WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic [...]]]> The cost of lodging is one of the main expenses of traveling. You can reduce or eliminate this cost through a variety of opportunities and get a step closer to experiencing true free travel. Here is a quick overview of some popular prospects.

WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms)
In exchange for a few hours of work a day at an organic farm you can receive food and accommodations at numerous sites all over the globe. There is a guide with farm listings being sold at the WWOOF website. This is one of the most popular alternatives for travelers as it usually is a context to meet interesting people, make a positive contribution to the Earth and the local environment and enjoy good food! Just don’t expect too much comfort and you do have to be physically fit.

Make A House Swap
Although it’s a challenge to find a  home owner in a place you want to go who would like to swap their home with yours at the time you would like to – it’s a true free travel jackpot and feeling of victory when it does work out! If you’re open to going anywhere and somewhere unplanned for, then you can more easily find some really great opportunities. House swap networks exists over the Internet to help you find people willing to temporarily trade places with you.

It is a good idea to engage communications many times with your swap partners before going ahead with the deal. Don’t hesitate to check references.

WWOOF installations can be pretty cool

House sitting : The Free Travel Grand Prize
Similar to the house swap… but while you do get a house to keep for some time you don’t have to provide one in exchange. Many people who need to leave their home for some time prefer to have somebody trustworthy occupy the space rather than having no one there at all. They look for someone to look after their property, their plants and pets – this could be you. Some will even offer money to take care of various extras.

Again, you should work out all details before going ahead – although you are taking less of a risk than the home lender.  Over time you can accumulate good references and turn this into a free travel lifestyle. Resource sites exist on the Internet.

Couchsurfing : When You’re Just Passing Through
Dramatically increasing in popularity over the last couple years, couchsurfing is ideal if you will be passing through some places but not staying long. It can also be a good way to have a place to stay when you arrive somewhere and want to look for something else in the area. This is not for those in need of strong intimacy. The couchsurfing.com website is a good place to start.

It is your job to be as transparent as is necessary and make it easy for others to decide whether they want to have you sleeping on their couch for a few days or not. Would you open your do doors to anyone?

Also, keep your karma positive and offer your own couch to the surfers from time to time when you are at home, this way you offer the chance to others to experience free travel as well.

Take up a room in a Tibetan Monastery

Get A Room In A Religious Or Spiritual Establishment
This free travel lodging opportunity will not be for everyone and not always available but if you are relatively spiritually inclined or otherwise able to appreciate the sacred aspects of existence then getting rooms at monasteries, ashrams or other religious establishments can be a very positive experience. Though they are not all free, they will often be open to making an exchange to accommodate you. Some establishments will be more conservative and strict than others.

I would strongly discourage anyone to take advantage of this kind of opportunity if they are not sincere in their appreciation of religious or spiritual practices. Most of the world already belongs to the secular mindset – why not leave what’s left of our religious heritage as intact as possible? You don’t have to be religious to go, an earnest curiosity and respect will do.