establish some credibility so you have a better chance of being selected when you are ready to house sit abroad.

The top five most popular international house sitting sites are listed below. Keep in mind that each country may have their own specific site that is more popular, so check online before planning your trip:

House Swapping Vacations

Also known as Home Exchange. Another dream way to travel for free. This is a unique idea where two parties connect and swap homes for a set period of time.

Have you ever seen the movie ‘The Holiday’? According to the film, if you house swap with someone you will fall in love with a beautiful and charming Brit – definitely worth it.

The big catch here is that you have to: 1) Have a home, and 2) Live in a desirable city that someone would actually want to visit. If that fits your description, this is a great option for you!

There are many sites dedicated to connecting house swappers. Here are some of the most popular:

Tips on Jobs and Working Abroad

If you are able to stay open-minded and flexible you will be able to find work in any country. Popular jobs abroad include teaching English, bartending, restaurant work, hostel or resort work, farm work, scuba diving instructor and working on a cruise ship or yacht. The bonus to working abroad is that you get unique exposure to the city you are visiting, you meet locals, get enveloped in the culture and learn the language.

There are almost endless jobs and resources online. Here are some popular ones:

Go Abroad or Transitions Abroad or Jobs Abroad Bulletin (Teaching English and other jobs)
Indeed Worldwide (For international jobs)
Greenheart Travel (Impactful work abroad)
Easy Expat (Jobs for skilled and unskilled workers)
Cool Works (Seasonal, resort and outdoor jobs)
Season Workers (A focus on seasonal jobs)
Hostel Jobs (Hostel and resort jobs)

Volunteer or Work Exchange Abroad

Volunteer your time in exchange for room and board. Volunteer and work exchange programs are plentiful and exist in every country. These types of experiences give you a socially impactful experience and will teach you valuable skills you will take with you forever. These positions tend to be very flexible, allowing you to choose how long you wish to stay with them.

Most online companies that connect you to these experiences will charge you some travel, administrative and program cost fees. If you do not have the money to start up with these companies, you can always travel to your destination first and seek out local volunteer options once you get there.

Check out the sites below for a huge variety of opportunities:

Helpx or World Packers (Work Exchange on farms, hostels, etc)
WWOOF (Volunteer on an organic farm)
International Volunteer HQ (Impactful volunteer placements)
Plan My Gap Year (Medical, teaching, wildlife volunteer placements)
Maximo Nivel (Latin America volunteer placements)

How to Make Money and Work Online While Traveling

The ultimate situation would be to work online and be able to live or travel anywhere. If you have the type of job that would allow you to work remotely, why not propose this to your boss? They might be willing to change your job description if they want to keep you. It’s worth a shot.

If you do not have the type of job that can function online, then get one! Today there are many ways to make money online. Keep an open mind and remember that you may not be making as much as you do at home. But even a small amount of money will help to fund and extend your travels if you stay smart.

VIPKid or iTalki (Teach English online)
UpWork or OutSource or Fiverr (Freelancing)
Amazon Mechanical Turk (Micro jobs and short tasks)
Click Worker (Data entry)
Appen (Search evaluator jobs)
Transribe Anywhere (Transcription work)
Start a blog or YouTube channel

If you are planning a trip this year, check out our travel planning posts to ensure a successful vacation:

Get Paid While you Travel With Gig Work

While you are travelling there are tons of little jobs you can pick up along the way in order to make some extra cash. You can take on short-term contracts or just complete a quick task for someone. No matter what your level of experience or skill, there’s a gig out there for you. Check out:

Craigslist (look under ‘jobs’ and ‘gigs’)
TaskRabbit
Gumtree

J-Pillow Travel Pillow – Our FAVOURITE Travel Pillow
Hydro Flask 32 oz. Water Bottle
Physix Compression Socks – Don’t forget about your travel health
Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask
Sony Noise Cancelling Headphones – Great quality & on budget

How to Find Free Lodging and Accommodation While Traveling

Many websites have popped up to support the community of ‘couchsurfers’. Members of this community offer lodging in their home for free. The lodging could be a private room, an air mattress or a couch, but it’s always free. Taking part in this type of exchange will give you an authentic local experience and you will get invaluable information of the city you are visiting.

Remember, if you take advantage of couchsurfing while you travel, make sure you pay it forward and offer out your couch to travelers once you are home.

Travel More for Less by Collecting Travel Miles

While you’re at home going about your daily business, why not take advantage of the credit card companies and start earning points toward your next trip? All major credit cards have an option to collect travel reward points and you can accumulate points with every purchase you make. Many companies also give away huge sums of points just to switch over to them. Look into what your card can offer or if there is a better company to hook up with. If you do it right, your flight costs will be covered.

There is a whole strategy to this. Learn all you need to know about accumulating points fast from the ‘travel hacking’ expert himself – Nomadic Matt.

Travel on a Budget by Overlanding and Road Trips

I talk a lot about overland travel in other posts because I believe it is one of the best ways to travel. If you have a car or camper of any kind, driving yourself to your destination is one of the cheapest ways to travel and will come at a fraction of the cost compared to traditional travel. You’ll find ways to save money every day by finding free campsites, being able to cook your own meals and saving money on transportation costs and tours.

Read our post about all the benefits of overland travel here.

Save Money by Traveling at Home

Why not explore the world outside your backdoor? We tend to dream of far away places but there is so much to discover right at home. Be a tourist in your home town or visit neighbouring cities, states or provinces. This way, you won’t have to spend much on transportation, you can support your local economy and you will learn more about your own history and culture.

Crowdfunding for Your Vacation

If you have a great cause, charitable or social goal for your travels, crowdfunding can be a great tool for you. Simply state your case online and hopefully you will find like-minded individuals who will help to fund your mission.

Some popular sites that support personal fundraising are:

Tips and Hacks to Save Money at Your Travel Destination:

Once you’ve made it to your destination, there are plenty of ways to save money and extend your vacation. Remember that the cost of living in many parts of the world (Latin America, Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe) is much lower than what you are used to spending in North America, Western Europe or Australia. You can really stretch your travel time by taking advantage of free and budget travel hacks.

Check out sites like Airbnb, VRBO, and Homeaway to find cheap forms of lodging like private rooms, apartments and entire homes.
Vayable.com is a fantastic community built site to help you find free and cheap activities to do in the cities you are visiting. The posts are put up by locals and experienced travelers so you know you are getting the best insider tips.
Carpooling and ridesharing sites like BlaBlaCar helps to connect drivers who have an extra seat in their car with travelers looking for a lift. Many sites exist that help you get around within a city, or to get you from one city to another, for free or at least at a very minimal cost.
Cook your own meals rather than eating out. If you are lucky enough to have a kitchen in your vacation rental, hotel or hostel, take advantage and save a huge amount of money by avoiding expensive tourist restaurants.
Most major cities offer free walking tours. This is a great way to explore and learn more about the city you are visiting. Websites like FreeTour allow you to search cities worldwide for free and cheap walking tours.
If you are up for it, look into staying at hostels. The cheapest bed will be in a large dorm room, which means you will be sharing a bedroom and washroom with about 4 to 8 other people. If you are the type who does not need much privacy, hostel life is a great way to save money on lodging.

Do you have any other tips on traveling for free or on a budget? Comment below!

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*This post may contain affiliate links that help to keep this blog running. Read our disclosure for more information.

October 5, 2018