Where you can go in May: go to the sea, go on a cruise or attend an unforgettable holiday. How to relax for free: step-by-step instructions How to go on vacation abroad

Let me make a reservation right away: the phrase “Where to go on vacation abroad” implies that the vacation should be eventful and varied. Otherwise, it’s better to buy a box of vodka and go to the dacha: it will be cheaper, but the effect will be the same.

So, we have considered the “Nowhere” item. And now – about where to go on vacation abroad in 2020.


In recent years, due to the economic crisis, the fall of the ruble and the rise in the dollar, many are refusing foreign tours. Some people do this because they really cannot afford a holiday abroad in 2020. But many people refuse to travel only because they don’t know where to go on vacation abroad on a budget. But there are many such places! And in this article we will look at three of them - the cheapest, in my opinion (we do not take Belarus into account).

Since we are talking about 2020, when the ruble exchange rate is low, we will consider only those cities and countries where you can travel inexpensively. I present to you three places where to go on vacation abroad in 2020 and not go broke.

Where to go abroad inexpensively in 2020? This photo shows one of the options described below.

Option 1: Thailand, Pattaya

One of the advantages of Pattaya is low prices for food, transport, souvenirs, etc. You can see this by reading the article. Another difference between Pattaya is that from many regions of Russia it is often cheaper to fly here on your own than as part of a package tour.

And to the question “Where to go on holiday from Pattaya”, the answer is unequivocal - to the island of Koh Larn! In the photo - one of best beaches islands, Tien beach.

Here's what a quick search of booking systems showed:

Where to go on vacation abroad? Option 2: Laos, Vang Vieng

You may not have heard that you can relax in a civilized manner in this incomprehensible country. But for me, the answer to the question “where to go on vacation abroad at the current exchange rate of the ruble” is unequivocal: to Laos! And it’s not just about the exchange rate, it’s not for nothing that this country has long been chosen by tourists from Europe, America and South Korea. Yes, Laos has two serious disadvantages:

1. Lack of sea.
2. It is difficult to get there directly.

But this country also has two main advantages:

1. Very beautiful nature.
2. Very low prices.

But if you want to see this beautiful nature, you don’t need to go to the capital of the country, Vientiane. Go to the village, which is two hundred kilometers from the capital. Moreover, you can do this without visiting Vientiane. You can get to Vang Vieng on a budget like this: buy inexpensive air tickets to Bangkok, take a bus to the northern Thai town of Nong Khai or Udon Thani, from where there are direct buses to Vang Vieng. Yes, the path is not easy, but believe me: it is worth it! Here are a couple of photos of Vang Vieng to prove it:

Where to go on vacation abroad in 2020 after Turkey and Thailand? Of course, to Vang Vieng! Only there you can swim in this amazing lagoon...

...and live in hotel with such a beautiful view for mere pennies!

Hotel prices in Vang Vieng are not at all high: for $15 a day you can rent an excellent room with a view of the river and dragon mountains of unearthly beauty. You can find a hotel in Vang Vieng using different booking systems:

Entertainment in Vang Vieng also costs mere pennies. For example, kayaking for the whole day along mountain rivers against the background amazing landscapes only costs $12! But I won’t go into too much detail, because we have a separate article about. By the way, as for food, in Laos it is even more familiar to Russian tourists than Thai food. The French colonialists taught them to love rolls and other European food, which they happily prepare and sell for mere pennies. Welcome to Laos, friends!

Where to go on vacation abroad? Option 3: Türkiye, Antalya

For many, Turkey has always been a country of “seal” holidays by the pool or on the hotel beach. But in times of crisis, Turkey becomes one of the places where those for whom a vacation is a real journey, eventful and varied, can go on vacation abroad. After all, Türkiye is very interesting country, if you go beyond the olinclusive. Have you seen the mountains in Turkey? And the waterfalls? What about ancient cities? If not, then it's time to discover this amazing country! You can get to Turkey not only on a package tour: you can find cheap flights from Moscow to Antalya dollars for 300-400 for two round-trip, but you can find a hotel through the reservation system.

Read more about independent travel to Turkey - in our articles:

In addition, prices in Turkey are very reasonable for Russians. After all, the exchange rate of the Turkish lira, like the ruble, has also fallen significantly recently. Therefore, if in Thailand, for example, prices doubled when converted to rubles, then in Turkey - by 30 percent. What is not an argument in favor of Turkey when answering the question “Where to go on vacation abroad at the current exchange rate of the ruble?”

In Turkey everything is inclusive: not only food and drink, but also beautiful nature, warm sea and rich story. Therefore, Antalya is one of those places where going on vacation abroad is very worth it at the current exchange rate of the ruble.

One of the main advantages of Turkish hotels is the notorious “All Inclusive” system, which allows you not to spend money on food and alcohol separately. And when your head doesn’t hurt about how to save on the essentials, driving around is much easier. But All Inclusive exists in many countries. Why, when answering the question of where to go on holiday abroad in 2020, do I consider Turkey? Because at the beginning I said that by relaxation I do not mean getting drunk under the warm southern sun, but combining this pleasant activity with excursions, hiking in the mountains, etc. When we vacationed in Turkey, we went to Pamukkale and in jeeps in the mountains , and on ATVs off-road, and much more. It's very inexpensive. Of course, provided that you buy excursions at a normal price, and not from hotel guide. And one more thing: when you are in Turkey, do not miss the opportunity to see its beautiful capital! An excellent guide site will help you find a hotel:

And you can find hotels in other cities on Booking:

As you can see, even in the crisis year of 2020, you can find many options for where to go on vacation abroad. You just need to have the desire and look for options. And by subscribing to our new articles, you will always know how to have a fun and budget-friendly vacation in Asia. To receive our new publications by email, you only need to enter your e-mail. Let's not get lost in the vastness of the Internet, and let no crisis interfere with your plans!

The issue of relaxation is always very relevant in any family. What season should you plan your vacation for? Is it possible to have an inexpensive vacation? Russia or abroad - which is better? All this immediately begins to spin in the head of everyone who is just thinking about their upcoming vacation. Naturally, we all want to spend the time allotted for vacation in such a way as to get the whole range of positive emotions and not spend all the money accumulated over the year on it. Therefore, today we will tell you where it is possible in Russia and abroad. We’ll also find out where it’s best to go in spring and summer.

Choice of resort: Russia or foreign shores

Before you start planning your budget for your future trip, you need to decide on the country where you would like to go. Traditionally, our compatriots are divided into two categories:

  • adherents of holidays in Russian open spaces;
  • lovers of foreign resorts.

Of course, from time to time, due to various reasons, one category smoothly flows into another and vice versa. But in fairness, it’s worth saying that both vacation options have their pros and cons. They are worth mentioning separately.

Russian resorts are chosen by people who are used to relaxing in this way. And also those for whom, for certain reasons, travel outside our country is temporarily prohibited. That is why they are looking for an alternative to the foreign shores that have become familiar. Of course, holidays in Russia have a number of advantages:

  • no knowledge of foreign languages ​​required;
  • no need for long air flights;
  • you are always in the territory of your country and in case of unforeseen circumstances you will receive the necessary help;
  • children’s adaptation is faster and easier;
  • psychological comfort (many people find it difficult to relax when in a foreign country).

It seems that the advantages of a vacation at home are undeniable, but wait to draw conclusions until you evaluate all the disadvantages:

  • lack of good service;
  • a small selection of hotels with a wide range of services;
  • problems with infrastructure in resort towns;
  • high cost of vacation.

The last factor plays a significant role in the refusal of Russian resorts by that category of citizens who are looking for where they can relax inexpensively. Sometimes a trip abroad is several times cheaper than a trip to Sochi or Crimea. This is especially true for residents of Siberia and the Far East. It is much easier for them to go to Asia than to get to the Black Sea coast. In recent years, Russian resorts have been actively developing, new inexpensive hotels and recreation centers are being built, and airlines annually hold promotions on tickets to the most popular summer destinations. Therefore, perhaps in a few more years, holidays in Russia will become more than accessible, and the level of service will begin to outstrip foreign resorts.

Our compatriots have long felt at home abroad; they can easily list all the advantages of a vacation in a foreign country:

  • wide selection of destinations and resorts;
  • the opportunity to relax in a hotel of any category, depending on the income of the tourist;
  • high-quality but unobtrusive service;
  • the infrastructure of the resorts will delight both children and adults;
  • the ability to choose hotels with an all-inclusive system;
  • affordable vacation price.

Thanks to the listed items on the list, several hundred thousand of our compatriots annually travel outside the country to spend their holidays on the seaside. But do not forget about the disadvantages of such a holiday:

  • long tiring flights;
  • there is a high risk of falling into the hands of an unscrupulous travel company;
  • long-term adaptation to the climate of a foreign country;
  • difficulties in solving emerging health problems or any other problems.

In addition, when vacationing abroad, you need to be extremely attentive and careful, because in a foreign country anything can happen to a person. We will not convince you that it is better to relax in your native land or vice versa, but we will simply tell you where you can have an inexpensive vacation in Russia and abroad. And what you ultimately choose is up to you to decide.

Where you can have an inexpensive holiday abroad: announcement of countries

If you adhere to the rule of vacationing only at foreign resorts, then our information will be very useful to you. After all, we have collected data on the most popular and inexpensive destinations that allow you to relax at sea for a very affordable price. Those who are going on vacation in the spring should consider the countries of Asia:

  • India.
  • Sri Lanka.
  • Thailand.
  • Vietnam.

But those who are wondering where they can relax inexpensively at sea in the summer should choose Europe. The following countries are suitable for them:

  • Italy.
  • Spain.
  • Montenegro.
  • Croatia.
  • Bulgaria.

We will tell you about each option in detail.

India and Sri Lanka

In India, our compatriots have long fallen in love with the hospitable state of Goa. You can relax here quite inexpensively if you know budget hostels. A flight from Moscow to Delhi and back costs on average eighteen thousand rubles. From here you can easily reach any Indian state. Accommodation in Goa will cost tourists approximately eight dollars per night. For this amount you will rent a quite decent room in a guesthouse or hostel with all amenities, including air conditioning. Food also has a fairly reasonable price - from one and a half to three dollars per day. Keep in mind that in Goa airport you need to apply for a visa, which is another forty dollars. If you prefer to travel as part of a group tour, then a ten-night trip will cost you at least seventy thousand rubles for two.

Sri Lanka has long been attracting Russians with its wild beaches and turquoise waves. The main expense item on this trip is air travel. If you are lucky, you will find a round-trip ticket for twenty-one thousand rubles. But food and accommodation in the country are available to any tourist - very decent housing in the very good location cities can be rented for fifteen dollars, and you will spend no more than five dollars a day on food. Of course, you can also take a group tour to Sri Lanka for eighty thousand rubles for ten days for two people with departure from Moscow.

Thailand and Vietnam

Thailand is a paradise for those who choose where to have an inexpensive holiday abroad. At the same time, you can travel here on your own, which significantly saves your budget. For example, a flight on the Moscow - Bangkok route costs from twenty thousand rubles. And the cost of housing in Pattaya varies within ten dollars per day. In Thailand you can eat right on the streets; delicious and inexpensive food is sold here. Therefore, your expenses for this item will not exceed five dollars per day including drinks.

Vietnam already several recent years is in high demand among Russians, who speak only positively about their holidays here. And if you are wondering “where can you relax inexpensively in March,” then Vietnam is your country. Keep in mind that your biggest waste of money here will be air travel - on average twenty-five thousand rubles to Ho Chi Minh City. From there you can go to Nha Trang, Dalat and Mui Ne - you will be welcome anywhere. A good hotel room can be rented for ten dollars, and food in local cafes where the Vietnamese themselves eat costs about two to three dollars per knock. You can stay in the country without a visa for up to fifteen days.

Italy and Spain

Where can you have an inexpensive holiday in August? Of course, in Spain and Italy. At this time, the influx of tourists subsides a little, and the weather continues to please on sunny days. In Italy, many of our compatriots choose Rimini. Therefore, we will tell you about holiday prices, focusing on this magnificent city on the Adriatic coast. The cost of an air flight from Moscow to Rome or Milan does not exceed nine thousand rubles, from here you can get to Rimini by train or bus. It will cost between ten and twenty dollars. Keep in mind that you will need to apply for a visa (about forty euros) and also find inexpensive hotel, which is very difficult. If you're lucky, housing will cost around thirty-five dollars. But food, by European standards, has a fairly affordable cost - thirty dollars a day per person.

An air flight to Barcelona or Ibiza from Moscow will cost approximately eleven thousand rubles. To this amount it is necessary to add the cost of a visa, which is about another forty euros. But living in Spain will not be ruinous for you - a night in a hostel costs seventeen euros. You can eat in a cafe further from the city center, in this case you will be able to save money, and then you will spend no more than sixteen dollars per day.

Montenegro and Croatia

Russians can fly to Montenegro without a visa; a ticket from Moscow to Podgorica will cost about eleven thousand rubles. Since Budva is one of the most popular resorts, we will consider the cost of a vacation using its example. A good hotel room can be found for twenty dollars per night, but the average check in a restaurant is approximately eight dollars per person.

For a visit to Croatia Russian tourists You will need a visa, for which you will need to pay about forty euros. A flight from Moscow usually does not exceed thirteen thousand rubles round trip, but experienced tourists say that you can buy tickets for nine thousand rubles. A good hotel room costs between thirty and forty dollars, the average bill in a restaurant is six dollars. For this money you will get a very tasty dish of national cuisine or something more familiar, prepared in the European style.

Bulgaria

Many of our compatriots enjoyed holidays in this country. In addition, it is rightfully considered one of the most budget directions in Europe. From Moscow you can fly to Burgas or Varna for twelve thousand rubles. It is best to live in Bulgaria in apartments (then you have the opportunity to cook your own food) or studios. The cost of such a pleasure ranges around nineteen dollars. For ten dollars a day you will be full and can even afford some delicacies. But keep in mind that to travel to Bulgaria you will need a visa (approximately forty euros).

Where you can relax in Russia inexpensively: a brief overview

Most often, our compatriots are concerned about summer vacations, because children are finally finishing another difficult school year, and adults also want to enjoy these short sunny days to the fullest. Therefore, the search for an answer to the question “where you can relax in the summer inexpensively in Russia” becomes relevant. Here is our review of the best places to relax by the sea:

  • Sochi.
  • Adler.
  • Crimea.

For each resort we will provide a generalized breakdown of the cost of a vacation.

Russian health resort: Sochi

Where can you have an inexpensive vacation at sea? Of course, in Sochi. Our grandmothers and mothers also went here, and now hundreds of other mothers are taking their children to Black Sea coast so that they get stronger, eat fruit and get a healthy tan.

After the Olympics were held here, the appearance of Sochi changed greatly. If you haven't been here since Soviet times, then this summer you should think about traveling to this amazing city, which can easily compete with foreign resorts like Egypt and Turkey.

Now the resort is ready to provide its guests with a wide selection of hotels, holiday homes, hostels and private boarding houses where you can stay for one night or for quite a long time. But first of all, vacationers are concerned about the cost of tickets to Sochi. We hasten to please you: if you are puzzled by this problem a few months before your trip, you may well become the proud owner of an air ticket on the Moscow - Sochi route for five thousand rubles. And if you find offers from the low-cost carrier Pobeda, and you are lucky, then a flight from Moscow may cost you only one thousand rubles. But keep in mind that such tickets sell out quickly, and therefore you need to monitor their availability daily.

Once you decide on the road, you need to decide where exactly you will live. Depending on their understanding of the word “inexpensive,” tourists choose hotels or private accommodation. Of course, hotels and boarding houses with five meals a day are quite expensive, so a budget tourist should consider renting rooms. The daily cost will vary depending on their location relative to the sea; this must also be taken into account when planning your trip. You can also consider hotels with two and three stars.

So, here is a selection of affordable housing (hotels):

  • Hotel "Nairi" (two stars). The cost of living varies between three thousand rubles, guests can use the pool, bar and sauna.
  • Hotel "Valentin" (three stars). For one night you will pay from three thousand rubles. Hotel Located in the city center, guests can use the swimming pool, massage parlor and bar.
  • Hotel "Wind Rose". Located in the same price category as the previous hotel complex.

If you are interested in the private sector, then keep in mind that a decent room for two, some distance from the center of Sochi, will cost you from one and a half thousand rubles. Many vacationers prefer to stay in rented apartments; their choice at the resort is quite good. But the price range is quite large - from three and a half thousand rubles to fifteen thousand rubles.

Food in Sochi is quite expensive, so a budget tourist should eat in canteens. The food there, of course, is not very sophisticated, but the cost of lunch for two will be an average of two hundred rubles.

Adler: resort by the sea

Adler is also very popular among Russians. People come here no less often than to Sochi. The cost of a flight to the resort from Moscow varies on average within five thousand eight hundred rubles. But keep in mind that a couple of months before the onset of summer, tickets may not be on sale, so purchase them ahead of time.

If your task is to find a place in Adler where you can relax inexpensively, then for accommodation you need to look for two-star or three-star hotels. For example, in the Almira Hotel (three stars) you can spend a night for two thousand eight hundred rubles. You will find yourself in a cozy place with excellent service. Vacationers also highly praise the AS-Hotel, which has four stars. The cost of a night there is no more than three thousand rubles.

Crimea: a newfound resort

If you are thinking about where you can relax inexpensively in the spring, then go to Crimea. In the spring-autumn period, prices for air travel from Moscow to Simferopol drop significantly, but the weather will delight everyone who decides to relax at this time. If Crimea interests you as a place for summer holiday, then get ready to pay approximately seven thousand rubles for the flight. But every season, air carriers organize various promotions and discounts, where ticket prices drop by thirty or even fifty percent.

Food in Crimea is extremely inexpensive. For example, in the Sudak cafe, a three-course lunch with dessert costs three hundred rubles per person. Accommodation in a three-star hotel will cost a married couple from two to three thousand rubles. Private sector it is cheaper; depending on the remoteness of the village, housing will cost you around six hundred rubles per day.

We hope that our review was useful to you, and you will be able to decide on the place where you will spend the most memorable days this year.

All about roaming and communications abroad: how to contact family from abroad.

Especially for those who want to join the ranks of individual tourists, we have prepared clear step-by-step instructions on how to organize your trip yourself.

Think about where you want to go and why

This is not as simple a question as it seems at first glance. Many well-known resorts are specially “promoted”, while a kilometer away you can find much more pleasant and little-known places. Perhaps one of the most odious examples is Pattaya. This Thai resort is popular as a family resort only among clients of Russian tour operators. In reality, this is the capital of dubious entertainment, and the nature there cannot be compared with the nature of the islands nearby, which can be reached in a few hours. Be sure to read reviews and discussions of the place on the Internet - for example, in our “Question and Answer” section. Keep in mind that there are cases when organizing a trip yourself is completely unprofitable from a financial point of view. This mainly concerns mass beach destinations, where tour operators buy tickets and hotel rooms in bulk at a discount.

Think through the logistics and create a route

Very often, a ticket directly from point A to point B costs five times more than to point B. Moreover, point B may be very close to point B. Of course, sometimes you have to sacrifice convenience for the sake of price, for example, changing a plane to a bus. Let's take Thailand as an example, beloved by Russians: the minimum price of air tickets from Bangkok to Koh Samui was about 15,000 RUB. At the same time get to Koh Samui by night by train + ferry cost approximately from 1000 to 3000 RUB, depending on the class and level of comfort. In Europe, where distances are small by Russian standards and there is a large concentration of airports, sometimes it makes sense to fly to another country and get to the neighboring one by train in half an hour - say, from Girona, Spain to France. You can compare airfare prices using numerous online aggregators, such as www.skyscanner.com. Oh yes, guidebooks are a very useful thing, buy at least one and read it BEFORE your trip.

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Take care of your safety

By purchasing insurance yourself, you have the opportunity to choose the necessary options, such as baggage or third party liability insurance. Just in case: we strongly recommend taking out insurance. It’s now easy to buy a policy online in five minutes, and if something happens, this very little money will save you from big troubles. “If you are going to very distant and exotic places, ask your insurance company which assistance company they work with,” advises Intouch Insurance Director Valisy Busarov. - Assistance is an intermediary company; it is the one that will resolve emerging issues and communicate with a medical institution if you need help. The assistance works only with certain clinics with which it is linked by contract, so you need to check in advance whether there is a medical institutions with whom the contract has been concluded. As a rule, there are no problems with this, but in places very remote from civilization it is better to be sure that there is such an agreement with the nearest hospital.”

Book your accommodation online

In addition to searching for tickets, the Internet and mobile applications provide countless opportunities for independent organization travel. You can book a hotel room on www.booking.com or sleeping area in a hostel on www.hostelworld.com, or you can rent a room or a treehouse from private owners from different countries at www.airbnb.com. Another interesting service is www.couchsurfing.com. It allows you to live absolutely free all over the world with volunteers who support the idea of ​​such friendship between peoples. In exchange, you are expected to host some other community member in your home when they travel to your city. True, free accommodation, as a rule, implies the need to communicate with the owner, observe at least minimal social decency and experience all the delights of neighborly life.

“As part of a tour, the operator usually limits the choice to hotels with which contracts have been concluded on good terms. Online agencies provide a wider range of hotels, as well as alternative accommodation options that are not available to the tour operator. These are, for example, hostels and apartments - and in combination with flights they can be more attractive in price. In addition, you yourself choose the additional services (transfer, excursions, New Year’s dinner at the hotel, etc.) that you need, while the tour operator includes everything in the package, which, of course, is reflected in the price,” commented the commercial director of Svyaznoy Travel" Andrey Osintsev.

And in any incomprehensible situation, we advise you to remember this quote from Mark Twain: “In 20 years, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the things you did do. So set sail from the quiet pier. Feel the tailwind in your sail. Move forward, act, open up!”

In one of the publics in in social networks, one of those who publish philosophical parables for middle managers, I came across a rather plausible story of one person. He voluntarily wandered for 20 years without a cent in his pocket, and at the same time traveled all over the world. Can't believe it? Me too. I don’t know how to travel completely free. But I can tell you how to do it as cheaply and interestingly as possible, without tour operators and vouchers.

There are plenty of ways to save money while traveling. I have distributed them according to the tasks facing each traveler and according to the degree of extremeness. The risk here is inversely proportional to the price: the cheaper it is, the more adventurism will be required from you on the road.

Quest No. 1: get there

Level one, for beginners: traditional low-cost airlines; reserved seat carriages, where at the last moment you are always happy to offer the best place, 38th, on the upper side of the toilet; electric trains in which you can ride like a hare, if you know how; night intercity buses, which also help you save money on overnight stays, and so on. The entire wide range of budget vehicles is at your fingertips. Here you risk nothing but your comfort. Such transport, of course, can save costs, but it will not make a difference if the final goal is almost free travel.

Level two, for advanced. In many countries, especially in Europe, communities of travel companions have been developed - sites like roadsharing.com (even in Yekaterinburg there was a “podozilka” project, which, however, did not take root very well). Here you can find a driver with a car, people who need to get to the same point as you, share the cost of gasoline with them and have a nice chat on the road.

“I used this method to get from Berlin to Prague,” says Dasha, a Russian student from the Czech Republic.

– There were some pennies in my pocket, we were traveling in a car with three Italians and a German. We communicated in “intuitive English”, which I had completely forgotten then, and shared our impressions

Finally, level three, for the brave in spirit: hitchhiking, a method glorified by the beatniks in the 50s of the last century, which for many has become almost the meaning of life. There is an opinion that this is a dangerous way of traveling, suitable only for athletic men. Olya, a 22-year-old student at Moscow State University, debunks stereotypes with her story:

— When I hitched a ride for the first time, I was 15 years old, we went with my seventeen-year-old friend, whom we met at a summer science camp for schoolchildren. We told our parents that we were going to summer school, and we rushed to Altai, watch full solar eclipse. This was, of course, just an excuse to travel. We got to Novosibirsk in three days - it was very hot and we didn’t feel like eating at all, we only bought water. The drivers were not surprised by our age; they treated us very well and fed us. We spent the night in truckers' cabins and in a tent.

We arrived in Novosibirsk at night and set up a tent in some vacant lot in the city center. In the morning it turned out that this was someone's garden.

We lived in a tent in botanical garden and went to brush our teeth at the local museum, which is free for schoolchildren. And then they went to the mountains. There we lived in a tent for about a week, cooked over a fire and immersed ourselves in nature. When it was raining, I read Remarque aloud, and my friend braided my hair. Braided 64 pieces. Then it turned out that we had about a hundred rubles left between us, and we went back. The return journey took about four days. The drivers fed us, although we didn’t tell them anything about the lack of money.

In fact, it’s impossible to describe - how you stand on the highway, wave your hand and sing, how you ride in the high cab of a truck, listening to “Radio Chanson”, the murmur of truckers’ radios and their bikes, how you understand that money is not needed at all, because the world is good

— Since then I have not been afraid of hitchhiking. I have traveled this way in more than 15 countries. I’ve never been in a dangerous situation, but I always carry pepper spray with me just in case. More likely from suspiciousness. Going alone is also not bad - it usually turns out faster, and the drivers treat you more kindly.

Quest No. 2: get some sleep

Level one, low-budget: hostels. This is the way that even your parents will agree to. A bed in a common room and a shower on the floor will cost several times less than hotel room, and if the hostel is good, then in addition to this you will receive free internet, hosts who know the city very well, a stand with maps and a kitchen where you can cook your own food instead of spending money in cafes. If you're lucky, you'll find interesting neighbors. Although once I lived in a room with an 80-year-old grandmother who came to Kyiv for treatment, went to bed at 9 pm and filled all the shelves with pills. Also interesting, of course, but a little not what I expected.

Level two, free: couchsurfing. A community of people all over the world who are ready to receive guests “for nothing” because it’s interesting and they want live communication. A great way to make new friends and get to know your destination better. Ekb Room tried this method on myself - you can read about the pros, cons and pitfalls here: http://site/v-poiskah-divana/

Level three, extreme: the house is on your shoulders. If couchsurfing doesn’t work out for you, you can always drive away from the city, pitch a tent and spend the night wrapped in a warm, cozy sleeping bag. There are, of course, some subtleties here. In Russia this will not always be possible due to climatic conditions. What kind of tent is it if it’s winter in the Urals for seven months - your own unfrostbitten feet are still more expensive than a night in a hostel. In Europe, in most cases you will have to pay to set up a tent on a neatly trimmed lawn with an equipped toilet and shower, and you may be fined for parking in the wrong place. In Asian countries, on the contrary, according to stories, you can even pitch your tarpaulin house in a park in the middle of the city - no one will say a word to you.

One traveler I know told me how in Africa they slept in a tent almost next to the road, and when they opened their eyes in the morning, they were met by a crowd of armed aborigines, whose appearance somehow did not encourage pleasant conversations. So it’s better to find out from the locals in advance how things are with camping in a particular country. Or buy a trailer-house on wheels, but this is no longer about free travel.

Quest No. 3: eat and have fun

If you ask the locals, google it thoroughly, or be a little smart, you can do anything for free. Even in big tourist cities aimed at extracting money from visitors.

Pay for excursions, for example, (and even more so, buy sightseeing tours) – the last thing, in my opinion. What could be worse than, for a decent amount of money, finding yourself in a crowd of Russian tourists, led by a boring tour guide running past postcard attractions, interspersing all this with boring facts from Wikipedia? It is much more convenient to take a good guide map or wander around the city at random. Even better is to ask one of the locals to show the city “from their point of view.”

You can get into numerous museums much cheaper with various benefits, and if they don’t exist, you can convincingly portray them. For example, we tell Russian museum grandmothers with honest eyes that we are students in the Czech Republic, but they don’t issue student cards there. Also, in many cities, once a week or a month there is something like an open day, when entry is free for everyone. Even the above-mentioned excursions can be listened to for free, simply by quietly following the tour group, which honestly paid for it.

It's easy to save a decent amount on moving around the city. IN major cities In Western countries, there is so-called bike sharing: you can rent a bike for a small amount, with a deposit for documents, or even completely free if you return it vehicle in safe. It’s also a good idea to immediately find out from the locals how safe it is to ride a hare in public transport, whether the fines are high and how to avoid them: crawling under the turnstiles or pretending to be a law-abiding girl from the Institute of Noble Maidens.

Free food is often included with your overnight stay: good-natured and hospitable hosts, even if they don’t show you the wonders of national cuisine, will definitely not refuse you a cup of tea and a sandwich. Another thing is that you often don’t want to abuse hospitality, and it’s easier to buy a pack of pasta at the local supermarket or bake potatoes in the fire - depending on where you are staying. Particularly resourceful people are looking for freebies in big cities: Tastings in stores, free beer snacks in bars, drinking fountains with water and even free tea and coffee machines can be found here and there. In general, you won’t die of hunger.

The most useful thing about traveling is learning to trust people and making casual acquaintances. This is a lifesaver that helps everywhere. Once, for example, during the seven minutes we spent on the ferry on the way to the Baltic Spit, we met a wonderful woman photographer who completely disinterestedly gave us tea and gave us a jar of jam to take with us, showed us all the most interesting things in the area, and offered her own bikes for a ride and spent a long time trying to persuade us to stay overnight with her.

Bonus for the determined: turtle teams and strawberries

There are dozens of programs according to which, with only a foreign passport and a fair amount of adventurism, you can travel the whole world, starting with the well-known “Work and Travel” and ending with volunteering from the UN in some Sudan. In England, there are free weekend trips - people of similar interests unite using a website, choose a route and go on a hike. You can visit the coasts for free Pacific Ocean In exchange for the simple work of preserving turtle populations, the site seaturtles.org recruits volunteers.

There is, for example, the WWOOF project - “Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms.” Under this program, volunteers work for a farmer for no more than six hours a day, and in return they are provided with housing and food. The organization exists in 53 countries around the world.

“I went to Finland five times to pick raspberries, strawberries and all sorts of different berries on farms,” Lena from Petrozavodsk told me. - I really liked it. Not only did the owners provide us with housing, it was also a good source of income. The job, of course, is not for everyone, but it is interesting. Many Russians go there every summer. There are also those who make a career out of this. Professional strawberry makers, so to speak.

How do you feel about the prospect of going to work in vineyards in Italy? Or to Hawaii to collect... I don’t even know what they collect there. Coconuts?

Photos taken from the Internet