The best things in life & travel are free...

The best things in life are free. Watching the sunset with your lover, canoing down an undiscovered river, an afternoon with good friends. But what about travel? Is it possible to jet around the world for free? Well, maybe not free - but cheap, yes.

how to travel on the cheapIf you're aching to take the trip of a lifetime, don't let a small thing like your wallet get in the way. Check out our top ways for traveling cheap - and let us know if we missed any. We'd love to hear your ideas too!

1.    Fly cheap

Saving money on airfare is the underpinning of my love for travel. I want a safe, cheap flight so I can spend my money at the destination - on great meals, the spa... Our Mr. GoGirlfriend wrote a simple plan for booking cheap online travel. Get out your laptop, pour a glass of wine and dig in. Finding cheap flights is easier than you think. Just remember, to save money, be flexible on arrival and departure times, prepare yourself for layovers between flights and don't be afraid to hop between carriers to get the best price.

2.    Enter a travel contest

win a travel contestGoogle "travel contests" and you'll be amazed at how many websites host contests. Tour companies, airlines, cruise lines, resorts and tourism boards offer up prizes all the time and if you're happy to travel anywhere, you might end up traveling a lot more than you ever dreamed. Remember to read the restrictions closely - there may be blackout time periods.

3.    Exchange houses with other travelers

house sitting while travelingIf you live in an area of the world people want to visit, consider trading accomodations for travel. Flexibility is key when searching for a fellow house swapper. Renting out your home while travel or house sitting someone else's home is another option. Check out these organizations that will help you hook up with travel-dreaming-homeowners:

• HomeExchangeVacation.com
• HomeBaseHolidays.com
• HomeExchange.com
• MindMyHouse.com

4.    Apply for a cruise ship job

work on a cruise shipThink of the people you'll meet, the places you'll visit and the experiences you'll make. While making a lot of money may not be part of the plan, cruise lines around the world are always hiring. Always. Just remember, crew members work long hours, sleep below deck and spend a lot time dealing with demanding passengers. Pack plenty of patience and your sunshiny disposition before heading down this path.

5.    Carpool your way around the world

new opportunities to exploreSharing a vehicle reduces fuel costs and is much safer than hitchhiking. Check out these websites for like-minded carpoolers:

• Lonely Planet Departure Lounge
• ErideShare.com
• Compartir.org

6.    Volunteer your way around the world

see the world as a voluntouristRegular readers of GoGirlfriend know we love sharing stories of travelers who've found a way to combine their love of travel with their love of volunteering. Whether you're interested in a once in a lifetime mission or you're eager to learn how to make voluntourism your new way of life, check out how these GoGirlfriend writers travel:

• Olivia Millwood's Haiti Mission
• Planning a Volunteer Vacation
• Volunteer Travel with Shannon O'Donnell
• A Closer Look at Volunteerism
• Volunteering in Kenya

7.    Trade labor for accomodations

backpack opportunities aboundHostels and boutique hotels will sometimes exchange work for a room - especially if you plan to stay in one spot for a longer time. HostelWorld lists jobs and message boards to connect you before you leave home. Bartering labor for lodging means there's no exchange of cash - and therefore no work visa required.

8.    Organize a group tour

Ever wonder why high school teachers put their hand up to chaperone 20 teenagers on a school trip? Simple, they get a steep discount while seeing some fantastic parts of the world. As the organizer, you pick a date and get people to sign up for the tour. The booking of accommodations, activities and tour guiding is done by a tour group.

9. Fundraise a team challenge

charity tourismThis is a fun new travel trend. Gather a team (or join an existing one), choose a charity and fundraise for it while a tour company customizes a challenge somewhere in the world. You and your team experience an adventure and the charity of your choice wins the financial reward of your efforts - you win the fun. Check out GlobalAdventures.com.

Got some budget travel tips for us? We'd love to hear you save money while following your bliss around the world. Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook - we'd love to hear your ideas!