Podcast Summary: "How to Travel the World on $75 a Day: What Savvy Travelers Do Differently to Make Every Dollar Count"
Podcast Information:
- Title: Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways
- Host: Sally French and Meghan Coyle, NerdWallet Travel
- Episode Title: How to Travel the World on $75 a Day: What Savvy Travelers Do Differently to Make Every Dollar Count
- Release Date: July 9, 2025
Introduction
In this episode of Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways, hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle delve into the art of budget traveling, aiming to show listeners how to explore the world without breaking the bank. The focal point of the discussion is an interview with Matt Kepnes, also known as Nomadic Matt, author of the updated book How to Travel the World on $75 a Day. This comprehensive guide offers practical strategies to maximize travel budgets, making dream vacations attainable for more people.
Guest Introduction: Matt Kepnes (Nomadic Matt)
Sally and Meghan welcome Matt Kepnes to discuss his expertise in budget travel. Matt shares insights from his extensive travel experiences across over 100 countries and elaborates on the evolution of his travel mindset since he began his journey in 2006.
Notable Quote:
Matt Kepnes [09:20]: "When you're a backpacker and you have X dollars and that's it until you go home, $100 food tour isn't, you know, Right. That's like a couple days on the road."
Inspiration and Evolution in Travel
Matt recounts his initial inspiration to travel on a budget, sparked by a transformative trip to Thailand in 2005. Dissatisfied with his corporate job and driven by a desire for adventure, he decided to embark on a journey that would redefine his life and career.
Notable Quote:
Matt Kepnes [09:20]: "I was working in healthcare, doing administration stuff. Didn't like my job, wasn't my career. So I was also in a graduate program at the time. And so I was like, you know what? Perfect plan. I will quit my job, finish my MBA, do my gap year like the Europeans come back, and then do the American 9 to 5 corporate dream."
Budget Travel Philosophy
While Matt has transitioned from traditional backpacking, his core philosophy remains rooted in immersive, culturally-rich travel experiences. He emphasizes the importance of engaging with locals, exploring authentic eateries, and partaking in activities that offer a deeper understanding of the destination.
Notable Quote:
Matt Kepnes [10:21]: "I want to get out of the hotel, I want to do what the locals do, eat where the locals eat, just kind of like get a feel for the city and the culture. I want to meet other travelers."
Overview of How to Travel the World on $75 a Day
Matt introduces his updated book, How to Travel the World on $75 a Day, which expands upon his previous work to reflect changes in the travel industry, especially post-COVID-19. The book provides readers with actionable tips on budget travel, leveraging current tools and strategies to find deals applicable across various global destinations.
Notable Quote:
Matt Kepnes [12:29]: "I ended up rewriting about 80% of this book because just so much has changed."
Strategies for Saving Money
Matt offers practical advice on budgeting and saving for travel. He underscores the significance of tracking daily expenses to identify and eliminate unnecessary expenditures, thereby increasing overall savings.
Key Points:
- Expense Tracking: Monitor every expenditure, from major costs like lodging to minor ones like a daily coffee.
- Eliminating Non-Essentials: Cut back on discretionary spending such as multiple streaming services or frequent dining out.
- Leveraging Remote Work: Utilize remote work opportunities to maintain income while traveling.
Notable Quote:
Matt Kepnes [13:18]: "If you factor in long weekends and holidays, you can take weekend breaks to a lot of places. Travel doesn't always have to be like get on a plane and go halfway around the world."
Best Value Destinations
When asked about the best value for money, Matt highlights Southeast Asia and India as top contenders due to their affordability, rich cultural experiences, and well-established travel infrastructure.
Notable Quote:
Matt Kepnes [16:32]: "Southeast Asia remains the best bang for your buck. It's affordable. There's a well-worn travel trail. There's lots of activities to do there. The food's great, you'll meet a lot of other travelers. It's very safe to travel around."
Essential Travel Hacks
Matt shares several hacks to enhance budget travel:
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Utilize Local Tourism Offices: These offices offer maps, brochures, and discount cards for attractions and transportation.
Quote:
Matt Kepnes [18:49]: "Visiting the local tourism office... they do have maps. They sell tourism discount cards, which is like a city pass that's like 24, 48 or 72 hours long that covers most of the major attractions and usually comes with free public transportation."
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Engage with Locals: Ask locals for dining and activity recommendations to discover authentic and affordable options.
Quote:
Matt Kepnes [19:33]: "Ask, like, 'Hey, when you go to lunch, where do you go to lunch?'... they go to places that locals frequent, ensuring better quality and value."
-
Avoid Tourist Traps: Implement the "five-block rule" to steer clear of overpriced tourist-centric establishments.
Quote:
Matt Kepnes [21:08]: "If you walk five blocks away from a touristy area, the menus switch from multiple languages to just the local language, and the quality of food improves."
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Use Hostels Strategically: Even if not staying overnight, hostels can be valuable resources for insider tips on budget-friendly activities and eateries.
Advice for Travelers with Limited Time
For those constrained by limited vacation days, Matt advises maximizing existing time by planning short, local getaways or leveraging long weekends and holidays for mini-adventures.
Notable Quote:
Matt Kepnes [22:06]: "If you live anywhere, just get in the car and drive somewhere or take a weekend break."
Leveraging Travel Credit Cards
Matt strongly advocates for the use of travel rewards credit cards, highlighting their benefits in accruing points or miles that can significantly reduce travel costs. However, he cautions users to pay off their balances in full each month to avoid interest that can negate the rewards earned.
Notable Quote:
Matt Kepnes [25:34]: "As long as you can pay your credit card off each month, there's absolutely positively no reason not to get a travel rewards credit card because you are getting rewarded for money you're spending anyway."
Rapid Fire: Matt's Favorites and Tips
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Favorite Region: Southeast Asia, with a special mention of Thailand for its rich memories and affordability.
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Least Favorite Travel Mistake: Not adhering to his "five-block rule," leading to unnecessary expenses.
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Desired Change in Travel Industry: Implementation of visitor limits to preserve destinations and encourage responsible tourism.
Notable Quote:
Matt Kepnes [27:27]: "The world was not meant to have billions of people traversing it... it's important we do it in a responsible way."
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Single Piece of Travel Advice: Maintain flexibility to seize deals and explore a wide array of destinations without being tethered to expensive locales.
Notable Quote:
Matt Kepnes [28:42]: "The more flexible you can be, the more likely it is you'll find a deal."
Hot Takes and Additional Tips
Meghan's Hot Take: Avoid Taking Uber Directly from the Airport
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Strategy: Utilize free hotel shuttles or walk a distance from the airport to bypass extra Uber fees imposed by airport services.
Notable Quote:
Meghan Coyle [29:48]: "Anything you can do to avoid that [Uber airport fees]. It'll help save you money."
Conclusion
The episode concludes with Sally and Meghan encouraging listeners to apply Matt's budget travel strategies to make their travel dreams a reality. They emphasize the importance of flexibility, smart budgeting, and utilizing available resources to enhance travel experiences without overspending.
Final Thought:
Sally French [31:36]: "We hope you're inspired to keep your passport full and your wallet even fuller. See you next week."
Connect with Matt Kepnes:
- Website: nomadicmat.com
- Social Media: @nomadicmat across various platforms
Book Recommendation:
- How to Travel the World on $75 a Day by Nomadic Matt
This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights shared during the episode, providing listeners with actionable advice to enhance their travel budgeting strategies.