Race Across the World champions Alfie Watts and Owen Wood have revealed their top tips for travelling on a budget.
The duo, who traveled from Japan to Indonesia with only the cost of a plane ticket in their pockets for the BBC This program promotes “living like a local” as one of the best ways to save money while traveling.
They also suggest that “locals know a lot more than you can find on the internet,” leading to more authentic and affordable experiences than anything you can find online.
Alfie and Owen also encourage holidaymakers to consider homestays, which they say are not only a great way to immerse yourself in the culture and venture off the beaten track, but also cost a fraction of the price of a hotel stay.
Transport is another area where substantial savings can be made, with the duo recommending buses and night trains to keep costs down, although travellers should adopt a 'cost over convenience' mentality.
The couple collaborated with a global financial app Zingaccording to a study that found international travel is the number one priority for Britons, ahead of buying a house and getting married. However, 24% of those who have yet to travel abroad say it is because they are too cautious with their finances.
The Race Across the World duo encouraged globetrotters to indulge in street food while traveling to cities around the world, both for its unique flavors and the potential savings it offers.
Alfie recalled the “amazing” street vendors in Kuala Lumpur who served the “best” fried noodles he had ever tasted at “incredible” prices.
Owen’s final piece of advice for those embarking on long-term travel is to “work where you can.” He added: “If you’re going to be stuck in one place for a while, consider getting a temporary job to earn some quick cash for the rest of your trip.”
“Alfie and I were constantly looking for potential odd jobs we could do throughout the race, such as cleaning a campsite in Japan, and the extra money we earned from this gave us a lot more freedom and peace of mind throughout the race.”
A survey of 2,000 adults via OnePoll.com found that travel can boost self-confidence for 73% of Britons. Nearly seven in ten (69%) believe travel can boost happiness and 68% see it as an opportunity to boost creativity. Meanwhile, 60% believe travel can be done on a budget.
James Allan, CEO of Zing, a company offering a free currency conversion allowance of £500 or its equivalent every month until the end of 2024, said: “International travel is a priority for many Britons, but a quarter say they are too cautious with their finances to go abroad.”
“We can reduce the barriers and concerns around foreign currency and spending abroad so that international spending is worry-free.”
