How I Went From “No Money to Travel” to 62 Countries
If you’ve ever whispered “I have no money to travel” while scrolling through Instagram travel reels… hi. That was me too.
But here I am, a solo female traveler who has now visited 62 countries.
No inheritance. No trust fund. No “became a billionaire at 22” story.
This is not a “I won the lottery” story.
It’s not a “I quit everything and became rich” story.
It’s a messy, budget-conscious, sometimes chaotic solo travel journey that changed my life.
And in this guide, I’m going to show you exactly how I went from believing travel was impossible to making it my lifestyle.
Your Solo Travel Roadmap
In this guide, you’ll discover:
🗺️ 1. The “I Can’t Afford to Travel” Mindset Shift
💸 2. Budget Reality Check & Hidden Money Leaks
✈️ 3. Smart Flight Strategy & Booking Hacks
🏨 4. Accommodation, Food & On-the-Ground Saving Strategies
🛡️ 5. Safety, Insurance & Travel Essentials That Actually Matter
🧠 6. The Emotional Side of Solo Female Travel
The Real Reason We Say “I Can’t Afford to Travel”
When I said “I can’t afford to travel,” what I really meant was:
- 😬 I didn’t know how to budget travel (like, at all)
- 💎 I thought travel was only for rich people or influencers
- 💸 I was terrified of making expensive money mistakes
- 🧭 I had no clue where to even begin
The magic word here is “didn’t”… not “can’t.”
Because once I learned how solo female travel actually works behind the scenes… everything changed.
And that’s where my journey to 62 countries began.
3 Big Shifts That Took Me From “Can’t” to “62 Countries”
My transformation didn’t happen overnight. It happened through three ugly, glorious, real-life mindset shifts:
1. I Stopped Assuming Travel =Expensive
I used to look at flight prices and immediately close the tab. In my head, travel was something other people did. People with trust funds or premium credit cards. But then I realized I had never actually calculated what budget travel could look like. Once I did, my jaw hit the floor.
- 🛏️ €10 (≈ $11 USD) hostels exist (and some are amazing)
- ✈️ Cheap flights pop up if you know where to look
- 🌏 Some countries cost less per day than staying home (yes, really)
A week in Vietnam can cost less than a weekend in New York. Once that clicked, travel stopped being a “luxury” and became a choice.
2. I prioritized destinations over luxury
For years, I asked myself: “Where do I dream of going?” That question kept leading to expensive places like Paris or Hawaii. So I flipped it. I started asking: “Where can my budget stretch the farthest?” That one small change opened up dozens of affordable, beautiful, life-changing destinations.
- 🇻🇳 Albania
- 🇲🇽 Mexico
- 🇵🇹 Portugal
- 🇬🇪 Georgia
These places let me travel longer for less which meant more confidence, more memories, and more momentum. You can find cheap flights on Skyscanner.
3. I learned That Small Leaks Sink Big Dreams
According to solo travel psychology research, navigation skills, boundary-setting, and comfort with solitude are the top predictors of a positive first solo trip experience.
I used to think one big expense (like a flight) was my only problem. But after looking at my bank statements, I realized the truth: I was bleeding money through tiny holes. ATM fees here, a spontaneous tour there, eating out for every single meal. None of them seemed like much alone. Together? They destroyed my budget.
- 🏧 Random ATM fees
- 🍝 Eating out for every single meal
- 🚕 Last-minute transport instead of planning ahead
- 🎟️ Unplanned tours that looked “cheap” but added up fast
I once paid €5 ($5.40) in ATM fees to withdraw €20 ($21.60). That’s a 25% fee on my own money.
Solo Female Travel on a Budget: What Actually Worked
Once I stopped guessing and started building a system, travel became fun instead of stressful.
Here’s what helped most:
✈️ Flight Strategy
I stopped booking the first flight I saw and started playing the game. Price alerts, incognito mode, flying on Tuesdays instead of Fridays. It sounds boring, but it saved me hundreds of dollars per trip… money I could spend on experiences instead.
👉🏽 Used price alerts + flexible dates instead of fixed plans
- 💸 I found cheap flights on Skyscanner
🔗 Tools like GetYourGuide helped me compare local experiences once I arrived
🏨 Accommodation Mindset Shift
I used to think hotels were the only “safe” option. Then I discovered female-only dorms, highly-rated hostels, and homestays run by local families. Not only were they cheaper, they were also more fun and more social.
👩🦰 Female-only dorms exist and are awesome
- ⭐ Reviews matter more than star ratings
- 📍 Location > luxury (every single time)
🍜 Food Strategy
Tourist restaurants are budget poison. I learned to eat where locals eat: street stalls, markets, and tiny family kitchens. The food is better, the price is lower, and you actually taste the real country. Not the watered-down version.
🥘 I ate local street food (cheaper; tastier)
- 🛒 Bought groceries sometimes (yes, hostel pasta nights count)
- 🎉 Treated food as culture, not just fuel
🛡️ Safety + Insurance (non-negotiable)
I know, I know… travel insurance sounds like something your mom nags you about. But one stolen phone, one sudden illness, or one cancelled flight can wipe out your entire travel budget. Insurance isn’t sexy, but it’s the difference between a small setback and a disaster.
🔗 I use SafetyWing travel insurance for peace of mind
- 🛡️ Because one emergency can destroy your entire budget
🚰 Water + Micro-savings
Buying bottled water every day doesn’t feel expensive. But over a month-long trip? That’s €60–€100 (≈ $66–$110 USD) just for water. I switched to a filtered bottle, and now I save money, drink safely, and don’t feel guilty about plastic waste.
💧 Buying bottled water daily = throwing money away
- 🚰 Now I use a filtered bottle like LARQ = saves money and reduces plastic waste
- If you’re trying to figure out how to stretch your money without overthinking it, I break it all down in my solo female travel budget tips guide.
The Mindset Shift That Made 62 Countries Possible
I didn’t become someone who travels because I had money.
I became someone who travels because I stopped believing I needed a perfect financial situation first.
I started with:
🐢 Small trips
- 🎯 Cheap destinations
- 📝 Simple (sometimes messy) planning
- 🤷♀️ A “figure it out as I go” attitude
And over time, that became:
confidence → consistency → 62 countries
One of my solo trips to New York felt super glamorous…until I realized my carefully saved budget didn’t quite cover daily restaurant meals. So I became a pro at finding cheap deli sandwiches, supermarket snacks, and the occasional “this is basically dinner, right?” moment. And it still felt amazing because I was just happy to be there.
📚 If you want a mindset shift before you even book your trip, these solo travel books really helped me rethink fear, money, and independence.
What Nobody Tells You About Budget Solo Travel
🎉 Budget travel can be more fun than luxury travel (seriously)
- 💩 You will mess up your first trips — that’s the point
- 💸 You will overspend at first (I did too)
- 🚀 You will also grow incredibly fast
And most importantly:
You don’t need to be rich to travel. You need to be resourceful.
If you’re into tools that make this easier, I also use a few solo travel apps for women that help me track prices, stay organized, and not spiral into 27 open tabs at the airport.
I Wish I Knew This Before My First Solo Trip
💸 Budget travel is about strategy, not suffering
🏧 ATM fees are the silent budget killers
🧾 Cheap flights aren’t always the cheapest final cost (bag fees, anyone?)
🛡️ Travel insurance is not optional
📶 Offline maps = lifesaver (download before you go)
🍜 Eating local saves more money than any “travel hack”
🧠 Confidence comes after action, not before
Mini FAQ: Solo Female Travel & Budget Travel Questions
Here are the most common questions about your first solo trip.
🥗 Is solo travel good for vegetarians?
🥗Yes! Thailand, and parts of Europe are amazing for affordable veggie street food.
🏧 Are ATMs easy to find abroad?
🏧Yes, especially in cities. But avoid airport ATMs… they charge like angry dragons.
💰 Is tipping expected everywhere?
💰 No. In Europe, it’s optional or small. In the US, it’s expected. Always check local customs.
💰 Is tipping expected when traveling internationally?
💰 Tipping rules vary by country and culture.
In some countries it is expected, while in others it is optional or not common at all.
🚰 Can I drink the water while traveling?
🚰Depends on the country. A filtered bottle like LARQ saves money + keeps you safe.
🧳 Do I need travel insurance for solo travel?
🧳Yes. One emergency can cost more than your entire trip budget. Not kidding. Travel insurance is always a good idea!
💸 How did you afford 62 countries?
💸Budget strategies, slow travel, cheap destinations, and learning to kill hidden costs. I also find great deals by checking Skyscanner.
Final Thoughts – Last Stop Before Takeoff!
If you’re reading this and thinking:
“I wish I could do this, but I don’t know where to start…”
I’ve been there. Sitting on my couch. Scared. Confused. Broke-ish.
That’s exactly why I offer 1:1 solo female travel mentoring.
We’ll build your budget, fix your mindset, and create a real travel plan… step by step, no judgment.
Learn more about my mentoring here and let’s get you from “I can’t” to “I did.”
Adventure on, I’ll see you on the road!
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This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase through it, I might earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, basically, enough for a little travel snack while I plan my next solo adventure (and maybe a little treat to celebrate your post-travel glow!).
Feven is a solo female travel mentor who has visited 62 countries, 7 continents and helps women travel with confidence. She creates resources to help women overcome fear and plan their first solo trip. Follow her adventures on Instagram.