You’re overdue for a getaway. Whether you dream of lounging on a sandy shore or immersing yourself in a vibrant new city, your finances might be putting the brakes on those plans.
If setting aside cash for a vacation feels impossible (or you keep dipping into your savings), there are still plenty of creative, budget-friendly ways to see the world without breaking the bank.
3 Ways to Help Pay for Your Next Trip
Rather than waiting to earn money so you can travel, consider how traveling itself could become a source of income.
1. Register for a Work-Exchange Program
Work-exchange programs let you visit new places while trading labor for accommodation and meals. You might work on a ranch caring for animals, help harvest crops on a farm or teach English in another country.
2. Monetize Your Travel Photos
You’ll likely take lots of photos while on vacation. Instead of only sharing them on social media for likes and comments, why not sell some of your shots?
There are numerous platforms that compensate photographers. One travel photographer pulled in $2,000 a month by combining several revenue streams from his images.
3. Housesit, Pet-Sit or Babysit While Traveling
Landing a house-sitting gig can significantly reduce travel costs. You get a free place to stay in exchange for basic upkeep like watering plants, collecting mail and light cleaning.
Pet-sitting requires more responsibility but still leaves plenty of downtime to explore. Opportunities exist nationwide, and even better if you can secure a pet-sitting role overseas.
Babysitting involves more hands-on work, but when parents return you’re off the clock and can enjoy your trip. Working as an au pair or nanny abroad opens the door to living in a foreign country. For domestic options, websites such as Care.com list many babysitting and nanny vacancies.
3 More Practical Ways to Travel for Less
If picking up extra work doesn’t appeal to you, here are other sensible tactics for cutting travel expenses.
1. Hit the Road
Skip airfare, baggage fees and pricey airport food by driving to your destination instead of flying.
While you’ll need to budget for fuel, a road trip often costs less overall. Pick a location within a day’s drive and pack snacks from home to keep expenses down.
2. Travel in October
Timing matters. October falls in the shoulder season—the period between peak travel times and off-season—which typically offers more deals and lower prices.
October’s weather is usually mild, and with kids back in school, attractions tend to be less crowded.
3. Take a Staycation
You don’t need to go far to feel like you’re on vacation. Be a tourist in your own town or a nearby city. Visit a museum you haven’t seen, dine at local favorites and explore nearby sights.
Staying local removes the cost of flights, hotels and rental cars, making a staycation an affordable and enjoyable option.
Alex Harper is a senior writer at Savinly.
