Contents of Post
When you think about travel what comes to mind? It’s ok I’ll wait. It’s probably something along the lines of sandy beaches and blue waters, luscious jungles, foreign cities and tasty food, or stunning ruins, right? Even if none of those things aren’t what comes to mind I would feel safe betting that it isn’t books. Why not though? There are books of science fiction and fantasy that you can lose yourself in. Some books teach our vast history. Some books help personal growth. There are hundreds of books that “teach” you how to get rich. Why not books that will help you travel cheaper, longer, and more often?
That is the goal after all right? To travel more? It is for me at least. Well if it is your goal here are 5 books that will help you travel cheaper, longer, and more often.
5. Guidebooks by Various Authors
Guidebooks are always great for travellers. Each book gives an in-depth look at a different destination. They normally give sights of interest, tourist spots, restaurants, and sometimes even hotel and hostel recommendations.
This makes guidebooks a great resource for any traveller. From the new traveller to the well seasoned there is always something that can be found in a guidebook. Some of our favourite guidebooks come from Insight Guides, Lonely Planets, and Matt Kepnes.
The one problem is that, in our opinion, guidebooks tend to be about as dry as this section.
4. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*CK by Mark Manson
Although not necessarily a travel-centric book I stand by this choice. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck is a book that can help in all aspects of one’s life. However, I have found that some of the principles written out in the book help substantially with travel.
The part of travel I have found this book helps with is when facing adversity. Shit happens when travelling and travel plans change all the time. Following the principles laid out in this book helps one face those adversities. This leads to being able to travel longer and more often as one becomes more comfortable with the complications of travel.
So although The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck is not a travel book, I would argue that it is well placed among the books that will help you travel cheaper, longer, and more often.
3. Travel The World Without Worries by Marek Bron
Travel The World Without Worries is amazing. Marek is an incredible writer and an adept traveller as can be seen on his blog Indie Traveller. He has pumped his vast experience into this book to help other travellers. There is so much information to help with planning, preparing, and budgeting for longer trips. That paired with tips on how to find adventure wherever you go makes this an impeccable resource for travellers of all types.
Yet when I think about all that this book has taught me there is one thing that definitely stands out. Early in the book, Marek mentions something he calls “The Hump”. “The Hump”, along with a cute diagram, refers to the rise of fears and worries that come with planning and going on a trip. He talks about and acknowledges these fears to validate these feelings. I believe that validation will help many people push through that fear. I wish that Travel The World Without Worries was a resource I had when I started travelling.
2. How to Travel the World on $50 a Day by Matt Kepnes
Matt Kepnes is one of the biggest names in travel. He has been travelling for well over a decade all while giving travel advice on his blog Nomadic Matt. If Matt Kepnes isn’t a “household name” for travellers then Nomadic Matt is. He has taken his knowledge and compiled them into several guidebooks for locations all over the world.
Yet his experiences are what really allow his writing to shine. Ten Years a Nomad: A Travellers Journey Home is an amazing book wrung from said experiences. Yet I believe that the best one of his books that will help you travel cheaper is How to Travel the World on $50 a Day.
One of the biggest objections and complaints I hear when it comes to travel is “It’s so expensive. I don’t have the money.” Well, this book completely counters that narrative by helping people travel all over for $50 a day. If I’m doing the math right that’s only around 1500 a month. I don’t know about you, but for me, that’s cheaper than rent in some places I’ve lived in the past.
Honestly by that estimate, I would argue that it’s cheaper to travel constantly than to stay in one place! How to Travel the World on $50 a Day by Matt Kepnes can help you do just that.
1. Take More Vacations by Scott Keyes
When it comes to travelling flights are almost always the biggest expense. Not to mention that they seem to be the biggest contributor every time that someone tells me “travelling is too expensive” or “I can’t afford to travel”.
Honestly, if you don’t know what you are doing it can be daunting. You look up a flight and see $800, 1500, or even 3000! If that’s the case you are using the wrong websites to find flights. After all, there are many websites to help you find cheap flights.
However, if you are wanting to find cheap flight deals yourself then you need to get this book. When it comes to finding cheap flights Scott Keyes is the king. In Take More Vacations Scott gives the Keyes to finding those crazy deals. Deals such as New York to Milan roundtrip for less than $200! Scott has had such success finding cheap flights that he started Scott’s Cheap Flights to bring these once-in-a-lifetime deals to people who don’t have time to look for them themselves. That is after all his friends asked him how he did found flights so cheap.
Take More Vacations is one of the best of all the books that will help you travel cheaper, longer, and more often.
Epilogue
Maybe books shouldn’t be the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to travel. Yet I would argue that it should be up there. Books are a marvellous resource. Whether they help you travel by giving tips and facts like the books above or by taking you on grand adventures through mystical lands. A way of travelling when you can’t travel.
Even if you aren’t much of a reader I’m sure there is a book out there for you. Maybe as a traveller, it’ll be one of these 5 books that will help you travel cheaper, longer, and more often.
5. Guidebooks by Various Authors
4. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
3. Travel The World Without Worries by Marek Bron
2. How to Travel the World on $50 a Day by Matt Kepnes
1. Take More Vacations by Scott Keyes
Have you read any of these books? Have they helped you travel cheaper, longer, and more often? Are there other books you would recommend? Let us know!
Stay authentic, stay nomadic, and let the world inscribe itself upon you as you inscribe yourself upon it. I hope you travel far and travel often.
