Learning From Literature

How To Travel The World On $50 A Day by Matt Kepnes

Cover of How To Travel The World On $50 A Day by Matt Kepnes

How to Travel the World on $50 A Day : Travel Cheaper, Longer, Smarter by Matt Kepnes is a travel book published in 2017 (date of the revised third edition).

Travel is consistently the #1 activity on people’s bucket lists (things to do before you die). However, Americans usually leave long-term travel as a dream or exotic temptation, not something that applies to the here and now. The simple reasoning is – it takes money! The more money your journey will cost, the less likely you will take the trip. 

Well… what if money wasn’t an issue?

You don’t have to be rich to get on a budget airline and go; you just need the desire to see how much the world has to offer. In “The Bible For Budget Travelers,” Matt Kepnes proves that as long as you get off the tourist trail and travel as the locals live, then you don’t have to break the bank or give up comforts.

Author Matt Kepnes journeyed around the globe for a decade, staying in 90+ countries and over 1,000 hostels. He also runs one of the world’s most popular travel blogs, NomadicMatt.

Purchase the book by clicking this link!

Enjoy!

Table of Contents

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PART ONE : PLANNING YOUR TRIP

Getting Over Your Fears
  • Most difficult part about traveling → finding motivation to go
    • Many reasons not to — finances, responsibilities, friends, bills
    • There will never be a perfect day with none of the above
  • You aren’t the first
    • Lots of people with your exact circumstances travel the world
    • Students, families with children, elderly couples, poor people, disabled people, people with demanding jobs, etc
  • You are just as capable as everyone else
    • Nobody steps out knowing at all — they pick it up along the way
  • Using common sense, you won’t have any problems you can’t find in an American city
    • The majority of people want the same things – jobs, families, safety, money
  • You can always return home
    • Travel is for yourself, not others 
  • Once you just do it, life has a way of working out and showing how unfounded your fears were
Is Travel Really Too Expensive?
  • Problem of mindset, not money
    • You don’t need world-class hotels / restaurants to have fun
  • Find out how much you spend now and compare to $50 a day
    • Write all fixed + discretionary expenses
    • Most likely > $1,500 per month / $18,250 per year
  • Travel is within reach for everyone
    • If you truly desire to travel, you’ll find a way
    • For some it will take more effort, but it is possible
    • Ex — work overseas (teach English, etc)
  • Sacrifice now for rewards later
    • When you are sailing the Galapagos Islands, you won’t be thinking about those few missed nights out
  • Planning To Save
    • Break down requirements into smaller amounts
    • Take small, measurable steps that add up to big wins
Banking Overseas
  • Get a checking account at a global bank
    • Usually waive ATM fees / have ATMs around the world
    • Small community bank? → Check overseas fees
  • Get an account at two separate banks
    • If an ATM card gets lost / stolen, your trip is unaffected
  • Activate spending / withdrawal limits before leaving
  • Put a second user on all accounts to troubleshoot issues you can’t deal with
  • Minimize penalties / fees
    • Use a credit card / ATM card
    • Don’t change unneeded cash
    • Don’t change money at airports
Getting the Right Credit Card
  • If you space your applications several months apart + don’t miss payments, you won’t hurt your credit score
  • Benefits
    • Sign-Up Bonuses — worth at least a free domestic flight
    • Elite Loyalty Status — airport lounges, priority boarding, free checked bags, etc
  • Consider your goal:
    • Free flights? Hotel points? Something else?
  • At the very least, get a card with no foreign transaction fee
  • For additional information check out The Points Guy
Airline Tickets
  • More you pay for flights → less likely you’ll be to go on a trip
  • Prices are unpredictable
  • Be flexible with your dates, times, and destinations
  • Tips
    • Fly budget airlines
    • Find alternative routes
    • Use points / miles / sales
    • Buy at the right time (not last minute)
    • Search as one person
    • Check multiple sites
      • Skyscanner, Momondo, Google Flights, Kayak
  • For an in-depth guide to getting cheaper flights, see Take More Vacations
Buying a Backpack
  • The most important piece of gear
  • More versatile + lighter than suitcase
  • Do your research
    • Too big → carry extra weight
    • Too small → you can’t fit everything
    • Wrong material → your stuff will get soaked
Travel Insurance
  • DO NOT TRAVEL WITHOUT IT
    • For the low cost, it is foolish not to get it
  • Medical Coverage
    • Get a high coverage limit + cover emergency evacuation
  • Other Benefits → covering lost / stolen property, other emergency services, and trip cancellation protection
  • Know what’s not covered
    • Accidents during extreme adventure activities
    • Accidents under the influence
    • If you injure someone on the road
Get a Travel Discount Card
  • Save money on hostels, airfare, transportation, museums / tours, and more
  • Most are skewed towards students, Australasia, and Europe
  • Some main ones:
    • ISIC (International Student Identity Card)
    • YHA (Youth Hostel Association)
What to Do with Your Stuff
  • A storage locker / keeping your current house costs a lot of unnecessary money
  • Sell everything
    • You’ll appreciate simplicity + be amazed at how much you didn’t need
  • Whatever your choice, minimize as much as possible
    • Not only reduces amount to store but frees your mind – don’t be worrying about your TV while hiking in Nepal
  • Bills + Mail
    • Use automatic or online payments + sign up for paperless statements
    • List your address as your parents’ / friends’

PART TWO : ON-THE-ROAD EXPENSES

The Savings Mind-Set
  • Break away from the conventional mindset that travel is expensive
    • You don’t need world-class hotels / restaurants to have fun
  • #1 Rule → live like a local to avoid overspending + truly experience the culture
  • Budget or you’ll blow money quickly
    • There will always be opportunities to spend money + unexpected expenses
  • Budgets are liberating → You get to choose what to go big on
    • Matt uses the cheapest accommodation / transportation so he can splurge on food!
Tips for Saving Money on Accommodations
  • Hostels
    • Most have Wi-Fi, free breakfast, hot showers, bars, individual lockers, common rooms, and a kitchen
  • Hospitality Exchange
    • Couchsurfing / Servas
  • Name Your Own Hotel Price
    • Priceline.com / Hotwire.com
  • Apartment Rentals
    • Airbnb
  • Farm Work
    • WWOOFing
Tips for Saving Money on Food and Beverages
  • Cook Your Meals
    • How + What locals cook portray their view on food, life, and health (like fish in Scandinavia, etc)
  • Lunch Specials
  • Refill Your Water Bottle
  • Never Eat In Tourist Areas
Tips for Saving Money on Transportation
  • Methods Vary By Region
  • Take Local Transportation
    • Possibly buy tickets in advance
  • Research Train Passes
  • Buy Metro Cards
  • Avoid Taxis Unless Necessary
Tips for Saving Money on Activities
  • Get Tourism Cards
  • Free Museum Days / Special Discount Times
  • Use Discount Cards (ISIC, etc)
  • Visit Local Tourism Office
  • Google!

PART THREE : BREAKING IT DOWN BY REGION

  • While there are general tips applicable everywhere, many are specific to individual destinations
  • Prices are an average and given by the author
Europe
  • Overview
    • 3 Zones — Western Europe / Eastern Europe / Scandinavia
    • Not the cheapest but not as expensive as most believe
    • Balance expensive countries with cheaper ones
  • Western Europe
    • Eurozone Countries, Switzerland, England, Scotland
    • Accommodations
      • Hostels → $26 – $39
      • Budget Hotels / Pensións → $40 – $70
      • Apartment Rentals → $30 – $100
      • Hospitality Exchange (Popular)
      • WWOOF (In Germany, Italy, France, and Spain)
    • Food
      • Groceries → $70 / week 
      • Germany / Austria Street Vendor → $2
      • Small Shops → $5 – $8
      • Lunch → $12 – $15
      • Dinner → $25+
    • Transportation
      • Trains (Extensive) → depend on destination + speed
        • Low speed trains → $20 – $50
        • High speed trains → $100+
      • Buses (Extensive) → under $20
      • Flying → usually 50% less than a train ticket
    • Activities & Attractions
      • Famous Museums → $17 (less for smaller ones)
      • UK → public museums are free
  • Eastern Europe
    • Balkans, Baltics, Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic
    • Accommodations
      • Hostel → $5 – $15
      • Budget Hotels → $30 – $45
      • Apartment Rentals → $25 – $60
      • Hospitality Exchange (Popular)
    • Food
      • Groceries → $40 / week
      • Food Stalls → $1.50 – $4
      • Small Shops → $4 – $6
      • Nice Meal → $15+
    • Transportation
      • Trains (Not Recommended) → $30 – $100
      • Buses (Best) → $10 – $20
      • Flying → Slightly more expensive than Western Europe
    • Activities & Attractions
      • Museums, Churches, & Attractions → $5 – $8
      • Day Trips → $25 – $35 (except Chernobyl)
  • Scandinavia
    • Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway
    • Accommodations
      • Hostels → $25 – $50
      • Budget Hotels → $80 – $100
      • Apartment Rentals → $40 – $100
      • Hospitality Exchange (Popular)
    • Food
      • Norway
        • Groceries → $110 / week
        • Outdoor Vendor → $8 – $20
        • Fast Food → $10 – $15
        • Nice Meal → $30+
      • Sweden
        • Groceries → $70 / week
        • Outdoor Vendor → $3
        • Nice Meal → $20+
      • Finland
        • Groceries → $60 / week
        • Lunch Special → $6 – $10
        • Nice Meal → $15+
    • Transportation
      • Trains → $30 – $75
      • Buses (Extensive) → $10 – $50
      • Flying → More expensive than the rest of Europe
    • Activities & Attractions
      • Museums → $10
      • Day Trips → $50+
      • Tourism Cards Used
  • How Much Money Do You Need?
    • Western Europe → $75, Eastern Europe → $45, Scandinavia → $100 for a typical backpacker that is comfortable but not at all splurging
Australia
  • Overview
    • Usually more expensive than Europe
    • East usually more expensive than West
    • Robust transportation system + lots of hostels + lots of available jobs for travelers
  • Accommodations
    • Hostels → $25 – $35
    • Budget Hotels → $100
    • Apartment Rentals → $60 – $80
    • Hospitality Exchanges (Popular)
    • WWOOF (Popular)
  • Food
    • Groceries → $75 / week
    • Small Shops → $8 – $12
    • Average Meal → $15 – $20
    • Nice Meal → $25 – $35+
  • Transportation
    • Trains (Not Recommended)
    • Buses (Best via Greyhound Australia)
    • Flying (Quickest but Most Expensive)
    • Camper Vans (Popular) → Rental = $35
  • Activities & Attractions
    • Multi-Day Activities → $300 – $400
    • Day Trips → $100 – $170
  • How Much Money Do You Need?
    • Tight = $50
    • Recommended = $65
    • Comfortable = $100
New Zealand
  • Overview
    • Day-to-day life isn’t expensive but outstanding activities can wreck the budget
  • Accommodations
    • Hostels → $14 – $28
    • B&Bs / Budget Hotels → $70 – $110
    • Apartment Rentals (Limited) → $70 – $100
    • Hospitality Exchanges (Popular)
    • WWOOF (Popular)
  • Food
    • Groceries → $60 / week
    • Fast Food → $5
    • Small Shops → $8 – $12
    • Average Meal → $16
    • Nice Meal → $25
  • Transportation
    • Trains (Not Recommended)
    • Buses → $15 – $25
    • Camper Vans (Popular) → Rental = $25 / day
    • Flying → Expensive
      • Heavy routes (Auckland – Christchurch) can have deals at $50
      • Smaller cities (Nelson) can be $200+
  • Activities & Attractions
    • Outdoor-focused – glowworm caves, bungee jumping, skydiving
    • $100 – $300
  • How Much Money Do You Need?
    • Tight = $30
    • Recommended = $50
    • Comfortable = $70
Southeast Asia
  • Overview
    • Thailand, Singapore, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia
    • Very, very affordable
    • Prices vary — highly-developed financial center like Singapore vs rural countries like Cambodia / Laos
  • Accommodations
    • Hostels (Limited) → $3 – $5 (Singapore = $15)
    • Budget Hotels → $10 – $60
    • Hospitality Exchanges (Popular)
  • Food
    • Average Meal → no more than $1.50
    • Local Restaurants → $3 – $5
  • Transportation
    • Trains → $9 – $60
    • Buses (Best) → $5 – $8
    • Ferries → under $15
    • Flying → $10 – $30 (last minute $100+)
  • Activities & Attractions
    • Most Temples → free
    • Large Complexes (like Angkor Wat) → $3 – $72
    • Scuba Diving → $300 – $400 for PADI certification (try Ko Tao Thailand)
    • Single Dives → $50
    • Day Trips → $20 – $50
  • How Much Money Do You Need?
    • Tight = $10
    • Recommended = $20
    • Comfortable = $25 – $35
Central America
  • Overview
    • Costa Rica, Panama, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua
    • Good prices + not visited enough
  • Accommodations
    • Hostels → $5 – $15
    • Guesthouses / Budget Hotels → $12 – $40
    • Apartment Rentals (Limited)
    • Hospitality Exchange (Limited)
  • Food
    • Groceries → $15 / week
    • Empanadas → $0.50 each
    • Average Meal → $5 – $10
  • Transportation
    • Trains (Nonexistent)
    • Buses (Extensive) → $10 – $30
      • Slow, crowded, and not direct (an experience in themselves)
      • No main operator or online bookings – just flag one down
    • Flying (Limited)
  • Activities & Attractions
    • Mayan Ruins / National Parks → $10 (Tikal = $22)
    • Diving → $50 – $100
  • How Much Money Do You Need?
    • Comfortable = $30 (Panama / Costa Rica = $45 – $50)
South America
  • Overview
    • Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Columbia, Paraguay, Uruguay
    • Very affordable
    • Cost varies dramatically
    • The big activities are crazy expensive (Galapagos, Easter Island, Machu Picchu)
  • Accommodation
    • Hostels → $6 – $10 (Buenos Aires / Rio = $20)
    • Guesthouses → $20 – $40 (Rio / Patagonia = $50+)
    • Apartment Rentals (Limited)
    • Homestays (Popular) → $75 – $150 / week (including meals)
    • Hospitality Exchange (Popular)
  • Food
    • Food Stall → $1 – 2
    • Local Restaurants → $4
    • Nice Meal → $10
    • Extremely Fancy Meal → $25+ (more for Argentina / Brazil)
  • Transportation
    • Trains (Nonexistent)
    • Buses → $8 – $80 varying by country
      • Journeys are usually long (18+ hours) + roads not well kept
    • Flying → More expensive but quick
  • Activities & Attractions
    • Day tours → $40 – $50
    • Museums → $5 – $10
  • How Much Money Do You Need?
    • $25 in less developed countries
    • $45 – $60 in Chile / Argentina / Brazil
China
  • Overview
    • Gigantic and diverse
    • Cutting-edge high-tech megacities but also small villages steeped in ancient traditions
    • Language barrier but totally worth it
  • Accommodations
    • Hostels → $4 – $8 (Beijing / Shanghai / Hong Kong = $14 – $20)
    • Budget Hotels → $12+ (Hong Kong = $40 – $84)
    • Apartment Rentals (In Large Cities)
    • Hospitality Exchange (In Large Cities)
  • Food
    • Note — Isn’t the Westernized version of Chinese food
    • Street Vendor → $1 – $2
    • Average Meal → $2 – $8
  • Transportation
    • Trains (Best) → vary by distance + class
      • Beijing – Shanghai = $81 for high-speed second class
    • Buses → $4 – $28
    • Flying → Abundant but delays are certain
  • Activities & Attractions
    • Usually under $10 (including Great Wall + Forbidden City)
    • Smaller Temples / Activities → $2
    • Terracotta Army = $18 – $22 + Chengdu Panda Facility = $9
  • How Much Money Do You Need?
    • Tight = $20
    • Recommended = $30
    • Comfortable = $45
India
  • Overview
    • Like nowhere else in the world
    • Inexpensive
    • Solo women should travel extremely careful
  • Accommodations
    • Hostels (Limited)
    • Budget Hotels → $5 – $30 (Mumbai / Delhi / Bangalore 2-3x)
    • Apartment Rentals (Limited)
    • Hospitality Exchanges (Popular)
  • Food
    • Note — Cows are sacred so don’t expect a lot of red meat
    • Average meal → $2 – $6
    • Food sanitation isn’t good
      • Don’t drink tap water (including ice)
      • Avoid street food that nobody else is eating
      • Minimize meat
      • Take probiotics
  • Transportation
    • Note — Departure / arrival times are often suggestions
    • Trains (Best) → $1 – $39
    • Buses (Quality Varies) → $7 – $15
      • Can be accident prone
    • Flying → often low
  • Activities & Attractions
    • Usually under $10 (Taj Mahal = $15)
  • How Much Money Do You Need?
    • Tight = $15
    • Recommended = $25
    • Comfortable = $35
Japan
  • Overview
    • About equal to Western Europe but can be very expensive (it isn’t hard to spend $200+ a day)
  • Accommodations
    • Hostels → $15 – $42
    • Budget Hotels → Ryokan = $50 – $200 / Modern Hotels = $20 – $40 / Capsule Hotels = $27+
    • Apartment Rentals (Limited) → $85+
    • Hospitality Exchanges (Limited)
  • Food
    • Groceries → $60 / week
    • Sushi Trains → $1 – $2 per plate
    • Ramen / Curry / Donburi → $3 – $7
    • Lunch → $10 – $15
    • Dinner → $20
    • Nice Restaurant → $75+
  • Transportation
    • Trains → very expensive but comfortable + fast
    • Buses → $35+
    • Flying (Not Necessary)
  • Activities & Attractions
    • Museums / Temples → under $5
    • Others → $10
    • Kyoto Temple Pass = $12
  • How Much Money Do You Need?
    • Tight = $50
    • Comfortable = $120+
Putting It All Together
  • $50 is a daily average — some days will be more + some will be less
  • Drop the American “expensive travel” mentality to find incredible value and a just as a fulfilling trip (if not more)
  • The author breaks down total costs and shows mathematically how a year-long journey can be taken for under $50 a day

Author also includes lists of resources:

Appendix A: Travel Companies

Appendix B: Suggested Packing List

Appendix C: Vaccinations

Check out more Travel posts!