What You Learn When Travelling Broke

The price of travel continues to rise, even with more and more people choosing more budget-friendly itineraries. Travel, after all, is a costly pursuit of happiness. You spend hundreds to thousands on a plane ticket, accommodation, food and drink as well as tourist attractions.

• Check out: Cheap Flights at Best Prices

Can you really travel without money? Numerous life lessons arise when you travel broke, ones that teach you the importance of something other than money. Being strapped for cash while abroad isn’t anyone’s choice, but if you find yourself in such a situation, here’s a couple of things to keep in mind from someone who’s been broke more than once.

You look for experiences, not things

*image: Flickr

Some people look for souvenirs and end up spending way more money of special treats, cosmetics, clothing, and knick-knacks that would have otherwise been spent on tours, bus fare, excursions, and admission fees to museums and botanical gardens. The world is more than Disney and buyer’s regret! For instance, I met a friend in Singapore and we spent a whole day just walking around, looking at Buddhist temples and parks, all without spending money except on drinks from a local hawkers market. Later that evening, we met up again at the Marina to walk the quay, again spending little except on a few drinks.

In short, when you spend less or are forced to spend less, you seek out experiencing the destination as a local would, rather than as a tourist.

You search for hidden gems

You can find free parties everywhere if you look hard enough | *image: Gimme Shelter Singapore

When you’re broke, that means most museums, amusement parks, excursions, and workshops are out, unless you pre-booked something or got a discount. This means that to keep yourself busy, you start searching for free things to do. This includes events that are below the tourism radar, such as local parties, events at hostels, community gatherings, and so on. Also, you will find yourself wandering back alleys, scouring flea markets, and going on an adventure throughout the area.

This happened to me in Malaysia, when my cash card was frozen. I didn’t have any money for days, so I simply walked Kuala Lumpur up and down. What I found was street art, free museums, shopping markets and malls that were flourishing. It was awesome and I didn’t have to spend any money to make it happen.

You engage with locals more

When you are searching for the hidden gems and free opportunities while you travelling, you unknowingly open yourself up for conversations with the locals. Because you are continuously searching for places tourists don’t often go, you’re going to need the insight of someone who knows the area. Some of the best experiences I have from travelling are indeed related to asking someone for directions and being invited to their friend’s restaurant or cafe, or meeting someone at a farmer’s market and getting a slew of recommendations from them.

One of my favourite incidences was meeting a British friend in Hong Kong and getting invited to an Easter party in Sai Ying Pun. I met so many people and made many new connections

• Related: Seeking Out Street Art in Hong Kong
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And isn’t opening your mind and enriching your life what travelling is all about? That’s what I learned when travelling broke.

While you don’t have to wind up like me, I do think spending money a bit more mindfully adds dimensions to the experience, so do give it a try.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article are the author’s and in no way reflect the views and/or opinions of Fat Starfish.