Tonight, I’m recording from a tiny apartment in Delhi, a little dazed after surviving what might’ve been the wildest overnight bus of my life. But also feeling grateful. Because I’m reminded, once again, that travel doesn’t have to be expensive to be extraordinary.
In this episode, I’m answering a question I get all the time: How do you actually afford to travel long-term? The answer? It’s not a trust fund. It’s curiosity, courage, and a willingness to get your hands dirty.
I share the exact tools, platforms, and stories that have helped me travel the world nearly for free. From volunteering in jungle hostels in Costa Rica, to couchsurfing with strangers and trading small skills for a warm bed and a hot meal… this is the real, unglamorous, magical side of slow, meaningful travel.
We’ll talk:
- How to use platforms like Worldpackers, Workaway & TrustedHousesitters
- The power of work exchanges (and how they changed me)
- Trading your talents for stays, meals, and unforgettable memories
- Creative ways to travel on zero budget
- And the real reason “I can’t afford to” is often just fear in disguise
- Plus, a journal prompt to get you moving toward your own adventure.
This is not just a guide to free travel. It’s an invitation to get a little lost and find the version of you that’s been waiting at the edge of comfort.
🪴 Read the full chapter (and more) in my book Untethered: A Beginner’s Guide to Solo Travel — now available on Kindle or as a PDF download.
✨ Want to join me in Bali this December for a group trip and marine conservation project? Find out more here.
➤ Get $10 off your Worldpackers membership with the code KARMEN
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