In 2014 I decided to leave a field I’d studied and worked in for more than 10 years. I decided to “take at least one year and travel the world.” And while I don’t always travel non-stop, I’ve never looked back.
I’ve learned and refined a ton of tips and useful advice related to travel, specifically traveling for very low cost or sometimes even free. You don’t need to quit your job, sell all your possessions and travel the world. Most people aren’t looking for that. If you simply want to take a vacation, spend time with friends or family, and do it without burning through your life savings, it can be done. I’ll show you how
vpn
I’d recommend a “Virtual Private Network” for anyone traveling or working from the road for an extended perio, especially while traveling internationally. A VPN will encrypt your internet traffic and protect personal information while using cafe’s or public wi-fi spots. It also will allow you to pretend you are using an internet connection in another country.
You can Access videos and tv shows or websites that would otherwise be blocked! For example, China blocks facebook and google, but when I visited I was able to use a VPN can get around that). I strongly recommend you avoid the “Free” ones, and spend a few dollars to give yourself peace of mind. My top recommendations are Nord VPN and Express VPN. Both are about the same price, roughly $12 per month and much cheaper if you grab a longer subscription, as long as $3 or $4! Both offer a 30 day money back guarantee. I’d give a slight edge to Nord VPN as that’s my current go-to, due to it’s ability to connect to nearly 100 countries. I’ve used Express VPN before though and continue to reccomend it, and I’d give it a slight edge if your focus is on streaming movies or shows on services like Netflix or Hulu
gear
I knew when I started traveling the world that I wanted to stay in touch, do some light work, and continue writing (especially for my blog). But I also knew I had a five year old laptop that barely held a charge. I knew I’d need a new one but wasn’t crazy about spending a fortune.
I took a chance on a Chromebook and have never looked back. I highly, highly recommend this computer, which is fast, super light, and more than powerful enough for my needs. Chromebooks get a rap because they are mostly “only online computers” but I’ve found I can do almost everything I needed before. Plus in today’s world there is an internet connection pretty much anywhere. The Toshiba Chromebook 2 comes with USB ports, and even an SD card reader. That means you can take out the card from your digital camera, insert it directly into the computer and upload your pictures. No extra cords or software required. The price is fantastic and the whole thing weighs about two pounds and I’m tremendously happy I ended up taking a “chance” on a Chromebook to serve as my computer while traveling.
** Also check out the new, updated version of the Toshiba Chromebook 2, which also seems superb.
I could only recommend one single item as the absolute must have for an airplane, it would be these. These noise cancelling headphones are worth absolutely every penny and since I got mine mine many years ago, I’ve never gotten on a plane without them. I’ve since purchased newer versions and bought ones for family.
They are an investment with the newest model costing just under $300, (though you can sometimes grab flash sales from Amazon and they’re $260 or $270!) However I was just as skeptical of the price and have since laughed at myself for ever doubting once I started using them. They are nothing short of amazon. You really have no idea how loud an airplane is until you put these on, and then take them off to compare. Engine noise, annoying passengers, that guy who just won’t shut up on the red eye flight… and the big one… SCREAMING BABIES.
Put these one, flip on the noise cancelling switch and add some music. Babies can scream their brains out for all I care. Doesn’t bother me at all. They also work great for loud bus rides or really just any situation. The sound itself is crystal clear and can be used for any type of activity when you want to listen to some good music. Again, my absolute highest recommendation.
I took a chance on a Chromebook and have never looked back. I highly, highly recommend these computers, which are fast, super light, and more than powerful enough for my needs. Chromebooks get a rap because they are mostly “only online computers” but I’ve found I can do almost everything I needed before. Plus in today’s world there is an internet connection pretty much anywhere.
My first was a Toshiba Chromebook and a couple years later I upgraded to the Toshiba Chromebook 2. Neither of those are in production any longer and it’s probably about time for another upgrade and I’ll soon be searching for the next one. Do a quick search for “Chromebook” on Amazon and you’ll get a ton of options to choose from!
Back when I was going through pilot training, my flight instructor encouraged me to get a basic watch. “Ah, I’ll just grab the cheapest thing I can find and disgard it after a few momths.” That was back in 2010. It lasted me nearly eight years, and the day it finally bit the dust I went out and bought the exact same one. I still wear this almost everyday, wear it to train clients at my gym and I take it on every travel trip. It is a simple watch with a lot of features. You can set up different times for multiple time zones, has a stopwatch, countdown, alarm clock and will light up to check in the dark. The basic one costs less than $50, making it the perfect tool you won’t lose sleep over if you do end up losing it. It’s water resistent, really durable and has been one of my best travel gear purchases I’ve ever made. You can even get different sizes, styles, or features
These things do the job. I fit all of my clothing for my Round the World trip into two single compression sacks and then fit that into my backpack. Compression sacks expand to let you put clothing or even sleeping bags inside, and then “compress” down to about 1/2 or even 1/3 the size as you push the air out. They even have straps you pull down to compress even more. My original go to is from the company “Sea to Summit” which I’ve found to have the highest quality. If you’re on the fence, check out Red Camp, which offers smaller less expensive ones and I’ve found to also be a good option. Note, it will usually cause your clothes to be a bit wrinkled, so not ideal for transporting your suit or fancy dress. Really great for bulky or “fluffy” items like thick socks, sweaters, or coats.
credit cards
You can earn incredible value from credit card points and miles. One of the top cards in my wallet is the personal American Express Gold. This collects Amex “Membership Reward Points” which earns 4x points at grocery stores and restaurants, 3x points on flights booked directly with an airline and allows you to transfer points to about 30 different airlines and hotels. That’s huge. And means you’re never limited to a single airline or hotel. There is an annual fee of $250, though you can off-set that with a $120 credit throughout the year to grub-hub. The welcome bonus usually ranges from between 30,000 and 40,000 points. But…
SPECIAL BONUS: Click here to apply and if you’re approved you’ll earn 60,000 points. You do need to spend $4,000 within the first six months, so make sure you can do that. I highly recommend this card for someone looking to save on a big trip. That 60,000 bonus offer will almost get you a first class plane ticket, saving you much more than the $250 to have the card. This would be my top recommendation though make sure you can hit the spend and manage the annual fee.
This card earns two “miles” for every dollar spent. This started out as a purchase eraser card, meaning you’d use the points you earned to erase your travel purchase. Great when something doesn’t have a formal points program like a cruise ship, tour group, or bus ride. However years ago they partnered up with a dozen airlines and Wyndham rewards, allowing you to also transfer points to travel partners. There’s no annual fee for the first year.
BONUS. Current offer is 60,000 miles when you spend $3,000 in the first three months. A solid card all around for beginners.
chase freedom
One of my top recommendations for beginners with little to no experience collecting credit card points and miles, there are actually two versions of the Chase Freedom.
The Chase Freedom Flex offers a 5% bonus on categories that change each quarters while the Chase Freedom Unlimited stays the same. Both offer bonus cash when you hit a very easy minimum spend to open the card, both collect Chase Ultimate Reward Points that can be transferred to partner airlines, and both have no annual fee. If you can’t decide, and are very green to the points and miles hobby, I’d go with the Unlimited to make it simpler.
Looking for some free hotel nights and no annual fee? American Express offers this card to earn Hilton Hotel Points. The required spend to earn the bonus is low, the chances of being approved are high, and the card is free to have. A great starter card for those starting out in the points and miles hobby. Click here to apply.
This card has great benefits if you’re looking for an immediate way to redeem the bonus and plan on extensive travel, especially through Europe. The card earns 2x points on every dollar spent, includes a 40,000 “Arrival Mile” bonus, and it also includes chip and pin technology. This is not the same as chip and signature, despite what some people might tell you. Many countries are transitioning to chip cards, and in places like subway stations or train depots in Europe, the machines will demand a pin with your credit card. This card has it.
You earn “Arrival Miles” through your spending, then when you make a travel purchase you can cancel it out at a rate of 100 points to 1 dollar. So purchase a plane ticket or hotel for $100 and redeem 10,000 points to cancel out the charge like it never happened
There is no foreign transaction fee, which is a must if you’re traveling, plus the card has no annual fee the first year. I used the points earned from this card to redeem for two first class tickets from China. At $6,500 for each ticket, what would have been a $13,000 bill instead cost me a total of $60 in taxes.
chase freedom
One of my top recommendations for beginners with little to no experience collecting credit card points and miles, there are actually two versions of the Chase Freedom.
The Chase Freedom Flex offers a 5% bonus on categories that change each quarters while the Chase Freedom Unlimited stays the same. Both offer bonus cash when you hit a very easy minimum spend to open the card, both collect Chase Ultimate Reward Points that can be transferred to partner airlines, and both have no annual fee. If you can’t decide, and are very green to the points and miles hobby, I’d go with the Unlimited to make it simpler.
These things do the job. I fit all of my clothing for my Round the World trip into two single compression sacks and then fit that into my backpack. Compression sacks expand to let you put clothing or even sleeping bags inside, and then “compress” down to about 1/2 or even 1/3 the size as you push the air out. They even have straps you pull down to compress even more. My original go to is from the company “Sea to Summit” which I’ve found to have the highest quality. If you’re on the fence, check out Red Camp, which offers smaller less expensive ones and I’ve found to also be a good option. Note, it will usually cause your clothes to be a bit wrinkled, so not ideal for transporting your suit or fancy dress. Really great for bulky or “fluffy” items like thick socks, sweaters, or coats.
trains and boats
shopping portals
TBD
A tremendously fun and intriguing tool, Kayak Explore let’s you see where you can go if you just want to travel, “Somewhere.” Enter your city and the month or even general season you’re able to travel and Kayak Explore will show you prices for tickets all over the world.
In February of 2015 I took the final steps to complete a goal I’d set the previous year; to get a 100% completely free cruise. And “free” means EVERYTHING from start to finish. From the cruise itself, airfare to the ship, a hotel and dinner the night before, even cash to spend at the casino or in the islands. I used a combination of credit card points, frequent flyer miles, and other travel techniques. See how I did it, and how you can too!
backpack
North Face Angstrom 28L Backpack
This is the backpack (in black) that I used to travel the world for one year. That’s right, just a 28L backpack for a year of travel. I specifically wanted a backpack that was around 30L so I could avoid having to check it on smaller airplanes as well as since most travelers will tell you, “The bigger the bag, the more stuff you’ll find to stuff into it.” I found this to be a good size with lots of extra compartments including a space for a laptop. It also comes with a rain cover