Around the World in 80 Days Without Money

Starting in September 2014, two guys, Muammer & Milan, aim to travel around the world in 80 days without using any money.

Is their dream possible?

A few years ago, I might have said no, but after hitchhiking around Europe for a half a year with very little money, I now know that it is. I also know that it is one of the best experiences I have ever had, an experience that brought me friends and belief in the world like never before.

If this sort of journey is of interest to you, you may also want to read:
How to travel without money
My story of hitchhiking which I recently wrote as a full length book, titled The Boy Who Was Afraid of the World (available as paperback in July, 2014)

What do you think about travelling the world without money?

By | 2014-06-30T11:36:40+00:00 June 30th, 2014|Thoughts and Inspiration|8 Comments

8 Comments

  1. Angel 01/08/2014 at 20:31 - Reply

    I think the title is misleading. I thought they would traveling without money in the sense of being self-sufficient . Instead they are travelling with money, only they money isn’t theirs.

    What about “Begging around the world for 80 days” or “How to make other people sustain you”. What’s the different between those guys and the tramp down the street who ask me for cigarettes every day (I told him time and again that I don’t smoke!)? A cool video?

    • Jamie 02/08/2014 at 08:49 - Reply

      Essentially yes, they are relying upon other people to support them. Is the only difference a cool video? Maybe, but I admire their guts to go for this adventure.

  2. Robin 03/07/2014 at 12:47 - Reply

    Hey Jamie! I think it is very amazing you are going to do this trip! I am a young Canadian girl hitch hiking alone and camping through Europe. Right now I’m in Poland! I often look at your videos and advice when I’m feeling nervous, or discouraged. Your website has helped me A LOT so thank you for being awesome. Keep it up!

    • Jamie 12/07/2014 at 08:11 - Reply

      Actually Robin, it isn’t me doing the trip, it is the two guys in the video. Poland is a great country for hitchhiking with lovely people (in my experience) and I hope that you are enjoying it. Thank-you for your kind words and I hope that you continue to have an amazing adventure, it sounds like quite a wonderful experience. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for you as I make my own way through Europe!

  3. Michael 30/06/2014 at 15:52 - Reply

    While it’s a cool concept, something about the idea of traveling around the world begging and freeloading off of everyone you encounter leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It did look like they were working out deals where they do a little work for services (i.e. cleaning the bus for a ride), but it still seems a little sheisty. Almost seems as though they’re taking advantage of other people’s generosity. I think traveling on a very tight budget is one thing, but using NO money at all makes you a leech.

    • Jamie 12/07/2014 at 08:06 - Reply

      That is a valid opinion Michael. I have always debated about this myself and have never actually tried travelling completely without money because I like the independence to be able to buy things when I need them and to not be 100% dependent upon others – even if I only buy food costing a pound or two each day. I did read an interesting story recently of Tom Allen who cycled end to end across the UK without money, ‘working’ along the way in exchange for food and board. On another note, from travelling with very little myself, even when I have been happy to buy things, I have often had people force things upon me because they feel they want to give me something – I hate coffee and this is one of the most common things that people give me!

  4. Will 30/06/2014 at 12:22 - Reply

    So a couple of issues as I see it.
    Probably number 1 is that most if not all countries will not allow you entrance without sufficient funds to support you for the duration, similarly the requirement to have a onward ticket is pretty universal.

    Secondly, and this is tricky, is the fact that in most of the world any westerner is considered rich, if you are living hand to mouth a western person with a backpack is already much wealthier than you, therefore it is rare that services are given away for free in the developing world, cheap yes, free much less. So some money or services will need to be earned, tough to do when millions are hungry .
    Good luck to them though, I will follow with interest

    • Jamie 30/06/2014 at 14:45 - Reply

      Good points Will. The first point is true for certain countries. However, for people lucky enough to have European passports (and a few others), the world is very accessible without the need to show funds or pay for entry. Sites such as Visa Mapper show you where you can go with your passport. As for the second point, I agree that being a westerner makes the journey more difficult, but on my own travels I have met a couple (not many, but some) people who have travelled entirely without money for several years. On my own travels, I have occasionally volunteered in exchange for food and accommodation. I too will be following their journey with interest – I hope they make it.

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