I’m gonna go-go! I have my list of where, now it’s the how part.
Trip planner!
Dream, and dream big!
Take a walk in nature, meditate,browse travel blogs and Instagram accounts. What places speak to you? Do you want to pet elephants, climb a mountain, or lounge in bougie coffee shops? Dream first, then make a list.
Check the weather.
I hate being cold and I avoid snow. Snow makes traveling hard and packing light even harder. Also I’m acclimated to hot and humid after months in Thailand so cold really hurts! I used US Climate Data for my trip around the US. I can start in the south now in February and make my way north as spring springs.
Estimate a budget.
I use Budget Your Trip to get a range of budget to mid-range travel styles. I found it to be fairly accurate while in southeast Asia so I’m hoping it holds true for the States as well. Check your favorite airlines for deals and see if you have any travel rewards to use. I like AmericanExpress BlueSky for the best dollar to dollar rewards, if you can pay off the card as you go. I also have a travel visa that I can use in more places and you get a sweet sign-up bonus. But the rewards after that bonus aren’t so hot.
How to Get There.
I set a dozen alerts on Google Flights to get a general idea of flight prices. Using the date function and price graph, you can see general trends of when it’s
 cheaper to go-go. I also useRome2Rio for alternate routes. If gives you a good idea of bus and train options. Trains are kinda pricey, more expensive than I feel they should be, but it usually saves you a night of lodging if you have the time to go slow and comfy. Buses are cheaper and not terribly uncomfortable.
Find places to stay.
First and foremost, holler out to friends and see who has a free place to crash for a week or more. I signed up for Couchsurfing and I’ll keep you posted on that option. I was annoyed that they trick you into a $60 one-time payment to be “verified.” I already requested a refund because it was super sneaky and bullsh*t (received my refund quickly). I’m also looking at petsitting opportunities and working on a farm. I’ll probably only do the farm-thing for a day or two here and there because I’m not super tough (hey chronic pain!). Also the last two options require a membership fee so read the fine print!
That’s it. Kind of. Putting all the information together is the hard part. I like to draw out a travel matrix and see my options on paper all in one place.
