It’s no secret, prices are rising everywhere, and that means full-time travel is more expensive than it used to be.

Examples Of Rising Prices

Turkey

Earlier this year, I was in Turkey which had a reputation as a very affordable place to go. I was stunned at the high prices. Museum entrances were $41, a 3-day museum pass was over $100. If I didn’t make a point of seeking out kebabs, it seemed like many places to eat lunch or dinner were $30 a meal.

Argentina

I visited Argentina in 2019 and was amazed at how affordable it was! The exchange rate was 54 pesos to the dollar and I lived like a queen on virtually nothing each day! One month I traveled with someone, splitting costs, and spent $300 for everything, in a month! This year, I returned. The exchange rate fluctuated around 1,000 pesos to the dollar. So, I figured, if 2019 was affordable in Argentina, then I was going to do even better this year!

Then I found out that with the currency inflation, all the prices were raised, so 1,000 pesos was essentially $1. Meals were closer to $20, which, considering I could get a delicious steak dinner and small bottle of wine for that price, was a great deal to spoil myself a couple of times. Otherwise, I sought out supermarkets and empanadas.

So, how do you afford full-time travel as prices go up? Here are a few thoughts.

Admiring the lakes near Bariloche, Argentina in 2019.

How To Afford Full-Time Travel In 2025

Re-Do Your Travel Budget

If you’re not already doing it, it’s a good idea to revise your travel budget every year to account for rising costs. Decide which cost buckets you need to raise, and which ones you can lower if your budget is smaller.

If you haven’t started your travels yet, have a discretionary fund that allows for inflation.

Get Creative With Travel Methods

Flights can be expensive and yet there are many ways to spend less. Experiment with booking plans further in advance or staying longer on a continent where flights between countries in that same continent may be less expensive, again, if purchased well in advance.

Research bus and train options which could be less expensive than flights. (Though, in some cases, they are actually more expensive, which is why it pays to do your research!)

Consider shared car rides, where available – if you can find fellow travelers going the same way and split the cost of the rental and gas, it could save you Money as well. (If you’re traveling solo, make sure you feel comfortable with fellow travelers, and inform a loved one of your plans.)

Focus On Food And Accommodation Costs

These are still the two buckets to focus on when watching your travel costs. Pre-researching accommodation costs before travel could help you narrow down affordable options. If you can’t get free accommodation, compare all the housing options possible. I find that in different countries, the price advantage swaps; in Argentina this year, AirBnB had the best prices. In other countries, hotels are better because the AirBnB fees are higher. So, never presume that one type of accommodation is going to always be better than the other all over the world.

Barring food allergies, fast food options tend to be much less expensive than restaurants. Every culture has something they’re known for, like the kebabs and empanadas I mentioned. Local food stalls tend to have an excellent range of choices. And, in some countries, you need to make sure you’re well informed on which ones are considered safe so you don’t get sick.

If you have a kitchen in the place you’re staying, the supermarket can be a great option. However, depending on how long you’re staying, and how well-stocked the kitchen is, you may find that having to buy staples (like olive oil, pepper, etc.) could make it a better option to eat out. (In Malaysia, for example, a meal was roughly $2, making the supermarket a less desirable option.)

Final Thoughts on 2025 Budgeting For Full-Time Travel

Wherever you travel, you’ll notice prices have increased. And, you may be surprised at how some things cost a lot, and other things are cheap. (In Argentina, for example, food could be $20, but transportation was about 30 cents, and an Uber about $2 in the city center.)

The important part is to stay on top of your budget, and constantly reallocate it as prices rise, and you change countries and currencies.

Need help strategizing your 2025 budget? Let’s chat!