23 Outside-the-Box Ways to Travel the World - Wealth of Geeks (2024)

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Why go with conventional means of traveling when you can do it in your own unique way? Not everyone can afford to travel the world on a fancy cruise ship or by airplane, and fortunately, there are lots of creative alternatives.

These are some of the most interesting and imaginative ways to explore the world.

1. Cargo Ship

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I didn’t even know you could travel on a cargo ship, as that isn’t something you see when surfing Expedia for the best travel deals! It’s a no for me, but I get the idea of saving money. Cargo ship travel is a bit different from the usual cruise ships. You get to avoid the crowds and the noise and enjoy the peace of the ocean.

However, there’s no pool, no luxury amenities, you don’t get to stop at every port because it depends on where the cargo is headed. Typically, there’s only space for a max of around 12 people on the boat, but some only carry four to six passengers. Did I mention there’s no pool on the ship?

2. Volunteering

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Volunteering is a meaningful and fulfilling way to travel the world. Project opportunities like the Peace Corps offer the chance to live in another country for two years and experience the culture while meeting the community's needs.

There are several sectors, such as health or education, that you can get involved with and make a positive difference in the lives of others. You’ll gain new skills and experiences and make friends along the way.

3. Walking

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Walking is a lot of work, but it’s cheap! You can see things you would miss in a car or a plane and stop whenever you want. You also meet some fantastic people and learn about their culture and history.

Always ensure that you’re safe if you choose to walk long distances to tour a location, and be sure that you consider the weather conditions.

4. Cycling

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Cycling is another fantastic way to travel the world. You can go faster than walking but still enjoy the freedom and flexibility of being on the road. You can also challenge yourself and push your limits, getting good cardio while sightseeing.

This might be pretty fun if I got into shape a bit more!

5. Train

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Being from the United States, where there’s no significant network of trains, I was stunned by how interconnected Europe is, with trains going everywhere you can imagine. It’s also reasonably cost-effective. Train travel is a classic way to see the world.

You can sit back, relax, and watch the scenery change as you go. You can also hop on and off as you please and explore different cities and countries.

6. Hot Air Balloon

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Hot air balloon travel is a bit of a splurge but worth it if you’re not afraid of heights. Various places in the world, like France, Switzerland, Italy, and other European hotspots, are known for offering rides that soar high above so you can admire the beauty of the landscape.

You get to see the world from a different angle, which is incredibly exhilarating!

7. Hitchhiking

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Hitchhiking is a cheap and adventurous way to travel the world. It can be really dangerous if you don’t engage in safe practices, but it can also be gratifying. You never know who you will meet or where you will end up, which is part of the risk.

Nonetheless, many experienced hitchhikers say you can learn a lot from those who give you a ride and share your stories with them.

8. House Sitting

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House-sitting is a great way to travel the world and save money on accommodations. There are multiple websites where you can sign up to take care of someone’s home and pets while they’re away traveling, plus explore the area you’re staying during your free time.

It’s a win-win for both parties and sounds like a cool way to meet new people and see the world for the cost of a plane ticket and entertainment money.

9. Couchsurfing

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Couchsurfing is a social and exciting way to travel, and it doesn’t require as much work as house-sitting. In this scenario, you stay with a host who offers you a couch or a spare room and get to know them and their culture.

Also, there’s a network of couch surfers, and they get together for local events and activities to share their stories and hang out. It’s a very free-spirited way to live!

10. Workaway

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Workaway is a flexible platform that allows people to exchange their skills and labor for free accommodation and food.

Workawayers will work on different projects and tasks like teaching someone how to speak a language, building things for the host, cooking, gardening, being a nanny, or helping them in some way that makes them feel compelled to offer free room and board. It’s a fantastic opportunity that’s available worldwide.

11. RV or Campervan

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I was never a fan of RV travel until I saw how some decked-out RVs look more spacious and comfortable than traditional homes. They’re convenient and comfortable, allowing you to drive wherever you want and have your own space and facilities.

Nature enthusiasts will appreciate being able to camp in beautiful and remote places and enjoy the outdoors.

12. Sailboat

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Sailboat travel is a unique way to view the beauty in the world around us. It can take about 100 days to sail around the world nonstop, but if you want to stop and experience different countries and cultures, you're looking more around three to five years on average.

Sailboat travel can be serene, offering a chance to disconnect from the world and be one with the waves.

13. Kayak

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Kayaking is an acquired taste for thrill-seekers only! You can paddle on rivers, lakes, and seas and explore nature and wildlife. You can also challenge yourself and try whitewater kayaking or kayak fishing.

Kayak travel can be enjoyable and refreshing, but you must be fit and cautious of the currents.

14. Dog Sled

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Dog sled travel is a unique and exciting way to see the world, with teams of energetic dogs pulling you along the way. You may see anything from frosted forests to frozen lakes as you mush through snowy trails.

You can also bond with the dogs and learn about their training and care. Some of the most popular places for dog sledding adventures are in places like Alaska, the Canadian Rockies, Greenland, Sweden, and the Norwegian Arctic.

15. Horseback

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Viewing the land on horseback is a fabulous way to travel and can be found in almost every country you visit. Horseback riding offers a slower-paced and intimate experience, allowing you to appreciate scenic landscapes, encounter wildlife, and explore historical sites that might be inaccessible otherwise. The quiet nature of horse travel increases the chances of spotting local wildlife without disturbing their habitats.

Riding through different terrains exposes you to various ecosystems, providing a close-up view of flora and fauna.

16. Motorcycle

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Traveling the world by motorcycle is one of the most thrilling methods out there. Feel the wind in your hair and the adrenaline in your veins as you cruise down the highways from city to city, living like the locals.

Motorcycles can also access places that are hard to reach by car and experience the road differently. Just be sure to wear a helmet!

17. Camel

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I’ve always thought riding a camel was an incredible experience where you get to take in the scenery and get a feel for the olden days of travel before everything became motorized and fast-paced. There are camel rides available to traverse the desert near the pyramids in Egypt, across regions in Saudi Arabia where they have a strong cultural significance and other arid lands.

Camels provide a steady and contemplative mode of travel.

18. Elephant

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Doing tours by an elephant is somewhat controversial, as it calls into question the conditions they face while being trained to accommodate tourists. If you can get past that, it’s an excellent way to observe the city you’re in. There are opportunities to trek through the jungles in Thailand, view the savannahs in Africa, check out the ruins in Cambodia, and so much more.

These majestic and intelligent creatures offer a unique perspective on nature.

19. Tuk Tuk

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If you’re ever in Asia, Thailand specifically, don’t be afraid to ride around in a Tuk Tuk during your time there. What exactly is a Tuk Tuk, you ask? It’s a small three-wheeled motorized vehicle, great for crowded streets or narrow alleyways.

Remember that seasoned travelers say it’s more expensive than a taxi and involves a lot of negotiation beforehand so you can agree on a price because there’s no meter to calculate it.

20. Rickshaw

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Most notably used in Asian cities, a rickshaw is a neat way to experience exotic towns like a local. It’s like a horse and carriage, but instead of a horse, a person is pulling the three-wheeled small cart or wagon by foot.

A rickshaw is a traditional mode of transportation in some places, such as Indonesia, Vietnam, and India. They’re commonly used in crowded urban areas and are particularly prevalent in cities with narrow streets and high population density, where their maneuverability is advantageous.

21. Segway

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Take your Segway and hit the road! It has self-balancing technology, which is cool, and riders can glide through diverse terrains effortlessly. The Segway’s compact design and portability make navigating crowded city streets or winding paths in nature easy.

With its innovative features like adjustable speeds and responsive steering, it’s a one-of-a-kind experience that’s fun for young and old alike. Just be mindful of the battery life and keep it charged.

22. Submarine

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Submarine travel is a rare and fantastic way to see small segments of the world. I’m not sure many people are currently enjoying lengthy, globe-circling submarine rides for sightseeing, but that’s neither here nor there.

Many countries offer underwater tours where you can see the coral reefs and marine life and discover the secrets and wonders of the ocean.

23. Backpacking

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Backpacking isn’t an unusual way to see the world, at least amongst the younger generations. It is, after all, essentially walking with the proper supplies on your back. I feel like I've heard stories of hippies backpacking and hitchhiking all the time. Anyway, if you’re into frugal living, then backpacking through Europe, Asia, or another one of the world’s beautiful continents, you may enjoy the idea.

Usually, backpackers take all kinds of public transportation, stay in hostels, and tour one or several countries for various time frames. It can look very different from one person to the next, though!

23 Outside-the-Box Ways to Travel the World - Wealth of Geeks (2024)

FAQs

Who will pay me to travel? ›

How to get paid to travel
  • Telecommute to your current job. ...
  • Explore your company's other locations. ...
  • Teach English or another language. ...
  • Become a tour guide. ...
  • Write a research guide. ...
  • Become a flight attendant. ...
  • Start a side gig. ...
  • Find a new remote opportunity.
Jul 2, 2024

How do people travel the world and still make money? ›

Some of the most lucrative fields in freelancing are web design and development, internet research, data entry, graphic design, content writing, and translation and editing. If you want to travel the world full-time as a digital nomad, consider doing a work exchange with Worldpackers.

How can you travel the world when you don t have a lot of money? ›

Volunteer for free food and accommodation

One way to travel for next to nothing is to exchange your time and effort for something in return. People around the world advertise on platforms like VolunteerMatch to attract volunteers to help with projects, manual labor, teaching, and many other tasks.

Can I get paid to read books? ›

If you want to get paid to read books, consider your background, ethnicity, and cultural experience. Then build a website and market your services, or apply to work for a publisher as a sensitivity reader. One reader offers the following rates: 5,000 words and under: $50 flat rate.

How to get paid to fly? ›

The general consensus is that you cannot be paid to fly unless you hold a commercial pilot license. While this is mostly true there are several scenarios in which you can be compensated to fly with only a private pilot certificate. We'll go into these in detail as we cover what you can do with a private pilot license.

How much money do you realistically need to travel the world? ›

So, How Much Does it Cost? In general, you should expect it to cost between $25,000 to $35,000 per person to travel around the world for a year. This rough estimate comes from reading travel budgets of other bloggers, various travel planning resources, and our own experience. This is just the midrange.

How to get free travel? ›

Yes, there are several ways to travel for free or at a significantly reduced cost. Some strategies include using credit card reward points, house sitting or pet sitting, volunteering, reconnecting with family and friends, and pursuing jobs that allow you to travel while earning an income.

Where can I go without money? ›

Whatever your situation, here are 13 fun things to do that don't cost money with friends and family:
  • Go on a picnic. ...
  • Go to no-cost museum and zoo days. ...
  • Give geocaching a try. ...
  • Leverage your chamber of commerce. ...
  • Take a historical city tour. ...
  • Visit a farmers market. ...
  • Go camping. ...
  • Do a photography challenge.
Feb 14, 2024

Can you travel the world without being rich? ›

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. Let's repeat that: 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.

What is the cheapest way to travel long distance? ›

5 Cheap Ways to Travel Around the US
  • Use smaller regional airports over national ones. These domestic airports tend to have cheaper airfares. ...
  • If you're going a long distance, trains tend to be cheaper than flights. ...
  • Use credit cards for more daily transactions. ...
  • Take a bus. ...
  • Rent a car rather than drive your own.
Mar 23, 2024

What is the easiest way to travel the world? ›

Air travel is, predictably, the simplest way to traverse the globe.

How to get sponsored for travel? ›

Here's how to get sponsored to travel:
  1. Think like a sponsor. You must figure out WHY somebody is going to give you money for travel sponsorship. ...
  2. Use personal contacts. ...
  3. Credibility. ...
  4. Charity. ...
  5. Celebrity endorsement. ...
  6. Go to relevant exhibitions and shows. ...
  7. Find people giving money. ...
  8. Think creatively about sponsorship deals.

How can I get cash for travel? ›

Accessing money while abroad
  1. Your bank: See if your bank can order you some foreign currency prior to you leaving. ...
  2. The airport: While at international airports, you will typically see currency exchange offices. ...
  3. ATMs: Likely a common way you will access local currency is by using the ATM.

How do you get paid to travel and write about it? ›

10 Publications That Will Pay You for Travel Writing
  1. Great Escape Publishing. Great Escape Publishing focus on working while you travel, so if you like my blog, you'll probably like these guys. ...
  2. Verge Magazine. ...
  3. Horizon Guides. ...
  4. Go World Travel. ...
  5. Tales to Go. ...
  6. Matador Network. ...
  7. Listverse. ...
  8. Fund Your Life Overseas & Incomes Abroad.

How do you ask if company will pay for travel? ›

Politely request the employer reimburses your travel expenses. For example: In order to attend my interview, I will need to travel from [your town, city or county] to [the town or city the interview will take place]. Please may I request [employer's name] reimburses me for my travel expenses?

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