A savvy nomad who has been “living out of a backpack” for five years has shared money-saving travel tips.
Ombeline Daragon has spent the last half a decade country hopping and taking in culture while keeping the cost down.
The 27-year-old has visited a whopping 32 countries and lifted the lid on her top five tips when entering a new place.
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The content creator also worked a number of jobs to keep her money topped up during her travels.
“Travelling the world means nothing if you’re not willing to travel within yourself,” Ombeline, from France, told CreatorZine.
“After five years of living out of a backpack, I’ve learned that the first 24 hours in a new country can either be a dream or a total disaster.
“Whether you’re heading into a bustling city or a remote coastal town, these are my non-negotiable rules for landing on your feet without the unnecessary stress.”
Ombeline’s top tips start with having a digital safety net, in the form of offline maps.
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She said: “Never rely solely on airport Wi-Fi.
“Before you even board your flight, download the offline Google Map for your destination.
“It ensures you always know where you are and where your driver is taking you, even if your data fails.”
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Secondly, a one day e-sim is vital for your first day in a new country – the savvy nomad recommends Holafly for a one-day e-sim.
Ombeline said: “It gets me through that crucial first day with immediate access to maps, translation apps, and ride-hailing services.
“It’s peace of mind in a digital packet.”
When arriving in the airport, Ombeline says it is best to pre-book a taxi to your destination – with many drivers charging high prices in the terminal.
She said: “It’s safer, the price is fixed, and you avoid the ‘tourist tax’ right out of the gate.”
In addition, when withdrawing money from an atm, always click ‘no’ to accepting the conversion.
Ombeline added: “Let your own bank handle the conversion, you’ll get a much better rate and keep more money in your pocket for the fun stuff.”
Finally, purchasing physical sim cards from a store in the city is your best chance at saving money and finding the best package.
She said: “You’ll find way more plan options, better data packages, and significantly lower prices than the ‘tourist specials’ at the terminal.”
The last five years have provided Ombeline with the savvy travel nature which has made her trips across the likes of Australia, South East Asia and the USA stress free.
During her travels, she has worked a number of jobs including being an author, artist, mine supervisor, boat repairer, farm hand, chef and an au pair.
Her work ethic has helped fund her travelling after she left home with just $2,000 (£1,500).
“I’ve never earned a cent any other way than by sweating my ass off,” Ombeline added.
“I trade my sweat for my freedom.”
