In today’s technological savvy world, there’s lots of mobile apps out there that make backpacking so much easier – and they also will save you money. Check out my favourite mobile apps – and why they will give you extra cash to fund your travels.
Category: Planning
E-visa guide for Australians
Needing to send your passport away for a visa is slowly starting to become a thing of the past as more and more countries come on board with e-visas and visas on arrival.
E-visas are visas that you apply for online. You enter your details, sometimes upload a photo, pay the fee and generally within a day or two you get your approval letter by email. It doesn’t guarantee you entry into a country but it means you have the necessary paperwork to enter when you front up to immigration.
Visas on arrival mean that when you turn up to a country, you can apply for a visa at the airport. It’s a simple process of filling out the paperwork, often providing a photo and paying the fee. In many cases such as Egypt and Jordan, a visa on arrival is merely just a formality to enter the country and all you do is pay a fee.
My favourite European hostels
If you’re staying in hostels for the first time, then Europe is the place to do it. In my humble opinion, Europe consistently has the best hostels of any continent (and I’ve stayed in a lot of hostels throughout the world).
So what makes a good hostel for me? One where the beds are comfortable, the bathrooms are clean, secure lockers, the kitchen is well stocked with pots, pans, cutlery and plates, and the activities on offer are fun and inclusive. It may seem a long list, but most hostels make the list – but some do it better than others.
My favourite travel planning sites
Planning your next adventure has never been more accessible with everything you need at your fingertips online. These days, there’s not much need to go see a travel agent – everything can be booked online, and with a bit of research, you can get some great bargains.
But with so many competing websites for accommodation, flights, and volunteering – where do you start to get adventures suited to your budget and travel style.
Here’s the sites I use to plan my trips.
Flights
Google Flights
I don’t use anything but Google Flights when researching flights. Many people swear by Skyscanner but I was never a fan and found Kayak or Opodo worked better. But Google Flights leaves those flight search engines for dead.
Tips to save up for your next adventure
If I got a dollar every time someone asked me how I can afford to travel so much – well it would help me fund my travels!
It’s a question I get asked a lot – people wonder if I’ve won the lotto, think I’ve borrowed money off my parents – but really, I’ve just made a few cutbacks in my daily life to save money. Here’s my tips.
1. Don’t spend your money on material possessions
That handbag, that watch, that shirt, that new couch – do you really need it? Will it affect your life if you don’t have it? Probably the answer is no. Sure it’s looks nice, but that couch at the garage sale serves the same purpose – and you can see the time on your phone – and you probably have a dozen other T-shirts. At the end of the day, they’re just material possessions, they won’t enrich your life, you won’t make lifelong memories out of that new handbag, its just money you could use to see the wonders of the world.