Whenever I ask readers what the number one thing holding them back from traveling is, I almost always get the same answer: money.

This problem — and how to overcome it — is my most asked question. “Matt, I don’t know how to afford travel. Help!”

I have answered this question in a plethora of posts, emails, tweets, and Facebook posts. Long-term readers might even be getting sick of me discussing this subject because it is one I talk about so much.

But I know no matter how often I address this question, it will come up again.

Since this question comes up so often, I like to constantly remind people of this fact: You do not need to be rich to travel.

There are plenty of ways to travel on a budget (and for free) — you just need to be willing to get creative.

Traveling the world with little or no money sounds like an impossible dream. But it is possible. It’s not glamorous, but it’s possible.

It should be said that there are some expenses you shouldn’t compromise on (like travel insurance) but there are tons of ways you can travel the world on a budget — including plenty of ways you can actually travel for free.

In this post, I’m going to show you two things:

1. How to travel cheap
2. How to travel for free

With the right budget and the right mindset, you can make your travel dreams a reality. Even if you don’t earn a lot or you have debt, there are still plenty of ways to go overseas (I still had debt when I went on my first trip around the world). They may not be fancy or luxurious, but if travel is your priority then you can definitely make it happen!

Ready to kick-start your budget travels and save money? Just click on either of the links below to jump directly to that section!

1. Get a Job Overseas

Not making enough money at your job? Working at a job you hate? Why not get a job overseas? There are plenty of opportunities in the world as long as you aren’t picky. After all, this isn’t a career you are starting — it’s just a way to earn money for travel. Here are some popular (and easy to find) jobs you can get when you travel:

1. Au pair – An au pair is a live-in caregiver who helps a host family look after their kids. In exchange, you get free room and board and a small salary. You can read this post for more info on being an au pair.
2. Bartender – It’s always 5 o’clock somewhere, so if you have the skills then this is an easy job to move overseas. It’s also an easy job to get under the table if you decide to go that route. If you don’t have the skills to tend bar, consider being a dishwasher or busser.
3. Hostel worker – Hostel workers rarely stick around for long, which means there is always a demand for new help. It’s a great way to meet other travelers while adjusting to a new location. Three websites that can help you find hostels to volunteer at are Worldpackers, Workaway, and HelpX.
4. Waitress/waiter – There are tons of seasonal restaurants around the world (and around the US) that need extra help during the busy tourist months. If you have experience, this is an easy job to find abroad.
5. Dive instructor – If you have your certification, this is an easy job to travel with as dive instructors are needed everywhere. Best of all, these jobs are usually in picturesque tropical locations!
6. Tour guide – If you’ve got a knack for history and don’t mind speaking in front of groups, this is the perfect job for you. It’s also usually a cash job, which means you get your tips directly.
7. Cruise ship worker – This is a much more formal position than the ones above, but it’s a great way to travel. The hours are long, but there’s something to be said about living at sea!
8. Seasonal worker at ski resorts – Instructors, restaurant staff, hotel staff, lifeguards — ski resorts need all sorts of staff to keep things moving, making this a goldmine for the overseas traveler (as long as you don’t mind the snow!).
9. Yacht worker – While the hours can be long, you can make great money working for the rich and famous on their yachts. Best of all, you’re usually in some pretty amazing destinations!
10. Yoga instructor – If you have the skills (and certification), teaching yoga abroad is an easy way to make some spending money. While you might need to know the language, there are yoga studios in pretty much every city in the world.

Working overseas often gets discounted as an option because it seems hard to do. It’s not. Just be open. These jobs don’t require advanced degrees or a lot of work experience either.

Are you going to get a high-paying office job? No.

Will you get a shitty, low-wage job that will pay all your travel bills? Yep!

I’ve met people from all walks of life, both from Western and non-Western countries, funding their travels this way. It’s an easy, fun way to lengthen your travels, deepen your experience, and make a little money so you can keep on traveling.

READ MORE ABOUT WORKING OVERSEAS: 15 Ways to Find a Job and Work Overseas

2. Teach English Overseas

One of the best ways to make money for travel is to teach English overseas. You can make a lot of money teaching —I replenished my travel funds while teaching in Thailand, and I have had friends leave South Korea with tens of thousands of dollars in the bank.

All you need is the ability to speak English fluently and a TEFL degree, depending on the country you work in. If you have a college or university degree, you’ll be able to make more money and apply for better positions though it’s not necessary for many countries.

Additionally, there are many websites and services out there that allow you to teach virtually. As long as you have a great Wi-Fi connection, you can help people learn English from anywhere in the world! Italki is one of the most popular online platforms.

READ MORE ABOUT TEACHING OVERSEAS:

• The Best TEFL Courses for Teaching English Abroad
• The 9 Best Places to Teach English Overseas
• Can You Teach English Abroad Without a TEFL?

3. Go WWOOFing and Work on a Farm

WWOOF stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. It’s a platform that allows you to work on a farm in exchange for free room and board. It’s a great way to see a destination in-depth while allowing you to commune with the great outdoors. You have to pay to get to the farm, but once you are there, everything else is covered! It definitely will help you travel cheap as well as have a unique experience and meet lots of cool people.

WWOOF has opportunities available in 130 countries around the world, with over 12,000 hosts and 100,000 WWOOFers. Some of the most popular destinations for WWOOFers are Portugal, France, Italy, Costa Rica, Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii.

This post can give the complete low down on how to travel and work around the world with WWOOF.

4. Use the Sharing Economy

Use the sharing economy to find cheaper accommodation, quirky tour guides, rideshare options, and home-cooked meals with local chefs. You can bypass the traditional travel industry with sharing economy websites and gain access to locals using their own assets and skills to become small tourism companies with cheaper prices. Moreover, locals know where to find deals. They know which supermarket is cheapest, which stores offer the best sales, and where to find the hole-in-the-wall restaurants and bars with the tastiest food at the lowest prices. Talking directly to them gives you access to that knowledge.

Here are some of my favorite websites:

• BlaBlaCar – A ride-sharing app that connects you with drivers who have extra seats in their car (primarily for medium and long distances, and mainly in Europe).
• EatWith – Platform that connects you with local cooks serving private meals.
• RVShare – This website lets you rent RVs and camper vans directly from locals.
• Turo – A car sharing marketplace that lets you rent vehicles from locals.
• Campspace – This platform lets you camp on private property. Properties range from basic tent plots to luxurious glamping and RV stays.
• Trusted Housesitters – Connects you with locals with whom you exchange pet and house sitting services for free accommodation.

5. Cook Your Own Meals

The best way to save money on the road is to cook all your own meals. While in Stockholm, I spent $60 USD for a week’s worth of groceries instead of an average of $15 USD per meal eating out! That’s a savings of $150 USD!

I’ve done the same thing in dozens of countries all around the world — especially in expensive destinations like Iceland where eating out can really destroy your budget.

If you are staying in hostels, book accommodation that has a kitchen so you have space to cook. If you’re Couchsurfing or using Airbnb, your host will probably have a kitchen.

No kitchen? Pack your own container and cutlery and make some sandwiches and salads on the go. Not every meal requires a stove, right?

Just because you are traveling doesn’t mean you need to eat out every meal. You won’t ruin your trip to Paris if you decide not to eat out one day! There’s simply no reason to be spending lots of money on food on your trip!

READ MORE ABOUT SAVING MONEY ON FOOD WHEN YOU TRAVEL:

• How to Eat Cheap Around the World
• How to Eat Around the World on a Vegan Diet

6. Get Rail Passes

Rail passes (like the Eurail Pass in Europe or the JR Pass in Japan) are a great way to save money when it comes to train travel. If you’re traveling around the region for a while, rail passes will likely be much cheaper than just booking individual trips.

If you are booking individual trips, booking ahead of time can usually save you about 50% of the cost of a train ticket. However, that fixes you to a set timeline. If you don’t want to be tied into a fixed schedule, rail passes can save you a lot of money while giving you the flexibility you need. I’ve saved hundreds of dollars in Europe doing this!

READ MORE ABOUT RAIL PASSES:

• A Complete Guide To The Eurail Global Pass
• A Complete Guide to the Japan Rail Pass

7. Sleep in Large Dorms

Large hostel dorm rooms are the cheapest paid accommodation out there. The bigger the dorm, the cheaper it will be. While a 4-6 bed dorm might give you more privacy, a 12-18 bed dorm is going to be a bit cheaper. In the long run, this will add up. As long as you’ve got earplugs and a sleeping mask, opt for the bigger dorm to keep your budget intact!

In a large dorm, you’re almost guaranteed to have some snorers. If earplugs don’t quite do the trick, download an app like Rain Rain, which plays rain sounds on a loop. You can set a timer so they stop playing after an hour or two, helping you ignore the noises of the dorm while you try to fall asleep. Spotify also has all kinds of rain and white noise playlists too.

For discounts on hostels in Europe, check out HostelPass. This card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and am glad it finally exists! (Use code NOMADICMATT for 25% off your membership.)

READ MORE ABOUT HOSTELS:

• 11 Expert Tips on Picking a Good Hostel
• 6 Ways to Avoid a Bad Hostel
• My Favorite Hostels Around the World

8. Use Student and Other Discount Cards

Are you a student, teacher, or under 26? Welcome to the world of 50%-off attractions and a plethora of discounts! Get a student/teacher/youth card and save big while you’re abroad. Even if you’ve recently graduated, chances are you can still get by with your expired ID card (as long as it doesn’t have an expiry date). Always ask if there are discounts available for students or youth as this is an easy way to save tons of cash as you travel around!

Museums, galleries, and other major tourist attractions usually have discounts (especially in Europe). It never hurts to ask! (There are also often discounts for senior travelers and veterans as well, so always ask!)

9. Get City Tourist Cards

If you plan on seeing a lot of sights in a city, you should get a city tourism card. These will offer you discounted and/or free access to the major attractions and museums, as well as free public transportation. I saved over $100 USD with the London pass, $80 USD with the Paris Museum card, $50 USD with a Helsinki card, and tons more with other city tourism cards.

They are an amazing way to save money on attractions that not enough people use. Just head to the local tourism office to find out what cards are available. They can help answer all your questions and make sure you save as much money as possible. Not every city has them, but most major destinations do and you’ll save a lot of money if you plan on seeing the major sights.

10. Capitalize on Your Skills

Need some cash? Use Craigslist (operates in 70 countries), TaskRabbit (mainly in the US and Canada, though also in Italy and Spain), or Gumtree (UK-based) to find paid odd jobs, like assisting people who need a few things done around the house. It’s a way to make money when you travel without committing to a long-term job.

Additionally, if you have a skill, sell it. Offer haircuts to other travelers, busk for money, provide online services like editing, graphic design, or consulting. It’s never been easier to work online. As long as you have Wi-Fi you can make money. The sky is the limit here — get creative!

11. Get Free Flights!

Collecting points and miles is the #1 way I’ve been able to afford so many flights and hotels over the years. By using a travel credit card for regular spending on groceries, restaurants, and shopping, I’ve been able to earn free flights and hotel stays — all by spending money I was going to spend anyway!

These days, there are tons of ways to earn free flights. Simply sign up for a few travel credit cards, collect miles, and then fly for free.

Most cards offer sign-up bonuses of 50,000 points (or more) — which is often enough for a free round-trip flight right there. And if you sign up for both an airline card (e.g., a United credit card) and a general rewards card, you can combine the two point balances and get a cheap flight faster. There’s even a card now — The Bilt Mastercard®– that lets you earn points on your rent!

Collecting points and miles isn’t only for Americans either (though US residents have the best options). Canadians can collect points too, as can folks from Australia and New Zealand and the UK.

READ MORE ABOUT POINTS & MILES:

• Points & Miles 101: A Beginner’s Guide
• The Ultimate Guide to Points & Miles
• How I Earn 1 Million Frequent Flier Miles Each Year
• The Best Travel Credit Cards

12. Stay for Free

There are many services that connect travelers with locals who are willing to let them stay with them for free. Using these sites, you will never have to pay for accommodation. I’ve used this service dozens of times over the years and always meet amazing people. Sometimes you get a room, sometimes a couch, sometimes an air mattress, but it’s always free. These websites not only save you a TON of money but also get you off the tourist track and into the local life. Win-win! Here is a list of websites to use for free accommodation:

• Couchsurfing
• Servas
• BeWelcome
• Warmshowers

13. Hitchhike

Hitchhiking is a free way to get around that is relatively safe and quite common in many parts of the world, including Central America, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

I’ve hitchhiked in a handful of countries (and I know solo female travelers who have done the same!). Sure, it has a bad reputation in North America, but with some common sense and a bit of patience, you can hitchhike almost anywhere — saving you tons of money in the process!

Here are a few basic tips to help you get started:

• Use a sign – Make a clear sign that lets people know where you’re heading. That will help drivers decide if they can help.
• Look presentable – Wear clean clothing, smile, and don’t obscure your face with something like sunglasses. People want to see who they are picking up.
• Check the laws – Hitchhiking is illegal in some places. Always check the laws to make sure it’s ok to do where you are.
• Take precautions – Note the license plate of anyone who picks you up and text it to a friend. Chances are you won’t need it but it’s better to be safe than sorry!
• Keep your valuables on you – Don’t leave any valuables in your bag if it goes in the trunk in case it gets left in the car (or stolen).
• Consult Hitchwiki – Hitchwiki is the #1 hitchhiking resource there is. Always consult it before you hitchhike to pick up tips and ensure you’re hitchhiking in a safe place.

READ MORE ABOUT HITCHHIKING:

• 14 Ways to Safely Hitchhike Across the United States
• What I Learned Hitchhiking Around China
• A Lesson in Kindness While Hitchhiking through Iceland

14. Take Free Walking Tours

Want to learn about the city, get your bearings, and see the major sights? Take a free walking tour. You can find them in most major cities — just ask the local tourist office, your hostel staff, or Google “free walking tour (city name).”

You’ll get a solid introduction to the city while also getting access to a local guide you can ask questions to. I always start my visits to a new city with one. Just be sure to tip your guide at the end (that’s how they get paid).

This page has a list of all my favorite walking tours around the world broken down by city.
 

15. House Sitting & Pet Sitting

If you’re on a tight budget, you can pet and house sit for fellow travel lovers when they go on their own vacations! In exchange, you’ll get free accommodation while you’re watching their home and pets (animal care is involved 99% of the time).

You can sign up for one of the sites below to start house sitting, allowing you to stay in one destination for a while without having to pay for accommodation. Everyone’s account is verified and has reviews so you know you won’t get cheated.

This is a great way to travel long-term, with an important added bonus: you get a kitchen to cook your food (which saves you even more money!).

You will also often get access to a vehicle and sometimes will be left a tip or free groceries. It’s generally people who are well enough off that they can afford multi-month vacations, so you’re usually in pretty nice homes and apartments too!

The best website for this is Trusted Housesitters.

You can read this post to learn more about how to start house sitting.
 

16. Use Your Social Network

Does your colleague have a relative in Spain? Or maybe you have a distant cousin who lives in New Zealand. Or maybe a childhood friend of yours is working down in Brazil.

These days, we have a vast social network of friends and family that stretches across the globe. Don’t hesitate to use that! Ask your co-workers and friends if they know anyone where you’re going. Get your mom to ask her co-workers and friends, too.

Using your social network can be hugely helpful in traveling the world. You never know who knows who!

Because if I can do it, you can do it too!

Whether it’s two months, two years, or just a two-week vacation, travel doesn’t need to cost a ton. The key is to get out of the mindset that you must travel in the typical manner of simply booking a flight and a hotel. Using out-of-the-box, nontraditional ways to travel can lead to big savings.

But it all starts with a change in mindset. From there, with some patience and practice, you’ll be able to make your travel dreams a reality — without breaking the bank!

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The post How to Travel Cheap: 16 Ways to Travel for Cheap or Free appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

We all want to travel more. Whether a vacation, career break, gap year trip, there’s some trip we are always thinking about. One of the things that keeps a lot of people from achieving that dream is money.

Saving money to travel can be an uphill battle but travel is not as expensive as you think. There are plenty of ways to save money on the road and lower your costs.

And you don’t have to be a backpacker to travel cheap. There are tons of ways to travel on a budget without sacrificing comfort.

One of the easiest ways to travel on a budget is to just go somewhere inexpensive. There are plenty of amazing places to visit that are still quite affordable. In fact, many of them are actually cheaper than day-to-day life back home!

And, while there are dozens upon dozens of inexpensive countries you can visit, in this post, I am going to share my favorite that I think are the best!

1. Thailand

Despite being a hugely popular tourist destination, Thailand has remained relatively cheap.

Outside of the popular island destinations, it’s easy to visit the country for around $50 USD per day if you’re backpacking. Hostel dorms cost $10 USD per night, you can eat on less than $10 USD per day if you stick to delicious street food markets, drinks are just a couple bucks each, and tours and activities don’t cost much more than $20-30 USD.

If you’re not looking to backpack around Thailand, you can still visit the country on a budget if you use points for hotels, stick to budget accommodation, continue to stick to street food vendors and public transportation. If you do that, you’d spend around $100 USD per day.

For more information, check out my guide to visiting Thailand.

2. Mexico

I’ll be honest: I was late to the game on Mexico. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I finally took the time out to explore the country. The country is just incredible. Mayan ruins, stunning beaches, lush jungles, world-class food, picturesque cenotes, mezcal….I love the country.

The trick to having an affordable trip to Mexico is to get out of the tourist regions. Leave Tulum (it’s the worst place in the world anyway), Playa del Carmen, Cabo San Lucas, Cancun, and all the other resort towns filled with American hotel brands and tourists.

Hostels cost between $10-15 USD per night, street tacos are $1 USD or less, other meals will set you back $5-10 USD, beer is around $1-2 USD, and even big-ticket sites like Chichen Itza are just $5-15 USD.

If you aren’t looking to backpack, you can still visit affordably. On a midrange budget of about $80, you can stay in a private hostel room or cheap hotel, eat out at restaurants serving cheap traditional cuisine, visit more attractions, enjoy a few drinks, and take the occasional taxi to get around.

For more information on how to plan a trip there, check out my guide to visiting Mexico.

3. Portugal

Portugal is not only one of my favorite countries in Europe but it’s one of the cheapest eurozone countries as well. Offering charming cities, stunning coastlines, and beautiful weather, this country has become much more popular in recent years. There’s a growing expat scene as well as a lively digital nomad community.

You can get by here for around $50 USD per day without missing out on the amazing food, fun activities, and delicious wine. On this budget, you’ll be staying in a hostel dorm room, cooking all of your meals, limiting your drinking, using public transportation to get around, and sticking to free activities like free walking tours and enjoying the beaches.

While prices are a bit higher in popular Lisbon, you can easily offset that by visiting in the shoulder season or in the winter.

For more information, check out my guide to visiting Portugal.

4. Central America

Central America is one of the cheapest regions of the world, with pretty much every country here an affordable place to visit. Because of that, I’m including the whole region!

In countries like El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Guatemala you’ll find the best deals, with budget hotels costing around $15 USD, meals for $3-4 USD, bus journeys for the same price, and beer for less than a dollar.

In the “expensive” countries in the region (Belize, Panama, Costa Rica), you’ll be spending closer to $50 USD per day, though you won’t be wanting for anything as street food costs under $5 USD and hostel dorms are $8-12 USD.

For more information on the region, check out my guide to visiting Central America.

5. Hungary

Hungary is an amazing, affordable country, the highlight of which is Budapest. I love Budapest. It’s a beautiful, historic city.

Hostels in Budapest start at $10 USD per night. Meals at the markets or at the plethora of kebab and sandwich shops are around $5-10 USD. Trains and buses were just a few dollars while a beer is less than $2 USD.

Unless you are going out for a big night of drinking or paying for lots of attractions and activities, $50 USD will give you plenty of room to enjoy the sites and sounds of the country. And the Budapest is a great alternative to more popular destinations like Prague or Vienna, offering just as much fun for a fraction of the cost.

For more information, check out our guide to visiting Hungary.

6. Peru

Home to the epic Wonder of the World, Machu Picchu, Peru is one of the most popular countries in South America. I absolutely loved my trip there. It’s a country I would go back to over and over again.

While hiking the Inca Trail will definitely burst your budget, everyday life in Peru is quite affordable. If you want to backpack Peru, I’d plan for $50–80 USD per day. On this budget, you’d be staying in hostel dorms, eating at typical hole-in-the-wall restaurants and cafés, limiting your drinking, taking public transportation and overnight buses, and doing a few paid activities and tours. If you’re going to party a lot, you’ll be on the higher end of this range.

And, if you do want to do some guided hikes but don’t have the money, try to book last minute. You can usually find amazing deals — including deals for hikes like the Inca Trail. While you might end up spending more than $50 USD per day, those once-in-a-lifetime experiences are worth it.

For more information, check out my guide to visiting Peru.
 

7. Vietnam

Vietnam is one of the cheapest countries in Southeast Asia. From the stunning views of Sam Mountain and Ha Long Bay to the man-made artistry of the sacred temples and pagodas to the rice terraces and beaches, Vietnam is stunning.

Hostels can be found for as little as $4-5 USD, with many including free breakfast and free beer (during limited hours). Food from street vendors can be found for under $1-2 USD, and buses around the country are incredibly cheap. Even activities here are cheap. The Cu Chi Tunnels (tunnels used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam war) are just $5 USD to visit while a full day of canyoning is just $20 USD.

For more information, check out my guide to visiting Vietnam!

8. India

No budget travel list would be complete without India. India has always been an inexpensive place to visit, but the steep decline in the Indian rupee in recent years has made the country an even bigger bargain. You can travel well here for very little money, and increasing your budget by just a few dollars can often lead to substantial increases in luxury.

For example, on a budget of $30-45 per day, you can do the typical backpacker thing: guesthouses, cheap food, sleeper trains, and overland buses. In the larger cities of Mumbai, New Delhi, and Bangalore as well as beach destinations like Goa, you can expect to spend around $45-55 per day.

But, if you doubled that, there’s virtually nothing you couldn’t do from private tour guides to three- or four-star hotels to opulent meals to internal flights. The country is generally just really, really cheap.

9. Taiwan

Taiwan is one of the most underrated countries in Asia. It’s super affordable, safe, clean, and has plenty of things to see and do.

You can easily visit Taiwan for $40-50 USD per day as food and accommodation are both super affordable. Hostels start around $10 USD while street food costs just a couple dollars (and is super tasty). There are plenty of markets, lots of hiking, convenient public transportation, and a fun nightlife. No matter what you are interested in, you can find it in Taiwan. You’ll get a lot of value here.

For more information, check out my guide to visiting Taiwan.

By visiting some of these budget destinations, you’ll be able to stretch your budget and make your trip financially attainable.

How to Travel the World on $75 a Day

My New York Times best-selling book to travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you’ll get off save money, always find deals, and have a deeper travel experience. It’s your A to Z planning guide that the BBC called the “bible for budget travelers.”

Click here to learn more and start reading it today!

The post 9 Destinations Under $50 A Day appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Serendipitous adventure, carefree nights with newfound friends in foreign lands, delicious foods for bargain prices, and the luxury of time to enjoy it all.

Welcome to the world of long-term travel.

When it comes to this kind of travel, I get a lot of emails asking for my “secret.”

How do you travel so often and for so long? How did you quit your job and escape the grind? You must have a trust fund to afford all that, right?

Wrong.

I’ve written about how I manage to travel in the past (over and over again), but people still wonder if I am holding something back.

What am I leaving out? What, they ask, is my secret to escaping the cubicle and being a nomad? Did I win the lottery? Do my parents pay for everything?

There must be something that makes me so special.

Well, here it is! The big secret to traveling long-term is…

Nothing.

Absolutely nothing!

There is no special secret.

Vagabonds, nomads, and long-term travelers are nothing special. We have no superpowers or secret Swiss bank accounts. We don’t have a money tree or the ability to teleport everywhere.

Of course, privilege will inevitably play its part, but we’re not unique or doing anything special. This kind of travel has been done for decades, by people from all parts of the world, with a variety of backgrounds.

Long-term travelers are just like you.

When I first discovered long-term travel, I thought the backpackers I had met in Chiang Mai had found some secret to life I didn’t know existed.

But once I got on the road myself, I saw that there was no secret. I wasn’t unique or special. Millions of people every year did this. Even people with virtually no money were making it work.

I had left home thinking I was going on an exciting adventure few people go on — then I went to Khao San Road and hung out in Amsterdam during the summer. In those places, I met travelers young and old doing exactly the same thing as me — and none of them were trust fund babies.

These travelers just did what they wanted — a revolutionary idea for me at the time. But now, after years of travel, I realize that it’s not so revolutionary. If people really want something, they do it. If you want a big-screen TV or a new computer, you find a way to make it happen. If you really want to eat sushi for dinner, you are going to have sushi for dinner.

If you really want to travel, you will do that, too.

Because, just like you find a way to pay for that TV or your new car, these travelers simply arranged their life so that they could afford to travel.

The only thing these people had that I didn’t have before was the desire to do what they wanted to do, free from the expectations of society, just because they enjoyed it.

They simply said, “I want to travel” and then worked to make it happen.

They saved more, they took second jobs, they stayed home instead of going out to eat or drink, they found work overseas. They did whatever it took.

As the saying goes, where there’s a will, there’s a way.

It is that simple.

People ask me about whether I worry about bills, retirement, and my future. To be honest, not really.

When you travel long-term, all those things disappear. You have no bills because you have no home. You just spend what you spend from day to day (which is usually less than $50 a day).

My mother told me I should start saving more for my retirement so I could…wait for it…travel more.

Then she stopped herself and said, “Well, I guess you do that already, so never mind!”

I’m a big believer in the idea that we shouldn’t work our lives away and that we should take short breaks to pursue our passions. Why should I spend my best years in an office, saving money for an age I may not even see, or if I do see it, might be too sick to enjoy?

Yeah, we long-term travelers save a bit for a rainy day, but we don’t worry about the future. We enjoy now. Take care of your present, and your future works itself out. When I stop traveling, I’ll figure out what is next.

So, when you ask travelers how they do it, they aren’t lying when they say there is no secret. We simply made a conscious decision to do it and, after that, just worked toward our goal, saving money and making plans just like what you would do for any other goal or venture in your life.

That’s the secret. So, now that you know it, go start making your travel dreams come true!
 

How to Travel the World on $75 a Day

My New York Times best-selling book to travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you’ll get off save money, always find deals, and have a deeper travel experience. It’s your A to Z planning guide that the BBC called the “bible for budget travelers.”

Click here to learn more and start reading it today!

The post The Secret to Long Term Traveling appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Trip planning can be a daunting task. Flights, insurance, gear, itineraries, accommodation, and so much more all need to be considered and sorted out before you go.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed, especially when you haven’t done something like this before.

After over close to twenty years of traveling the world, I’ve planned countless trips and vacations for myself, friends, and family, even group tours. In the beginning, it was trial by fire. I learned a lot of lessons the hard way. However, that helped me develop an efficient checklist that ensures I don’t miss anything important during the trip-planning process.

One big question I get asked a lot is when to start planning. To answer that question, this post breaks the planning process down into month-by-month steps so you can plan your next trip with ease.

Here’s how to plan a trip:

12 Months Out: Decide on Your Destination(s)

A lot of people talk vaguely about travel: they never say where they are going, just that they are going. They might talk about it for years before actually departing (if they go at all). But it’s much easier to reach and plan for the goal of “I am going to Paris for two weeks this summer” than “I’m going somewhere.”

If you already have a dream destination in mind, great! If not, here are some posts to help you get started:

• 11 Cheap Places to Visit on the US Dollar
• 10 Places to Travel on a Budget
• The Best Tropical Islands in the World
• My Favorite Cities in the World
• My 31 Favorite Places to Visit in the USA

But, this far out, the real thing you want to do is start saving money and figuring out your costs. Accommodation and flights are the obvious ones, but how much do restaurants, attractions, and other activities cost? Knowing these costs will allow you accurately estimate how much money you’ll need. Here is how to research costs:

1. Buy a guidebook
2. Check out my free travel guides (we break down all costs for each destination)
3. Skim the cost of living on Numbeo.com
4. Google prices for major activities you want to do, such as scuba diving, winery tours, etc. (Get Your Guide is a good place to start)
5. Use Skyscanner or Google Flights for flight prices and sign up for alerts to get emails if the price changes
6. Use Discover Cars to price out (and book) a rental car if you need one
7. Use Booking.com and Hostelworld to research accommodation costs

That may seem like a lot but you just want to get a general idea of how much you need to save. You can head to this page to see all my articles on how to save money for your trip.

12 Months Out: Start Collecting Points & Miles

While you’re working to save money, get a travel credit card so you can earn miles and points for free flights and hotel stays. It’s what has kept my costs down and me on the road for so many years.

These days, most cards have welcome offers of 60,000-80,000 points (some can be as high as 100,000) when you meet their minimum spending requirement (generally $2,000-5,000 USD within a 3–6-month time frame). That’s enough miles for a free round-trip economy flight to Europe from the East Coast of North America.

For more information on this subject, check out these posts:

• Points & Miles 101: A Beginner’s Guide
• How to Pick the Best Travel Credit Card
• My Favorite Travel Credit Cards
• How to Earn Points by Paying Your Rent
• The Ultimate Guide to Points & Miles
• How to Collect Points & Miles in Canada

In addition, get a fee-free ATM card. I use Charles Schwab, but there are lots of other banks that don’t charge ATM fees (don’t forget to check your local banks and credit unions too). Here’s how you can avoid bank fees while traveling.

8 Months Out: Visa Requirements, Passports, and Vaccines

While you likely won’t need a visa to your desired destination, you should still check to make sure. If you’re a US citizen, use the State Department’s search tool to learn about your destination’s entry requirements. (Canadians can use this search tool.)

Additionally, make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months after your trip ends. Many countries require this for entry. Passport application and renewal wait times can be long (the standard is 6-8 weeks in the US), so do this as soon as possible.

Also, research if you need any vaccines for your trip as many countries require vaccines to enter (and I don’t mean COVID). You can learn more about country requirements and recommendations at the CDC’s website. They can help you find a clinic near you as well (if you’re in the US).

4-6 Months Out: Book Your Flight

The best time to book your flight is generally around 3-4 months before your departure, or 5-6 months before if you are going during a destination’s peak season. This isn’t a hard-and-fast rule, though, so use it as a guide.

Here are two articles on how to score a cheap flight:

• How to Always Find Cheap Flights
• 5 Steps to Booking a Cheap Flight

If you’ve signed up for a travel credit card and received your sign-up bonus, use your miles to book your flight and/or hotel. The further out you book, the more availability there will be. Use tools like Point.me and Awayz to help you find the best redemptions on your points (for flights and hotels, respectively).

But even if you aren’t using miles or didn’t find a cheap flight deal, there are still many ways to avoid being the person on the flight who paid the most for their ticket. My two favorite sites for finding cheap airfare are Skyscanner and Google Flights.
 

3-4 Months Out: Book Your Accommodation

If you’re traveling for under two weeks and have a set schedule, book accommodation for the duration of your trip. If you’re visiting during the high season, it’s also a good idea to book everything in advance. For trips longer than two weeks, I suggest booking only the first couple of nights of your trip. Once there, you may end up wanting to change your plans based on insider advice from other travelers and/or hotel/hostel staff. I prefer having flexibility, so I always just book a few nights and go from there.

Here are my go-to sites when it comes to finding the best deals on accommodation:

• Hostelworld – Hostelworld has the largest selection of hostels and is my go-to site for finding affordable hostels.
• Booking.com – Booking.com is the best overall platform for finding budget hotels and guesthouses.

I recommend checking the cancelation policy of wherever you book. I like having the flexibility to cancel if something comes up.

If you’re on a tight budget or you want to connect with more locals during your travels, consider joining platforms like Couchsurfing or BeWelcome. These communities allow travelers to stay with residents for free as a sort of cultural exchange.

Long-term travelers can also try housesitting or WWOOFing as well, as they both offer free accommodation (in exchange for pet sitting or farm work, respectively).

2 Months Out: Plan Your Activities

Now it’s time for the fun part of travel planning! That means reading books about your destination, learning general travel tips, connecting with online communities, and pre-booking any necessary activities.

Pre-booking ensures you don’t miss out on things that you really want to do on your trip. If you’re going to a popular destination, tours and activities fill up quickly, and if you’re going to a smaller place, activities or tours might only run on certain days and have limited availability.

Either way, Get Your Guide the best place to search for and pre-book activities, tours, and tickets. Local tour operators and attractions can list their offerings on this online marketplace, so you can find tons of stuff here, from food tours to museum tickets with skip-the-line entry.

1 Month Out: Get Travel Insurance

Get travel insurance. That way, these purchases are protected should something happen that makes you cancel your trip.

A lot of people think, “I’m healthy. I don’t need travel insurance.” But travel insurance is much more than just medical protection. It covers you when your camera breaks, your flight is canceled, a family member dies and you have to come home, or something gets stolen. (That’s why you’ll also want to familiarize yourself with any common travel scams to look out for, as well as how to conduct yourself in order to blend in to avoid looking like a target for petty theft.)

Yes, it’s an added expense. But it’s always better to be safe than sorry. I never leave home without it, because I’ve seen firsthand just what can happen on the road.

I never thought I would pop my eardrum while I was scuba diving in Thailand, break my camera in Italy, or get knifed in Colombia.

Unfortunately, bad things can happen when you’re traveling. True, these events are few and far between. But they can cost tens of thousands of dollars. If you’re not prepared to pay out of pocket, buy travel insurance.

Here are some posts on travel insurance to get you started:

• How to Buy Travel Insurance
• The 5 Best Travel Insurance Companies
• The Best Travel Insurance for Seniors

I never leave home without travel insurance. You shouldn’t either.

7 days out: Pack!

Your trip is almost here, and it’s time to pack! It can be tempting to want to bring everything with you “just in case.” But when it comes to travel, less is more. While what you pack will depend on where you are going, remember that you don’t need to take everything you own. You can buy things you need and do laundry on the road. At the end of the day, you have to carry everything you bring. So bring less!

I travel with a 45L REI bag and then a smaller day bag. Here’s my suggested packing list to help you take just the right amount of stuff and avoid overpacking (here’s a list for female travelers).

Additionally, bring any prescriptions you need for the duration of your trip. Try not to rely on filling those abroad (though bring a prescription and doctor’s note just in case).

With everything taken care of, it’s time to go on your trip and have fun! Make a list of last-minute items you need to pack the day of (your toothbrush, glasses, phone charger, etc.) and check in online beforehand (you can do so 24 hours in advance). (If you’ve got lounge access through a premium travel rewards card, you might find yourself looking forward to getting to the airport early.)

If you’re feeling nervous, don’t worry. That’s perfectly normal. Feeling anxious or unsure is something every traveler experiences. But you’ve made it this far. Trust your planning and follow your instincts. You’re about to have the trip of a lifetime.

The post How to Plan a Trip: A Month-by-Month Guide appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

One of the most common questions I get asked about my ability to travel long-term is how I can afford to travel so much.

Am I rich? Did mom and dad pay? Do I have a rich uncle? Did I win the lottery?

Before I was able to transform this blog into a business, I spent years traveling the world by doing one thing: I kept track of my spending.

That’s really the secret to long term travel: really good money management.

Simple and boring.

Yes, you have to save money before you go (or work overseas to keep refilling your bank account) but long-term travelers are just really good at money management because you have to make a limited resource (your bank account) last a long, long time.

When I first started traveling, I pinched every penny and saved money every chance I got. While I sometimes lavishly spent money like it was going out of style, I made up for it on other days by staying in and cooking pasta. (After all, did you live like a pauper at home to go to Australia and not dive the Great Barrier Reef? Of course not! You have to live a little sometimes!)

I kept a journal of what I spent so I could track my spending and be sure I was staying on budget. (Side note: I love when I see travelers keeping a spending journal to track their budget. Those are the travelers who end up staying on budget!)

While on the road (just like at home), there will be unforeseen circumstances that chip into your savings, like missed flights, a lost camera, or a change in plans that leaves you having to pay extra for accommodation (which is why you have travel insurance so you get these costs covered). You can’t avoid these sorts of things, but you can be prepared.

To help you make your money last on the road, here are the strategies that have helped me make my money last:
 

1. Know what you want to spend money on

When I travel, I don’t budget a lot of money for accommodation, tours, or transportation. I find the cheapest accommodation around and I walk everywhere. If I need a ride, I’ll take public transportation or hitchhike!

But I will spend a lot of money on food and drinks.

Why?

Because that’s what I want to do!

I didn’t pinch pennies back hom so I could fly to Australia and spend my nights watching Netflix, nor did I head to France just to cook meals in a hostel every night.

No, not me. I came to eat and drink.

And I’m willing to sleep in massive dorms, on a floor, or walk seven miles to ensure I have the funds to make that happen.

Knowing what you want to spend money on will help you create a realistic budget based on your travel desires so you have enough money for what you want and don’t feel guilty about spending money on it. I see a lot of travelers blow through their budget quickly because they didn’t prioritize their spending.

2. Create Your Budget

When you know yourself and what you want to spend money on, it’s easy to create a budget that will cover you for the duration of your trip. This is where pre-trip research comes in.

When I started planning my trip in 2005, there wasn’t a lot of travel information online. I spent a lot of time reading guidebooks and searching for any information I could find about prices. I pieced together an intricate spreadsheet of how much I would spend each day in various places based on how much I could save and what I found online.

These days, you don’t need to go that crazy when you plan your trip because there is so much information available online about prices. You can literally Google the price for anything you want!

Too often I see travelers get blindsided by unexpected costs.

“Wow! That tour is so expensive. I blew my budget!”

“I didn’t expect drinks would cost so much!”

“This place is more expensive than I thought.”

I just shake my head when I hear these comments, because these are people who clearly didn’t do any planning.

Don’t be like these people. Do your research, plan ahead, and avoid the pitfalls that will send you home far sooner (and far poorer) than you want.

My travel guides to over 300 destinations are a good place to start.

Write down all the things you want to do, where you want to do them, and how much they will cost. Account for your food, insurance, transportation, flights, accommodation, booze, activities, and anything else you think will be relevant.

(Note: I am not going to get into how to save for your trip in this post. But I have tons and tons and tons of posts on how to do that. You can find them here.)
 

3. Keep track of all your expenses

While on the road, you need to track all of your expenses. The people who have to go home early are always the ones that have no idea how much money they are spending on the road.

By tracking every expense — from hostel dorms to that snack you bought — you can see if you’re on track or if you’re overspending (in which case you can correct your spending).

This is the most important thing you can do to make your money last!

If you only do one thing, track your spending! Sure, you have to remember to do it, and it’s easy to forget, but actively doing this will ensure you become a better budget traveler, and soon it will become a habit.

You can keep track of it all in a journal (I use a Moleskine notebook) or use an app like:

• Mint
• TravelSpend
• Goodbudget

I suggest tracking your expenses for a few weeks at home before your trip to get in the habit. That way, when you’re on the road, it won’t feel like a chore. Here are some free budgeting templates you can use to get started.

4. Travel for free

As I’ve said, making your money last is really about setting your budget, saving money, and tracking your expenses on the road. But another great way to make your money last is to not spend it. And there’s a lot of ways to do that.

First, you can always work when you travel. There are a lot of jobs out there for travelers. And you can always work on a farm via WWOOFing, which is a great cultural experience that many travelers do.

Second, you can use the sharing economy to lower costs. You can stay with people for free, rideshare, and so much more. Sharing economy websites and apps connect travelers with locals and bypass the traditional travel gatekeepers. Now only do you save money but you get to meet locals!

Third, use points and miles. The best travel is free travel and collecting points and miles can allow you to get free flights, transportation, and accommodation. You can do this before you travel and while on the road via your everyday spending.

I’ve written extensively on this topic. It’s the #1 way I travel so much for so little. Download my free guide to learn more!

Your budget will only last as long as you planned it to last. If you plan your budget well, it will last until the end of your trip. So, no matter what you do, write down your expenses!!! Keeping track of your expenses will allow you to make adjustments as you go and ensure that your travel money lasts as long as you want.

By planning and tracking like a financial ninja, those things are not likely to happen. That means more days on the road, more adventures, and more awesome travel experiences.

The better you know yourself and create a budget based on that, the longer your money will last when you travel!
 

How to Travel the World on $75 a Day

My New York Times best-selling book to travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you’ll get off save money, always find deals, and have a deeper travel experience. It’s your A to Z planning guide that the BBC called the “bible for budget travelers.”

Click here to learn more and start reading it today!

The post How to Make Your Money Last When You Travel appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

This is a guest post from Angelina (Gigi) Chow, who blogs about international dog travel at Wet Nose Escapades. For the last five years, she has flown her ultra-bossy Yorkshire terrier Roger Wellington on over 50 flights across more than 20 countries. She’s here to tell you what mistakes to avoid when traveling with your small dog.

With dog ownership on the rise, many people are not only new to dog parenthood but also dog travel. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), more than 23 million American households (nearly one in five nationwide) adopted a pet during the pandemic. And approximately 37% of pet owners travel with their pets, compared to just 19% a decade ago. The US Department of Transportation estimates that over two million pets travel by air each year.

With travel demand storming back post-pandemic, these statistics are projected to skyrocket year after year. In addition to the usual road trips, many dogs are now flying on planes for the first time. Although it seems glamorous to take your pooch to a Parisian café or meander around the Jardin de Luxembourg, the stakes of traveling with it are high, if not done correctly. Even if your dog lands safely at the destination, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the flight wasn’t a stressful or traumatic experience for it.

Unless you have a service animal, in-cabin air travel is usually a small dog’s game. Those that are too big to fly in-cabin (often capped at 16-20 lbs., depending on the airline) must travel in the cargo hold as checked baggage or shipping cargo. Due to extreme hot or cold temperatures, poor ventilation, rough handling, and lack of monitoring, animal welfare organizations like the Humane Society and PETA generally advise against flying your dog in the cargo hold. So flying in-cabin is always the safer choice.

After over five years of globetrotting with my 7-lb. Yorkie Roger Wellington, I’ve learned that preparation is key for every in-cabin flight. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or overseas vacation, you must avoid these nine newbie mistakes when traveling with your small dog.

1. Not investing enough time into carrier training

Carrier training is the most important step in flying with your small dog. The objective is to help your pet feel comfortable and safe inside the carrier before a flight. This step must not be overlooked, as it takes patience, time, and lots of treats. You should invest at least two to three months doing daily carrier training before your pet’s first long-haul international flight, and a month minimum before a domestic flight. Otherwise, the trip can be a nerve-racking experience for the animal.

Daily repetition is crucial for success. For three months before Roger W.’s first international flight to Paris, I spent at least 20 minutes every single day transforming the carrier into the most exciting place in the world. To entice him, I put his favorite toys and treats inside the carrier, so he would go in for a sniff.

I recommend starting slowly, that is, having your dog explore the carrier for a few minutes a day, and then gradually closing it up once it voluntarily goes inside for the third or fourth time. Increase the training time every day with the intent of creating a safe haven inside the carrier. Depending on the length of the flight, you’ll want to train your pet to feel comfortable there for at least 1-3 hours before travel day. The more at ease your dog feels inside the carrier, the better it will cope with the flight.

Get my tips on how to choose the best carrier for your small dog.

2. Not researching the return flight requirements

Most people who plan on traveling internationally with their dogs focus on conducting one-way research, e.g. how to get their pooch to Paris or Rome. They do minimal research for their return flight until it’s almost time to go home.

Unless you’re moving permanently, you must make sure you meet the requirements for your dog to return to the US, which may differ based on where you’ve traveled with it. Your state of arrival may also have additional requirements.

For instance, dogs imported into New York State from outside the US must have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) issued 30 days or less before entry by a veterinarian. The certificate should have a one-year or three-year rabies vaccination record.

It’s crucial to understand that return to the US ultimately depends on where your dog has been. For example, there is a temporary suspension until January 2023 for dogs coming from “high-risk” countries with rabies (e.g., Brazil, Cuba, China, Russia, etc.). If you are trying to return to the US from a country so classified, then your pet must have a CDC Dog Import Permit or a current, valid, US-issued rabies vaccination certificate, plus proof of an ISO-compatible microchip. It also must be at least six months old, and healthy upon arrival (at one of the 18 designated airports with a CDC quarantine station).

For re-entry to the US from a country NOT considered high-risk for rabies (e.g., France, Belgium, Italy, UK, etc.), your dog can enter at any port with a six-month travel history statement and healthy appearance. It must also be at least six months old and microchipped, and have a CDC Import Dog Permit or valid US-issued rabies vaccination certificate.

If you’re traveling throughout Europe with your dog, you should note that some countries are considered “high-risk” for rabies by the EU (for instance, Montenegro). This means your pet will need a titer test before returning to a “rabies-controlled” country in the EU.

To find out exactly what requirements you need to meet, you can get more information on USDA APHIS.

Besides rabies regulations, there are also specific requirements if you’re returning to the US from countries where screwworm is known to exist or not declared free of foot-and-mouth disease.

3. Making your dog’s first flight an international one

Long-haul flights are difficult for everyone, and your little furry traveler is no exception. No matter how confident you feel about your small dog’s world-traveling capabilities, its very first flight experience should never be a long-haul international flight. For your pooch’s sake, it’s best to ease its way in by hopping on at least one domestic flight before traveling overseas. I flew Roger W. on four flights from San Francisco to Los Angeles (and back) and from California to NYC before committing to a 10+-hour flight from Los Angeles to Paris.

Unlike humans, dogs have no idea where they’re going and how long they must remain on the plane. So the more exposure to flight you can provide your small dog, the better it will fare on the big (long) travel day.

And, it’s not just the act of flying that your pet should be familiar with, but also the overall airport environment. For instance, it helps to acquaint your small dog with plane noise, airport sounds, crowds, TSA screening, and the boarding process. All in all, familiarity breeds comfort.

4. Booking a flight with more than one layover

While it’s tempting to save money by choosing an itinerary with multiple layovers, you should fly direct with your small dog whenever possible. Again, they don’t know where they’re going and how long it takes to get there. Even one seemingly quick layover can add more stress to your dog’s little body on a long travel day. If multiple layovers are impossible to avoid, you should give your pet some much-needed rest by spending a few days to a week at the layover destination before hopping on another flight.

Often, I’m asked if it’s better to take one long flight or shorter flights with a layover. My rule of thumb is that if the flight is longer than 11 or 12 hours, I suggest breaking down the travel day. The shorter the journey, the easier it’ll be for your dog. A few days of rest can help it reset and re-energize for the next travel day. Plus, you both get to explore a different place before reaching the final destination!

5. Not exhausting your dog’s energy

Before any flight, it’s imperative to exercise your pet to exhaust its energy. As the old saying goes, a tired dog is a happy dog! Make it a routine to walk it before every flight to ensure an effortless, relaxing journey. The key here is not to force your dog into intense physical activity but to just add an extra 15-20 minutes of exercise and playtime to help it sleep through the flight. The longer it can sleep on the plane, the smoother the ride will be.

However, please keep your dog’s overall health and weather conditions in mind before extending the time: of course, it shouldn’t endure an extra 15 minutes out in the extreme heat or cold.

For long-haul flights, I always make sure Roger W. relieves himself before heading to the airport. His walks typically take 45 minutes, so I would extend it to 60 minutes to tire him out a bit more. Upon arrival at the airport, I also walk him around the exterior grounds and take him to the outdoor pet relief area, if any. You can find pet relief areas at US airports here.

After checking in for our flight at the counter, I take him back outside for one last potty break. Even though many airports have pet relief areas inside the terminals now, Roger W. strongly prefers the outdoors over artificial lawn, which is found at most indoor pet relief rooms. If your dog has no problem relieving himself on the artificial lawn (which generally has a diverse collection of “pee-mail”), you probably won’t need to take it outside again.

6. Not being strategic with water and food intake

In the world of air travel, people tend to have an extremely low tolerance for “misbehaving” dogs, especially when it comes to accidents. No one wants to sit next to a dog (regardless of how tiny) who just wet the floor (the same goes for barking). Therefore, prevent accidents by strategizing feeding times and water and food portions, before and during the flight, in addition to potty breaks. Never fly your small dog on a full or empty stomach; the ideal feeding time should be roughly around two hours before heading to the airport, so as to allow time for digestion and relief.

Depending on the temperature in-cabin, I offer fresh water to Roger W. every 3-4 hours on long-haul flights (seven hours or longer) and every two hours on short-haul flights (under seven hours) in addition to assessing his needs. I also prefer giving him light meals or small portions throughout the flight to balance preventing accidents and ensuring that he has enough to eat. If the flight is under four hours, I would only give treats to reward good behavior and withhold actual meals until landing. The longer the flight, the more calculated you’ll have to be with water and food intake.

7. Not being prepared for accidents

As mentioned earlier, “misbehaving” dogs are frowned upon, and the last thing you want to do is scramble to find supplies to clean up after your pet. No matter how potty-trained your small dog is, accidents can still happen in a new environment, especially a stressful one.

Even with months invested in carrier training, accidents may still occur, since confined dogs are merely trying their best to “hold it” for as long as possible to avoid soiling their beds. Whether you’re walking your pooch inside the terminal or flying in-cabin 35,000 feet in the air, you should have poop bags, pee pads, dog wipes, and hand wipes handy, so you can quickly clean up after your dog without commotion. Pack these essential items inside your personal item or carry-on, where you can easily access them.

Remember to be empathetic if you catch your dog in action, because it has either held it in for a long time or feels anxious in the unfamiliar environment. Don’t make a scene or scream at it — just swiftly clean it up and move on (plus, dogs learn best through positive reinforcement anyway).

Also: Be realistic! After a 10-hour flight, do you expect your dog to “hold it” until it walks out of the airport or makes it to a pet relief area? Even if a four-hour flight may not sound so long, that can easily add up to seven hours if you account for pre-flight check-in, TSA screening, boarding, and deboarding. Roger W. has never had an accident on a plane in over five years of traveling, but I stay prepared for quick and easy cleanup if an accident occurs.

8. Flaunting your dog

While you’ll meet many dog-loving travelers, you’ll also find others who are indifferent, scared, or even disgusted by your mini four-legged traveler. Although it may be disheartening to accept, you should never assume everyone likes dogs or feels comfortable with them. Respect the people who may fear or dislike them, feel uneasy around them, or suffer from allergies.

Always keep a low profile unless you’ve scanned the room. Don’t flaunt your small dog; you don’t want a disgruntled passenger making a petty complaint about your pet’s behavior or presence. The less attention, the better.

Again, “misbehaving” dogs are rarely tolerated by passengers or airline staff. Unfortunately, even snot-shooting, screaming babies have better luck than quiet, well-behaved lap dogs. Most passengers don’t notice that I have a small dog on the plane until it comes time to deboard, which clearly shows how well-behaved Roger W. is in a public setting.

Instead of getting into an unnecessary verbal altercation with dog-hating passengers, you’d benefit by ignoring them and ensuring that your pet exhibits good manners, from airline check-in through the flight duration and on to baggage claim.

When walking inside the airport, keep your pet leashed or inside the carrier, and maintain distance from other people. Even at Los Angeles International Airport, we once encountered a young family of a culturally different background, with kids who were screaming and running away as we walked by.

9. Not monitoring your dog throughout the flight

Although you may feel relieved once your pet makes it on the plane, the real journey has just begun. A number of things can still go wrong up in the air, from restlessness to ventilation issues to accidents. Whether you have a perfectly healthy pup or a senior dog (like Roger W.), you should keep a vigilant eye on it and stay awake as much as possible.

Even if your little pooch is snoring on its back with four paws in the air, you shouldn’t zone out completely, in case of an emergency. Keep the volume low on your earphones, and check on your dog consistently throughout the flight.

Shortly after takeoff on a flight from Madrid to Geneva, Roger W. started panting and struggling, because the plane was incredibly stuffy. I immediately unzipped the carrier so he could have more air, but then got in trouble with the flight attendants for breaking the rules. However, since no flight is ever worth my dog’s life, I was determined to prevail. In tears, I pleaded with two flight attendants for 15 minutes before they finally left us alone.

Traveling with Roger W. has not only deepened the bond between us but also allowed me to make new connections and lasting friendships around the world. It creates a more “local”” experience and takes me to places that I would not have gone without a dog.

With many airlines, accommodations, and establishments catering to pooches nowadays, traveling with your small dog has never been easier. As long as you make its health, comfort, and safety a priority, you can have the most amazing wanderlust experience together.

Since resigning from the conventional office in 2016, Angelina (Gigi) Chow has been living the nomadic life with her Yorkie, Roger Wellington. She is the creator behind Wet Nose Escapades, the international dog travel blog narrated by Roger W. himself. She is also the author of How to Travel with Your Dog: Roger Wellington’s Expert Guide to International Dog Travel. Follow their escapades on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

The post 9 Mistakes to Avoid When Traveling with a Small Dog appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

I love road trips. You can just head off anywhere and you never know what you’ll find. Small towns, beautiful parks, historic buildings. You go on your own schedule and can stay as little or as long as you want.

There’s a reason the road trip has a mystic allure to it, after all.

Over the years, I’ve been on dozens of road trips, both at home and abroad. Some destinations are just meant to be driven around (think New Zealand, Ireland, Iceland, the United States, South Africa, etc, etc.).

However, when you don’t have your own car, renting one is a pain in the ass. No one likes doing it and we all worry we’re getting ripped off.

And, while many of us travelers are familiar with budget airlines and budget tour companies, we generally aren’t as informed when it comes to car rental companies.

Which have the best deals?

Which have loyalty programs so you can earn points and upgrades?

How do you find a cheap car rental?

What’s the best website to use?

And what about all the extras like insurance? Is it actually necessary?

To help you make the most of your next road trip, I wanted to share my tips and advice to help you find the cheapest car rental so you can save money and avoid common pitfalls that many travelers make.

Step 2: Check for Discounts & Deals

Some car rental websites share deals and discounts directly on their website. Both Budget and Avis, for example, have “last minute deals” sections on their website where you can find incredible discounts — as long as you’re flexible with your dates and destination.

Most major car rental companies also offer discounts and deals to certain groups as well. For example, Avis offers up to 35% off to AARP members (AARP is an interest group in the US for people 50 and over) while Budget offers up to 35% off to veterans. Check and see if there are any discounts or deals you qualify for before you book, such as corporate discounts, government discounts, senior discounts, or discounts that stem from any hotel or airline programs you are a part of.

Many travel credit cards also have perks or discounts for car rentals.
 

Step 3: Search for a Car

While you can certainly check each car rental company individually for a deal, the best way to compare prices is to use an aggregator. These websites compile information from every car rental website so you don’t have to spend time manually comparing prices before you book.

Discover Cars is the best aggregator to use as it pulls more cars from more websites to ensure you find the best deal (it searches over 500 websites for deals).

You can use the widget below to check prices and get a quote quickly and easily:

 

Be sure to compare weekly and daily rates as well. For example, if you need a car for 4 days, compare the price for a 7-day trip as well. Sometimes it’s cheaper to rent for a whole week and just return the vehicle early.
 

Step 4: Compare Aggregator with Direct Website

Once you find a car on Discover Cars, visit the car rental company’s website to compare prices. For example, if you need a car for two weeks in Canada and Discover Cars finds you a deal with Avis, visit the Avis website directly and input the same dates/destination.

Usually, you won’t find a better deal but sometimes if the prices are similar it might be worth booking direct so you can get the bonus points and perks from the loyalty program. However, more often than not Discover Cars will find you the best price.
 

Step 5: Check the Sharing Economy

Now that you’ve found the best deal, it’s time to do a quick comparison with sharing economy websites like Turo. Turo is like Airbnb but for cars. Locals list their vehicle and a price per day and you can browse the options and book a vehicle. It’s not available everywhere (they’re currently in over 55 countries) but you can find it in most major cities. Depending on your needs and the duration of your trip, you might be able to find a cheaper deal.

Renters need to be at least 21 years old, have a valid driver’s license, and have proof of a good auto insurance score. You can either pick up the car, have it dropped off, or meet the owner somewhere to get the keys.

Prices can be as low as $25 USD per day, making it an affordable option if you book early.

And, if you’re looking for an RV, check out RVShare, which is similar to Turo but focused solely on RVs and campervans. They have the largest inventory out there.

There’s also the website Imoova.com, where you relocate people’s vehicles for them. You’ll be on a deadline as vehicles need to be delivered by a certain date, however, rates are usually just $1 per day — and many include some money for gas too.
 

Step 6: Book Your Car (and Book Early!)

Book early. Like booking flights, the closer you are to the date, the more expensive the car will be — assuming there are any left to rent! The recent pandemic saw car rental prices skyrocket as people shifted from trips abroad to road trips at home. I suspect we’ll see more and more people opting for road trips in the future, which means prices will be most competitive when booked early.

You can click here to get a quote directly from Discover Cars.
 

9 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Rent a Car

Now that you’ve found a cheap car rental, here are some considerations to keep in mind before you book your rental:

1. Are there driver requirements? – Some countries charge extra if a driver is under 25 years of age. Others require a certain amount of driving experience before one can rent a car (usually one year). Each country has different requirements, so make sure you read the fine print before you book.

2. What does your travel insurance policy require? – Car companies always push you to get extra insurance when you rent a car. But should you? That depends on whether you have your own travel insurance with collision coverage, your own car insurance, or coverage through your travel credit card.

Some travel insurance companies and credit cards want you to decline the insurance from the rental agency, while others insist you get it and make a claim with them first. Before you rent a car, make sure you understand what is required by your existing travel insurance plan.

3. What is not included? – Once you find a rental car, companies usually try to sell you all kinds of extras. GPS, liability insurance, satellite radio, a children’s car seat — these are just some of the extras not included in most rental cars. Find out what is and isn’t included, so you aren’t surprised when picking up your vehicle.

4. Do you need to fill the tank at the end? – Some rental car companies allow you to drop off the car as is. Others insist you fill up the tank beforehand; if you don’t, they charge you a highly inflated fee for the gas when they fill it up. To avoid getting billed, make sure you understand what is expected when you return the car.

5. How can you avoid getting scammed? – Before you head out on your trip, take pictures and videos of the car. Specifically, the bumper, windshield, and tires as these are the most likely areas to get damaged. That way, when you return it, they can’t blame you for any pre-existing damage.

6. Do you have unlimited mileage? – Unlimited mileage is slowly becoming standard. However, it’s not always the default, check that you have unlimited mileage for longer road trips. Otherwise, you’ll be counting miles so you don’t get billed extra.

7. Do they charge for an extra driver? – If you’re going on a road trip with friends or family, chances are you’ll be sharing the driving. Unless you’re going with a spouse or domestic partner (which some companies include as an additional driver for free), that means you need to pay a fee for an extra driver, usually $10-20 USD per day! Limit your extra drivers if that’s the case, otherwise you’ll be charged a fortune. Also, keep in mind that it’s illegal to charge fees for extra drivers in some places (such as California).

8. Where is the pickup/drop-off location? – Most travelers pick up their rental cars at the airport. While convenient, airports charge companies fees for operating there — fees that get passed onto the customer. It’s worth checking around to see if there’s a difference in price for off-airport locations. If they are easy to reach, chances are you can find a cheaper price there.

9. Is the car automatic or manual transmission? – If you’re from the US or Canada and are used to driving an automatic vehicle, you might be surprised when renting a car abroad, as manual transmissions are standard in most other parts of the world. Because of this, renting an automatic-transmission car is usually more expensive. Double-check that you’re renting a vehicle that you can actually drive (don’t take chances trying to teach yourself on a rental car!).

Road trips are one of the best ways to explore a new destination and the freedom of having a car is unrivaled, allowing you to get off the beaten path and into all kinds of adventures. And knowing a few things before you rent a car can save you a lot of time, hassle, and expensive pricing.

The post How to Find a Cheap Car Rental appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

When I planned my move to Sweden years ago, I tried to figure out how to get past the 90-day limit placed on tourist visas in the Schengen Area. This is a problem encountered by thousands of travelers every year and a question that regularly (especially this time of year) pops up in my inbox.

“How can I stay in Europe for more than 90 days?”

It’s a simple question with a very complicated answer.

I always knew it was complicated, but until I started researching how to stay there longer, I never knew just how complicated.

Fortunately, in the process of this research, I came to learn there are a few ways to stay in Europe longer than 90 days; they just aren’t well known.

This post will teach you the options for staying in Europe over 90 days as a traveler, as well as give you tips on how to move to Europe long-term.

But first a few things:

It’s important to note that Europe isn’t just one place — there are varying visa rules throughout the continent. When people talk about the “90-day limit,” they’re talking about restrictions on the Schengen Area, which is the visa policy that governs 29 countries in Europe. It includes most of the European Union as well as a few non-EU countries.

While I call it the “Schengen Visa,” it’s not an actual visa you necessarily need to apply for. Depending on your residency status and country of citizenship, you may need to apply in advance for a Schengen Visa, however, those with an American passport do not need to apply in advance.

However, it should be noted that as of mid-2025, visitors from 60 countries (including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada) will need to apply for an online ETIAS, which is essentially a visa waiver, when entering the 25 EU member states and 4 non-EU countries of the Schengen. It is valid for 90 days within a 180-day period.

You can apply and pay online up to 96 hours beforehand. It is similar to the US version of ESTA (or the eTA in Canada). ETIAS cost 7 EUR for those 18-70 years old and are free for those under 18 years or over 70.

If you come from a country that requires you to get a Schengen visa you will not need to apply for ETIAS. It’s one or the other. Learn more here. (The ETIAS was originally set to launch in 2024, but has been pushed back.)

What is the Schengen visa?

The Schengen visa is a 90-day tourist visa for Schengen Area countries, which are:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Czechia
• Croatia
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Liechtenstein
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland

 
Additionally, there are several microstates that are de facto members of the Schengen Area. These are Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City.

These Schengen countries have a border-free visa agreement that lets residents move throughout the Area without needing to show their passports every time they cross a border. Essentially, it’s as if they’re one country, and you can move as freely as you want.

Citizens of many countries are allowed to enter the Schengen Area without having to get a visa beforehand. Your passport simply gets stamped upon your arrival and departure from Europe. You’re allowed to enter and leave from any country you want — they don’t have to be the same.

Here is a map of the countries with visa waivers that can enter the Schengen without requiring a visa in advance.

Most visitors (including Americans) are allowed to spend 90 days in the Schengen Area in every 180-day period. The easiest way to think of it is that you can visit for 3 months and then you have to leave for 3 months before you can return.

However, you can also bounce back and forth between Schengen and non-Schengen countries — you just need to keep track of all your dates of entry/exit.

When I visit Europe, I fly in and out of different countries all the time. Your first entry in the 180-day period is when your 90-day counter starts. These days don’t need to be consecutive — the total is cumulative. Once day 181 hits, the count resets itself.

For example, if I come to the Schengen Area in January and stay for 60 days and then come back in June for 10 days, that counts as 70 days in 180 days. Only days you are in the zone during the period count. If you go on January 1st and stay 90 straight days, you have to leave and technically can’t come back until July 1st.

If you’re doing a lot of bouncing around, use the EU’s Schengen visa calculator. Simply input all your travel dates and it’ll tell you how many days you have remaining.

However, not all travelers are allowed such freedom.

Citizens from many countries need to apply for a Schengen visa ahead of time. You’ll be required to fill out paperwork beforehand and fly in and out of the country for which your visa is issued.

Even then, you still might not be granted a visa. Spoiler alert: citizens from African and Asian countries often get screwed.

So, with that being said, how DO you stay in Europe longer? How do you get around that rule? Let me break it down for you.
 

Part 1: Staying or Moving to Europe the Easy Way

With so many visa rules, it’s easy to stay in Europe beyond 90 days as a tourist — you just need to mix up the countries you visit. The United Kingdom has its own rules that allow you to stay 180 days in a calendar year.

Most non-Schengen countries such as Moldova, Ireland, and some Balkan countries allow you to stay for up to 60 or 90 days. Albania even lets Americans stay up to a year!

So, all you need to do to stay in Europe longer than 3 months is spend 90 days in the Schengen Area and then visit the UK, go to the Balkans, drink wine in Moldova, and have a pint in Ireland. If you align your schedule right, you can easily be out of the Schengen Area for 90 days and then head back into the Schengen Area with a brand new Schengen visa.

Years ago, to get around this limit, I spent three months in Bulgaria (it wasn’t a member then; it joined in 2025), Romania (it wasn’t a member at the time either), Ukraine, and England as I waited for my clock to reset.

After that, I headed back into the Schengen area for Oktoberfest.

If you want to travel the continent for a long time without having to go through the various visa processes described below, vary your travel by visiting non-Schengen countries. There are plenty of countries to choose from while you wait for your Schengen Visa clock to reset. This is the easy, hassle-free way of doing things.

That said, if this is your plan for traveling around Europe, make sure you have travel insurance. For just a few dollars a day, you’ll ensure that you’re covered should something go wrong during your trip. With all that bouncing around, it’s very likely that you’ll experience a flight delay, lose some luggage, or maybe even experience a minor injury or illness.

My go-to travel insurance company is SafetyWing. Their Nomad Insurance is super affordable and covers delays, lost luggage, and trip interruption (when you’re bouncing around the continent, delays are inevitable). It also includes $250,000 in emergency medical coverage, ensuring you don’t go bankrupt should you need medical assistance. They have great customer service too so it’s fast and easy to make a claim or ask questions.

I never visit Europe without travel insurance. You shouldn’t either!
 

Part 2: Staying in the Schengen Area Past 90 Days

But what if you do want to stay longer in the Schengen Area? What if the six months you want to be in Europe are all in Schengen Area countries? What if you want to live and work in Europe?

After all, the Schengen Area spans 29 countries and visiting so many destinations in 90 days can be a little rushed (you would have an average of just 3.1 days per country).

If you want to stay longer to travel, live, learn a language, or fall in love, then the “move around” option suggested above isn’t going to work for you. You need something else.

Luckily, there are a few ways to do this — and I can’t stress enough the importance of the word “few.” Because staying more than 90 days in the Schengen Area isn’t easy.

First, let’s understand the rule:

The Schengen law states that you can’t stay in the Schengen Area for more than 90 days. If you do, you’re subject to a fine and possibly deportation and being banned from re-entering the Schengen Area. How that rule is enforced, though, varies greatly from one country to another. Overstaying by a day might not be the end of the world, however, some countries do not mess around with visitors overstaying.

For example, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, and Scandinavian countries are all very strict about entry and exit rules. If you overstay your tourist visit, there’s a good chance they’ll pull you aside. Two Australians I know were detained leaving Switzerland due to overstaying their visa by two weeks. They were allowed to go with just a warning, but they missed their flights and had to book new flights.

I know of someone who overstayed by six months, tried to leave from Amsterdam, and now has an “illegal immigrant” stamp on her passport. In order to enter Europe again, she must apply for a visa at an embassy and be pre-approved.

Another blogger told me this happened to them too so don’t overstay your visa:

I made the mistake of attempting to leave from the Netherlands after overstaying a Schengen visa and was caught. I overstayed by about a month, and they hand-drew some sort of insignia in my passport to note my overstay. They told me I’d have to contact the IND and find out if I would be able to enter the Schengen states again.

That being said, if you leave from Greece, France, Italy, or Spain you may be less likely to encounter an issue, provided you (a) haven’t stayed over too long and (b) didn’t catch the immigration officer on a bad day.

When I left Greece, no one even looked at my passport. One of my friends met a guy in France, fell in love, and decided not to leave. A year later, when she finally did, the French officials didn’t even look twice. Another friend flew into France and didn’t even get an entry stamp. Spain is another place notorious for not caring and Americans who decide to overstay for months mention that as the easiest country to exit from. Still, it’s a good idea not to take your chances.

Of course, I don’t think it’s wise to overstay. An accidental day or two? Likely not the end of the world. But a few weeks? A few months? The risk is too great. The fines can be large and I love going to Europe too much to risk being banned.

But, Matt, can I extend just extend my Schengen visa/stamp?

Unfortunately not. Simply put, you cannot extend your tourist visa or entry stamp. There’s a 90-day limit, and that’s that.

So what’s a tourist to do?
 

1. Take advantage of the Bilateral Agreement

In addition to the standard Schengen visa, many countries have numerous bilateral agreements independent of the Schengen visa. These agreements let travelers stay in a specific country for an additional period of time beyond the 90-day Schengen limit. The only caveat is that you can’t leave that country during that time.

For example, France has a bilateral agreement that allows U.S. citizens to stay an additional 90 days beyond the Schengen limit. You can enter from any Schengen country, stay 90 days in France, and then fly home. But the catch is you have to go home — you can’t go elsewhere. You have to leave Europe so you can’t use your time in France as a sneaky way to reset your Schengen clock.

Now, the France/U.S. rule is tricky. It’s based on a post-World War II agreement that was never canceled. Multiple French consulates told me yes, they thought this law existed but couldn’t tell me where to find it. A few visa services told me I was crazy. One consulate told me it was possible but only with a long-term visa.

BUT, after many calls, the US, Canada, and UK French embassies told me that yes, this law does exist and that yes, this is still valid. Then they referenced me to the French national archives.

Well, we found the actual diplomatic papers that spell this out. It took us close to a year to find it but we did.

This is the note from the French government about it:

Hi,

There is a bilateral agreement between French and the U.S. by exchange letters (March 16-31 mars 1949), which allows American citizens to stay in France 90 days over 180 days, irrespective of the stays already made in other Schengen countries.

However, this agreement has been made before the Schengen agreement. Today, as there is no more border control between the Schengen countries, it is very difficult to determine how long a person has stayed in France and we heard that some people had troubles with the immigration police while leaving France.

Therefore, we recommend American citizens to respect the Schengen regulation which allows a maximum of 90 days on 180 days in the whole Schengen area.

Consulat général de France, Service des visas
4101 Reservoir Road, Washington DC, 20007

A follow-up to the London embassy gave me this response:

“Whilst the bilateral agreement you refer to has not officially been revoked, the French Border Police has sole authority on deciding whether to apply it or not, at the time of entering or exiting the Schengen area.”

So this is really a thing. And, while they don’t like you using it, it’s still the law. Just bring proof you stayed in France for 90 days! If you plan to use this rule, bring documentation as border guards may not be aware of it.

Additionally, Denmark, Norway, and Poland also have bilateral agreements with the United States that let citizens stay an additional 90 days in each country separate from the regular Schengen Zone visa. The Denmark rule applies exactly the same way as the French one. Denmark also has a bilateral agreement that is applicable for citizens of Australia, Canada, Chile, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and South Korea.

That said, travelers can only use the Norwegian or the Danish bilateral agreement — they can’t use both (time in Norway under the bilateral agreement counts as time in Denmark and vice versa).

For Poland, you must enter and leave Poland via a non-Schengen country where you will be stamped again (i.e., direct flight from NYC). So you could do 90 days in the Schengen, fly to the UK, and then fly to Poland. Poland’s rules are simply laid out in an agreement letter the U.S. and Poland signed in 1991. (Here’s a copy of the letter from the Polish government).

In theory, there are also other bilateral agreements between the U.S. and Schengen countries. I’ve been told by multiple sources that Belgium, Italy, Hungary, Norway, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands all have their own bilateral agreements with the U.S. as well. This page outlines the existing bilateral agreements.

However, I reached out to each country’s consulate and none of them replied (save Portugal) in any meaningful way. They simply directed me to the standard visa FAQ page.

Regarding Portugal, a representative from the Portuguese consulate said this regarding their bilateral 60-day visa:

Please note that those 60 days are an exceptional extension that needs to be requested within Portugal at SEF office near your temporary address in Portugal.

Now, in theory, one could say thanks to borderless travel you could get your “extra 90 days in Denmark” and then just travel around, fly out of Denmark, and no one would be the wiser. One could say that. But I’ve noticed a lot more intra-Europe passport checks in recent years. I got yelled at in France for not having my passport with me while on a train to see a chateau. So, I wouldn’t recommend doing this.

Note: Most countries have bilateral agreements with other countries. Call the local embassy for more information (you’ll have better luck calling than emailing).
 

2. Get a Working Holiday Visa

Working holiday visas are easy to get and the best way to extend your stay — even if you don’t want to work. These visas are designed for young travelers who want to work and travel abroad. Citizens of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand (and often South Korea, Israel, Hong Kong, and Japan) are eligible for one- to two-year working holiday visas from most of the Schengen countries.

There is no single “working holiday” program for the Schengen or EU so applicants must apply for a visa from a specific country. Usually, applicants must be younger than 30, though age restrictions are becoming more relaxed in recent years.

Additionally, you can get consecutive working holiday visas. An Australian reader of mine got a two-year Dutch working holiday visa and then got one from Norway to stay two more years. While she and her boyfriend (who also got one) did odd jobs in Holland for a bit, they mostly used it as a way to travel around the continent.

Note: This type of visa won’t allow you to work in any other country than the one that issued it.

For Americans, there are only two options for working holidays in Europe: Ireland (non-Schengen country) and Portugal (Schengen country). Both programs are essentially the same, providing a 12-month work visa to those either currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a higher education institution.

While you must be at least 18 to apply, there’s no upper age limit, provided that you fit the other criteria. For the Portuguese visa, you can only work for 6 months out of the 12-month visa (or study for 4 months), while the Irish visa has no work restrictions.

There is technically a third option, for Austria, but you have to have graduated in the past 12 months in order to apply. Additionally, there are only 100 visas issued per year as well, so this is a bit of a long shot.
 

3. Get a Long-Term Visa

Unfortunately, the majority of Schengen countries do not offer long-term-stay visas for tourists/visitors that won’t be working in their desired country. Generally speaking, if you want a long-stay visa, you’d have to apply for a work visa or residency, which is generally a complex bureaucratic process with lots of paperwork.

However, if you have a fully online business, there are countries within Europe that allow digital nomad visas provided you make a certain amount of money per month and have your own health insurance. Countries that currently offer digital nomad visas include:

Albania, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Romania, and Turkey.

The countries that allow you to apply with the lowest online salary are Portugal, Hungary, Malta, and Croatia, which require around 2,400–3,000 EUR in income per month.

Schengen allows for a C- or D-class visa (the letter varies depending on the country), which is a temporary residence visa for up to one year. But the specific visa and requirements vary from country to country. Some countries are harder, some are easier, and others are nearly impossible despite being in the same visa treaty zone.

However, there are a few countries that do offer long-term visas that aren’t too hard to get:
 

France

France offers a long-term visitor visa for a period of up to one year. According to the French Embassy, “The ‘visitor’ visa (or visa ‘D’) allows you to enter France and stay for more than three months. Long-stay visa holders will be allowed to reside in France for up to 12 months according to the validity of their visa and purpose of stay.”

To get this visa, you must set up an appointment at the French consulate near you. You can’t walk in — you must make an appointment.

At this appointment, you’ll need the following documents:

• One application form filled out completely and signed
• ID photos
• Your original passport, which must have been issued less than 10 years ago, be valid for three months after your return, and have at least two blank pages left
• A letter certified by a notary public that promises you won’t engage in work
• A letter of employment stating current occupation and earnings
• Proof of income (you’ll need copies of a pension certificate or your last 3 bank statements)
• Proof of medical insurance that includes evacuation insurance and medical coverage of at least 30,000 EUR (a copy of your US health insurance card is not acceptable as proof, you need a detailed description of coverage)
• Proof of accommodation in France. (If you don’t have an official document such as a sublet agreement, you can include a letter describing your accommodation arrangements).

Note: You can’t apply for this visa more than three months before your arrival date.

France-Visas is the official visa website for France. It details all the types of visas and has a helpful “visa wizard” where you put in your situation and it tells you what type of visa you should apply for as well as all the documents that you need. This visa costs 99 EUR to apply for.

You can also visit the French Embassy website for links to local embassies and consulates for more information. Find your closest consulate here.

This post has some helpful information to get you started on long-term visas in particular.
 

Sweden

Sweden also offers a long-term stay tourist visa for a maximum period of one year. Here’s a brief overview of what you need:

• Residence permit for visitor’s application form
• Copies of the pages of your passport that show your identity and the validity of your passport, as well as copies of all the other visas/stamps you have. Your passport also needs to be valid for 3 months after your stay.
• A bank statement showing your means of supporting yourself for the duration of your stay (450 SEK for each day of your stay)
• A return airplane ticket
• Proof of medical travel insurance for at least 30,000 EUR

Most people who apply for this visa have family in Sweden. If you don’t, you’ll need to have clear reasons as to why you need to stay longer and show ample proof that you can support yourself (i.e., “I want to meet Swedish guys/girls” won’t cut it!). It costs 1,500 SEK to apply for this visa.

You can apply either in Sweden or outside the country. If you’re applying from Sweden, you can apply online, and then make an appointment at the consulate or embassy to show your passport and get fingerprinted. If you’re applying outside of Sweden, you need to file your application in person at the consulate or embassy. When you file your application abroad, you’ll also be interviewed about your intended trip and the purpose for staying in Sweden.

You can learn more about the process on this government page.

Spain

Up until 2025, Spain offered a couple different types of long-term visa. The first is the Golden Visa, which is based on a sizable financial investment in Spain, either into a company (minimum 1 million EUR), real estate (minimum 500,000 EUR), or invest in a new business such as in science or tech that creates local employment opportunities. This option was canceled in 2025, however.

The other more attainable and popular long-term visa targets retirees and is called the Non-Lucrative Residence Visa. It requires that you spend at least 183 days in Spain, which would make you a legal resident for tax purposes. During this time, you are unable to work in Spain (so you’ll need to have enough savings to get you by). However, studying and unpaid internships are permitted.

The big catch for this visa is that you need to have a yearly income of at least 55,000 EUR (ideally more). If you’re not working, you’ll need to have at least that much in savings or coming in each month via a pension.

In addition, you’ll also need to fill out the application, submit your passport and additional photos, pay a fee, and provide the following:

• Proof of private health insurance (from an authorized company in Spain not travel insurance)
• A doctor’s note certifying that you’re healthy
• A criminal background check translated into Spanish

You must apply for this visa in your country of residency (usually with the help of lawyers). The application fee for Americans is $151 USD.

This consulate page has all the specific details you need regarding the application.

If you’re a digital nomad, Spain launched a new digital nomad visa in 2023. It has a lower financial threshold (an income of 30,000 EUR per year), but is generally similar in terms of applying. You can read all about it here. (More on remote work visas below.)
 

Portugal

Portugal has multiple long-term stay visas. First, there is a Golden Visa, which requires a minimum investment in the country of 280,000 EUR (fund investment, cultural donation, job creation). Unless you’re rich, this one is likely out of your reach.

The D7 Passive Income visa (also known as Portugal Retirement Visa or Passive Income Visa), however, is similar to Spain’s non-lucrative visa. It is more realistic for most people. To apply for this visa in Portugal you need:

• Proof of health insurance
• A background check (and a clear criminal background)
• Proof of financial means to stay in Portugal (yearly income of 8,460 EUR)
• Letter of purpose and intent in Portugal
• 2 passport photos
• Proof of accommodation

The main difference between the Portuguese and Spanish long-term visas is that you only need an income of around 8,460 EUR for Portugal. That’s much, much more feasible for most people.

The D7 visa can work for digital nomad as it is valid for 4 months. Portugal is much more accepting of remote work as proof of income for the visa application than Spain.

Portugal also offers the D2 immigrant Entrepreneur visa, which isn’t designed specifically for digital nomads, but could be used by specific entrepreneurs. You’ll need to submit a business plan and demonstrate you have enough capital to get started. You’ll also need to explain why you want to start your business in Portugal (or move it there). You’ll have a much higher chance of getting approved if you have invested upwards of 5,000 EUR in your business and speak some Portuguese (it’s not required, but these visas are regularly rejected so it will give you a leg up).

In short, there are a lot of steps for a temporary visa. However, you can get this extended and eventually apply for permanent residency or citizenship after five years.

You’ll need to apply for both of these visas in your country of residency.

The official Portuguese visa website has more information about specific visas and requirements. You can locate your nearest Portuguese consulate here.

A note on long-term visas: Keep in mind that the information above is just for reference. There may be more requirements needed for your application and not all visas are open to everyone. You’ll want to contact your local embassy for specifics and additional information.
 

4. Get a Student Visa

All Schengen Area countries offer student visas that are easy to obtain so long as you’re enrolled in a recognized university program. This would require you to pay for the course and you may also have to show proof of minimum fund requirements, but it will virtually guarantee you a visa if you are accepted.

One of the best countries to do this is Spain, where a whole industry has sprung up to help students study Spanish. There are tons of schools that will allow you to enroll and write letters stating you’re a student there. You’ll need to apply in your home country but the process is relatively straightforward. This post details the requirements.

Germany is another popular choice, as post-secondary schools there are essentially free. While there may be more competition, the costs are much lower. However, you need to show proof that you have money in a bank account to cover your expenses. That amount is 11,208 EUR in a blocked bank account.

In Germany, you might also be able to work up to 120 full days, or 240 half days (20 hours a week) while you study as well. You can learn about the application process here.

While most student visas allow you to stay in a country for one year, I would only consider getting one if you actually plan on studying. If you’re just getting a student visa to travel and play tourist, it’s not going to be worth the cost and paperwork since you’ll need to set up everything from a residential address to a bank account to a local phone number and more.
 

5. Get a Freelancer/Remote Worker Visa

There are several countries that offer freelancer visas and visas geared towards the increasing number of remote workers. This process is a little more complicated and not for the casual tourist. These visas are meant for people who actually want to live and work in Europe. If you’re just a casual tourist, expect to be denied. But if you’re a digital nomad, this is the visa for you.

Countries in Europe that offer freelancer or remote worker visas include:

• Albania
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czechia
• Estonia
• Finland
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Malta
• Norway
• Portugal
• Spain
• Romania
• Turkey

Germany is the country most used by people who want to reside in Europe. If you’re a freelancer, digital nomad, artist, or have some form of income, this is the visa to get. If you are from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the U.S., Israel, South Korea, or Japan you can apply after you arrive in Germany (everyone else needs to apply in advance).

The German freelancer visa only lasts for three months, however, it is designed to be extended into a residency visa which would then last for three years. I have many friends who have gotten this visa. As long as you follow the steps, you should be fine. This post has more information about the process.

Most of these visas follow a similar format: apply, pay a fee, submit proof that your business can stay afloat, then wait to be accepted. However, some have more stringent requirements.

If you are a digital nomad and are considering working remotely from the EU you can compare these programs to see which one best suits your goals (though Germany is likely the best place to start since it’s one of the easiest to get).
 

6. Get Married to a European

Fall in love with a European (or at least a friend) and apply for a marriage visa! You’ll get to stay there while the application process goes through and then you can move to Europe and stay there forever with the love of your life! That’s a win-win! (This is a joke. Don’t get married just for a visa to stay in Europe!)

The best, easiest, and most effective way to stay in Europe long-term is to increase the number of countries you visit so you’re in the Schengen Area for only 90 days. As I said, there are a lot of countries not in the Area so this is easy to do.

If you’re like me and want to stay in the Schengen Area longer than 90 days (or just want to move to Europe because it’s awesome), be prepared to work the system. It’s not impossible to stay long-term in the Schengen Area. By understanding the system and using the few loopholes that do exist, one can legally stay past 90 days and enjoy all Europe has to offer without worrying about being barred for life.
 

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NOTE: Due to the complexities of visas and the uniqueness of everyone’s situation, we do not answer any visa related questions in the comments or via email. Thank you.

The post How to (Legally) Stay in Europe for More Than 90 Days appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

“Where should I go?” is a question I frequently ask myself.

A couple of years ago, wanting to escape the oppressive summer heat of Austin, I spent months staring at a map and unable to answer that question.

I toyed with the idea of heading to Madagascar, Hawaii, Malta, the Caribbean, the Maldives, Dubai, and Sri Lanka.

I couldn’t choose and was so afraid to commit that I didn’t decide until two weeks before my trip where I wanted to go (which made planning a last-minute pain).

Psychologists call this “choice overload” or “analysis paralysis.”

Humans only have a limited amount of decision-making power each day. It’s why people like routines. It makes life easier. Choice overload occurs when we have too many choices available to us. We get decision fatigue and go with the default option thus avoiding making a decision altogether. We are sometimes so paralyzed by the fear of making the wrong choice that they don’t make any choice.

Think of standing in the cereal aisle. We have all these options right in front of us, but we keep going back to our old favorite, Fruity Pebbles. (Or, Cinnamon Toast Crunch if we’re feeling adventurous!)

We may want to try something new, but we can’t figure out what we want the most — there are just too many options! How do we choose? How do we know we won’t make the wrong choice? So, paralyzed with indecision, we go back to what we know. And, if we don’t have a favorite, often we just choose what is popular and familiar.

Contemplating our options can become such a taxing mental burden that we don’t make a decision. That’s why our minds want shortcuts. It’s how we process all the information thrown at us each day. It’s too difficult to think about every simple decision all the time. Going with what you know and is familiar is how we shortcut our analysis paralysis.

(This is all explained in the 2004 book The Paradox of Choice, which I highly recommend reading.)

Think of the world as the proverbial cereal aisle. We’re looking forward to picking a cereal (a destination), but suddenly realize we have too many options. Faced with so many choices and without a strong opinion (e.g., I really want to go to Thailand this fall!), we stare blankly, wondering if picking a destination is the right choice, so we end up (a) fretting about it for months like I did, missing flight deals and precious planning time or (b) end up with what is big, popular, and familiar (let’s just visit Paris for the tenth time!).

Whether we have two weeks, two months, or two years, deciding where to go is the hardest part of travel. Once you have the time, picking the destination becomes a task of whittling down a long list of “must-see” destinations.

I often get so paralyzed by choice that I don’t book a trip until the last minute, and even then, I often suffer from buyer’s remorse. Did I really want to book that flight to Dubai? Or should I have gone to Madagascar instead? If I do this trip, will I have time to visit Peru later this year, or should I just go to Peru now?

Of course, when I get to where I’m going, all of that second-guessing melts away and I have the time of my life.

If you’re a long-term traveler, you can go anywhere for as long as you want. But when you only have a limited amount of time — because you’re like me and slowing down, or because you just have a few weeks off from work and need to make the most of them — you have to be more selective.

So how do you narrow down your destinations, get on with your trip planning, and not suffer the anxiety that comes with choice overload?

First, embrace variety. You’re always going to be overwhelmed by choice. There will always be more destinations to visit than you have time to see. The list of places to visit will only get longer the more you travel, not shorter. Don’t fight it. Recognize it and don’t let it control you. This is just a fact of life.

Second, start with a list of the ten places you want to visit the most. Come up with the destinations that are at the top of your mind. Since I haven’t been able to travel for a year, I’m planning to visit some new destinations (like Oman and the Balkans) while also visiting some favorites like Greece.

Third, figure out when you can go and how long you have. Because some destinations will require more time. And, since it’s better to do less not more when you travel, how long you have will affect the destination you pick.

Fourth, think of the time of year. Which country has the weather you want to enjoy the most? I’m trying to escape the heat of Austin this summer, which is why I’m going on a road trip so I can beat the heat and not sweat to death in Texas. If you’re traveling in the winter, chances are you want to skip the cold and head somewhere sunny.

Fifth, make the length of your travels proportional to the size of the country. If I only have a couple of weeks, I’ll likely skip large countries like India, Brazil, or China and save them for when I’m planning a longer trip. If I just have a couple of weeks, I’ll focus on smaller destinations that I can explore more in-depth during a shorter period of time.

Finally, find the cheap flights. Out of your list of destinations, where are the cheapest flights? For example, on a trip a few years ago when I was going to Dubai, it was $1,700 USD add on Madagascar but only $400 to go to the Maldives. But, thanks to airline miles, it was $0 to get to and from Sri Lanka. That made the choice easy.

Once I stopped letting too much choice keep me from making a decision and after logically going through my checklist, I stopped hemming and hawing about where I wanted to go, found my destinations, booked my trip, and got on with getting excited about visiting new places.

Do the same. Start with your list and refine it using the above criteria until you narrow the selection down to the place(s) that makes the most sense to visit right now. The other destinations will be there for future trips!

Overcoming choice overload in travel is about first realizing that there will always be more places to visit than you have time, then figuring out what destinations fit what you can do right now. Once you start with your list of destinations, getting down to the perfect one becomes a process of elimination.

There will always be too many destinations to choose from and too little time to see them in.

But, at the very least, we can finally break our analysis paralysis.
 

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The post Too Many Places: Overcoming the Paradox of Choice appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Since international travel on pause, people have turned to exploring their own backyards. From the U.S. to Canada to England, Europe, and New Zealand, people are getting in cars, campervans, and RVs and heading out on road trips. After all, it allows you to social distance while still getting outside!

Today, I’ve invited my friends Mike and Anne from HoneyTrek to share their RV tips and advice. They’re full-time RVers and will help you get your next RV adventure started easily and on a budget!

A couple of years back, the van life craze had everyone curious about rubber-tramping across North America. Maybe you thought, nah, I prefer my city apartment or jet-setting abroad.

Then COVID-19 hit. All of a sudden, getting out of Dodge with a house on wheels started to sound really good, didn’t it?

There is no doubt that RVing is one of the easiest and safest ways to travel right now. No crowded planes or questionable hotel rooms required — an RV gives you the freedom to explore and the peace of mind of having your own space.

Over the course of our eight-year “HoneyTrek” we’ve tried virtually every style of travel — backpacking, house-sitting, small-ship cruising, backcountry camping, five-star honeymooning, etc. — but the day we rented a campervan in New Zealand, we knew this was our preferred mode of travel.

For the past three years, we’ve been traveling full-time in our 1985 Toyota Sunrader “Buddy the Camper,” from the Baja Peninsula to the Arctic Circle and 47 states in between.

We’ve learned a lot along the way and are excited to share what we think are the most important things to know before setting out on your RV journey.

Here’s a video we just filmed which covers all the basics (or read the post below):

 

How to Pick the Right Size RV

For maximum adventure and comfort, we’d recommend a camper around 21 feet long. We know those big RVs tricked out like a penthouse apartment look tempting, but remember that every foot in length costs mobility. A shorter rig allows you to:

• Access rugged terrain
• Fit in a normal parking space, even parallel park
• Avoid length restrictions on some of America’s most beautiful winding roads and ferry rides
• Get better gas mileage (Most rigs get 6–10 MPG. Ours gets 19.)
• Have less stuff to break, which means more time exploring and having fun!

And, while even shorter 16- to 19-foot-long campervans do have the ultimate mobility, there are a few things you should know before you fall for that adorable Westfalia or stealthy Sprinter.

First, life ain’t so pretty without your own indoor shower and bathroom. And, while we respect the vanlifers who make do with public restrooms, bucket toilets, and catholes (digging a hole outside when you need to go to the bathroom), let us tell you the virtues of having a flushing loo: privacy, cleanliness, and autonomy.

We can be in a city center or a protected conservation area and conveniently and responsibly stay the night. In these unprecedented times, it’s more important than ever to be self-sufficient and not rely on shared facilities.

Besides a bathroom, a 19- to 22-foot long RV is big enough to also give you a proper bed and ample storage while still being small enough to explore with wild abandon.
 

How to Get Power (A.K.A. the Virtues of Solar)

RVs and campers have a house battery to run the lights, water pump, fans, and power electronics. Here are the various way to keep it charged:

• Drive a few hours per day
• Pay to plug in at a campground
• Run a generator
• Have solar panels

Your average road trip will likely give you enough charge from driving, but if you really need power, an RV park is never far away. If you are looking to slow-cruise the wilderness and lower your environmental impact, solar panels are a must. The simplest and most affordable option ($70–150 USD) is to get a portable panel and use it whenever you’re stopped in order to charge up the house battery of your RV. This obviously isn’t as convenient or powerful as an integrated system, but it should be enough to keep your phone and laptop charged.

If you are in this for the long haul, though, you’re going to want to install a solar system. We bought 300 watts of flexible monocrystalline solar panels, installed them to the roof, and wired them all together with a charge controller, lead-acid battery, and power inverter in about 20 hours — all for $1,200 USD.

If you want the best efficiency and lifespan, spring for a lithium-ion deep cycle battery, like the Relion RB100. If a DIY electrical project sounds too scary, you can have it professionally installed for $1,000–2,000 USD. We know that’s is a chunk of change, but investing in solar has allowed us to spend the last three years without having to ever pay for electricity, worry about running out of power, or generating any greenhouse gases.
 

How to Get Internet

Your smartphone is your on-the-go router. It’s important to use a carrier with an extensive national network (AT&T or Verizon) so as to get reception in remote areas (the dream is to be using your laptop from a secluded beach, right?).

We use our Verizon phone as a hotspot for our two laptops, getting 50GB unthrottled per month, plus unlimited calls and texts, for $109 USD.

While that’s a decent amount of data, it’s not a home internet plan through which you can be streaming all day. If you’ll be on the road for more than a couple weeks, monitor your usage with the GlassWire app and install NetLimiter on your laptop to help ration your data. Save your big downloads and uploads for free Wi-Fi zones.

We love working at libraries, not just for the internet but for their inspiring spaces, peace and quiet, community offerings, and open invitation to stay all day.

And, when all else fails, McDonald’s and Starbucks have wifi that’s usually strong enough to tap from the comforts of your camper.
 

How to Find Places to Camp

Your basic campground typically offers a flat parking spot with a picnic table, fire pit, and shared bathroom for $10–30 USD per night. If you bump up to $35–80 USD a night, you’re in RV park territory and will likely get power, water, sewer, and shared amenities like a clubhouse and a pool.

But did you know there are tens of thousands of free campsites scattered around the wilds of the USA? The federal government has reserved 640 million acres of public lands (national forests, BLM [Bureau of Land Management] land, national conservation areas, etc.) for your enjoyment. These sites are pretty bare-bones (sometimes it’s just a clearing in the forest) but, since we have a self-contained camper with our own drinking water and bathroom, all we really want is a peaceful spot with a good view.

This style of independent camping has many names: dispersed camping, wild camping, dry camping, freedom camping, and most commonly “boondocking.” We find our favorite boondocking spots via the Ultimate Campgrounds app, which we use to see what sites are nearby.

If we’re striking out on that app, we turn to iOverlander and FreeCampsites.net.

With these apps, we’re able to find great camping on the fly and rarely pay a dime.

That said, there is a time and place for more traditional campgrounds. They can be a great way to meet other campers, enjoy a few extra services, or stay in the heart of a national park. ReserveAmerica.com is the main campground portal (290,000 listings!) for public (national and state parks) and private campgrounds. HipCamp.com also has extensive offerings and is our favorite for unique sites on private land — it’s like the Airbnb of camping. KOA has tons of options too.

If you know there is a certain place you want to be on a specific night, you can book in advance. But also just don’t be afraid to go with the flow — there is always a beautiful boondocking spot somewhere!
 

Urban Boondocking

Speaking of boondocking, it’s not just for the woods. We have spent countless nights “camping” in the heart of cities, and if you adhere to a few simple rules, you can feel confident doing the same:

• Obey all street signs and curb markings and keep the meter fed. If it says “no overnight parking,” take heed. If there is any ambiguity in the signage (street cleaning conflicts, permit parking, etc.), find another spot.
• Don’t overstay your welcome. We usually limit our time in the same parking spot to two nights.
• Don’t draw attention to yourself with excessive lights, music, noise, etc. Even though our 1980s RV is far from a stealth camper, we have slept in over 50 cities and never been asked to “move along.”

Be smart, be respectful, and the world is your campground.
 

How to Save Money on Gas

We know gas is only around $2 USD/gallon at the moment, but when it comes to your long-term travel budget, every bit counts. Here are some tips to save at the pump:

• Get the GasBuddy app. It allows you to see the gas prices along your route, often saving upwards of 50 cents per gallon, particularly if you can wait to cross a state line or get farther off the highway.
• Get yourself a Chase Freedom Unlimited card; certain months of the year, they offer 5x points on your fill-up.
• Sign up for gas station rewards programs, especially Shell and Pilot, which give 3–5 cents off per gallon.
• Keep your tires inflated at the recommended PSI, and drive under 55mph. In addition to the gas savings, it’s safer and prolongs the life of your rig.

How to Find the Back Roads

Set your GPS to “avoid highways” and you’ll discover just how beautiful this country can be. Interstates have blazed straight lines across the nation but the old network of roads, working with the contours of the land and connecting historic towns, still exists.

The best routes are America’s Byways, a collection of 150 distinct and diverse roads protected by the Department of Transportation for their natural or cultural value.

Even better than that website (because you can’t rely on back roads’ cell reception) is a hard copy of the National Geographic Guide to Scenic Highways and Byways. It maps out the prettiest drives in every state, with something to marvel at even in “the flyover states.” We refer to it every time we start a big drive and discover interesting landmarks, quirky museums, scenic viewpoints, quintessential eateries, and short hikes, which always improves the ride.
 

Take Glamping Breaks

To make sure you don’t burn out on small-space, off-grid living, treat yourself to the occasional glamping getaway. Creative outdoor accommodations with a plush bed, hot shower, and friendly host always remind us how much we love the woods.

When we get to a glamp camp, we can walk away from our normal responsibilities (setting up camp, cooking for ourselves, and DIY everything) and truly relax. A gorgeous treehouse, dome, yurt, or safari tent has been designed with your enjoyment in mind, and if you need anything, your host is at the ready.

A little pampering and fresh take on the outdoors will give you the energy to keep on truckin’.

To find fabulous getaways along your route, check out our glamping book, Comfortably Wild: The Best Glamping Destinations in North America.
 

How to Protect Yourself and Your Ride

You’ll be exploring remote areas, going down rough roads, and having wild adventures (get excited!). Consider these three forms of protection and you’ll be ready for whatever comes your way:

• RV insurance – While this is specialty car insurance, the good news is it can be cheaper than insuring a sedan (we pay $375 USD a year for our Progressive plan).
• Travel insurance – While most people think of travel insurance for big international trips, it usually kicks in 100 miles from your house, covering health emergencies, trip delays, canceled reservations (from campgrounds to river rafting excursions), and a variety of other snafus. Rather than getting insurance every time we hit the road, we use the Allianz so we’re automatically covered wherever we go throughout the year.
• Roadside assistance – Good ol’ AAA does have RV plans, but we like that Good Sam is designed specifically for RVers and doesn’t charge a premium for it. An annual membership covers towing RVs of all sizes, tire blowouts, running out of gas, locking your keys in your vehicle, plus lots of other benefits and travel discounts.

As full-timers, we’re incredibly passionate about RVing and lot to share road trip itineraries, advice about buying a vintage camper, and lessons learned from three years on the road. While there is a lot to know about RV travel, renting a camper is a safe and easy way to get started. And there is a wonderful RV and #vanlife community online that will be happy to help too.

Mike and Anne Howard left on their honeymoon in January 2012 and never came home. They created HoneyTrek.com to chronicle their journey across all seven continents and help people realize their travel dreams. They are the authors of National Geographic’s bestselling book, Ultimate Journeys for Two, and the first-ever book on glamping in North America, Comfortably Wild.

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