The Cheapest Ways to Travel the World | Your Pass to Unlimited Travelling

I'm often asked how do I get to travel so frequently? Even when I'm not a full time traveller, especially for a working professional in India (you know how the work culture is). And soon after, the whole conversation from travelling around the world is shifted to where do I get so much money from?

Money? Now that's where I laugh, nod my head to tell - not much is required. And that's where the conversation is ended mostly, putting me in a weird spot, as if I'm lying and hiding all the money that I have and secretly telling them to rot at their work station while I prepare for my next adventure.

ABSOLUTELY NOT!

So, today while I was enjoying my week off on a Monday, I thought of penning it all down.

And yes, I'm serious it doesn't require A LOT of money. So read on...

Since August 2016, I've visited 10 countries, 71 Cities, 3 Continents and on an average stayed for about 13 days in each.

All that with little money. You don't trust me still, huh? Read on . .

Now, it all doesn't come without any effort. A lot is required though and it takes a while as well. At the end of the day you'll have to manage it all by yourself. So be prepared.

Now, further down the lines, I'm gonna write about what all you need and how to use it for relatively cheap travel around the world.

1. Invest in a Good Credit Card.

I believe owning a Credit card is an Investment. Not many people think like that. Owning not just a credit card but a Premium Credit Card from a good bank. Many of us have a totally different opinion on that. Let me give you a chance to change that age old opinion.

Why an Investment? Investment is a monetary asset purchased with the idea that the asset will provide income in the future. Likewise, your everyday spends on your credit card will reward you with miles, which would later help you book your international flight tickets for as low as Rs 1400 or $19 approximately.

Choosing a credit card is where the trick lies. Often people fall for credit cards that comes absolutely free i.e without any membership fee / annual maintenance cost. Those credit cards are simply good for nothing. Banks are no fools, giving you free cards and letting you enjoy all the benefits without you paying them anything.

I recommend going with a premium card with any good bank. Definitely, it would come with a membership fee but that can be compensated if you're clever enough to use it well.

For example, a card designed for the masses which is absolutely free gives you 1 reward point for every Rs 125 you spend. The per point value is 0.35 paise. So if you're spending Rs 50000, you're rewarded with 400 rewards points, which is equal to Rs 140.

On the other hand, a premium credit card which comes with an annual membership fee of Rs 3000 gives you 4 points for every Rs 100 you spend on a non-airline purchase and 10 points for every Rs 100 you spend on an airline related purchase. The per point value is 0.50 paise. So even with the least earning ratio, if you spend Rs 50000 on a non airline purchase, you get 2000 points which is equal to Rs 1000 and if that is an airline related purchase, you get 5000 points which is equal to Rs 2500 .

See the difference?

Plus, premium credit cards would even give you further benefits on airport lounges and hotel stays. You never know your credit card could book you a limo waiting right outside the airport for you. So choose wisely.

I'm currently using Premier Miles from Citi Bank and is working absolutely fine for me.

I remember booking my Delhi-Milan ticket for just Rs 2200. Yeah! No Kidding.

I've also given add on cards on my primary card to my family members. We've gone absolutely cashless. Everything goes on our card, even that "ek pao paneer" (250 grams cottage cheese).

Best is to have just one credit card with all of your spends on it, only then can you get the maximum benefits out of your points.

Another important rule to keep in mind is to never revolve on your credit card. Always pay back full, in time. Even if your bill is Rs 20000.56, don't forget to pay that 0.56, pay it in full or round it off to Rs 20001. If you are revolving and paying interest to the bank then no matter how many miles you earn, it's all a waste.

And hey, use the card wisely. In order to earn more miles don't just keep spending and have the collections team after your life.

2. Look for Cheap Airlines and Book in Advance

First, without doing anything turn the browser to incognito.

It only helps you not storing the cookies for the website owner to track your preferences. Ever wondered why the price of the tickets go up when you search for it the second time?!? Cooookiess ;)

After you go Incognito, open the website where you plan to book the tickets. I usually use SkyScanner or MakeMyTrip depending on what offers I'm getting on my Credit Card.

Now, Never book Direct.

For Example : If you want to fly to Budapest, look for a destination which is even more popular between Budapest and the originating country say New Delhi, India.

Let's work with Dubai DXB.

You don't have to take the option that the website is giving for a stop over. You can definitely choose your own stop over if that helps you save some bucks. It could demand more time but who cares if you're saving money on that.

Moving to the example again. Book a flight from New Delhi to Dubai, and manually book another flight from Dubai to Budapest. Now definitely here you will have to manage the timings. Keep buffer time so you can catch the next flight. It's not a system generated stop over, so timing your arrival and departure is a must or else you'll screw it up.

This process can save you around Rs 3000 - 4000 per flight mostly if not always.

Prefer booking tickets 2-3 months prior, you're more likely to get cheaper deals. Prefer off seasons or just before high season starts. You'll have to research on that depending on which country you are flying to. And try booking the national carriers of that country.

3. Stay With the Locals

That's one thing I always look forward to when I'm travelling. Don't let your insecurities come in. People are just amazing and will respect your space whatsoever. I've had the best experiences with the local people and till now we keep in touch.

If you plan on staying with the locals, please respect their house rules, be in the space provided and ask if you need anything extra. We shouldn't forget it's their house and we're enjoying their hospitality. You could help in daily chores by simply washing the dishes, keeping the toilets clean, making your bed every morning, watering the plants, feeding the pets or anything that could help the host.

For such amazing experiences I often use CouchSurfing to meet local people and to make that city all the more memorable.

4. Find Cheaper Accommodation

Who needs a luxury room when you're out all day exploring that beautiful street, or basking in the glory at the beach, or climbing the tallest tower to have panoramic view of the city or perhaps just people watching in a coffee shop.

Spending major portion of your budget on an accommodation isn't a good idea, rather spend that money on experiences.

I prefer Hostels over Hotels any day. My goto website is HostelWorld - Meet the World.

I prefer living in a dormitory with fellow travellers. It's cheap and sometimes you really make some amazing friends for life. You can always talk about the trip or their experience so far or anything that they know and you don't.

On the other hand I use Airbnb too. Try it here, you'll get Rs 2200 off your first trip with my link.

On Airbnb you can have personal as well as shared accommodations at a nominal price. People are amazing, properties are amazing and the experience is even better.

One thing I always focus on, do not break the trust. Respect the property, respect the people and be in the space provided.

This is the level of trust, so respect it.

You can also look for cheap campsites. They are absolutely fun with all the amenities you'd need. I experienced one in Venice, I paid around Rs 700 or $9 per day with a comfy bed, a pool, a large toilet area and an amazing restaurant. Totally worth it! 

5. What to Eat and How Much to Spend

I'd rather spend time eating a Banana in front of the Eiffel Tower than eating a lavish meal back home. I'm not saying that don't try the local cuisine, absolutely try it. Try the street food which is relatively cheap or just eat fruits.

I usually buy a pack of cereal and a jar of milk for breakfast that lasts for about 3 days. So 3 days breakfast for just Rs 400 or $6. And sometimes I buy fruits for as low as Rs 50 or 80 Cents.

For lunch, I prefer a good meal at a cheap cafe for about Rs 600 or $8. I keep it light for dinner and usually have a platter of salad.

If you have a place to cook, nothing like buying groceries and preparing it yourself. You'll save half the money, trust me.

6.Transportation

Undoubtedly, the best way to explore any city is on foot. I prefer walking over trains, trams or buses.

Majorly cities are walkable towards the West and around Europe. That is when you're able to really understand how the city works and what it has to offer. It definitely saves a lot of money and also gives you a reason to eat your favourite chocolate. Also, it is important to keep yourself hydrated at all times. Buy one bottle and keep refilling it, saves money plus it keeps your carbon footprint low.

If the spread of the city is large, I mostly go with the unlimited train pass and utilise it to full.

There are unlimited ways to cut down your expenses overseas, just take the challenge and travel on. Don't follow the traditional rules of travelling. Be creative and break stereotypes.

With the same tricks, I've been to 5 countries in Europe in less that Rs 80,000 for five weeks.

If you liked what you read and feel it could benefit someone, just pass it on. 

Happy Travelling!