How to travel around the world and not go broke: detailed instructions

You want to stop working for a long time that no longer brings joy, and for six months or even a year to travel to the other end of the world? Want to visit the six continents, so that one day wake up in the mountains of Patagonia, to meet the sunset in Machu Picchu and meet with pandas in the Chinese city of Chengdu?

Maybe you have even started to save money for the adventure of his life, but did not know until now, to begin preparing for the circumnavigation. We talked with an experienced traveler and gathered useful tips that will help you take the first steps and save your time, money and nerves.

What should be done in advance

1. Discard the strict planning

plan a journey that will last for six months or more, it is impossible. Even if you think you should consider all the options, at some point, something always goes wrong. Flight outsource or canceled. Hotel where you booked a room, lose your reservation. On the day when you had to climb a volcano, go heavy rain. And it can happen a lot more. So just accept and remember: if you know everything in advance, adventure can not be obtained.

Try not to think of more than a week in advance. This is enough to organize a move from one city to another, or to prepare for the change of the country.

But there are some exceptions. If you are going several times to fly across the ocean, to take care of the ticket costs now. This is exactly the case when due to early booking you can save considerably. Already during the trip, check on what areas are now discounts. Maybe this is just one of the countries on your route where you've always wanted to visit?

2. Make a list of countries you want to visit

Spread out in front of a world map and mark on it the continents first, and then the country you want to go. Let's say you are traveling from Moscow. Then start a tour around the world would be convenient from Europe. And then look for profitable flights and do not be afraid "illogical" route.

For example, after visiting the European countries you can fly to South America. After that - to go to the countries of Southeast Asia. Indonesia close to the Australia and New Zealand. To fly to the United States can be a change in China or Hawaii. Of state you can go to South Africa, and then - back to Moscow.

Some of the country can be visited during long connections between flights. In these cases, some airlines may even provide you with free hotel accommodation.

3. Consider seasonal and holiday dates

It is important to at least approximately determine the dates of your world tour. In order not to spoil the impression of the country, do not forget about such a concept as "seasonal". In the south of Vietnam, the rainy season begins in May and lasts until November, in the national parks of America in April, more cold, but somewhere it is difficult to pass because of snow drifts.

Think in advance what time of year is best to go to this or that country, because the next time you can not get there soon.

Another important point that is worth considering - the holidays. New Year in China celebrate from February to March (dates change every year, so it's best to specify in advance). If you're in Beijing or Singapore during the holidays, you may have a problem with affordable housing.

In European countries, on Christmas holidays do not work cafes, restaurants and even grocery stores. If you arrive at a tiny island in Indonesia and want to climb the volcano during the end of the celebration the holy month of Ramadan, do not be surprised that the guides can deny you care, because the work at this time is not far everything. On the other hand, all of a sudden you will still be able to find someone to talk and to go with you? Then the interesting places where the usual crowd of tourists time, will belong only to you.

4. Make online visa

Once you decide about the countries, find out whether you can get online or visas necessary to come to the consulate in person. If you start your journey to Europe, you just need to Schengen visa. You plan a few months to be in the US? Try to get a visa abroad, for example in the Czech Republic. Do it in Prague now it may be easier than in Moscow.

Visas to other countries, the more likely you will be able to issue longer online while traveling. To do this, just collect all the necessary documents, scan them and store in the cloud service. If you need anything extra, you can always scan the document along the way. And even if you do everything right, something could still go wrong. Remember: do not worry. Always be prepared to change their plans along the way.

During a six-month journey, we decided to drop in Australia. It was in January, we wanted to go in March. For a visa, we had two months - this period is usually sufficient. We have filed documents online, but the answer did not come all and visa in time we have not received. Tickets, which we bought in advance, are gone. So I would advise everyone to pledge for a visa as much as possible.

Anastasia Pererva

5. Arrange appropriate insurance

Insurance may become one of the essential items of expenditure at the stage of travel planning. The best option - to issue annual insurance, which will operate in all countries of the world where you want to visit. True, it will cost not cheap (about 20 thousand rubles per person).

There are other ways to protect yourself. There are credit cards that already include the annual insurance, but it works just the first 45 days after the departure from Russia. Then the insurance can be issued via the internet from anywhere in the world.

Remember that to go to other countries, the more so for a long time, quite without insurance - a big risk. In the worst case you will have to pay for medical care and time spent in the hospital, as long as everything is worth your trip.

6. Get a map of the dollar, but rather several

The easiest option - to have a one or two dollar cards and withdraw money only in banks. The course is usually about the same everywhere, and in many countries there are ATMs that do not charge a fee for cash withdrawals. They just better to carry a small amount to pay in places where not yet established terminals.

you will also need to change the tip. And remember: keep your money's worth in several places. If suddenly you have stolen wallet, you will not be left without funds.

7. Find the remote job

Work in travel time - is quite real. get advance remote operationWhich will not require you to full employment. This will help to have a steady income and save, if you traveling to happen some trouble (for example, if you steal a purse).

The best place to work - a country in Southeast Asia. Here, everything is cheap, so if you want you can stay in Vietnam or Laos for a couple of months. During the trip, try to build your schedule so that a half-day work, and a half-day walk.

Difficulties may arise in countries such as Australia or the United States. Life there is much more expensive, and you will have less time to time to see everything interesting.

8. Assemble a first aid kit and put it in her paracetamol

In order not to go to the hospital for nothing and do not waste time looking for a pharmacy, just stock up on tools that you need. List drugs that may be needed in a way that is quite standard. Experienced travelers are also advised to take paracetamol - a universal remedy, which is often prescribed by doctors abroad.

Also do not forget that there is a whole list of countries to which visits are required to be vaccinated (eg, Bolivia and Tanzania). Certificates will need to take with you.

9. Download offline maps

Not everywhere on your way there will be good communication and working Wi-Fi. Offline maps do not require a network connection and will help you not get lost. One such useful applications - MAPS.ME. With it you can build itineraries, if you are traveling by car, there is a pedestrian path.

33 useful applications and services for travelers →

10. Carefully select travel

With this person (or these persons), you will spend 24 hours a day. So if you often quarrel over trifles, or you enrage each other's habits, think about whether you can spend so much time together and do not regret it. Be prepared for the fact that sometimes you or your mate will appear irresistible desire to be alone. This is normal.

I was lucky, I was traveling with my husband, so the problems we had. But sometimes I like to be alone, that's true. Therefore, when we lived in Bali, I often went to the ocean. I walked along the beach, meditate, yoga. That was enough to reboot.

Anastasia Pererva

If the companion you do not, should not be upset. During the trip, you will surely find a lot of new friends who are happy to keep you company.

11. Learn at least a couple of words in the languages ​​of those countries, which are going

This will help you dig deeper into the country's culture and to make contact with the locals. If you know at least the word "hello" and "thank you", surrounding more willing to help you find the address of the hotel or find an interesting place, tucked away on the outskirts of the city.

How to save on crossings

1. Look for the best deals from airlines

Plane tickets - is on what can and should be save. The first way - to have time to sell when you can catch tickets for little money. The second - failure to use the booking system: sometimes suddenly tariffs are much lower than usual. They usually do not hold more than two hours, until the error does not find and fix. Of course, in this case, there is always a risk of cancellation. But as a rule, if you have already paid for the tickets, the airline leaves them in place.

During the trip, all the time we monitored the tickets to Australia. As a result, we were able to buy tickets from Bali to Sydney for 4000 rubles per person. It superdoshevo. Tickets from Amsterdam to Peru with change in Mexico round trip cost us 13 thousand rubles. This is three times cheaper than usual.

Anastasia Pererva

Cheap flights - in Asia, even if buying tickets for a couple of days before departure.

In addition to well-known Aviasales and Skyscanner, find cheap tickets to help «Google app. Air tickets. " You can open the map and see where it is most advantageous to fly from the point where you are now.

Discounted tickets can also search for a group Triptodream on Facebook or on specialized channels in the Telegram:

• Vandroukiru →
• Piratesru →
• Samokatus →
• Travelhacks →

2. In South America, overfill more time between flights

Plan flights to Chile, Peru and Argentina will be very difficult. The fact is that in fact there do not fly planes on schedule. They can be compared with Russian minibuses, which go as they please. Cancellation or transfer of the flight is the usual story. So, if you are scheduled docking lays them more time to in which case the time to reach the desired gate.

3. Place all items in your hand luggage

This not only helps to save half the cost of airfare, but also add a lightness to your journey. Choose a small suitcase, which can be taken in hand luggage. According to the rules of airlines, it should weigh no more than 7kg. In fact, this weight may be greater: hand luggage abroad weighed not always. You can also take along a backpack, which will be stored valuables. fit so everything you need is possible.

Remember that there are things to do without that you will not be able to. You will definitely need:

• raincoat - not a one-time, and one that will become your best friend for the duration of the trip;
• Thermal can replace a bulky sweater and takes up much less space in your suitcase;
• mask for sleep;
• bag for travel, you will be able to use on an airplane;
• adapters for outlets;
• compact external battery (preferably two - in case one is lost).

4. Choose night flights

There are countries, which is better to move the bus. For example, in Asia. In Vietnam, Myanmar and choose night flights to save on spending the night in a hotel. Buses for long journeys, quite comfortable and equipped with everything you need - you can expand the bed and sleep quietly.

5. Book a car in international companies

Unlike Asian countries, Chile, New Zealand, Australia and the United States is best to travel by car. This provides an excellent opportunity to enjoy the view and visit the places where it is impossible to reach by bus or train.

Book car best in proven international companies. Otherwise, you can wait for surprises.

In the US, we have booked a car in the local office, which was cheaper than the other, and got into trouble. At the site revealed that the cost of the car is five times higher than was stated in the armor. We had to look at the site at least some car just to get out of the airport.

Anastasia Pererva

Parkopedia application will not only find parking, but also to compare prices and find out which is the most inexpensive. Sometimes even within the same quarter of the cost per hour can range from $ 2 to $ 20.

Fuel Map to find your refueling and will help to compare the prices of gasoline, when you are traveling to Australia.

6. Rent a camper

In Australia and New Zealand many take for campers traveling. To save money on rent, you can contact one of the services on the stretch of homes on wheels. Often they have a proposal, according to which you will need to overtake a car from one city to another. You will be charged only a symbolic $ 5 per rental. Petrol is usually paid by the company (but still better to specify in advance). You can go from one city to another, see the sights, which are caught you on the road, and virtually no money to spend.

7. Use well-known booking taxi service, but be careful with Uber

If you are afraid that the driver will take you more than you need, order a taxi with the help of well-known services, but be prepared for the fact that there may be a problem. For example, in some countries Uber denied at the state level, in others - with him so actively fighting the local taxi drivers, you can unwittingly become a victim of this confrontation.

In Java, we had the unpleasant story. We ordered in Uber. We were a long time no one came, and we knew exactly what the service is running, the machine is. Drivers simply refused to go to the airport. Finally, our order took a brave driver. Once we lay down things in the trunk and got in the car, he jumped like a local "mafia", and we pulled our stuff... The end of the story for the driver, we are afraid to even imagine.

Anastasia Pererva

Uber alternative in Southeast Asia can be Grab. In Bangkok, Jakarta and other cities, where often there are many hours of traffic jams, through this service is better not to order a car and a motorcycle with a driver. You sit down in the back seat and go to the right place, at the same time going around all the traffic jams. Many tourists ride the bike-taxi just for fun.

How to save on accommodation

1. Book online

This will help you to services such as Booking and Airbnb. Booking works well in all countries, even in Myanmar, which began to take the tourists only in 2011. Book online is much more convenient than looking for accommodation on the site: you do not have to walk with a suitcase, knocking on the doors of many hotels and inspect suspicious numbers. If it is possible to rent an apartment or a room with a kitchen, it is best to use it, not to spend a lot of money in cafes and restaurants.

How to use the booking services with maximum benefits →

Airbnb is especially popular in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the United States. You can not just stay in the house of local residents, but also to get to know them, to see their way of life from the inside. Perhaps your meeting will grow into friendship and you have not once they stop. Another option - use the service kauchsorfinga. Just be ready then to receive guests at home.

In Sydney we spent the night in the apartment of a young couple. We were the first Russian, whom they met in my life, and they give us very happy. It turned out that they were going to the World Cup in Russia. We invited them to stay with us, showed them to Moscow and talk so far.

Anastasia Pererva

In addition, you may need Worldpackers application. With it, you can stay in any hotel or hostel for free, a little work on the holders. You do not always need to be cleaned or wash dishes. Someone might need, such as assistance in the conduct of social networks - if you're a photographer and you have a good interior shooting succeed, you may have a chance to live in a hotel for free.

2. See number before you pay for it

Before you pay for the room you book online or by phone, it is better to ask the owners of the hotel to show it to you. Even if you were driving all day and terribly tired, neglected this formality is not necessary.

We were in Australia, traveling all day by car along the coast. On the way, we booked a room in a hostel on the phone. The only option that was free. We arrived and immediately paid for the room. These were two beds in the family room, and when the lights, we saw cockroaches on the walls fled. But it was too late and the money us no one has returned. Other options nearby was not simple.

Anastasia Pererva

3. Do not dwell in unsafe areas, even if there is cheap housing

On what exactly is not worth saving, so it is in their security. Carefully through commentary, booking and search for information about the area in which your property is located. And do not forget that even in safe areas often encountered thieves, because they know where to lodge tourists. Pickpockets often "work" about hostels can even enter the courtyard and sit for hours there, waiting for inattentive foreigners.

4. Remember the old friends

I'm sure many of your friends have left for the world. World Tour - an excellent opportunity to see all at once. Remember, where they now live, get their accounts in social networks and suggested we meet.

Friends can show you the city, confined to a restaurant, where only local walk, to talk about life in another country.

Perhaps some of them you can even stay overnight. If your friends are enrolled in post-graduate and can lend you the ISIC (International Student Card), this is a good opportunity to get discounts in museums or public transport.

In addition, you can invite friends to continue the journey together. Perhaps they are happy to agree to go with you to the neighboring country for the weekend. You will only benefit from this: firstly, the travel company fun, and secondly, you can share the cost of renting a car.

SplitWise - another application that will help you along the way if you are traveling with your friends and you need to split the cost of a large company. All you need - is to enter the data about who pays for what.

5. Buy a tent

In almost any country you can find suitable accommodation options that do not exceed $ 30 per night (in Asia, you can stay for $ 15). But even here there are exceptions - for example, New Zealand. Here the room rate varies from 120 to $ 150 per day (unless you have booked in advance). However, there is a way: you can just buy a tent, sleeping bags and stay at the campsite. In New Zealand, they are located in national parks. Also a lot of well-equipped campsites in the United States. In some parks to stay with a tent is free.

apps WikiCamps will help you when traveling around Australia, New Zealand and the United States. They are marked campsites, which are not present on the Booking, or other booking systems.

6. Take care of the animals in exchange for free accommodation

With the help of the service TrustedHousesitters.com can be free to live in the house while the owners are away, and in return, to look after their pets. You can stay as a couple of days or a couple of months - it all depends on how long there will be no home. On the site there are options not only in Europe but also in the United States, Australia, New Zealand. To register, you will need to pay an annual fee for using the service - 89 euros.

How to save on communication, souvenirs and tours

1. Buy a SIM card in Asia and to call on Skype in the US

To book hotels and look for discounts on airfare, you need a permanent connection to the mobile Internet. The cheapest will cost Us to Asia. For example, in Vietnam, feel free to buy a sim card and use 2 GB of internet per day. Is it worth just $ 10 per month.

The most expensive link in the US and New Zealand the average tariff will cost at least $ 50. The best solution in these countries will abandon the SIM card and connect to Wi-Fi wherever possible. For example, in cafes and museums. To make calls, you can use IP-telephone: just drop your little money on Skype and call home. In one minute of conversation with your account will be removed only 2 cents.

2. Give up the traditional crafts

If each country in which you will visit during the world tour, you will buy at least one magnet, it is unlikely that then will be able to fit all the stuff in your hand luggage. Think twice, is it worth it? Why do you need extra weight when in each country can be bought on the card, sign and send to your home address. When you return, you will have to wait for a unique collection of postcards from around the world with your memories.

3. Discard the organized excursions to the attractions promoted

This will help to save. Typically, during these tours show popular attractions that you can explore on their own. If you're lucky, even without the crowds of tourists.

Do not forget the audio guides, with which you will be able to get basic information. Pay attention to the little-known places - as a rule, they are all free. For example, it is not necessary to go to the very valley in New Zealand, where they filmed "The Lord of the Rings" (especially if you're not a fan of the trilogy). Take the car and take a ride around the neighborhood - nature there is no less beautiful.

Instagram also come in handy when traveling. Sign up for local bloggers - they often talk about the places that are rarely found in guidebooks.

4. Look for offers Free Walking Tour

It offers free walking tours of the city, at the end of which you can leave a tip to the guide (if you like). As a rule, they spend volunteers. They try to tell some really interesting facts about your city and give useful advice.

In Vietnam, these tours for you can even hold individually: students who need practice English, gladly lead you to where you ask. For example, you can arrange a street food tour. You will visit a local eatery, in which we would never have gone, and try really delicious street food.

To find such a tour, just type in a search engine «free walking tour» and the name of the city.

What else do you need to know

1. Be careful in the currency exchange offices

Even in official exchange offices you can cheat. See what is written in the documents that you sign the offer. Often on the electronic scoreboard Set one course, and on a piece of paper - the other three times higher.

We fall for this fraud in the Czech Republic. The error lay in the fact that I immediately gave the money. When I saw a figure in the document, he asked to return them back. I was told that the rate specified on the scoreboard, shall consist only in the exchange of $ 500. In fact, it never was said. Only when I threatened to call the police, I exchanged money at that rate, which was originally specified.

Anastasia Pererva

On the seventh in a row the country travel VND mingle with the Mexican peso, and you stop to realize how much money to spend on actually. In order not to lose touch with reality, the comparison must be constantly carried out (such as the dollar or ruble). Help application. Also, with their help you will always know the official exchange rate - it will help you not to be deceived in exchange.

2. See what they are doing local, and act as

This will help to quickly adapt to a new country and a deeper understanding of its culture. More often look around, observe how in difficult situations for you to enter local and do the same (or about) how they are. In Asia, look, what and where the locals eat, in South Africa learn to conserve water and so on.

3. Do not skimp on the impressions that can be experienced only here and now

If you know that it is unlikely once will return to this country, do not miss the moment and do something about what long dreamed. Hug a panda in a Chinese town, go scuba diving in the underwater city of abandoned or removed the most expensive room in Manhattan, to feel the spirit of New York? Why not. Second chance might not be, as this experience you will remember for a lifetime.

see also

• 7 ways to combine living abroad and travel →
• How to handle money in a foreign trip →
• How to organize a budget trip to several countries →