Con’s Links of Travel Stuff
(A Very Incomplete List of How to Travel for Cheap)
I will start with my favorites…
After spending countless hours combing the internet for free places to stay, I have finally compiled a list of resources to help me (and you) travel cheaper.
This list is no where complete and things in the 21st century change on a daily basis. Don’t be surprised if some of these links are dead….
That said, I have attempted to categorize these links but it is really impossible. There are free stays, work trade, paid beds, and everything else. Go work on a farm.
Disclaimer: I have not used all of these services. I also haven’t vetted everyone on these websites, assume everyone is a killer. Jk, but for real.
CoolWorks
“This is your life. Go live it.
Imagine being given the chance to embark on experiences that enrich your life, shift the way you interact with the world around you, and connect you to the incredible places you’ve always wanted to live. You don’t have to imagine anymore. Welcome to CoolWorks. We left the gate open—come on in and chase your dreams.”
I have used coolworks.com and been hired for several jobs. Its a free service but there are a few things to know.
You can and should sort by employer provided housing. Try to get Room and Board, as in food and a bed. Look for seasonal bonuses, high employee retention, don’t take a monthly salary, and don’t take the first job offered to you. Interview THEM!
Trusted Herd
“Trusted Herd is North America's largest event staffing platform. Post gigs, hire brand ambassadors, and manage event staff in the U.S. and Canada.”
I have used trustedherd and know travelers that use it often. It's a good way to make money with limited physical effort but, imo, a lot of headache.
It can be limiting in requiring some set up and state/local alcohol and food certs.
It works, try it
The Travel Resource Database
Curated by ConQuesoCorp
IF YOU HAVE ADDITIONS/SUGGESTIONS PLEASE LET ME KNOW -
Paid Jobs:
Trusted Herd- Short Term Gig Work (USA + Canada)
Cool Works- Seasonal/Unusual/Remote Jobs (USA)
Cool Jobs - Seasonal/Adventure Jobs (USA)
AnyWork AnyWhere - Seasonal Adventure Jobs (Limited International)
Find a Crew- Connects crews and ships (International)
Occupation Wild - job board for adventurous outdoor and guiding jobs
FlexJobs - Hand-screened remote jobs, work from home, and flexible jobs (International, Paid Membership)
Teach Away - Become a certified teacher. Start teaching online. Take your teaching skills overseas. (International, Free/Paid Membership)
Back Door Jobs - Short Term Adventure Jobs (USA + Canada, Free)
Magic Ears - Teach English to Children Online (Online)
VIP Kid- Teach English Online (Online)
SummerJobs - Summer and seasonal jobs (USA + Canada, Free)
New Zealand Backpacker Job Board - Temporary Travel Jobs (NZ, Free)
Australia Backpacker Job Board - Temporary Travel Jobs (Aus, Free)
VegaJobs - Seasonal Work (USA, Free)
Truly Remote - site for finding remote work (Online, Free)
Side Hustle Stack - resource to find platform-based work, ranging from gig work and side hustles (Online, Free)
Qwick - platform for finding hospitality jobs and gig work
Microworkers - Micro jobs for micro pay (Online)
Click Worker - micro jobs app and website, where you can earn money for a wide variety of one-off tasks (Online)
PADI Job Board - Jobs in all things diving (International, Free)
FruitfulJobs- Source workers for permanent and seasonal roles in UK wide roles within the fresh produce sector, viticulture, horticultural and agricultural industries. (UK, Free)
BUNAC - Working holiday in USA at summer camps (USA)
JENZA - Flexible working holidays, ski seasons and professional internships in Canada, Japan, the USA, UK, New Zealand and Australia. (Limited International)
Season Workers - site for finding seasonal work mainly in the UK and Europe
Ski World - Ski Industry Jobs (Europe)
Rural Enterprises- Agricultural Jobs (Aus)
USA Summer Camp - J1 Visa Summer Camp Jobs (USA + Some Canada)
Wild Packs- Summer Camp Jobs (USA)
Frenz - Immigration, short and long term staffing in agricultural jobs for backpackers (New Zealand)
Seek - Australian employment website for job listings
MyTefl - TEFL Courses, Internships, Jobs
Housing:
International Living - Finding cheap housing for retirees abroad
The Caretaker Gazette - Thousands of rent-free living opportunities across all 50 states and dozens of countries (International, Paid Membership)
Work at KOA - seasonal work, part/full-time work, campsites provided in work exchange
Trusted Housesitters - Discover free & unique homestays around the world, in exchange for caring for adorable pets (International, Paid Membership)
Mind A Home - Connect home and pet owners with reliable, experienced house sitters (Aus, Paid Membership)
Aussie House Sitters - The largest, most trusted pet and house sitting site in Australia (Aus, Paid Membership)
The House Sitters - Australia's original house sitting company (Aus, Paid Membership)
Nomador - International house and pet sitting in exchange for a place to stay (Paid Membership)
Mind My House - International house and pet sitting in exchange for a place to stay (Paid Membership)
Wifi Tribe - housing with reliable wifi in order to provide a group travel opportunity for remote workers abroad (Paid)
NoDesk - housing with reliable wifi in order to provide a group travel opportunity for remote workers abroad (Paid)
Couchsurfing - hospitality exchange service, free short-term homestays (International, Paid Membership)
BeWelcome - Stay with locals, host travelers (International, Free)
Work Exchange:
HelpX- short-term stays on farms, ranches, hostels in exchange for room and board (International, Free or Paid Membership)
World Packers - short-term stays on farms, in hostels, in schools often in exchange for room and board (International, Paid Membership)
WWOOF - World Wide Opportunities On Organic Farms (International, Paid Membership)
Crew Seekers - Amateur and professional yacht crewing positions (International, Paid Membership)
Work Away- short-term stays on farms doing various jobs with a cultural exchange component, often in exchange for room and board (International, Paid Membership)
HippoHelp- eco-farms, babysitting, eco-construction, general maintenance and language teaching (International, Free)
Help Stay - volunteer in farms, teaching, building, environment (International, Paid Membership)
CoBoaters- connecting crew, boat owners and skippers (International, Free/ Paid Membership)
Adventure Stays:
Studymartialarts.org - Connects travelers with martial arts learning opportunities (International, Free)
Classifieds:
Gumtree- Australia's best marketplace to buy in your local area! Find cars, furniture, electronics, jobs, real estate & more for sale across Australia. (Aus)
Trade Me - New Zealand's largest online auction and classifieds website (NZ)
Craigslist - local classifieds (International)
Alaska’s List - Classifieds in the great state of Alaska
Navigation/Camping/Hiking:
OnX Maps - wayfinding app in remote places, topographical maps, including land ownership that work offline (Paid)
Gaia - basic maps are free, no cell service required if downloaded in advance
iOverlander - a tool, by and for overlanders, which enables its users to submit, amend and find information and opinions
Maps.Me - offline maps using OpenStreetMap data
AllTrails - Discover trails, offline maps, wrong-turn alerts, and extra planning features
Garmin - can use InReach device (satellite phone) to plan routes, leave breadcrumbs and access SOS services (Paid Subscription)
CamperMate - site for finding campsites including free/paid, non-self contained (NZ, AUS, Free)
Hipcamp - site for finding campsites, RV sites and glamping (International)
The Dyrt- site for finding campsites, RV sites and glamping (USA only)
Ride Share/Transportation Apps:
Uber - Uber
Lyft - Lyft
Grab - ride share app in SE Asia
Turo - rental cars from local drivers (International)
Rome2Rio - how to get from A to B by plane, train, bus, ferry or car
BlaBlaCar - find transportation by bus or carpool (Limited International, mainly Europe)
Flixbus - Budget Bus Service (International)
Finance/Budget:
Trabee - designed for travelers to help organize and track their expenses (Free)
Splitwise - tool for friends and roommates to track bills and other shared expenses (Free)
Venmo - easily send money to friends/people you know with their phone # (USA only)
Wise - easily convert between currencies, send to people in other currencies, get direct deposit in your not-home currency
Monzo - easily send money to friends/people you know with their phone # (UK only)
Revolut- you don't need to hold a local currency on your Revolut app to spend in that currency in over 100+ countries
Payoneer- a secure platform for sending and receiving payments globally, with features tailored for global commerce, including multi-currency accounts and low conversion fees
Zelle- fast, safe and easy way to send and receive money with friends, family and others you trust (USA only)
Travel Insurance/Medical:
IMG
Safety Wing
World Nomads
Sim Cards/Phone Plans
GoogleFi- Google’s phone service provider
JetPac- 1 eSIM across 150+ destinations
Nomad- 1 eSIM over 190+ countries and regions
Airalo - buy prepaid eSIM for international destinations, good for short-term options
VPNs/Internet Security:
Surf Shark
ExpressVPN
NordVPN
Still to add………
wanderu
campindum
Agoda
https://www.sabbaticalhomes.com/
Dolllarwise