Race Across the World champions Alfie Watts and Owen Wood have divulged their best advice for economical travel.
The duo, who travelled from Japan to Indonesia with only the cost of a plane ticket in their pocket for the BBC programme, advocate ‘living like a local’ as one of the top methods to economise while travelling.
They also propose that ‘locals know far more than the internet’, leading to more genuine and affordable experiences than anything you can discover online.
Alfie and Owen also urge holidaymakers to consider homestays, which they claim are not only an excellent way to immerse oneself in the culture and venture off the beaten path, but also cost a fraction of a hotel stay.
Transport is another sector where substantial savings can be made, with the pair recommending night buses and trains to keep expenses low, although travellers need to adopt a ‘cost over comfort’ mentality.
The pair have collaborated with global money app Zing, following research that revealed international travel is the number one thing on Brits’ bucket lists – even above buying a home and getting married. However, 24% of those who haven’t yet embraced global travel claim it’s because they’re too cautious with their finances.
The Race Across the World duo encouraged globetrotters to indulge in street food when journeying through various cities worldwide, both for its unique flavours and potential savings.
Alfie reminisced about the ‘incredible’ street vendors in Kuala Lumpur who served the ‘best’ fried noodles he’s ever tasted at ‘amazing’ prices.
Owen’s final nugget of wisdom for those embarking on long-term travels is to ‘work where you can’. He elaborated: “If you are going to be staying in one place for a little while then consider finding a temporary job for a quick money boost for your onward travels.”
“Alfie and I were constantly looking at potential jobs we could do along the way such as the cleaning at a campsite in Japan and the extra money we gained from this gave us a lot more freedom and peace of mind throughout the race.”
A survey of 2,000 adults conducted via OnePoll.com disclosed that travel can boost confidence for 73% of Brits. Nearly seven out of 10 (69%) believe it can enhance happiness, and 68% see it as an opportunity to ignite creativity. Meanwhile, 60% believe that travel can be done on a budget.
James Allan, CEO of Zing, a company that provides a free currency conversion allowance of £500 or its equivalent every month until the end of 2024, remarked: “International travel is a bucket list item for many in the UK, but a quarter say they’re too cautious with their finances to head overseas.”
“We can reduce the barriers and concerns that come with foreign currencies and spending overseas to make international spending worry-free.”