“How do you manage to travel so f**king much??” people often ask me.
“I just work and save up for a few months, then fly out somewhere,” I answer. “With the exception being Antarctica, of course. Since I am no scientist, and since my set of skills as a writer/blogger/travel agent are in no great demand in Antarctica, no plane was ever going to take me there. So a cruise ship was my only option. But that’s a story for another time.”
They look at me like I’ve lost my mind. “Look, if you are looking for a mythical key to the world, then I’m sorry, but I gotta tell you; there is none!” I tell them. “The real key to travel is much simpler than that. Simple, yet one hell of a challenge.”
They still look at me like they haven’t a clue what I’m on about. Like I’m just being secretive, or have some secret stash of money somewhere I travel on. Only if they knew how close to a state of bankruptcy I usually am…
Anyway, for the benefit of those who genuinely want to see the world, I’ve listed a few simple factors I believe have enabled me to travel extensively. The rest, my friends, is up to you.
1. Do Not Be Afraid Of The World
Travelling abroad for the first time, understandably, is one of the most daunting prospects one can ever face. And for good reason; there are a lot of messed up people and places out there. But there are also a lot of good, and some downright fucking awesome people and places out there too.
It’s a simple choice, really. You can either play it safe and stay where you are, or trust yourself, go out into the world and see and feel things the way they were meant to be seen and felt; not on this screen, but rather playing out right before you in the real world.

2. Do Be Afraid Of The World
As I mentioned earlier, there are heaps of messed-up places and people out in the world. But the most dangerous thing about the world isn’t a particular people or place, but rather what the world tends to do to us if we let it. Look around you; how many of the people you see around you are sleep-walking through life? How many are living stereotypes? how many are working now, to travel later when they’ve retired?
The simple truth is I’m afraid of being forced into choosing a secure but limited life of 9-5 just because the world has deemed my dreams unrealistic.
As that famous quote goes; “I travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape me.”

3. Love Your Wallet
I’ve met far too many people who wish to travel, yet recklessly spend two hundred bucks on a new pair of kicks when they already own half a dozen.
You have to sacrifice your lavish spending habits if you want to travel more.
A gigantic wardrobe, too many coffees from hip cafes and big nights out prowling the bars and clubs, are an excellent way to anger the God’s of travel. Of course, living a frugal lifestyle doesn’t mean not living; but rather pacing yourself and spending your dollars on activities which offer you the most value.

4. Work/Volunteer As You Travel
From a tour guide in Panama to an English teacher in Brazil to working in a tiger sanctuary in Thailand, I’ve often fit in some kind of volunteering/work in my travel itineraries. Not only have these experiences taught me countless invaluable practical lessons, but they have also helped me save on the costs of accommodation and food.
You don’t even need to plan ahead; using a website like workaway, you can find jobs conveniently on the go.

And that’s pretty much it. Seriously, I don’t have any crazy airline loyalty programs or credit cards offering me half price deals. Of course, this list is by no means exhaustive, so if you have any techniques you use to enable you to travel more, please do share the love.
You can leave a comment, or contact me directly if you want it to be added to the list.
And one last word; if none of these works for you, that’s alright too.
Because if there is one thing I have learnt from years on the road, it’s that travelling isn’t the only path to happiness. As long as you are actively pursuing your dreams, wherever they may lay, you are a traveller at heart.
** This article was originally published on Thought Catalog.
Good tips dude, keep up the great travels!
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Thanks for stopping by mate. Haha will do, although can’t guarantee they’ll all be “great” travels 😉
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Great tips! May I ask how you were able to get so many vacation breaks from your job at home?
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Thanks mate. Admittedly I did a lot of my travel during uni breaks. And once I was in the workforce, I would take breaks of 2 to 3 weeks. For my long terms travels, I’ve quit my jobs or taken sabbatical years. It hasn’t always been easy, with the stress of job-hunting upon on my return but well worth it nonetheless
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It’s again like hearing this voice within me: go & travel… I am afraid though 😀
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I’m afraid, dear Panda, one can never truly overcome fear. Before every trip, my excitement can be matched ounce for an by my fear. Fear of leaving, fear of not knowing if I’m doing the right thing. But at the end of the day, ironically, its another fear which makes me take the leap of faith; the fear of letting my fears getting the best of me! Here is hoping you find the courage to listen to that voice within you
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Keep writing about your travells and I can find the courage to face my fears in there !
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Whew! well done mate.
it is always great to escape from the daily routine and get lost in something that works as a refreshment for the mind
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Thanks a lot. Glad I could help revitalize your day 🙂
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Wow !! I too dream of travelling the world one day….keep travelling and keep posting 🙂
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Reblogged this on Albert Cox.
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Thank you for stopping by and sharing the love.
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It’s refreshing to read some honest tips… a lot of the time you read a post like this and you get told about how to scrounge free deals from airline companies and hotels (not only I don’t believe it’s that easy, it wouldn’t be in my style!). I agree it’s a choice like so many other things in life, you have to decide what you want to make priority in your life, for you it’s travel, good for you!
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Spot on. The reason behind my writing this article was, to some extent, just that; to prove that you don’t need frequent flyer points and free deals to travel. You only need to want it bad enough to sacrifice a few things along the way
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Amazing! I have to wonder which trip was your favorite! Makes for some interesting blogs! 😉
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Thanks for stopping by. I was influenced by and molded, if not changed, by each trip in a different way. But I like to think that my greatest adventures lies ahead of me, not behind 🙂
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Great tips! Keep enjoying life: that’s what it’s for!
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Mucho gracias amiga por visitar mi blog! Si, this life is to be lived!
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Reblogged this on Trusting in Love and commented:
Live the dream, don’t just ‘plan it’!
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I really love this so much and is currently planning a long term travel to Canada too!
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