If you are unemployed or a carer or retired and still active but don't have a business budget, you can still travel free. How?
By working your way up an organization until you reach an unpaid vluntary post or paid overseeing post which requires you to travel. I shall give you three examples.
UK
Currently (Jan 2019) London pensioners get a free travel pass for buses and trains within a certain zone. (And those UK pensioners over age 75 get a free TV license -but they are detating withdrawing this.) Many museums and attractions give discount entry fees tothose over a certain age. The same applies to nationwide organizations involving art galleries, exhibitions, museums and events. But sometimes exhbitions charge. Some museums have a free day once a week or once a month.
Charities
The staff in shops for charities in the UK are unpaid volunteers. However, the people at the top are given salaries. They will either get a paid for flight, or be able to ask an airline for a free or reduced flight as a donation to the charity. In exchange the press releases, thank you letters and so on may have to refer to the donation of the free or reduced ticket.
Markets often offer free tasting of food.
USA
Not For Profit
To give but one example, normally Toastmasters International will expect members to make their own way to meetings. However, in many cases you can link up with somebody else who is travelling to a distant meeting by car. Those at the very top who are full-time employees will have their fares paid for to go to conferences and international events which they are organizing. Attending local conferences will also provide opportunities for free or donated travel, for speakers and orgnaizers.
Some inhouse clubs' companies pay for the annual Toastmasters membership or pay half. You may then be able to claim travel to meetings on expenses or find somebody with a car to take you to the other office if meetings are held at the company's other office or alternate addresses.
Other Special Interest Groups & Diets
A member of a vegetarian, kosher or halal or vegan society was able to travel for free. He either had his fare paid for by the society or by a local manufacturer of vegan products. He might have been able to have a hotel paid for by a sponsor, or to stay with a friend, within the organization, and be sure of having vegetarian or vegan food at his host's home.
When I was a student, I met an Orthodox Jewish boy who travelled across the world to a friend's wedding. My friend went to a synagogue every Friday night and was invited to the Rabbi's home or the home of a prominent member of the congregation (usually one with an eligible daughter or two!)
Nowadays, with security concerns, you would probably need to get your home rabbi to vouch for you and to write a letter of introduction in advance. You would need this both to get into the building past the security guard, and attend a service, and to get invited to a home.
Jewish
Some outreach Jewish organizations offer free Friday night meals. You might need to find the location and register in advance, either for security of if only so that they can have enough catering.
Hindu
Hindu organizations often have free food at temples for special occasions. I have had a vegetarian meal at a Toastmasters meeting of a dozen people in a temple outbuilding in Singapore.
I have also been taken for a free lunch to a temple with hundreds of people and road signs and parking in a field for a festival at a Hindu temple near Watford in North West London.
Organizing An Event
I have heard parents of competitors in chess and other contest complaining about the high cost of fares to contests. However, if you are organizing an event for ten or more people and book a coach, drive a coach. or book a hotel, as the organizer you may be allowed a free place.
Weddings & Honeymoons
A bride and groom will often be given a free night at a hotel where they hold a wedding reception, as part of the package. Check around.
If not, ask for it and negotiate. If not, the best man as the organizer might be offered a free room.
Drivers
Drivers often receive complimentary meals at shopping complex stops, and a free room at an overnight hotel.
A driver's hotel room might not be top standard, or might be a single room with no outlook. But, as they say, beggars can't be choosers.
Homestay Pairings
You also have many options of organizations which pair up people for free homestays.
Travel Industry
Find a part time job in the travel industry, and you will be able to spot cheap off-season offers as well as discounts for travel agents.
Nannies and Childcarers
You could take a job overseas, where the accommodation is with the employer. Or accompany them when they go on holiday. All found - fares, accommodation and meals.
School Trips
Many school trips require a teacher or adult for every ten children (rules vary with different countries and organizations and ages). Check what options are available.
Carers
Many museums offer free entry to a carer or person pushing a wheelchair.
Discounts - Stated Or Negotiated
Some countries offer discounts or free entry to their own country's military, schoolchildren in groups, children, or other groups.
US Hotel Discounts
In the USA you can often ask a motel receptionist for a discount for the military, emergency services, of simply local businesses.
All the best for your travels.
More information from:
http://www.citycapper.com/news/3-ways-you-can-eat-free-london
Angela Lansbury
Travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.
By working your way up an organization until you reach an unpaid vluntary post or paid overseeing post which requires you to travel. I shall give you three examples.
UK
Currently (Jan 2019) London pensioners get a free travel pass for buses and trains within a certain zone. (And those UK pensioners over age 75 get a free TV license -but they are detating withdrawing this.) Many museums and attractions give discount entry fees tothose over a certain age. The same applies to nationwide organizations involving art galleries, exhibitions, museums and events. But sometimes exhbitions charge. Some museums have a free day once a week or once a month.
Charities
The staff in shops for charities in the UK are unpaid volunteers. However, the people at the top are given salaries. They will either get a paid for flight, or be able to ask an airline for a free or reduced flight as a donation to the charity. In exchange the press releases, thank you letters and so on may have to refer to the donation of the free or reduced ticket.
Markets often offer free tasting of food.
USA
Not For Profit
To give but one example, normally Toastmasters International will expect members to make their own way to meetings. However, in many cases you can link up with somebody else who is travelling to a distant meeting by car. Those at the very top who are full-time employees will have their fares paid for to go to conferences and international events which they are organizing. Attending local conferences will also provide opportunities for free or donated travel, for speakers and orgnaizers.
Some inhouse clubs' companies pay for the annual Toastmasters membership or pay half. You may then be able to claim travel to meetings on expenses or find somebody with a car to take you to the other office if meetings are held at the company's other office or alternate addresses.
Other Special Interest Groups & Diets
A member of a vegetarian, kosher or halal or vegan society was able to travel for free. He either had his fare paid for by the society or by a local manufacturer of vegan products. He might have been able to have a hotel paid for by a sponsor, or to stay with a friend, within the organization, and be sure of having vegetarian or vegan food at his host's home.
When I was a student, I met an Orthodox Jewish boy who travelled across the world to a friend's wedding. My friend went to a synagogue every Friday night and was invited to the Rabbi's home or the home of a prominent member of the congregation (usually one with an eligible daughter or two!)
Nowadays, with security concerns, you would probably need to get your home rabbi to vouch for you and to write a letter of introduction in advance. You would need this both to get into the building past the security guard, and attend a service, and to get invited to a home.
Jewish
Some outreach Jewish organizations offer free Friday night meals. You might need to find the location and register in advance, either for security of if only so that they can have enough catering.
Hindu
Hindu organizations often have free food at temples for special occasions. I have had a vegetarian meal at a Toastmasters meeting of a dozen people in a temple outbuilding in Singapore.
I have also been taken for a free lunch to a temple with hundreds of people and road signs and parking in a field for a festival at a Hindu temple near Watford in North West London.
Organizing An Event
I have heard parents of competitors in chess and other contest complaining about the high cost of fares to contests. However, if you are organizing an event for ten or more people and book a coach, drive a coach. or book a hotel, as the organizer you may be allowed a free place.
Weddings & Honeymoons
A bride and groom will often be given a free night at a hotel where they hold a wedding reception, as part of the package. Check around.
If not, ask for it and negotiate. If not, the best man as the organizer might be offered a free room.
Drivers
Drivers often receive complimentary meals at shopping complex stops, and a free room at an overnight hotel.
A driver's hotel room might not be top standard, or might be a single room with no outlook. But, as they say, beggars can't be choosers.
Homestay Pairings
You also have many options of organizations which pair up people for free homestays.
Travel Industry
Find a part time job in the travel industry, and you will be able to spot cheap off-season offers as well as discounts for travel agents.
Nannies and Childcarers
You could take a job overseas, where the accommodation is with the employer. Or accompany them when they go on holiday. All found - fares, accommodation and meals.
School Trips
Many school trips require a teacher or adult for every ten children (rules vary with different countries and organizations and ages). Check what options are available.
Carers
Many museums offer free entry to a carer or person pushing a wheelchair.
Discounts - Stated Or Negotiated
Some countries offer discounts or free entry to their own country's military, schoolchildren in groups, children, or other groups.
US Hotel Discounts
In the USA you can often ask a motel receptionist for a discount for the military, emergency services, of simply local businesses.
All the best for your travels.
More information from:
http://www.citycapper.com/news/3-ways-you-can-eat-free-london
Angela Lansbury
Travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.
