In the world of digital media in which most of us live, some may have forgotten about the power of a good old-fashioned book. Some of the best frugal travel advice I’ve collected over the years has been found between the covers of the six books listed here, all published within the last 10 years (and yes, you can get some of them on your Kindle, Nook or iPad). All six would make great additions to your travel library.
The Encyclopedia of Cheap Travel by Terrance Zepke (Infinity Publishing, 2002)
This comprehensive reference serves as a guide to over 1,000 travel companies, consolidators, agencies, and resources. Advice on planning bargain-priced trips ranging from general sightseeing tours to extreme adventures is also included. It highlights ways to find and book alternative accommodations and how to avoid travel scams. Even though it was published in 2002, much of the information is still very relevant and useful.
The World’s Cheapest Destinations: 21 Countries Where Your Money is Worth a Fortune, 3rd Edition by Tim Leffel (Booklocker.com, Inc, 2009)
This budget travel guide provides key information on the best bargain-priced international destinations, complete with sample prices and key attractions in each country. The countries that are included here were selected for more than just their price. Each country is “traveler friendly” in that it has an infrastructure able to serve tourists as well as attractions that make it an engaging place to visit on a budget.
Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel by Rolf Potts (Villard Books, 2002)
Author Rolf Potts believes that anyone can take extended time away from their “real life” to travel the world in a cost-efficient manner. The guide includes key information on financing ones travel time, determining destinations and itineraries, adjusting psychologically and physically to time on the road, working and volunteering overseas, managing difficult travel situations, and re-assimilating into ordinary life at the end of your adventure.
How to Travel Practically Anywhere by Susan Stellin (Mariner Books, 2006)
Written in an engaging style, How to Travel Practically Anywhere by New York Times contributor Susan Stellin is a useful resource for planning trips and managing problems that arise on the road. This comprehensive guidebook also includes down-to-earth advice on the most useful travel websites, techniques for finding the best deals on and off line, and resources to help you decide where and when to go on your trip.
Work Your Way Around the World: A Fresh and Fully Up-to-Date Guide for the Modern Working Traveler, 13th Edition by Susan Griffith (Crimson Publishing, 2009)
The thirteenth edition of this guide for working travelers provides tips on how to find temporary work around the world both before you leave for your trip and while you’re on the road. Organized by country, the guide also includes multiple first-hand accounts from people who have had a variety of experiences working their way around the world—from selling ice cream in Cape Town to working as a film extra in Bangkok. Whether you’re interested in working in the tourist industry, farming, teaching English, childcare or volunteer work, this will be a useful guide for planning your adventures.
The Practical Nomad: How to Travel Around the World by Edward Hasbrouck (Avalon Travel Publishing, 2007)
Hasbrouck’s handbook for world travelers focuses on independent adventure how to really get to know a location and its inhabitants. This comprehensive guide includes tips on getting discounted airfares, choosing a destination, types of transportation, what to pack, sample budgets, and dealing with culture shock and things to keep in mind when you come back