How to Afford Long Term Travel: Real Budget + Tips! 🌎
- 4 days ago
- 7 min read
This is How We Afforded 18 Months Abroad.. (Without Being Rich) 🤑
A little over a year and a half ago, we sold most of our belongings, packed up our backpacks, and boarded a one way ticket to New Zealand. We did not have a perfectly mapped out plan. What we did have was a shared dream to see more of the world together and the willingness to figure things out as we went.
Fast forward 18 months and we have now explored more than 21 countries together. We have lived out of backpacks, stayed in cozy apartments overlooking the sea, cared for animals in strangers’ homes, and learned that long term travel does not have to cost as much as people think.
Like most people, we used to assume traveling the world was only possible if you were wealthy or retired. What we discovered instead is that with the right strategies, traveling full time can actually be more affordable than living in many places back home.
If you have ever wondered how people afford long term travel, here are the exact strategies that helped us make it happen.
How Much Does Long Term Travel Actually Cost?
One of the most common questions we get is, " How to afford full time travel?" & more specifically “How much money do you need to travel the world for a year?”
A general rule of thumb many travelers recommend is saving around $25,000 to $35,000 per person per year for mid range travel. Of course this can vary depending on your style. Luxury travel will cost more, while backpacking and slow travel can cost less. For reference, living back home in Dallas for us is estimated to cost $45,000-$55,000 so if anything you are saving money immediately! 😉
Because we travel as a couple and stay places for longer periods of time, we have been able to keep our expenses much lower than we originally expected.
The biggest factor that keeps our costs down is simple...
We travel slowly.
Slow Travel Is the Secret to Affordable Travel
Instead of rushing through countries every few days, we try to stay in one place for about a month whenever possible.
Slow travel completely changes your budget.
Monthly rentals are significantly cheaper than short stays. Many hosts on Airbnb offer major discounts for stays longer than 28 days. In some cases we have seen prices drop by 30% - 50% compared to nightly rates.
Right now we are staying in a sea view apartment in Sarandë, Albania for around $600 per month. That is less than many people pay for rent in a week in major cities.
Staying longer also means you spend less on transportation, fewer flights, and you start living more like a local rather than a tourist.
It is one of the biggest reasons long term travel has been possible for us.
Travel During Shoulder Season
Another strategy that has saved us thousands is traveling during the shoulder season, which is the time just before or just after peak tourist season.
Traveling during these quieter months has some HUGE advantages.
Pros
Cheaper accommodations
Lower flight prices
Fewer crowds at popular destinations
More relaxed travel experiences
Cons
Some restaurants or attractions may be closed
Smaller towns may feel quieter
Weather can be less predictable
Even with a few downsides, we have found shoulder season travel to be one of our favorite ways to explore new places.
You still get the beauty of a destination without the chaos of peak tourism.
Choosing Budget Friendly Countries
Not all destinations cost the same, and choosing where you travel can have a massive impact on your budget.
Some of the countries we visited offered incredible experiences for a fraction of the price we expected.
Best Budget Friendly Countries We Visited
🇻🇳 Vietnam
One of the best value destinations we have ever experienced. Amazing food, stunning landscapes, and extremely affordable daily costs.
🇲🇾 Malaysia
An underrated gem. From the mountains of the Cameron Highlands to the food scene in Georgetown and the beaches of Langkawi, Malaysia has a little bit of everything.
🇹🇭 Thailand
Delicious food, vibrant cities, and incredible islands. Thailand remains one of the easiest places to travel comfortably on a budget.
🇦🇱 Albania
One of Europe’s best kept secrets. Beautiful coastline, friendly locals, and prices that are far lower than most of Western Europe.
🇲🇰 North Macedonia
A smaller destination that surprised us with its charm, affordability, and beautiful scenery.
Choosing destinations like these allows you to travel longer without draining your savings 💸
Budget Hacks for Traveling as a Couple 💗
Traveling as a couple has actually helped us save money in several ways.
Sometimes booking a private room in a hostel is cheaper than two beds in a dorm. It also gives you a bit more privacy and comfort.
Don't be afraid to give hostel life a try - it is a great way to introduce a bit of social life & you might even make some lifelong friends along the way!
*We also compare accommodation prices across several platforms before booking.*
Our go to sites include:
🤑 Taking a few extra minutes to compare options can make a big difference in your overall travel budget.
Budget Hacks for Animal Lovers 🐾
If you love animals, there is one travel hack that can completely change the way you experience the world while also saving thousands on accommodation.
Travel petsitting.
Instead of paying for hotels or apartments, you stay in someone’s home and care for their pets while they are away. In exchange, you receive free accommodation and the chance to spend time with some very lovable companions.
For animal lovers, this can be one of the most rewarding ways to travel.
Some petsits last just a few days, while others can last several weeks or even months. We ourselves have pet sat in over 5 countries that have taken us to the countryside of Italy, the city streets of Germany and even the Pyrenees Mountains of Southern France!
Not only can this significantly reduce travel costs, it also offers something many long term travelers miss while moving between hotels and rentals. A chance to slow down, settle into a home, and experience daily life in a new place.
Morning walks with a dog through a neighborhood park. Evenings spent relaxing with a cat curled up next to you. It is a different kind of travel experience that many people fall in love with.
If this idea sounds interesting to you, we put together a FULL GUIDE that covers how to become a traveling petsitter, the platforms to use, and tips for landing your first sit.
It can easily become one of the most budget friendly ways to travel the world while spending time with animals along the way! 😻
Transportation Lessons We Learned
Over the past 18 months we have used just about every form of transportation possible.
Flights
Flights can be a great option when covering long distances, but frequent flying can add up quickly. If you travel often, lounge access and travel credit cards can make airport days much more comfortable.
Scooters
Scooters are one of the most underrated ways to explore many countries, especially in Southeast Asia. They give you freedom to explore smaller towns and scenic routes that are harder to reach otherwise.
If you plan to use one while traveling, we highly recommend learning how to ride before leaving your home country.
Cars
In large cities we try to avoid renting cars whenever possible. Traffic can be intense and public transportation is often faster and cheaper.
Apps That Make Long Term Travel Easier
Over time we have discovered a few apps that make traveling full time much smoother.
Airalo
Great for purchasing eSIM data plans when arriving in a new country.
Google Maps
Essential for navigation, saving locations, and planning routes.
Google Translate
Helpful when communicating with locals or reading menus.
Wanderlog
An amazing tool for organizing itineraries and travel plans.
Currency Converter
Quickly check exchange rates so you know what you are spending.
Surfshark
Useful for staying secure online when using public WiFi.
Flush
Surprisingly helpful when you need to find a restroom while exploring a new city.
Is Full Time Travel Worth It?
Looking back, deciding to travel full time was one of the biggest leaps we have ever taken.
We sold most of what we owned, booked a one way ticket to New Zealand, and stepped into a completely different way of living.
What started as a dream of traveling for a year slowly turned into an 18 month journey across 20 countries, and the adventure is still continuing.
Full time travel is not always easy. There are moments of uncertainty, language barriers, homesickness, and the occasional travel burnout. But those moments are far outweighed by the experiences that stay with you forever.
Sunrises in new cities. Conversations with people from different cultures. The feeling of realizing the world is both bigger and more connected than you ever imagined.
If there is one thing we have learned, it is that long term travel is not just about seeing more places. It is about living differently, embracing the unknown, and giving yourself permission to try something bold.
For us, this journey truly became The Great Attempt.
And if you are dreaming about traveling long term too, we hope this guide helps show that it might be more possible than you think.
Thinking About Long Term Travel?
If traveling the world has been sitting on your own Apocalist for a while, consider this your sign! ✨
❌ You do not have to be rich.
❌ You do not have to have everything perfectly planned.
✅ Sometimes all it takes is a little courage, a flexible mindset, and the willingness to try something different.
And who knows. Your one way ticket might just lead to the adventure of a lifetime.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure to check out ABSOLUTE favorite Budget Travel HACK in “Travel the World as a Pet Sitter: Your 2025 Guide to Petsitting Abroad 🐾.”
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