For selected artist Lydia Swinscoe that journey was an exceptional one, having traveled to 15 varied countries during her year-long travels. In 2009, she ditched her cookie cutter office job. Eager for adventure, she pursued the opportunity to study and experience different cultures and environments in Bolivia, Malaysia, Thailand and Brazil. Swinscoe began with slightly more than $9,000 in her bank account. We were all in awe of the way she meticulously stuck to a $25 a day budget that literally paid for everything – lodging, food and fun!
The secret to her successful journeys was her creativity and open-mindedness to immerse herself in the local culture. Swinscoe found that when she zeroed in on local ingredients, she could easily make meals on the go and get right back to her travels. Her attitude of frugality and creativity is what freed up her funds to travel. It enabled her to engage more intimately with the cultures she encountered.
Budget-Friendly Accommodation Choices
Couch-surfing became Swinscoe’s main travel accommodation, and with that she was able to afford to stay on a budget. In all of the countries she visited, she was able to find affordable accommodations—most under $10 a night—which allowed her journey to be much more financially attainable.
“Dormitories provide not only the ability to share stories and tips with fellow adventurers but are economically essential.” – Lydia Swinscoe
She cut costs on accommodations by making use of youth hostels. Most of these hostels came with breakfast included, which meant she spent even less each day than planned. Her willingness to be flexible on her travel plans made a big difference in helping her stay within budget too.
“I rarely have a rigid plan before heading off into the unknown, and this is handy when trying to keep spending to a minimum.” – Lydia Swinscoe
Swinscoe’s choice of accommodation not only saved her money but allowed her to connect with fellow travelers and locals alike.
Exploring Local Transport Options
Transportation is yet another space where Swinscoe held a firm line on her budget. She took advantage of trains, buses, and ferries as affordable methods of covering large distances. Besides saving money with this decision, her travels were much more immersive.
“Buses are my preferred way of exploring since travelling overland allows for a much deeper connection to the soul of a country due to prolonged periods of observing daily life as it happens.” – Lydia Swinscoe
When she opted to take local modes of transport, she became part of the daily rhythms of the places she traveled through. Those trips were made more meaningful by taking incredible, educational tours with local taxi drivers and community members turned activists.
“These insightful tours almost always feature local guides keen to promote their hometown’s identity beyond the obvious.” – Lydia Swinscoe
Engaging with these local communities gave her unprecedented access to firsthand information and made her extensive travels much more impactful.
Building Connections Along the Way
Of all the things that made Swinscoe’s journey rewarding, she counts the friendships she made along the way. Along the way, she began to meet extraordinary people. Privately hospitable, then later on, when she went to their home towns, they opened up their homes to her graciously. This overwhelming generosity demonstrated the giving spirit of our global community.
“I made a handful of fantastic friends who offered up their own homes to me without question when I found myself in their hometown many months later.” – Lydia Swinscoe
Read more about Swinscoe’s experience in her blog post for The Standard. She’s now a motivational speaker and is still inspiring others on her new Instagram account, @lydiaswinscoe. Her adventures are a tribute to the wonders attainable through affordable travel and the beauty of cultural exchange.
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