Trade:

Volunteering in exchange for accommodation is one of the best ways to control overhead expenses, according to Dunn. She’s taken care of dogs, painted murals, cooked and cleaned at retreat centers, milked goats, managed marketing plans and even led ecological treks on llamas. Another perk with volunteering she says, is the sense of home she receives from being off the beaten track and away from the hostel scene.

Transportation:

A self-proclaimed frequent flyer mile junkie, Dunn saves up her program points in order to upgrade her long-haul flights to business class. This strategy has previously cost her less than the price of an economy-class ticket! When she can’t manage to pull that off that minor miracle, Dunn enjoys traveling by train. The price is often less, and she prefers the extended scenery enjoyment that train travel provides.

Streamlining:

While it can be tempting to accumulate souvenirs and activity gear while you’re on the road, the reality of lugging those items around often destroys the fantasy of the extra comfort you hope they’ll provide, according to Dunn. When it comes to gear such as bicycles, snorkeling gear or similar equipment, Dunn chooses to rent if possible. If at the end of your research, you feel you need to buy a particular item, try to buy used. You may or not be able to sell it quickly when you move on she advises, and donating something you didn’t pay a great deal for anyway doesn’t seem to pinch as much.

Speed:

Moving at a breakneck pace is not only exhausting says Dunn, but it can wreak havoc on the long-term travel budget. Slowing down and getting to know the locals a bit before rushing off to the next destination will assist greatly in ferreting out the best deals. It’s also a sanity saver. Says Dunn, “In 2010, I traveled through over 10 countries on a whirlwind itinerary. Never sleeping longer than five nights in one bed, I emerged from the year completely exhausted. I had to simply stop moving for about six months to catch my breath.”

Photo Credit: Oakley Originals

Equipment choice will play a large role in how successful you are with one-bag travel.

Luggage with expandable compartments or removable inserts like the Tenba laptop messenger bag for media professionals or rolling backpacks for adventure travelers will serve you well. Choose gear that’s functional and available in the smallest size possible. Universal earphones with retractable cords, tablet devices like the Kindle Fire instead of bulkier reading material and toiletry bags designed more for the gym than packing the kitchen sink are all great places to start.

Wear what you can.

Travel jackets with hidden storage pockets large enough to store a small laptop and cargo pants are a huge help. They allow you to physically wear a fair number of items and tech gadgets that would otherwise need to take up space in your daypack. When it comes time to navigate security, simply remove the jacket and place it one of the security bins like you would any other bag. Bulkier clothing and footwear are also best to wear on travel days requiring a plane ride. Save your flat-packing flip flops and thinner layering tees for your carry-on bag. Remember, it doesn’t cost more to wear extra clothing, but it does to check luggage. Pack accordingly.

Road warrior wardrobe choices will serve you well.

Thin, light quick-dry clothing suitable for layering works well on the road. Not that I don’t appreciate a good pair of dressy jeans when I’m traveling for a longer period of time, but leggings, sarongs, thinner tee shirts and wrap dresses will provide wardrobe flexibility while still allowing you to pinch pennies on luggage fees. Pack the thinner lightweight items and use Space Bags to save even more room.

Toiletry choices can either cost you or save you money.

Trying to squeeze on that giant bottle of perfume or specialty lotion will likely get you flagged for luggage check and result in having to watch a smug security guard toss it into the confiscated items bin. Invest in a practical kit of smaller containers that are airline approved and can fit into the one-quart bags required for TSA screenings. These containers can easily be refilled from the bulk sizes you purchase for home, saving you the cost of paying more for travel sizes of your favorite products. I like the kits that have labels included so you can easily identify sunscreen from conditioner and other frequently-mistaken personal care products.

When possible, choose solid shampoo and conditioning bars instead of the liquid versions. This will allow you more room for other products such as nail polish and skin toner. Certain cosmetics can perform multiple duties. For example, I like to use lip liner for its original purpose, as well as for lip color and an impromptu rub-on blush.

In the interest of full disclosure, I should probably admit that traveling with one bag has gotten more difficult since I’ve become a full-blown media professional, although I can still manage to pull it off for an overnight if minimal wardrobe changes are required. That being said, those who simply need to check in occasionally for email can easily accomplish one-bag travel. And save a ton of cash as a result!

Photo Credit: Cea

Getting Around:

When it comes to navigation, we lean towards a hybrid approach which includes both traditional and techie solutions. There are many parts of the world that haven’t bothered to coordinate with app developers, so counting on the latest technologies will only get you so far. In addition to smart phone travel apps and your favorite GPS product, road atlases, local maps and MapQuest directions printed in advance should combine to provide you with all of the navigational support you need. When in doubt, call your hosts from the road or roll down your vehicle window and ask for additional directions the old fashioned way.

Research:

When problems arise that need a bit more time to solve such as construction detours or last-minute freelance assignments with an immediate turnaround, having access to Wi Fi is critical. If you have access through your wireless communications provider, fantastic. Many companies are stepping up these days with either tethering or traveling hot spot services. T-Mobile and Sprint are two such providers, Virgin Mobile is another.

If cell phone service sucks where you are (Hey, it’s been known to happen.), then search out a place to grab a coffee where the business is providing it for free. Panera Bread, Whole Foods, McDonalds and even Dunkin’ Donuts offer complimentary internet access, as do a number of shopping malls.

Information:

Local tourism offices and information bureaus are a great source of intel when it comes to searching out a great place to stay or have dinner in an unfamiliar place. Even the best researched vacations and business trips can hit a snag. Severe weather, construction delays, vehicle snafus and more have all been known to rear their ugly heads to interfere with my travel plans over the years. Chances are it will happen to you too, eventually. The other cool thing about tourism bureaus is they tend to have brochures on hand that include discount coupons for new visitors. Gotta love a bargain shopping opportunity when it presents itself.

Thrift Stores:

Speaking of bargains, North American thrift stores provide me with an affordable network of establishments within which to shop for things like sweaters, gloves and scarves when weather on the road takes an unexpectedly cold turn. Similarly, I can usually find some sort of luggage there if mine gets lost by the airline. It might not be comparable in price or functionality to what I have lost, but it can get the job done until I have a chance to file the reimbursement paperwork.

Store Locators:

I actually rely on these quite a bit. If we are in the middle of a long road trip, it’s extremely helpful to be able to find the nearest location of our typical go-to stores for things like Wi Fi, denim replacement, vegan fast food and more when an unplanned detour becomes necessary. We also use these to plan where on the route we can stop for an afternoon email check, and coordinate for fuel-up at the same time.

Do you have a favorite way to roll with the punches on road trips? Share your travel strategies below! We love hearing from you.

Photo Credit: Chovee

Storage: Choose luggage with extra storage compartments and pockets.  Space bags allow excess air to be squeezed out, making for more efficient storage. Compression sacks work similarly for things like sleeping bags. Clothing can provide storage for your travel gear as well. Cargo pants for example, can hold maps, rain ponchos, sunscreen and gloves.

Choices: Wrinkle-resistant wardrobe items made of thin fabrics suitable for layering provide the most options in the least amount of luggage space. Layering tees, leggings and tunics form the basis of several outfits for women, while conversion pants, turtlenecks and travel shirts with tabbed sleeves provide flexibility for men. Multipurpose items are also helpful. While traveling in Ayutthaya, Thailand, a thin sarong served as my skirt, towel, bathing suit cover, laundry bag and picnic cloth. My husband and I used military Recon Wraps – stretchy fabric tubes that fit over our heads – for face masks on a dusty Cambodian bus trip, and impromptu neck scarves during an unexpected cold snap in Jordan.

Size: Smaller travel items save room. Sea to Summit makes a compact travel clothesline which takes up less space than a deck of cards. Solid shampoo bars take up less room than the liquid version, and a similar approach can be applied to cosmetic products. I’m a huge fan of skipping liquid foundation in favor of compact, pressed powders, which store flat. For hostels and late-night reading, Petzl makes an extremely compact headlamp that goes the performance distance while still saving space.

Limits: Reduce the number of actual items you carry. Travel writer Shelley Seale took this to the extreme on a recent journey to the Caribbean island of St. Kitts. With just six wardrobe items, she put together enough outfits for her entire trip. Seale selected a dress that could be worn alone or over pants, a short jacket that coordinated with everything, two pairs of summer slacks and two tops. The key to success with this strategy? Choose coordinating colors and styles.

Traveling with less luggage is definitely doable. What are your favorite strategies for accomplishing this frugal travel feat?

Photo Credit: 05com

Are you tired of the conventional wisdom that says that you have to spend a lot of money to travel the world?

Well, it’s not true. In spite of the general consensus that you have to be rich to travel extensively, I will let you in on a little secret: not only is it possible to travel very cheaply, it’s also possible to travel completely for free.

The secret lies in completely discarding conventional “wisdom” about travel, and opening yourself up to creative possibilities. There are a few “mindset” rules that will help you shift gears into traveling for free, or very near it:

• Money is, by far, not the primary requisite for world travel.
• You will sacrifice either time or money to travel, and you have to decide which. The more time you’re willing to spend on planning and being resourceful, the less money you’ll part with.
• Flexibility is key; the more open you can be about where and when you travel, the more low-cost and free opportunities open up to you.
• The longer you travel, the less expensive it becomes.
• The slower you travel, the more meaningful it becomes.

Now let’s look at seven of the specific methods that anyone can use, to travel for free or very close to it.

1. Frequent Flyer Programs. They may be getting a bad rap lately, but there are still plenty of opportunities to reap their rewards if you know how to play the game. Pick the right program and take advantage of all the ways you can earn miles, from credit cards to things you use anyway such as banking and utilities, and you can earn free tickets faster than you think.
2. Low Cost Airlines. All around the world, regional airlines exist that offer some of the most amazing deals. By knowing who they are, subscribing to their e-bulletins, and keeping up with their deals, you can often find flights where the only thing you have to pay for is the airport taxes.
3. Trains, Buses and Ferries. Don’t overlook alternate ways to travel. In keeping with the “slow travel” philosophy, if you have the time to spend utilizing these transportation methods, you will save huge amounts of money. In many parts of the world, traveling by train or boat is much more accessible and done regularly.
4. Ride Sharing, Biking and Walking. Don’t even assume that the only way to get somewhere is by vehicle. When driving by car, you can often save huge amounts of money, or even get a free ride, by sharing the journey. Biking and walking are usually free too, and the United States as well as many places around the world offer incredible journeys by foot or bicycle.
5. Hostels, Homestays and Couch Surfing. Once you arrive at your destination, it’s not necessary to spend big bucks on a hotel. Staying in a local’s home is usually very cheap and sometimes even free, and hostels aren’t the dirty dorm rooms that they used to be. These types of accommodations have the added benefit of much more interaction with the people who live there.
6. Home and Hospitality Exchanges. Often overlooked by most travelers, exchanging homes or guest hospitality is one of the easiest, and most interesting, ways to get completely free accommodations that I’ve ever come across; I’ve done it more than a dozen times.
7. Monasteries, Farmstays and other Creative Lodging. There is an almost endless choice of options out there for cheap or free accommodations, from staying in a monastery or convent for just a few bucks, to bartering your work or volunteer time in exchange for a place to stay and sometimes even meals as well.

Besides these specific methods that we discuss in detail in our book, How To Travel For Free (or damn close to it!), there are so many ways to get creative about traveling. From working your way around the world, taking a sabbatical from work or combining job training or educational studies with traveling, seeing the world doesn’t have to cost very much. In fact, it can often be done for far less money than the cost of staying home and paying all those monthly bills.

So, in the words of Mark Twain, “Throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

About the Authors:

Shelley Seale and Keith Hajovsky are the authors of the book How To Travel For Free (or damn close to it!). In this 70-page book, available as a PDF download or in softcover print, Seale and Hajovsky outline all the details of the above methods and more; providing examples, personal accounts, and hundreds of websites and resources that you can use to travel for free, as they have.

Photo Credits: How to Travel for Free

Portable Tripod

Sometimes you just want to be in front of the camera, instead of never in a pic because you’re the one behind the camera.  If only you had a tripod.  A traditional tripod just is not practical for most people. It’s large, cumbersome, and not always convenient to have on hand.

This is where Gorillapodcomes in. Attaching your camera to a Gorillapod, bending the legs as needed to attach the whole gizmo to some object, and setting the self-timer on a camera weighing up to 9.7 oz puts you in the picture.  This particular item, with articulated legs and standard 1/4-20 screw, allows most any object to become part of the ‘tripod’.  It’s a perfect travel accessory.

Travel Alarm

A lesson hard learned is not to depend on external factors for a timely wake-up, including in-room alarm clocks and front desk wake-up calls.  Bring your own travel alarm clock…and extra batteries.  There are dozens of options from which to choose and prices from reasonable to you-gotta-be-kidding.  Any travel supply vendor will offer many with various and sundry options.  The key features, from my perspective, are a nice big LED display that can be seen well in dark, light or half light, and some sort of clock protection.  The whole bring-your-own thing is nullified if the clock gets crushed in routine travel.

While you’re putting together your packing list for your next trip — domestic or international — be sure to include a travel alarm.

Anti-Diarrheal

“Always be prepared” is sound advice for anyone traveling. Whether a travel novice or accomplished globe hopper, travel can be hard on the constitution, sometimes. Changes in time, water or food – even travel stress -  can manifest in  uncomfortable physical ways.  Be ready to combat intestinal distress by carrying your own supply of an anti-diarrheal. I prefer Imodium, but choose whatever works for you.

Never assume you’ll be able to find an over-the-counter remedy wherever you are. Count on yourself and pack a small amount, just in case.  Better to have it and not need it than the reverse.

Sleep Mask

If you’re anything like I am, it’s a challenge to sleep when there is light around you. Yes, you can throw a pillow or jacket over your head, burrow into your elbow, or throw your arm over your eyes, but those seldom work for long. The easiest, most portable solution to the too-much-light problem is a  sleep mask.

Travel is unpredictable, and a little rest makes whatever may not go smoothly a little more manageable. Whether catching 40 winks in a airport, or dozing on a bus, or trying to sleep in Alaska at midnight in July, a sleep mask will filter out the light and help you to get that much needed rest in an environment that is not generally rest conducive.

Moleskin

Having  moleskin on hand has saved my life — more specifically, my feet — on more than one occasion. Moleskin is a soft cotton fabric that is cushy on one side and adhesive on the other. Moleskin applied to a heel, a toe, the ball of the foot creates instant relief the next time a shoe has to cover that foot. A little proactive moleskin placement is really the best way to avoid growing a blister from walking for hours, but it will also provide protection for a second consecutive day of extensive walking.

Moleskin comes in various sizes that can be cut to size.  If you’re not checking luggage, you won’t be carrying scissors with you, so a little pre-planning by cutting pieces of various relevant sizes could be a good idea.

Note from author: Affiliate links included in post.

Photo credit: Webb-Zahn

Travel in Turkey Driving to Cappadocia

This is one of a two part series on driving in Turkey.

Traveling to Turkey is fantastic. Visitors  have the opportunity for many cultural and historic experiences. One adventure I wasn’t expecting in Turkey was  my time behind the wheel of our rental car.  Turkish drivers live on the edge with their death defying driving maneuvers. I will never forget my week of driving in Turkey. It felt like life on the edge every day.

By the second day my travel companion was enjoying the motto, “When in Turkey, live as the Turkish do.” For him that meant driving with the same insane vigor as the local drivers. For me it meant a great deal of clinging to the arm rest and closing my eyes as I gasped at the continued antics of Turkish drivers. By day two in Turkey my companion had decided I should put my driving skills to the test. I think in that moment I stopped breathing. Was he insane? Seeing he was serious  and wanted me to give it a try I braved it and sped off on the mountain roads, wondering how we’d survive.  His emotional support made all the difference. Yes, there were more than a  few hair raising moments when Turkish drivers passed me on curves and tight roads where it seemed perfectly insane, but we survived and had an amazing adventure.

Tips I recommend for your time traveling in Turkey.

* Drive Defensively and realize you are NOT driving in America. You are driving in foreign country, where the rules are very different.

* Start with short drives to areas that feel managable.

* Drive in daylight.

* Be prepared with maps and make sure you fill up your gas tank for driving in the mountains.

Photo Credit Tricky Driving 300td.org

While travel skills in general are likely too numerous to list efficiently, these ten are the ones Trek Hound consider to be universally helpful. What are they?

How to drive a stick shift.

In many parts of the world, automatic transmissions are the exception rather than the rule. If you don’t believe me, just ask a few of the folks who have gotten bitten in the butt by this on the Amazing Race.

Navigation.

It’s amazing how many people are uncomfortable with maps and their use. Particularly where automobile navigation is concerned. One of the main perks of having a travel partner, in addition to getting assistance with problem solving, is having someone available to tell you where to go while you drive. While it isn’t technically impossible to read the map and drive at the same time, it’s difficult under the best of circumstances and unsafe under the worst of them. Be sure to take a good navigator if possible. Another travel tip? Placing a map that needs to be re-used a great deal inside a page protector keeps it from getting unnecessarily tattered and water damaged.

CPR / first aid.

I’m no medical expert, and the first to admit I have more to learn. However, I’m more than capable of cleaning a wound and know when to use ibuprofen for pain and swelling. As I said, I know I have more to learn. But the point is, you never know when you might need to perform first aid on yourself or a travel companion. Having some basic working knowledge of the subject is a smart move.

How to drive a motorcycle.

I have to come clean. I have absolutely no skill in this area. However, it has bitten me in the tush enough times that I know I need to make learning this skill a priority. In many parts of the world, small motorbikes are the norm. Bonus? They are way less expensive to rent and fuel than automobiles.

How to cook on the fly.

One major way to save money while traveling is to prepare your own food. Trying to make your own meals in unfamiliar kitchens with unpredictable access to certain tools and appliances can be more than challenging. Having a repertoire of simple, low ingredient recipes and travel menus can help. A few specific ideas would be caprese kabobs, quesadillas and Polynesian chicken.

Patience.

Seriously, I mean it. The trials and tribulations of problem solving in a foreign language, unfamiliar city, or developing country can be as taxing as they are enjoyable and exciting. A good supply of patience will go a long way towards helping you make the most of your travel experience.

Driving on the left (or for some the right) side of the road.

While the need for this may be less prevalent in global travel than the manual shift capability suggested earlier, there are still a fair number of places in the world where you’ll require the know-how if you choose to rent a car or bike there. I’m a bit embarrassed to say I have not mastered this yet. However, it’s on my list and I intend to develop the skill as soon as my life situation permits it.

Deciphering international train and bus schedules / routes.

This might sound like a “well, duh” type of item to include here. But honestly, these things can get incredibly complicated, particularly in countries with highly developed mass transit systems. The more basic a route and schedule chart is, the more likely I am to roll with it. When we were in Italy though, there were some train charts that would have made anyone’s eyes cross. My husband is much more of a rock star when it comes to figuring things out. Even if you don’t have time to make yourself into a self-taught guru in this area, developing some basic skills will serve you well. Trust me.

Alternative communication.

Short of learning the language of every country you travel to before you hop on the plane, I highly suggest developing a comfort zone with the following:

• Sketching – no major artistic abilities are needed. Simple Pictionary skills will get you by. If you need something specific at the store or have a medical ailment you need to explain, a sketch pad and stick-man drawing can get you out of a jam more often than you might think.

• Charades – Again, no need to be a world champion. But basic pantomime ability when asking or directions or time to come back to a particular place is way more universal than a language that might only be spoken on a handful of islands in the entire world. Not that there’s anything wrong with learning those languages for education’s sake.

• Calculators – Finding room in your bag for a calculator or asking a salesperson or waiter for theirs is a great way to go. This comes in handy while shopping in souks or bargaining for a price on hired transportation. If you didn’t bring one with you, pantomime one. It’s a fairly international gesture.

Foreign language training.

Again, nobody has time to learn them all, and very few people have time to learn even a country-specific one before traveling to that particular destination. However, a few have a fairly broad reach. English, Spanish, Arabic and French come to mind. Also, if you happen to be growing up in a school system that still teaches Latin, consider signing up. It’s the basis for several languages and make deciphering them easier.

These are the top ten skills, at least in my humble traveler’s opinion, that will help you out most often, and in the greatest number of countries. Got another skill or tip you wish you’d known about before you hit the road?

Recommended Reading: Sight-Seeing Tips for Bolzano, Italy.

Photo Credit: TrekHound.Com