How long can you travel on $1,000?

By Hal Amen On August 6, 2010 · 11 Comments

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The answer, of course, depends on where you go.

EARLIER THIS YEAR, RoughGuides.com published a chart showing how many travel days $1,000USD will get you in different countries. (I came across the chart via our friends at TheExpeditioner.com.)

Topping the list of 18 nations is India, with 1K buying 71 days of travel. At the other end are several European countries, followed by Japan, most expensive on the chart with only 15 days for the $1,000 budget.

What kind of travel are we talking about? RG offers three criteria:

hostel dorms for accommodation
meals of street food
60% of travel time spent outside major cities

So we’re talking backpacking, which I guess traditionally is the cheapest way to travel. But there are plenty of ways to cut costs even below these levels. What about couchsurfing? Wwoofing? Volunteering or working for room and board?

In fact, as Tim Patterson has shown, it’s entirely feasible to travel the world for free.

And you? How do you deal with budgets on the road? Do countries’ costs of living play a part in where you decide to travel? Share your perspective in the comments.

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About The Author

Hal Amen

Freelance writer Hal Amen edits Matador Trips. His personal travel blog is at WayWorded.

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Andy Mesa

I spent three months in Europe in 2009, and the last month I spent only $700. I didn’t couchsurf at all that month, but I mostly slept on trains. Ironically, the places where I spent the least amount of money were Scandinavia and London. All of the attractions were free.

http://vagabonderz.com Carlo Alcos

Not so ironic, there is a perception that these sorts of cities are expensive. But there are always options to keep things free and cheap. And it’s the big cities that offer the most options for free and cheap things. Like New York, everyone complains how expensive it is to live or travel there, but it’s not, if you find the cheap/free things to do, of which there are lots, especially in the summer. You can choose to live/travel either way, depends on your level of comfort, creativity, resourcefulness.

http://joshywashington.wordpress.com joshua johnson

I have generally got around on 1,000 a month, give or take. But I tend to loose weight and come back looking a bit…hungry.
http://TheExpeditioner.com Matt Stabile

Yeah, that was a great chart. I now have a copy hanging over my bed. Goodbye bikini poster of Farrah Fawcett.
Erdian

Go to Bali Indonesia in a month maybe, USD 1000 = Rp.9.000.000
1. Homestay for 1 month : Rp. 1.000.000. – Rp.1.500.000
2. Motor bike Rent that u can go everywhere in Bali as u like : Rp. 500.000 – 750.000.
3. In Bali street food is very cheap as long as u don’t eat at big restaurants. Probably cost u Rp.3.000.000 – / month.
http://www.baconismagic.ca ayngelina

I traveled through Mexico and Central America on 1K a month and had no problem whatsoever. If I wanted to rough it I could have done it on much less. I’m now in South America and hoping it’s just as cheap.
Jessie

You’re right, there’s so many factors. I was able to make 1K last me 4 months last spring in Central America by volunteering as an ESL teacher in exchange for food and a house and then sticking to campgrounds in more rural places after I left the post.

But, on another note, I’m assuming the 1K in India doesn’t count the cost of the ticket?
http://www.ieatmypigeon.wordpress.com Eva

Interesting chart – a good rough guide but, yes, there are loads of other factors. It’s nice to have a number to look at for a rough ball park figure.
life_awaits

ahh you guys are lucky how are you gettingthe money to travel? im looking to start traveling the world but i need to get the money first or at least need to know how to travel for free or even get paid doing it i really need some links and some hook ups please sme one help me!!!! i beg you my e-mail address is tiffmasin@yahoo.com please put travel in the subject box other wise i will not know why ur e-mailing me thank you!
http://jonnynomad.wordpress.com/ Kyle

I spent around $650 during my last excursion to Europe which included a month hitchiking around Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. It could have been cheaper. I couchsurfed the entire time spending the bulk of my money on train tickets when I absolutely could not hitch a ride. I ate well, drank plenty, and came back with 175 Euros.

My understanding is the more you travel in the the middle of nowhere the easier it is to hitch a ride and the locals know where to take you. Of course, hitchhiking is not necessarily recommended for every traveler and you do have to rough it as well as account for the danger factor of thieves and creepers. Pack your cardio of course.
http://www.adventurerob.com AdventureRob

In relation to this I tend to adjust what I do depending on the place. If you’ve got a $1k a month budget (rather than a $1k budget and indefinite time). You can get massages and expensive trips and tours in India daily. But in Japan do less; make your own food, enjoy scenery/walking, etc. How to be adaptive is something you learn quickly on the road.

How long can you travel on $1,000?

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