How to Travel the World on $35 a Day: 100 Resources for Broke Globetrotters

How to Travel the World on $35 a Day: 100 Resources for Broke Globetrotters

Monday, October 29, 2007 at 1:35pm by admin

Probably the best time for traveling the world is when you’re young. You’ve got little to no real responsibilities and you’re still spontaneous enough to try almost anything. The down side? You’re probably pretty broke. Pricey plane tickets, disadvantaged exchange rates, and museum passes can add up to a lot of cash very quickly. But don’t fret. We’ve taken it upon ourselves to help you realize your dreams of traveling the world, experiencing new things and lounging around Mediterranean beaches all while managing to elude your real world obligations for just a little bit longer.

Transportation: Finding discount plane and train tickets isn’t as hard as you might think. With these helpful tools you won’t have to go searching all over town to find the best deals on transportation – they’ll find them for you.

1. Airwise.com: Check out this Web site to find pricing and booking information for flights, car rentals, and cruises anywhere in the world. Airwise also has an Airport Guide, which gives you weather updates, saftey news, and other need-to-know information for airports everywhere.
2. Air Brokers International, Inc. All you have to do is enter your preferred travel itinerary into the online form and the Air Brokers will find you the cheapest tickets to any destination in the world outside North America.
3. Asia Air Pass: This Web site offers several different airline packages which all allow you to travel to multiple Asian countries on an extremely reasonable budget.
4. easyJet.com: Book cheap flights to and from most European countries. This airline is gaining popularity but is still relatively new, which translates into great service and less competition for seats.
5. Ryanair.com: Ryanair’s Web site brags that it has "the lowest fares guaranteed," so start searching for budget plane tickets right away!
6. Eurail: If you’re planning on visiting many different countries on the same continent, your best bet is to get a Eurail pass. Eurail offers various packages. You can design the one that works best with your schedule and bank account.
7. Expedia.com: Expedia.com features cheap airplane tickets, as well as rental car reservations and cruise packages.
8. Vacations To Go: This online company is devoted to finding you the best possible deals for cruises and safaris all over the world.
9. The Subway Page: This page, found on the Reed College Web site, provides links to subway maps and information for virtually all the subway systems in the world.
10. CheapTickets.com: Search flights, last minute vacation ideas, and "cheap of the week" specials to find the best deals.

Lodging: You’ve already accepted the fact that your traveling budget is tight, alas no Ritz hotel in Paris for you. That doesn’t mean, however, that you have to sleep on a mattress infested with creepy crawlers. Here are some ideas that will keep you warm, dry, and comfortable…and all for a reasonable price. You don’t really want to spend the bulk of your $35 while you sleep, do you?

11. Hostels.com: Book a hostel anywhere in the world. Read the section on what to expect — and what you should bring — during your hostel stay.
12. Hostelworld.com: This site may just have the cheapest hostel reservations on the Web. Search unbelievably low rates in dream cities like London and New York. Then check what former lodgers have said about their stay.
13. Hostelling International USA: Most travelers only think of staying in a hostel if they’re going overseas. Use this Web site to find great hostels in the United States in places like San Francisco, Waikiki, New York City, or Monterey.
14. Hostelz.com: Hostelz.com reviews tons of hostels across the globe so you know which ones to avoid and which ones to book right away.
15. HostelMania.com: HostelMania.com lets you search for cheap reservations while giving you the top security connections when you decide to make a reservation. Confirmations are sent directly to your cell phone.
16. HomeLink International: Even though the home swap idea is just now gaining popularity, this company has been around since 1953, so you know your home and your vacation will be taken care of by the right people.
17. HolidayApartmentRental.com: Can you imagine yourself staying in an apartment, bed and breakfast or condo in a city like Rome or Madrid for a discounted price? Visit HolidayApartmentRental.com and make your dreams become a reality.
18. TripsEurope.com: Rent an apartment in Paris after visiting this Web site. You can select the perfect apartment for your budget and tastes based on size, neighborhood, and price.
19. TuscanyAccommodations.org: Ever dream of staying in a Tuscan villa? How about a romantic apartment in Florence? Find cheap but fabulous lodging choices on this Web site. Many of the condos and villas sleep over 10 people, so you and your friends can split the cost.
20. HomeExchange.com: Instead of spending the night alongside a roomful of total strangers, register for a home exchange program. You’ll get to stay in a comfortable, furnished house or apartment all by yourself. The first year of membership will cost you $100, but if you divide the price by the number of people sharing the space, you’ll find yourself a great deal.

Food and Drink: Part of the joy of traveling the world is exposing yourself (and your palate) to new flavors and traditions in the local cuisine. Use this list to find the cheapest ways to keep your tummy full, your tastebuds happy, and your wallet stuffed.

21. The Trailside Cookbook: This site has tons of tasty recipes for backpackers on a budget. Cooking for yourself will barely tap into that $35, but your tastebuds will hardly notice.
22. The Entertainment Book: If you’re traveling around the United States, you have to purchase The Entertainment Book, which is full of coupons for great restaurants, as well as museums and sporting events.
23. DestinationCoupons.com: Find great restaurant and meal coupons for the top location destinations, including London, Paris, New York City, Tahiti, and the Caribbean.
24. Restaurant.com: With a slogan like "Eat. Drink. Save Money," this online database of U.S. restaurants and coupons is perfect for any traveler on a budget.
25. Cheap Eats on EuropeString.com: This Web site gives tips on finding the cheapest places to eat and drink in Europe. Browse topics like "Ways to Get Free Drinks in Bars" and "Where to Eat in Barcelona."
26. "12 Frugal Vacation Tips:" This article on about.com has clever tricks for finding cheap restaurants wherever you go. Take advantages of afternoon specials or follow the local workers who "know where to get a bargain."
27. "Backpacker’s Guide to Cheap Eats:" Read this article to find more ideas for enjoying the local flavor, like buy a bottle of wine ahead of time and enjoy drinking it "in the park." Drinking rules are usually more lax abroad, anyway!
28. Cheap Eats in Tokyo: Check out this list of the best places to eat cheaply in Tokyo.
29. Chowhound.com: The Chowhound blog posts articles about great finds all over the world. Follow the suggestions, and you’ll be eating good, authentic food without paying too much.
30. Sydney Eats: Peruse through the list of Sydney’s restaurants. You’ll find out how much you can expect to pay even before you go.

Blogs: Before you jump on the plane, take a look at these blogs for travel advice, destination recommendations, and more from insiders.

31. The Main in Seat Sixty-One: This extensive blog is maintained by a self-proclaimed "career railwayman." Read tips and ideas for traveling all over the world, whether you’re in Gibraltar, Capetown, or Taiwan.
32. Travbuddy.com: Read other vacationers’ travel reviews of popular spots in Africa and Europe or off the beaten path places in Patagonia or the Rocky Mountains.
33. HoboTraveler.com: Included in the Forbes.com Top 5 travel blogs list, HoboTraveler.com features a wealth of tips about traveling, like picking the right camera, organizing your itinerary, and staying healthy abroad.
34. Travelpod.com: Claiming to be the Web’s original travel blog, travelpod.com provides a listing of links for transportation, hotels, and tours, as well as hosting a forum for travelers to review their vacations and ask questions.
35. BudgetGlobetrotting.com: This lighthearted blog gives tips on traveling on a budget. It’s also a great resource for information on planning a trip anywhere on the globe
36. Backpackers.com: Research destinations, make hostel reservations, and more on this must-read site for backpackers.
37. Southwest Airlines Blog: Read about news from the popular American airline and air travel in general. If you’re flying Southwest, click through the site to confirm your flight
38. Europepathway.com: As a comprehensive travel site for the whole continent, this blog has everything you need to plan a European getaway.
39. Internationalevents.suite101.com: Keep track of some of the best parties on the planet, or at least in South America. If there’s already a party going on, you’ll probably find good deals on day passes — if you have to pay at all. Check the calendar often to make sure you don’t miss anything.
40. Asiahotelstravel.com: Stay informed on the best deals for traveling to and around Asia.

Guidebooks: There’s only so much planning you can do on your own. Take along one or two of these trusty guidebooks and let the pros tell you where to go without getting ripped off.

41. Frommer’s: This classic guide features a large array of titles and series like the "Day by Day" books, "Phrasefinder" series and "Irreverent Guide to…" books. Pick a theme for your vacation, and Frommer’s will take you there.
42. Fodor’s: Pick from one of Fodor’s traditional book series by choosing an all-inclusive guidebook for Paris, Italy, or the Caribbean. Or select a travel guide in their "25 Best" or See It" series.
43. Moon: The Moon guidebooks feature pages of beautiful photographs for destinations like the Canadian Rockies, Ireland, and the Virgin Islands. They also have special map books or guides especially for those moving abroad.
44. Rick Steves’ travel books: Travel around Europe guided by the professional traveler Rick Steves. Choose books by country, region, or city.
45. Let’s Go Travel Guides: The Let’s Go Travel Guides are great for planning roadtrips, extreme adventures, or relaxing vacations.
46. The 100 Best Vacations to Enrich Your Life: Feeling uninspired or think you’ve already seen enough of the world? Check out this book, which will give you new ideas for travel destinations.
47. The 10 Best of Everything: This hefty travel manual gives information on transportation and lodging around the locations of several "Top 10" lists: the "ten finest golf courses to Luciano Pavarotti’s ten favorite opera houses to the ten poshest train trips, classiest wristwatches, most atmospheric pubs, and much more," according to the product description.
48. PassPorter: The PassPorter books give detailed descriptions about Disney cruises, trips to the Big Apple and more.
49. National Geographic Guidebooks: These handy travel guides not only point out the best places to go, they also give you a brief history of the country, city, and/or region in which you’re traveling.
50. The Backpacker’s Ultimate Guide: These BUG books give extensive information on backpacking through Europe, Australia, and the South Pacific.

Social Networking: Share ideas, read reviews, and meet up with other travelers by logging into these social and travel networking sites.

51. Realtravel.com: Realtravel.com hosts a huge collection of travel blogs for any place in the whole world. Plan cruises, family vacations or a romantic honeymoon using the tools on this site while reading other travelers’ reviews and tips.
52. Travelblog.org: Travelblog.org allows you to post an online diary of your vacation and send to friends. In addition to posting basic information about different countries, travelblog.org also features a beautiful photo gallery.
53. Facebook: Facebook is an online community that lets you design a profile, join groups, and meet friends. Plan a trip with your friends by organizing through Facebook, or ask other users about their vacation experiences.
54. MySpace: MySpace is another social networking site on the Web. Post your travel questions on your MySpace page and wait for others to give you great advice.
55. VirtualTourist.com: This site, in addition to being a great travel resource, puts you in touch with members so that you can ask questions, view photos, and find the best deals around the globe.
56. CouchSurfing: This site is driven by travelers who wish to share their experiences or find out more information abou their upcoming vacation. Find a travel buddy or arrange to meet up with another member if you’re visiting the same place at the same time.
57. Bootsnall.com: The staff at Bootsnall.com maintains a forum for users to post travel experiences, review hostels, flights, and more.
58. TripUp: Completely devoted to travel networking, TripUp not only puts you in contact with other past, present, and future travelers, but also with locals who’d like to welcome you to their corner of the world.
59. Where Are You Now? Join this community for free. Create a profile with photos, links, and posts to update your friends and family on how much fun you’re having during your travels.
60. Gusto: Gusto allows you to "collect travel information, organize it into categories, and plan your vacation…without the headaches." This easy-to-use travel site is also great for finding or writing recommendations about anything and everything you can experience on vacation.

Trip Planners: Why pay a travel agent when these vacation planning tools and resources are free?

61. SoGoNow.com:Search by destination or look through the "best of" section to get ideas on vacations all over the world. Day trips, weekend getaways, and other suggestions are all over this great site.
62. LonelyPlanet blog: The blog found on the Lonely Planet Web site is great for vacation planning. Search the many travel stories that others have posted. You can copy any vacation that sounds exciting to you too.
63. Tourist Tips: Orlando: This site gives you so many suggestions, event calendars, and checklists, you won’t have to do any of the work!
64. London Toolkit: This Web site has everything you need to plan a trip to London.
65. BargainTravelCruises.com: Find budget travel information for booking a group travel package on cruises all over the world.
66. Roadtrip America: This site is the prime resource for planning a multitude of different roadtrips all over America.
67. GoEurope.about.com: This table of contents lists several must-read articles about planning a trip to Europe including "Student Travel Planning" and "Suggested Itineraries."
68. The Consumer Vacation Guide: This guide finds cheap travel packages and other all-inclusive deals so you don’t have to worry about planning a thing.
69. "Planning Tools and Strategies for Budget Travel:" This article includes lots of great tips for planning the perfect budget vacation.
70. Rand McNally TripMaker Planning Tool: This feature on the Rand McNally Web site allows you to custom design your vacation online. It helps you stay organized while experimenting with different destinations, schedules, and more.

Phone and E-mail Use: If you’re going to be away from the country for even a few days, you’re going to want to get to a computer to assure friends and family you’ve arrived safely; to check on the status of flights and trains; and to check on your bank account. Cell phone use may not seem as important to you, but if you’re going to live on another continent for a semester abroad or to work, you’ll want the best deals on staying connected locally, as well as globally.

71. The Cybercafe Search Engine: Before you leave, map out the best internet cafes that will be near your hostel. That way you won’t have to waste time hunting one down once you’re there.
72. Cybercafes.com: This is another database of cybercafes all over the world.
73. Netcafeguide.com This directory of internet cafes enlists the help of other travelers to review, add, and edit postings.
74. U.S. Cyber Cafes: Most of us forget that cybercafes exist in the United States, too. Since we’re usually plugged in to our own computers, finding one while on a cross-country road trip could pose a problem. Use this databank to find one quickly.
75. Cellular Abroad: This online company allows you to rent or purchase cell phones and SIM cards that will work all over the world.
76. "Guidelines for Using a Cell Phone Abroad:" Read this article about how to use a cell phone when traveling outside the country…before you even leave.
77. Telestial.com: Telestial.com is a great site for helping travelers find the right cell phones and calling cards for unbeatable prices.
78. "Staying Connected While Abroad:" This article provides good tips on using cell phones and managing temporary wireless connections when traveling.
79. International Cellular Services: Research the cost and necessity of renting a cell phone in countries around the world. Find great deals and order before you go.
80. Rick Steves’ Cyber Cafes forum: This forum reviews cybercafes in Europe, letting you know which ones are a good deal and which ones to avoid altogether.

Packing: Use this list to find inexpensive luggage and to pack the things you’ll need most.

81. LuggageOnline.com: Peruse this Web site to find exceptional deals on luggage.
82. Overstock.com: Shop oversized, durable travelers’ backpacks at discount prices.
83. DiscountLuggage.com: Find discount luggage by searching through kids’ items, lightweight suitcases, travel accessories, and more.
84. "How to Pack Light and Travel Happy:" This article by Rick Steves’, found on the Transitions Abroad Web site, gives valuable advice on how and why to pack light when going abroad.
85. The Travelite FAQ: Read tips about packing the right kind of clothing for any kind of trip.
86. EscapeArtist.com: This chart shows you which kind of electrical system, type of plugs and voltage each country uses, so that you know what kind of adapters you have to bring along with you.
87. Walk About Travel Gear: This site is another terrific resource for finding out about electrical adapters.
88. Camera reviews: Compare digital camera prices and consumer reviews to find out which one works best with your budget.
89. "Packing Advice from a Traveler:" This article is full of great ideas for packing before embarking on another adventure.
90. OneBag.com This Web site is a comprehensive resource for how, why, and when to pack light.

Miscellaneous: From safety to health to one-stop travel resources, you’ll find it here!

91. Transitions Abroad.com: TransitionsAbroad.com is a Web site principally designed to help out study abroad students and Americans who wish to find jobs abroad; however, it also serves an excellent source for anyone needing information on transportation, culture shock, safety while traveling, and more.
92. Independent Traveler.com: A superb resource for everything travel-related, this Web site gives information on customs, passports, traveling with children, renting cars, and more.
93. Travel Checklist: Print out this list to start making preparations before you leave your home and start packing.
94. Department of Homeland Security: Check this Web site to determine security threats which could affect your travel schedule.
95. U.S. Department of State Embassy Information: Find information and locations of U.S. embassies all over the world. They’ll help put you in touch with certified, inexpensive healthcare if you need it.
96. The Traveler’s Companies, Inc.: Find out about affordable travelers’ insurance here.
97. "Health and Fitness for the Traveler:" Check out this article, which offers important advice on staying healthy during your entire trip.
98. TravelForecast.com: Make sure you’re prepared to face whatever weather is coming your way.
99. TouristClick.com: This site provides information on destinations, transportation, insurance, and more.
100. Cheap Travel Cheat Sheet: Keep this list handy at all times: from the time you start brainstorming about your vacation until you make it back home. Get inspired to save up quickly for a dream vacation and learn how to cut costs while you’re traveling.

Traveling on a tight budget isn’t as hard as you thought. We’ve listed resources that make it theirbusiness to help you have a good time, even if you can’t afford to spend a whole lot of money.