How did I do it? (Brace yourself it’s a long one) 

SO many of you have messaged me or texted me asking about my traveling and how to do it. Well I’m here to tell you!! I’m going to break this up into sections: just do it, flights, accommodation, saving, and packing tips. 

Just do it. 
You can sit here all day and email me a list of reasons why you can’t travel the world and I will argue them all. If you’re wanting resorts, 5 star meals, hot showers and hotel beds…this article is not for you and your budget probably isn’t either. My favorite thing to do is learn to be comfortable in the uncomfortable. That’s where growth takes place. Stagnant is boring and change is scary but you limit yourself to one of you don’t try. Ask your self what is truly stopping you. School, family, money, other obligations? If you’re kinda stuck and don’t know where you want to go to school or what you want to study, that’s the perfect time for a break! Discover what you really love before you invest thousands into a piece of paper. I am in no way saying don’t go to college but just remember there is no rush. There is no first place prize on life either. So why don’t you attend life university and get yourself out there. Get experiences!!

I have learned more about my government, other countries’ government, other cultures way of life, several languages, how to cook ethnic food, how to use public transportation, how to love myself and love my own company, how to talk to strangers and make genuine friendships and most importantly, how to be comfortable in the uncomfortable. I can go on and on about why you should go. And you know yourself better than anyone. Is it your dream to travel the world? Are you ready to meet incredible people, see the wonders of the world and learn more than you ever thought you would? Then do it. No excuses. Buy the plane ticket and go. It will be okay, fear is the thing that stops the great from conquering their goals.

Flights.

Let me break down my transportation for you. These prices are exact or very close! I booked my first flight in October and left in December. I also pre booked a few other flights!

Austin to Paris $290 flying Delta and United, stopped in Atlanta. Paris to England by train $40. Roughly $30 total getting around England. England to Amsterdam by plane $44. Amsterdam to Milan by plane for $65. Milan to Rome by bus for $16. Rome to Barcelona by plane  for around $68, Barcelona to Thailand $340. Thailand to America (will go into further detail) for $543. I walked as much as possible and then used the metro the rest. I only used Uber for when it was a long distance, and even then it was so cheap. The metro is really not hard to figure out so don’t freak out. Buses, ya that’s a whole different story. Fatin is great at them but not me.

Studentuniverse.com, kiwi.com and Skyscanner.com are your life savers. How did we get such cheap flights? By following these tips.

1.) Book on Tuesday. Seriously do it because the airline computers update Monday night at midnight. 2.) Be VERY flexible. I could’ve gone home from Thailand direct flight for $1,200+ or with 1/2 stops for $800+, instead I had 4 stops and spent $543. Yes my flights were long but these extra savings are what matter. 3.) Fly to random places. Instead of choosing your destination on those websites, select “anywhere”. This let’s you get cheap flights and usually quicker. Instead of flying Austin to Paris directly. You can purchase a ticket from Austin to Georgia for cheap. And then Georgia to New York and then New York to Paris. Breaking up your destinations is almost always way cheaper and more places to add to the adventure! And finally 4.) Be very flexible with dates. You would be surprised how much you can save just by leaving sooner or later. Don’t be afraid to fly smaller airlines either or foreign airlines. Again with fear, your limiting yourself when you let fear make your decisions. Some of my most favorite flights are from foreign airlines.

Accommodation:

Airbnb and Hostelworld are your best friends. All of my trips in Europe I stayed in airbnb’s except for one hostel I stayed at in Rome. Thailand, I only stayed in hostels. DONT freak out because it’s an Airbnb, I will neverrrrrr use a hotel abroad ever again. You get the comfort of a home for a fraction of the cost. My most expensive Airbnb was $45 and then split in two because of Fatin so really $22.50. And again most expensive one. So, some tips?
1.) Do your research on the place. Read the reviews, see all they have to offer, location is key. You might get a super cheap place away from the city but then you have to add costs of transportation to do anything. We always chose places right in the city or a long walk away.
2.) Be open minded, enjoy learning others cultures. You might get a place that’s empty or that’s filled with a family, you might even have one that’s rented to other people as well (they will tell you in the description so don’t freak out). One of my favorite airbnb’s was in Milan and my host only spoke Italian. We spent the entire time speaking through google translate, and if you read my blog that turned out to be an amazing story.
3.) HOSTELS ARE LIFE!!! If I could go back and do it all again I would’ve only done hostels. I will never regret my time in airbnb’s because I had such an amazing time with that, but hostels man. It’s like a cheap camp!!! And most of them have a bar inside or next to them. Don’t be afraid to sleep in the same room as people, I swear to you it’s not weird and by the fifth second you walk in and say hi you already have bffs. At least in my case. I made friends in every single one and traveled with them further. So don’t be afraid because I was and now I kick myself for spending $20 on an Airbnb when I could’ve spent $5-11.

My favorite hostels:
 The Yellow Hostel in Rome. Oh my goodness this Hostel is the #1 rated Hostel in Rome. I had to squeeze to get a place to stay here. I even got my hair done at their salon!!! They have every activity you can name, an entire tour of Rome for €5!!!! (Do it, it’s amazing) and the bar/restaurant downstairs is so popular that even locals come. It’s always packed and so much fun. I even applied to work there while I was staying that’s how much I loved it. Free dinner every night, karaoke nights (yes I got in stage), a 24/7 party, and great food.
Warm White Hostel in Bangkok. SO AMAZING AND SO MUCH FUN!!! I met my 3 bffs that I talk to every single day still from there. It’s right in the city next to everything you possibly need. And the nightlife is amazing. They also have a rooftop to overlook the city. I stayed here both times in Bangkok because I loved it so much. 
 The Stones Bar in Koh Phi Phi, Thailand was the craziest one I stayed at. The music was so loud you could feel the vibrations in bed. With that being said if you don’t like loud music this one isn’t for you. I loved it though. It’s right on the beach with a bar and restaurant down the stairs. The entire strip of sand is like “Hostel drive”.  They are all next to each other and every single night it’s a giant party on the beach with music, fire and the water reseeds so far that you can walk on the sand to the boats.
Non La Mere in Koh Lanta, Thailand was a very calm Hostel. Well put together, very clean and again calm. There is a bar downstairs but Koh Lanta isn’t a very party tourist island so it was a relaxing stay while there.
The Beach Village Backpackers in Koh Phangan, Thailand is a resort. That’s all there is to it. I stayed there for $8.14 a night and it is seriously so nice. A full restaurant outside, bungalows, dorm rooms (that’s where I stayed), multiple showers and bathrooms, a giant pool with a bar, and right on the water. It’s off one of the major roads so no matter where you go you have access to everything you need. They host parties and events all the time as well!!! Highly highly recommend this place.
 Now Koh Tao, my favorite place in Thailand EVER, is different. I stayed at the Crystal Dive Resort in a bungalow because I was doing scuba diving lessons. But I highly recommend doing that as well because for everything included to become a certified diver in 4 days it’s like $280 with stay included. And you get your own private bungalow. SO worth it. I met my other two BFFs who I talk to legit every day of my life there and we split a 3 bed private bungalow (I know who needs three beds) for 200 baht each. So like $6 a night. Incredible.

Saving:
Alrighty, the most asked question I have received is… how did I do it? Financially speaking. Well for a recently turned 20 year old you might think “oh, her parents paid for her trip”. Wrong. I did. Yes I got Christmas money and birthday money but I did the saving. I worked at a restaurant called The Social House in Addison (Dallas, Texas). While working here on an average week (maybe 4-5 shifts a week) I made anywhere from $600-$1200. Depending on the day, season, and if I washed my hair or not. I loved this job and would recommend anyone to work there. They also have an uptown location and a Fort Worth one!!

Thankfully my Mimi was gracious enough to let me live with her while I was saving so I didn’t have rent to pay. If you are someone with rent I would try and lower any and all expenses. Keeps lights off, larger and less frequent laundry, unplug things…little things to bring savings up as spending down. You will have to work harder and save more than I did. I truly didn’t alter my life in anyway saving for this trip. Which gives me even more hope to save harder and more for my next one! I didn’t go out because 1, I’m not 21 and 2, because I don’t drink and 3, because I’d rather make $300 on a Friday and Saturday than spend money on going out. I cooked at home as much as I could and I cooked in Europe almost always. That really is the best way to save money while traveling. Also (the hardest thing) I didn’t go shopping, here or there. I knew that I wouldn’t take any of it with me so it can wait.

My mom canceled my car insurance while I was gone and with sprint I had free unlimited data and texting while overseas. So all in all I had no strings attached while traveling. The next trip I go on will be different but as I plan to have a very extended trip in the future I will be selling my car and belongings I know I will not need for at least a year.

For those with a salary job or anyone with a 2 week paycheck really, use this tip. I use it now as I save currently. Whatever you don’t spend by your next paycheck put into a travel fund. Limit your spending and make it a game to see how much you can put in after 2 weeks. That way you don’t blow it on shopping or stupid things you won’t be using.

Packing:
PACK LIGHT PACK LIGHT PACK LIGHT. This trip made me wish I was a boy more than ever. I’m not joking when I say after my 3rd place I shipped my entire unused suitcase home with DHL. If you will be going to several destinations backpacking is key. You don’t want to haul luggage up stairs and walk several blocks with it. I promise I will say I told you so when you tell me about your trip and how little you used of what you packed. You are going place to place and you hardly ever run into the same people twice. So, pack about 5 outfits and that’s it.

I would recommend 2 pairs of shoes. After I sent my suitcase home I had a pair of tennis shoes and my boots (it was winter). I wore a big coat every day so I really only had to change my pants since I wore boots and a big coat every day. I had 1 pair of jeans, 4 pairs of leggings and 1 pair of sleep shorts. For shirts, I had 2 long sleeves, two T-shirts, a dressy top and a vest. When I left Barcelona I packed my entire backpack up and gave all my clothes and shoes away to a homeless women. I flew to Thailand with a pair of leggings and a shirt in my bag and the clothes on my back. I purchased two pairs of shorts, three tank tops, a skirt wrap and sandals. That’s all I wore for the next month.

Washing your clothes is very easy. I am not one to wait for laundry, so I grabbed some travel soap and hand washed all my clothes. In Europe that is, Thailand I was spoiled and paid a dollar to have them cleaned and folded for me.

Makeup, of course I packed a small bag of makeup but I honestly hardly wore any. A full face of makeup is not common overseas and unnecessary if you ask me. Don’t pack shampoo, conditioner or really any toiletries since you can buy them there very inexpensively and save room in your bag! I purchased travel sizes in every country to last me the time I spent there.

Roll roll roll your clothes and pack them up nicely, merrily merrily merrily merrily packing light is the dream. Unless you can fold as flat as Thai people, roll your clothes. Every last one. You’d be surprised how much stuff a backpack holds.

Wanting to buy a camera? Unless you’re a pro, don’t. The lugging, risk of theft and hassle isn’t worth it. Plus they are expensive. My mom was told by several camera stores that the iPhone is the best way to go and hey I think my pictures are pretty stunning. My mom got me a 4 lens kit that attaches to your iPhone for like $40 so I highly recommend that.

Now that you have all these tips and tricks and really have an idea of what you’re getting into, GO. Start planning places you want to see, learning about them and do it. I looked into pricing, packing, weather, transportation, location, things to do and see all before I went to that place. There are so many good blogs and websites designed for you to get tips and tricks for your adventure (cough cough share this blog with friends and family).

In all seriousness I could tell you to go every minute of the day but you have to get to the point where you do it. It is possible, I did it and you can too. So don’t make the excuse and just do it. You will never regret it a day in your life and that’s a Bailey Young promise. It was the most life changing time in my life and I will stop at nothing to do it again and again until I can somehow make a career out of doing what I love.

I truly hope I answered your questions or concerns and please don’t EVER hesitate to call me, text me or use social media to reply to me or ask questions. I am open to it all and just want everyone to have the most amazing experience that I did.

Happy traveling and go get lost!!