With study abroad programs and international work exchanges becoming more popular, the idea of what constitutes a “vacation” is changing. Nowadays, spending three months or longer in a foreign country can seem even more enticing than spending a few days there — especially for the young and unattached.
But long-term travel expenses can quickly add up, making the thought of a trip that stretches longer than a few weeks seem daunting. The good news? There are actually plenty of ways to help make long-term travel feasible from a financial standpoint. Check out these ways to make your long-term travel more affordable.
[Read: The Ultimate Frugal Guide to Traveling the World After College Graduation.]
Rent out your place. There’s no need to pay rent for a place in which you’re not living. Instead of paying to live in two places, think about putting your house or apartment up on Airbnb or finding a friend or acquaintance who needs a sublet. Even if you don’t manage to find a full-time tenant, you may still be able to shave some costs from your rent or mortgage. (If you’re renting, remember to check the terms of your lease and verify with your landlord before considering this as an option.)
Stressed about the logistics of renting out to a stranger? If you have roommates or a good friend who will be around, ask them to help you out with check-ins and check-outs.
[See: 12 Frugal Ways to Save on Vacation.]
Sleep cheap. A great way to slim down your longer-term housing costs is to volunteer at a hostel. Some hostels may give you a free or discounted stay in exchange for making beds, manning the reception desk or helping out with other chores. Check out a site such as Hostel Jobs or Hostel Travel Jobs to see which hostels are hiring.
You could also try out Couchsurfing, an online community that helps travelers connect with local hosts. Just make sure to do your due diligence and have a backup plan in case an arrangement falls through.
It pays to have flexibility with your plans, says Nate Hake of the travel blog Travel Lemming. This way, it’s easier to take advantage of last-minute travel deals and hosting offers. Depending on the hostel or hotel, you might even be able to negotiate lower rates than if you booked in advance.
Eat like a local. One of the best parts about traveling is the food, but going out for every meal can get pricey. Instead of relying solely on restaurants, take a trip to your local grocery store or farmers market and cook for yourself a few times a week. Many hostels have kitchens for travelers eating on a budget.
Still want the excitement of eating out in a foreign place? Check out the street food or seek out restaurants outside the main tourist areas. Not only can it be easier on your wallet, but you may also get a more authentic and immersive experience.
Check for cheap transportation. There’s the obvious way to get somewhere, and then there’s the cheap way. Make sure you always do your research to help you save on local travel. Use online travel tools, such as Hipmunk, to check for the cheapest flights, and consider looking into a low-cost regional airline if you’re traveling light. (Baggage fees can add up quickly.)
Going somewhere you may not have to fly to? Rome2rio helps you compare your bus, train, taxi and other travel options. Be sure to consider any rewards or loyalty programs with which you carry membership, too. Redeeming points or miles toward travel can be an effective way to keep costs down.
[See: How to Live on $13,000 a Year.]
Use a credit card with no foreign transaction fee. If you plan on using a credit card while you’re abroad, consider applying for a credit card with no foreign transaction fee. A foreign transaction fee is a fee that your card provider charges if you use your credit card in a foreign country or if you use it to make purchases in a foreign currency. Those fees can add up if you’re making regular transactions abroad.
Remember: Using a credit card responsibly — which means paying on time, not carrying a balance and keeping your overall credit card utilization below 30 percent — can help you build credit over time. If that’s a goal of yours, consider using a credit card rather than cash or a debit card on your travels. If you think you may forget to pay off your balance while on your adventure, set up automatic payments to give yourself peace of mind.
Get a freelancing gig. Just because you’re out of the country doesn’t mean you can’t make money. A lot of jobs, such as web development and blogging gigs, can be done remotely with a solid internet connection, letting you earn money to further fund your travels.
Upwork and PeoplePerHour are great resources for freelancers who can work flexibly, or you can even try looking for remote job positions on career sites such as Indeed.
If working from a laptop isn’t your thing, consider planning to stay mainly in one country. Depending on the country and your skillset, you may be able to apply for a temporary work visa or ask if your company back home is interested in sending you abroad as part of an expat program.
Sign up for discounts. In addition to student, youth or family discounts, check for loyalty programs at the local grocery store and other stores you frequent while abroad.
Using online tools such as Groupon as well as good old-fashioned bartering (when safe and appropriate, of course) are also great ways to cut spending.
Minimize your stuff. By keeping your possessions to a minimum, you’ll avoid extra baggage fees, says freelance travel writer and expat Amanda Walkins. That’s good advice, but there’s more to traveling light than saving on airline costs.
“Having less to lug around makes it easier to keep moving,” Walkins says. Not only will you spend less time packing and unpacking, but you’ll also have more flexibility if you’re traveling across multiple locations.
For example, traveling with less stuff could mean you’re more able to take advantage of a long layover. With only one bag, you can easily explore a new city for several hours between flights.
By integrating even just a few of these small lifestyle changes, you can focus more on immersing yourself in your travels — and worry less about immersing yourself in debt.
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8 Ways to Make Long-Term Travel More Affordable originally appeared on usnews.com