Throughout my life, I have been informed that it is impossible to travel around the globe for a reasonable price, and this is something that only millionaires and pensioners do. But I am here to inform you that is a myth. Over the past three years, I have traveled to Southeast Asia, South America, and Europe with a backpack and my daily average expenditure has been traveling the world for $50 at most.
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Living on a shoestring budget of $50 a day, I trekked through the ancient temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, bargained for colorful handicrafts in bustling Marrakech markets, and marveled at the breathtaking glaciers in Patagonia. It wasn’t always comfortable, but the experiences I gained were priceless. Yes, you have not misread it, $50 per day that is if you want to travel for a longer period.
Sometimes it was not very convenient and there were moments when I had to invent something on my own. Thus, allowing me to share with you all the tips I have acquired in the process of my writing. This is your one-stop shop for going around the world on a shoestring, as told by a bona fide backpacker.
The Mindset Shift- It’s Not About What You Spend, It’s About What You Experience
Here is how to start traveling the world. The first thing you have to know is that traveling on a shoestring is not about sacrifice; it is all about values. It is more about understanding the culture of the country, interacting with people, and making once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Think about it– That luxurious hotel room with a swimming pool on the top floor or a homely cooking class with a local family? Do you have to dine at fine restaurants every evening or would you like to taste the local foods walking around the city?
The important thing is to change the way you think about it. Don’t look at the things that you can’t afford to have but look at the things that you can afford to undergo through. The world is filled with so many opportunities and fun for you and you do not necessarily have to spend a lot of money. So, this is traveling the world for $50.
Table of Contents
The Budget Breakdown- Where Your Money Goes
Let’s break down that $ 50-a-day budget.
Accommodation (around $10-15)
I tell you, hostels are your best friend. They allow you to interact with other people, tourists mainly, and most hostels have a communal kitchen where you prepare your food. There are always good hostels online to stay and you can bargain for the fees especially if you are planning on staying for several nights.
Food (around $10-15)
This is the place where you can cut expenditures. Embrace street food! It can be tasty, homemade, and in many cases, dirt cheap. Go to local markets and street food vendors; be adventurous in your choices. You can also opt to use the hostel kitchen to prepare your meals and this will be relatively cheaper than buying from restaurants.
Transportation (around $5-10)
This is usually cheaper than other means of transport since it is considered as the most common means of transport. Public transport such as buses, trains, and local taxis are cheaper than private cars or even ride-sharing services. In many countries, you can also walk or excellent bicycle as you will be able to get some exercise while getting to know the city.
Activities (around $10-15)
This is where you can be flexible. That being said, there are numerous things that one can do for free or for a relatively low price in every city. Participate in free entrance days in museums, go for a stroll in parks and gardens, watch concerts and events that are free of charge, and explore free walking tours. Other options where you can find the tours and activities at a cheaper price include online or from local tour companies.
Traveling to Hanoi on $50
Below is an example of daily expenses in one of the cheapest cities in the world for backpackers, Hanoi, Vietnam, and of course, street food. However, you should note that prices may vary, thus the above value is approximate.
Accommodation ($10)
A dorm bed in a hostel that is well-appreciated costs about $10 for a night. Most hostels include breakfast in the price, meaning you won’t have to spend money on food in the morning.
Food ($15)
Vietnamese dishes are affordable and cheap and this makes Hanoi to be one of the best places to be for a food lover. For $1, one can get a banh mi sandwich, while a bowl of delicious bun bo hue (beef noodle soup) is $2-3. Add a couple of spring rolls and some fruits one gets from the place and one can eat well for $15 daily.
Transportation ($5)
Transportation within Hanoi is relatively cheaper when it comes to the use of public vehicles. A single ticket for a bus costs less than 1 USD, while the Old Quarter is well suitable for walking, so it is free.
Activities ($10)
Most of the temples in Hanoi do not charge an entry fee and there are many cultural activities that take place in the city and they are all free of charge. Bartering at local markets for the souvenirs is enjoyable and you can get quite interesting trinkets for a few dollars.
Total: $40 per day
Traveling to Amsterdam on $50
In this case, I have demonstrated how you can travel around Hanoi, Vietnam on $40 a day. Now, it is time to check out how this budget can be achieved when living in a much more costly city in Western Europe, say Amsterdam, in the Netherlands.
Keep in mind that you’ll need to be extra resourceful here, but it’s still possible to have an amazing experience.
Accommodation ($20)
It can cost as low as $15 and as high as $25 per night to sleep in dorm beds in Amsterdam. Prices in hostels are slightly lower than in hotels; however, it is better to search for them in districts other than the central one.
Food ($15)
Avoid going to fancy restaurants and concentrate on the local food such as stroopwafel and herring. Grocery stores and local markets should be capitalized on to prepare small meals in the hostel kitchen. Read our guide on what to eat during traveling.
Transportation ($10)
Amsterdam is quite compact and most of the attractions are within walking distance or a short tram or bus ride away. Use the well-developed public transport means for long distances. There are more options; consider purchasing a multi-day travel card to save more money.
Activities ($5)
Some of the museums have free days or free evenings or they charge a discounted rate. There are beautiful canals that can be walked for free; alternatively, one can visit one of the many parks in Amsterdam. Bring your own food and drinks to cut on the expenses you will incur when eating out if you decide to go out for lunch.
Total: $50 per day
Adhering to these tips and being flexible, the reader will be able to make the most of Amsterdam sightseeing while saving money. Just to give you an idea, prices may vary, so it is better to consult the nearest store for the exact amount.
Pro Tip
You might want to get the “I Amsterdam City Card” which includes free travel on public transport, free admission to many of the sights, and reduced prices at others. This can be a cheaper way depending on the route to be traveled.
Ways of Extending Your Budget
Travel Hacking
Travel Hack is a wise approach involves charging transactions on credit cards that offer a travel reward program for the accumulation of points or miles. They are ideal for charging all general purchases so that you accumulate points that you can exchange for free flights or accommodation, thus cutting down on your travel expenses.
It is recommended that you look for the proper cards that suit your spending pattern and travel plans. Recall, that it is best to pay your credit card balance in full every month to prevent the accrual of interest.
Budgeting Apps
It is easy to get off track with your finances especially when on the road. Budget Travel Applications like the Mint or Trailwallet can prove to be immensely helpful in keeping track of expenses. These tools enable you to make your expenses categorizing, spending limit setting, and results tracking quite simple during your trip.
Both free and paid options are possible; therefore, select the option that will be most useful to you.
Travel During the Off-Season
Flight, hotel, and activity costs are usually cheaper during this time as compared to the peak season. You can plan your trip and do your homework properly and that is all.
Book Flights in Advance
Transportation by air can be very costly sometimes, but one can manage to make some reductions by pre-booking the flights. Always use the flight comparison websites to help you identify the best offers and try to fly into those airports that are not very popular as they attract lower landing fees.
Embrace Couchsurfing
Sharing is cheap and you can interact with the local people especially when going couchsurfing. People are hospitable and you can have a place to stay for free with them and they even guide you where to eat, get a drink, or even the best places to tour.
Volunteer Your Time
Most organizations have vacancies for volunteers where they are provided with meals and shelter. This is a good way to try a new culture, find friends and even learn new tricks for yourself.
Learn the Local Language
Knowing local language can be very useful. This is an indication of the cultural sensitivity and can enable one to bargain for better prices of goods and services.
Be Flexible with Your Itinerary
This means that one should be flexible when planning for the itineraries to be followed.
It is perfectly okay to alter your plans. Of course, you don’t have to stick to the plans if there is a better flight or a cheaper accommodation option. Budget traveling is all about flexibility and accepting the changes that come your way.
Use Free Wi-Fi
Never run out of data to browse the internet; get free Wi-Fi connection from cafes, libraries and other public places. You can also use your phone as a modem, although this will drain data usage rather fast.
Cook Your Meals
Preparing your meals is one of the best ways to cut costs when it comes to food. Most of the hostels have a kitchen where one can cook simple meals. Find markets in the area for fresh and quality products that will be used in preparing meals.
Take Advantage of Free Activities
Each city has a multitude of free or cheap things to do. Go to museums on days when you do not need to pay, go to parks and gardens, enjoy free concerts or events, and go for free sightseeing tours. Tours and activities can also be purchased at cheaper prices either through the Internet or through a travel agency.
Be Resourceful
Do not ever feel that you are alone when you are struggling in a particular area. People are always willing to help show the sights and tell stories. Try to find free walking tours, take the buses and trams, and avoid sticking to the familiar places.
The Departure
Budget travel is not just a mere concern of cutting costs but it is much more about enjoying the world in a real sense. It is a great opportunity to travel and meet amazing people, visit places that you did not even know existed and have great fun. You will begin to find joy in little things and this will make you understand that the things that make you happy are not material, but the things that happen to you and the people you meet.
Therefore, what are you waiting for? So put on your suitcase, get your passport and go out there and start traveling the world. It is there waiting for you and believe me it does not cost as much as you think. In other words, do not confuse the amount spent with the amount of fun you have, the amount of sightseeing you do, etc. Finally, with $50 of expenditure per day, the world is at your feet.
Don’t wait any longer! Grab your backpack, book that flight, and start traveling the world for $50!
FAQs
Can one backpack around the world for $50 a day?
Yes, it’s possible! It is not impossible though it does take some planning and resourcefulness to be able to make it happen. The important thing is to focus on the experiences rather than the tangible things, be open-minded to the local culture, and be ready to be flexible with the schedule.
In this case, the opportunity to sleep in hostels, eat street food, and spend time on free activities will allow you to save much more than expected.
What if I’m traveling solo? Is it harder to travel on a budget alone?
It is relatively easier to negotiate the prices of accommodation and other tourist activities if you are in a group, but it is not very hard if you are alone. In hostels, there are private rooms and dorms, so one can easily find accommodation in a hostel, or you can join group tours or activities to spend time with other travelers.
You can also use Couchsurfing for networking and get a place to stay for free. The important thing is to go out to meet new people and make friends in the process.
What are some of the best destinations for budget travel?
This is seen in Southeast Asia, South America, and Eastern Europe are relatively cheaper. You are likely to get affordable airline tickets, hotel and lodging, food and drink, and other things to do here.
But there are cheap countries all over the world. You pay your money and you make your choice; thus, do your homework and identify the places of interest at affordable prices.