How We’ve Travelled To 43 Countries Before Turning 21

If you follow our Instagram, you won’t be a unaware of the extent to our travels, after all 43 countries before turning 21 is quite an achievement if we don’t say so ourselves. We’ve just got back from Thailand and Malaysia, and we’re off to the Whitsundays in Australia and Vanuatu very soon. You could say our life revolves around hopping from one country to another, and for many I’m sure it sounds like a dream, especially how we’re only 20 and 21 years old.

We’ve travelled to some of the most remote island nations in the world, including: Lord Howe Island, Silhouette Island and shortly Tanna Island. Travelling around all corners of the globe at such a young as has been a true blessing for us, and we’re incredible grateful that we’ve had the opportunity to experience so of the most amazing natural wonders, cultures and traditions across the globe.

If you want to know all 43 countries we’ve travelled to, including various blog posts and general information on each country, just visit our Destinations page!

So let’s get started with some tips and secrets you might not know, on how you can travel just like we have!

1. Blogging full-time allows us to be flexible and work from anywhere in the world whilst earning an income.

Not only has travel blogging let us travel the world whilst also doing something we love, but we’ve also made it into a successful business! On a few occasions we’ve even partnered with hotels through receiving free accommodation for a review and shares on our social media sites. We are always 100% honest with you guys and would never recommend a hotel, hostel or airline that we weren’t 100% happy with. Blogging is truly awesome (although hard work, which readers don’t see) leads to hundreds and hundreds of benefits and possibilities, seriously!
If you want to start your own travel blog in a few easy steps, here’s how!

2. Stay in Airbnb’s or Hostels instead of Hotels.

Staying in the likes of hostels and/or Airbnb’s is significantly cheaper than staying in hotels. Hostels will tend to cost around US$4-40 a night depending on which country you travel too. We always use Hostelworld when booking hostel accommodation, as they have a widest choice, they’re reliable and you’ll find the most remote hostels through this site that you wouldn’t be able to get on similar sites.
If you’re wanting a bit more privacy, you’re travelling as a couple or with a group of friends, Airbnb is your best bet. We’ve used Airbnb countless times, and we’ve never had any issues with them. If you’re travelling in a group or with your partner this can be a cheaper alternative to hostels too, so make sure to do some research first. We’ve also go an exclusive offer: Get £30 (US$38) off your first Airbnb stay!

If you’re a little uncertain about Airbnb, we’ve made a blog post on the advantages of using Airbnb when travelling, which we hope can convince you to use this awesome booking site!

3. Go on free excursions, e.g. city tours.

Before we travel to any country, we always look up on the free things to do there. Whether its hikes, city tours, beaches etc. there will always be something great to see and do for free before you dive into paying an overpriced fee for an excursion. Whenever we’ve been on free city tours, we’ve always met like-minded travellers that we’ve ended up having a drink or exploring the city more with, it’s a great way to meet other people whilst also not breaking the bank, a win-win situation!

4. Sign up for airline loyalty programs to earn airmiles.

Airmiles are typically, a set amount of miles you earn based on how far you fly or how much you spend on your credit card. You can then use these miles to buy tickets, upgrade or even purchase gifts. Frequent flyer miles are awesome. Use them correctly and you’ll save a ton of money on traveling, plus it’s free to sign up to an airlines loyalty program, a win-win situation for a flight you will take anyway.
We are members of many loyalty programs including: Qantas, Lufthansa, British Airways. However, no questions asked Etihad Airways is our favourite and most loyal airline we fly with. Not only has it got the best loyalty program in our opinion (easy to obtain silver even gold status), you can redeem their points with Virgin Australia, Etihad itself, American Airlines, Alitalia, South African Airways and much more for great value!

5. Sign up for hotel loyalty programs to earn free stays.

Not only can you sign up for airline loyalty programs to receive free flights, upgrades and more, but you can also do the same for hotels! Again, there are many programs you can join, including: Hilton Honors, Accor, IHG Rewards Club, Starwood Preferred Guest and much more!
Reaching Gold and Diamond/Platinum status can mean free upgrades, lounge access, priority check-in, free breakfast and much more, in addition the points you collect you can redeem for free stays! Our favourites are Hilton Honors and IHG Rewards Club!

6. Consider flying from an alternative airport.

You may live close to a major airport, however you’ll be surprised by how much you can save by opting for flights departing from smaller, nearby airports or even airport from another city or country! It may be cheaper especially if you live in Europe to buy a ticket to another country and fly from there! That has happened to us on multiple occasions and we’ve saved hundreds of pounds. Skyscanner allows you to include flights from nearby airports when you’re searching, look out for the ‘add nearby airports’ check box beneath where you enter your departure airport.

7. Don’t always fly direct.

8. Family/friend tickets from airline employees.

We know several people who are either cabin crew or pilots, we can’t say too much but just know that flights are ridiculously cheap. If you work for an airline, free flights are usually one of the many benefits you’ll receive. You can work as a flight attendant, pilot, front desk agent, and many more possibilities.

9. Be flexible on your travel dates.

This means both for destinations and travel dates. You’re more likely to find cheap flights by flying at unsociable times, for example during low season, early morning or mid–week. In the past we have seen that a difference of one day can result in hundreds of pounds being saved, purely because you’re travelling when demand is at its lowest.

10. Think like a local.

If possible, hop on a public bus and eat at restaurants that’s full with local people. They know where they get the most value for their money. The nice side effect is, you’ll be one step closer to the real way of life at your destination.

11. Be money conscious at all times, even where you’re not travelling.

If you’re travelling through a less developed country, even the more expensive stuff may seem cheap compared to your home country. But don’t compare with your home country, compare with other things in the place you’re at! A grilled fish for just over five bucks may sound fantastic, but you can live of that money for a week if you eat noodles, rice and curry. A hostel might just be ten dollars, but you might be able to snag one just as good for five. That way, your budget will last you twice as long.
If you apply the same at home, you’ll also manage to save up for your trips a lot quicker. Not going out for dinner at home once will save you enough money to eat out for a whole week in a variety of countries around the world.

Travel Resources we recommend.

• Travel Insurance: World Nomads.
• Airline: Etihad
• Hotel Chain: Hilton or IHG Group
• Backpack: Osprey Farpoint
• Extras: Packing Cubes

Click Here For: OUR FULL LIST OF TRAVEL RECOMMENDATIONS!

Do you have Pinterest? Save it for later!