It seems like every year, your friends are taking trips to exotic destinations while you're barely able to pay the bills. It doesn't seem fair. But you don't have to be rich to travel the world. We'll take a look at some creative ways to travel internationally when you have limited funds.

Just remember that travel insurance is absolutely essential for budget travelers. If you get sick or injured overseas, the costs can be catastrophic — unless you’re protected by travel insurance. Consider buying the OneTrip Emergency Medical Plan, an affordable plan that includes emergency medical and emergency transportation benefits, as well as benefits for travel delays, missed connections and lost/stolen or damaged baggage. Get a quote for your next trip!

Eight Ways to Travel the World for Cheap 

1. Try travel hacking.

Travel hacking is the art of accumulating vast quantities of frequent flyer miles and rewards points from airlines and hotels, then redeeming them for free travel. Doing this successfully takes patience, careful budgeting and strategic thinking, but advocates say there's no better way to travel the world for almost nothing. For an introduction to travel hacking, read this beginner's guide from The Points Guy.

2. Enter travel contests.

Every day, hundreds of companies, from airlines to tourism boards, offer travel giveaways to destinations all over the world. While the odds are always against you, if you're diligent about entering these sweepstakes you may get lucky and win a few free trips. Set up a separate email account to enter contests, so your inbox doesn't get overrun. And beware of travel scams! Don't ever pay money or submit personal information, such as your credit card number, in order to enter a contest or collect a prize. Some reputable sources for travel contests include the Travel Channel sweepstakes and Johnny Jet’s weekly roundup of travel contests.

3. Trade your services as a travel influencer.

This one’s a little tricky. Resorts worldwide are overwhelmed by people claiming to be influencers, when they’re really not. “People say, ‘I want to come to the Maldives for 10 days and will do two posts on Instagram to like 2,000 followers,’” Kate Jones, marketing and communications manager at the Dusit Thani resort, tells The Atlantic.ⁱ Not a chance.

But if you are a genuine social media star with a horde of followers, you may be able to trade your influence for free travel. The rules: be professional, communicate clearly, and uphold your end of the bargain.

4. Get paid to travel.

While you don’t have to be rich to travel the world, it’s a lot easier to do when you have a steady income.

• Work aboard a cruise ship. Cruise ship jobs require physical stamina, long hours and the ability to smile in the face of irate passengers. But you will get the chance to see exotic ports and meet people from all over the world.
• Work as a travel nanny. If you have experience working with children, you could seek employment as a nanny with a traveling family. If you'd rather stay abroad longer, Transitions Abroad has a helpful guide to working as an au pair in various European countries.
• Work as a travel companion. Travel companions assist older, ill or disabled people with their travel planning, luggage, customs and transportation. If you have nursing or medical training, you can also provide assistance with personal and medical needs.

Other options include house-sitting, teaching English and working abroad on organic farms.

5. Work at a wellness resort.

If you’re spiritually inclined and a hard worker, you may be able to trade volunteer hours for an extended stay at a wellness-focused resort. Bonus points if you have a marketable skill, such as yoga instruction or massage therapy. Expect the requirements to be strict; if you go this route, you’ll be spending many more hours in the kitchen or gardens than lounging on the beach. Fortunately, your meals and even some activities may be included, so your travel truly can be almost free. Check RetreatFinder’s list of wellness retreats around the world that offer work exchange/volunteer programs.

6. Volunteer as an English speaker.

Diverbo seeks English-speaking volunteers to spend a week mingling with English learners at German and Spanish resorts. A day’s schedule includes one-on-one conversation sessions, phone practice, social activities and a few hours of free time. In exchange for helping people practice their English, your hotel stays and meals are paid for. Diverbo is a fantastic way to travel the world for free — but introverts might be better off staying at home.

7. Organize a group of travelers.

If you’re already known as the cruise director among your friends, you can parlay that talent into free travel through tour operators such as YMT Vacations. For 8 to 11 paying guests, YMT gives you a $100 reward per guest; once you hit 11 guests, the 12^th (that’s you) goes for free. YMT specializes in bus and cruise tours in places like Hawaii, Europe, the Mediterranean, Alaska, New England and Canada. Other companies offer similar deals.

8. Eliminate all the extras.

To travel on a shoestring budget, stay focused on the destination, not the luxuries. If you've always longed to see the Caribbean, but you don't have much money to spend, then avoid the tantalizing all-inclusive resorts. Find a cheap hotel a few blocks off the beach and bring your own food. Pack some pineapple juice, buy some local rum and make your own Mai Tais. Is this as easy as ordering $8 drinks at a beachfront bar? No. But the sand will feel just as good between your toes.

Once you're ready to take your long-awaited trip, protect yourself and your travel investment with innovative trip insurance products by Allianz Global Assistance. Find the plan that’s right for you.

Related Articles

• Best Travel Hacks for International Travel
• Which International Travel Insurance Plan is Best for Your Trip?
• Travel Insurance with Benefits for International Travel