More than a third of Brits want to quit their jobs and travel the world, even more than buying a house or getting married. And who can blame them!
If you want to turn this dream into reality, you’re in good company.
The youngest winners of the BBC’s “Race Across the World”, Alfie Watts and Owen Wood, have done just that (pretty much) in their televised adventure.
They were tasked to go from Japan to Indonesia as fast as possible without flying and without breaking the bank.
As bona fide world travellers, they share their top tips for getting out there and doing your thing abroad.
“Setting off on a global adventure can be daunting, particularly if you’re concerned about visiting countries with different currencies. But my advice is to give it a go… with Zing, your spending experience while travelling will be worry-free”, says Owen.
1. Live like a local
"Talk to people!" says Alfie. “One thing I have always learned from travelling is that the locals know far more than the internet.”
Besides learning a thing or two from the locals, you can also save a thing or two. If you topping up your multi-currency wallets and then spend in the local currency, you won’t pay any international or conversion fees.
2. Choose homes over hotels
Besides living like a local, go a step further by living with them too.
“Staying in hostels or homestays rather than hotels is a great way to save money on accommodation, as well as meet new people and immerse yourself in the culture,” says Owen.
“In Hoi An, Vietnam, we were faced with the option to stay in a hotel which was much closer to the centre of the city but we opted for a homestay which was further away but a lot cheaper.”
3. Watch where you eat
Forget ready meal lasagnes! A big part of travelling to somewhere new is trying the local cuisine, even if it means taking a small risk for a big taste pay-off.
“Street food is the best!” says Alfie. “Remember your stomach may not have local tolerances and you can always check online for reviews, but the street sellers in Kuala Lumpur are absolutely incredible and make some of the best fried noodles I've ever had at amazing prices.”
Most places around the world take card but some are cash only. The good news is, you get one Zing fee-free international ATM withdrawal per month when you take Zing abroad, meaning your cash goes further!
4. Work while you travel
Sustain your leisurely trip around the world with a break by working. It’s worth it to keep your travel money topped up – and the good news is, you can get paid through Zing as it’s easy to share your account details with potential payers.
“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” says Owen.
“Alfie and I were constantly looking at potential jobs we could do along the way such as the cleaning of 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”.
There are many ways to take on work abroad, from WWOOFing to working within temporary working visas. See what’s available on your travels.
5. Save money on the move
It’s tempting to take the more comfortable plane or train on your travels, but budget options like buses, trams or walking can unlock moments of serendipity and truly get to know where you’re going.
“When Alfie and I were in South East Asia, there were times where both buses and trains were available for our onward travel but we would always go for the cheaper option even if it meant sacrificing a bit of time and comfort,” recommends Owen.
And if you’re brave enough you can save on accommodation by taking overnight travel.
“Particularly in central Europe and central America, buses are your life savers! In South East Asia it's sometimes cheaper to fly and that can be great, but travelling along the ground at nighttime means you're on the move and resting, as well as saving the cost of a bed for the night,” adds Alfie
Why Zing is ideal for travel money
Going abroad doesn’t have to be a headache of juggling currencies and going great lengths to dodge hefty conversion fees.
With the international travel money and transfers app Zing, you get favourable exchange rates and no fees on the first £500, or equivalent currency, you convert every month until 30th April 2025. This means more money goes to your trip rather than lost to fees.
Owen adds: “It’s never too early or too late to see the world! With apps like Zing you don’t have to worry about exchange rates or hidden fees, and can focus on making memories and having incredible experiences instead”
