Travel for Free

Ask anybody what's on her "To Do Before I Die" list, and travel is likely to be near the top.  We are all enticed by the idea of traveling to exotic locales or historical landmarks.  But many of us are limited by one huge travel roadblock- cost.

Wouldn't it be great if there was a way to see the world without requiring a second mortgage?  Well, with some research, planning and a little luck, you may be able to travel for next to nothing.

1. Housesitting

If you have the desire and ability to water someone else's plants, possibly care for pets and keep a home in good condition, housesitting may be for you.  Proper research is necessary to ensure that you are protected in the event of any accidents or damage.

Caretaker.org , housecarers.com, housesitworld.com, sabbaticalhomes.com all offer listings of houses available for care throughout the world. 

2. Home swapping

If the idea of a stranger staying in your house is a huge turn-off, you're probably better off sticking to a hotel, but if you are up for an adventure, home swapping could save you a bundle.  Finding the right home swap may require months of planning, and it is important to use a reputable company, but home swapping offers a huge saving over regular travel accommodations. 

Homeexchange.com, homelink.org and swapnow.com are some popular home-swapping services.

3. Work exchange

If you love to hike, The
Continental Divide Trail Alliance, the Pacific Northwest
Trail Association, and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy  all offer free camping trips (including food and even transportation on some) in return for your hard work on the trail.

Farms worldwide, many of them organic,
offer free food and lodging for anyone willing to help with weeding, planting, and harvesting. A list of participating farms can be found here.  As many of the farms require a six-day work week, this may not be the best option for many.  If however, the idea of harvesting vegetables in a foreign land is vacation enough, it may be for you.

Traditional travel definitely requires less research and planning than some of the above-mentioned alternatives.  But housesitting, home swaps and work-exchange programs result in thousands of happy travelers every year.  If cost alone is prohibiting you from traveling as you desire, consider looking into these often overlooked options.

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