How to Explore Tajikistan on a Budget

Mountains of Tajikistan This year, I’m going to try to visit Central Asia in the fall. I’ve never been to the region and it’s long one that’s held great appeal to me. It seems raw, beautiful, and unspoiled. So, when someone reached out to write a guest post on a country there, I was excited. It was a chance to learn a little before I (hopefully) go. In this guest post, traveler and writer Paul McDougal breaks down what it’s like to travel Tajikistan on a budget. Aptly and romantically known as “The Roof of the World,” Tajikistan is a hikers’ paradise. More than 93% of the country is defined as mountainous — and more than 50% of that sits at over 3,000 meters (9,800 feet)! It’s a striking country, full of glacial peaks and mountain lakes that are best for multiday hikes (but equally astounding on short jaunts too). Traveling around Tajikistan requires a sense of adventure, as the nation is also dotted with poor-quality roads, rudimentary facilities, and a massive lack of infrastructure. But, after spending almost a month there, I learned that it’s easy and affordable to get around these problems with a smile and a shrug. Many tourists spend more money than necessary when in Tajikistan. Most do so on an organized tour, which is why there’s a prevailing — and inaccurate — idea that it’s expensive to visit the country. A ten-day organized tour booked online can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $3,500 USD, equivalent to a hefty $150-350 a day. But if you travel independently, you can easily navigate this country for about $45 USD per day. So, how do you see Tajikistan on a budget? Here’s how:

Transportation

road tripping in Tajikistan Instead of booking a tour through an online agent, you have four much more affordable ways to get around to choose from: 1. Find a multiday driver when you arrive Hostels and guesthouses can put you in contact with local drivers, with whom you can negotiate your own rate, itinerary, and trip length. Typically, travelers spend $50-100 per day per person for this. The better your negotiation skills (and the more stubborn you are), the greater the chance you’ll get a driver for closer to $50 a day. Drivers can be found in Murghab, Khorog, Dushanbe, and other larger places. If you’re traveling the Pamir Highway (like pretty much everyone else in Tajikistan), you can also find drivers in Kyrgyzstan’s second-biggest city, Osh. 2. Hire a 4WD yourself This typically costs around $100 per day for the vehicle, so if you’re traveling with a few people, this is a great choice. It gives you freedom and it’s good for your budget! It’s very easy to organize this upon arrival. All hotels, hostels, and guesthouses in both Osh and Dushanbe can put you into contact with agencies that can arrange 4WD rentals. Don’t arrange this online, unless you want to spend more money. 3. Public transport Long-distance public transport doesn’t really exist in Tajikistan. However, enterprising locals have filled this gap in a very affordable way. Every day, before they travel from one city or town to another to go about their daily business, they always ensure that every single spot in their vehicle is filled. To find these travel opportunities, ask your guesthouse where “the bus station” is. They’ll direct you to a car-crammed area (usually near a market) where there will be drivers waiting to fill their cars. Using this method, it’s not unusual to end up squashed into the back of an ancient car with four other people on a five-hour trip. These trips typically only costs around $10. And it’s a great way to immerse yourself in local life. The price of the trip depends upon its length. The most I paid was for any single trip was $35 USD for a 12-hour, 600-mile voyage from Khorog to Dushanbe. And that was in a 4WD. A quick side note: If you’re traveling within a city or town, there are many small minibuses (marshrutkas) that can take you from one destination to another along prescribed routes for the measly price of around $0.20 USD. But along those routes, they’ll stop anywhere to take on new passengers and drop off others. And I mean anywhere: houses, outdoor markets, the middle of busy roads — it’s all fair game. 4. Hitchhiking For the vast majority of my trips in Tajikistan, I hitchhiked. Local people hitchhike in Tajikistan every single day — it’s a valid, recognized method of transport here as not every has a car and, as mentioned above, public transportation is scarce. When you hitchhike in Tajikistan, don’t stick out your thumb. Keep your stretched-out hand parallel to the ground and wave it up and down. Depending on where you’re hitchhiking, you will probably have to wait a while — on some barren stretches of road, you might wait thirty minutes to see one car. But, if that car has an empty spot, it will stop and take you without fail. (You might have to pay a little money.) I experienced nothing but positivity and warmth doing this. People were happy to take me and introduced me to all sorts of Tajik food, drinks, and music. It’s not unusual for those who pick you up to offer you snacks, buy you a meal, or take you to their home. I always offered money in return for these treats, but it was never accepted.

Accommodation

road tripping in Tajikistan 1. Guesthouses In any town or city, you’ll see houses with the word “guesthouse” written on them. Go inside one and strike a deal. It’s the easiest and most affordable accommodation, the perfect way to save money and have a better experience. You’ll be given great food and an even greater welcome. Throughout Tajikistan, local people will let you stay in their home for around $10-15 a night. This usually will cover breakfast and dinner too. You can negotiate lunch for a little more if you like — or you can eat elsewhere. Most guesthouses offer much the same welcome and much the same food, so it doesn’t really matter which you choose. Often, if you’re in a car with Tajiks (whether through hitchhiking or other means), they’ll take you a guesthouse they know of. And it’ll usually be a good one so don’t be too worried about scams. And even if you can’t find an official guesthouse, you’ll find a friendly local who’ll let you stay at their home for a small price. 2. Hotels and hostels These can be equally budget-friendly if you choose the right places. Some hotels are very expensive, but spots such as Pamir Hotel in Murghab offer affordable stays starting at around $15 USD a night. Some smaller towns such as Jelondy, a popular hot spring spot for locals, also offer hotel stays for around $10 USD. (Generally speaking, if a town is a popular vacation spot for Tajiks, there will be a cheap hotel.) Hostels are a good cheap option in bigger towns and cities, and especially in Dushanbe. Green House Hostel in particular is a fantastic, affordable hub and is packed with travelers. It’s an excellent place to team up with others to save on transport costs. 3. Camping Your third option for accommodation is camping. In some ways, Tajikistan is very camper friendly. I’m not sure what the actual laws are on wild camping, but I’d be very surprised if any exist. Although I didn’t do so myself, I met many people who camped in the wild, and none of them encountered any trouble. You should, of course, follow the normal rules of wild camping: don’t camp in the same place for more than one night, don’t camp on private land without permission, and don’t camp in cities. You should also research whether there are any dangers in the particular area you’re keen to camp. But otherwise, you will not draw any attention, since camping is very well tolerated here. Moreover, guesthouses and hotels will often let you pitch your tent on their land for only $2 or $3 USD. Note: the harsh weather conditions can often make camping an unpleasant experience. Because much of Tajikistan lies at such a high elevation, the temperatures can be unpleasant and even dangerous — and the ground in some conditions can be too tough to push tent pegs into. So you should be careful when planning where you want to camp.

Food

flatbread in Tajikistan />
As I’ve mentioned, you’ll likely eat most of your meals in guesthouses. These will often consist of flat bread, salad, soup, and endlessly flowing cups of tea. Other popular edible offerings include plov (a pilaf-style rice dish with meat and vegetables) and manti (steamed lamb dumplings).

Outside of guesthouses, you’ll find a more varied and versatile selection of food, such as kebabs and fried noodles.

You can get your mouth around all of these morsels for low prices in local cafeterias. The food is tasty and filling, and it comes in big portions for less than $2 USD. If you eat at a more up-market restaurant, you’ll be paying closer to $5 USD.

Takeaway stands in bigger towns and cities sell kebabs and samsas (which are similar to Indian samosas) often for around $1 USD, while outdoor markets are an excellent place to buy fresh fruit and vegetables — along with special pickles, candies, and more — for very cheap prices.

<strong>A quick tip on food:</strong> bring hand sanitizer and toilet paper! <a href=Everyone gets sick in Tajikistan. I have the world’s strongest stomach, and even I got sick on three separate occasions. You should also wash your hands as much as possible and avoid putting them into your mouth after handling money. And don’t drink the tap water!

Hiking

hiking in Tajikistan />
If you hire a private guide from an agency, it can be expensive. Some people pay up to $100 USD a day for a hiking guide. But there’s no need to do this.

Instead, simply ask at your guesthouse for a local hiking guide. The people who live in these towns and villages know the areas extremely well. They know all the paths and passes and landscapes.

And for only a few dollars, these unofficial guides will take you to and through the mountains for as long as you like. Whether you want a day hike or a multiday expedition, there’ll be someone in the village who can take you there. I hiked for an entire day in Bulunkul for less than $10 USD and went on a two-day hike in Darshai for less than $25 USD per day.

There are very few marked routes in Tajikistan. Some are marked on maps.me, but there’s very little of the infrastructure that you’ll find in other countries. So while you can hike independently, it’s essential you take a good map, a good compass, and good equipment — and that you know what you’re doing! Make sure you carry a refillable water bottle along with water purification tables — this will save you money too.

<strong>Are there any other things to see in Tajikistan?</strong>
Pretty much everyone who travels to Tajikistan does so for the hiking and mountain scenery, so I wouldn’t recommend going all the way there if your interest isn’t piqued by peaks. That said, there are a small number of other things to do:
<ul>
 	<li><strong>Museums:</strong> Dushanbe has a few small museums. The three most notable are the National Museum, the Museum of Antiquities, and the Museum of Musical Instruments. These cost between $1 and $5 USD, so they’re a good idea if you’re looking for something to pass the time inexpensively. Other small towns and cities have small local-interest museums.</li>
 	<li><strong>Rudaki Park:</strong> Central Asian cities are awash with beautiful parks. And Rudaki Park is one of the best. It’s a great way to people-watch, and it’s beautifully lit after sunset. But best of all, it’s free!</li>
 	<li><strong>Outdoor Markets:</strong> There are food markets everywhere, which make for another great free activity.</li>
 	<li><strong>Walking tours:</strong> Some hostels offer walking tours, which can be a nice way to see the city. These are usually pay-what-you-like, so you don’t have to spend much money.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Frequently Asked Questions about Tajikistan</h3>
<img src=here and follow his Instagram here for photography and scenes from the road. P.S. – Want to meet other travelers in real life? This year we launched The Nomadic Network, a platform created to help travelers connect, learn, and get inspired in real life! Here are our upcoming events if you want to take part: Seattle (2/17), Austin (2/18), Fort Lauderdale (2/19), Portland (2/19), San Francisco (2/20), Los Angeles (2/23), Detroit (2/24), Boston (2/24), Dublin (2/24), San Diego (2/24), London (2/25), Chicago (2/25), and NYC (3/10).

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned. Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the largest inventory. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are: Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and that will save you time and money too!

How to Visit Egypt on a Budget

Jeremy Scott Foster posing near the pyramids in Egypt Posted: 2/3/2020 | February 3rd, 2020 One of the countries high up on my “must visit” list is Egypt. As a lover of history, I long to release my inner archaeologist and explore the many ruins of the country. While it might be a long time before I get there, my friend Jeremy Scott Foster from TravelFreak has visited a couple of times. In this guest post, he’ll give you his best tips for saving money on your next visit to Egypt! I’ve been to Egypt twice. On my first trip four years ago, I solo traveled the Sinai Peninsula along the Gulf of Aqaba, stayed in shared hostels for $5 USD per night and took overnight buses that cost just as little. On my most recent trip last year, I traveled from the very north of Egypt in Alexandria south to Cairo, and then further south along the Nile River to the border with Sudan. And, throughout it all, I fall deeply in love with this country where foreign perception of violence keeps so many at arm’s length. The tourism industry in Egypt is still feeling pain as a result of the political upheaval, civil unrest, and terrorism-related activities that have marred its recent history. As tourist numbers have dwindled and competition for the tourist dollar has become fiercer, travel deals have proliferated. But what most visitors miss is what you can gain — free of crowds and for little money too. From the chaos of Cairo to the more laid-back vibe of Luxor, Egypt is an ideal destination for budget travelers.

1. How to Save Money on Accommodation

The balcony of a local hotel in Cairo overlooking the pyramids in Egypt Generally speaking, accommodation in Egypt is relatively affordable. However, there are a few helpful tricks that can cut down your expenses. Stay in hostels instead of hotels – Typically, you can expect to find a bed in a shared dorm room (with 4+ beds) for between $5-8 USD per night, or a comfortable private single room for about $15 USD per night. You will likely have to share a bathroom, but at least you have your privacy. Use Hostelworld to look for the best prices. I recommend Dahab Hostel in Cairo and Al Salam Camp in Luxor. Use Booking.com to compare prices for hotels – If you’re looking for cheap hotels or guesthouses in Egypt, I recommend checking Booking.com. A private room in a guesthouse or hotel goes for about $40 USD per night. Prices are generally listed per room, not per person. So, if you are traveling with a friend, you can save even more money by splitting the cost. Look for accommodations that add offer a little extra – I also found that, coupled with accommodation, it was pretty common for hosts in guesthouses to offer extras such as breakfast and local tours at very reasonable prices. One of my incredible hosts cooked a traditional hot breakfast with tea and coffee for just $1 USD. Best of all, he was more than happy to recommend some inexpensive local places to eat and buy food. Look beyond the standard hotel rooms for accommodation options – Vrbo and HomeAway are great Airbnb alternatives, as they’ve been connecting budget travelers and homeowners since the ’90s. HomeAway is geared towards people wanting a proper vacation rental, so you can expect a fully furnished home to live in which is great for longer stays. Vrbo lets you stay in a local’s house, but at a slightly increased cost. You can usually find some pretty luxurious apartments starting from $50 USD per night. The upside is that you’ll have full access to your own kitchen, which means you can further cut your costs by cooking at home.

2. How to Save Money on Food

Traditional tea on a platter in Egypt Stick to the local eats and street food – If you want to save money on food while traveling in Egypt, do yourself a favor and steer clear of the Western chain food joints. While a cheeseburger is about half the price of what you pay at home, it’s still more expensive, less tasty, and far less adventurous than experiencing the local cuisine. Why bother with a burger when you can eat the most delicious falafel in the world for $1 USD? Navigate the narrow alleyways of any bustling Cairo market (like Khan El Khalili or Mohammed Ali Street) to seek out the best shawarma ($2 USD). Or grab a stuffed falafel sandwich from a street vendor on your way from one ancient relic to another ($2 USD). You can literally find Arabic bread for 5 cents. It’s all cheap and very filling. And, the hummus. It’s so. Darn. Good. If you’re staying at a guesthouse, it’s common practice for them to offer full dinners for about $10 USD. The truth is that they’re actually just sourcing the food from restaurants in the neighborhood and taking a cut, so by seeking out your own food options, expect to spend about ¼ of the price. With that said, don’t be afraid of street food or street vendors, especially if the food is cooked in front of you. And if there is a crowd of locals waiting, then chances are you’re onto a good thing. Eat at a kosheri – A kosheri is a small, local restaurant that serves up generous portions of pasta, chickpeas, lentils, etc. often for less than $1 USD! There’s no menu, you just select the size of your portion and then you’re served this mishmash of deliciousness. Cook your own meals – As mentioned, preparing your own meals while traveling is also a great money saver. If you have access to a kitchen, just ask your host to point you in the direction of the nearest market. They also have the lowdown on where to eat for cheap, so take advantage of their local knowledge!

3. How to Save Money on Transportation

A small local sailboat on the Nile in Egypt Bargain with your taxi driver – In most Egyptian cities, taxis are an inexpensive and convenient way to get around. Now, when I say convenient, I mean they’ll get you to where you need to go relatively quickly. But I would be remiss if I didn’t add a few disclaimers. Taxi drivers can be aggressive on the road, leaving you white-knuckled from hanging on for dear life. I’ve never experienced a more heart-stopping journey than a Cairo taxi ride. Furthermore, while Cairo does have metered taxis, don’t be lulled into a false sense of security. Meters are notoriously unreliable or rigged, and drivers frequently “forget” to turn them on. It’s one of the oldest travel scams in the book. The best practice is to use an unmetered taxi and agree on a price with the driver before getting in. (Outside Cairo, most taxis are unmetered, so no matter what, always agree on a price upfront.) If you’re not sure how much is an acceptable price, ask someone at your hostel or guesthouse for a pricing recommendation, and then start your bargaining at about ½ that price. Oftentimes even they will give you a higher estimate than is normal (it’s locals helping locals), but the real price should be about ¾ of what you’ve been recommended. For longer-distance trips, hiring a car with a driver is the most cost-effective option. The price will be the same whether you’re traveling by yourself or with a group of four, so round up some travel buddies and split the cost. But of course, be prepared for some aggressive haggling to get the best price. Be clear about where you want to go and for how long you will need the driver. Don’t worry if negotiations break down, though. When it comes to haggling over price, never be afraid to walk away. There are plenty of drivers available, so just move on to the next one. Take the local train – Taking the train between Alexandria, Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan is the most popular mode of transport for this route. If time or budget is a concern, you can take an overnight train. By taking the sleeper train from Cairo to Luxor or Aswan, you’ll save a night’s worth of accommodation in a hotel. A deluxe sleeper cabin for one is about $110 USD, while a two-berth cabin is $80 USD per person. Cabins are secure, and fares include an airline-style dinner and breakfast. The food is basic, but it’s edible. But for a real bargain, you can book the day train between Cairo and Luxor or Aswan for as little as $10 USD. However, there’s one caveat: for safety reasons, the Egyptian government prohibits foreigners from purchasing day train tickets for this route. Officials say this is because only the night trains have armed guards in case of a terrorist attack, but this is an incredibly rare occurrence. It’s easy to get around this, though. You’ll need to book tickets online at enr.gov.eg (you’ll have to register an account but it’s easy to do) or ask your guide, host, or driver to book the tickets for you. They will likely oblige for a small fee. There are no reports of ticket attendants kicking any foreigners off the day train, so you’ll be fine. And if not, you’re only out $10 USD. Get the Flight Pass – The fastest way to travel around Egypt is by plane. Egypt Air is the national carrier and Star Alliance Member serving most major domestic destinations. Its Flight Pass is a cost-effective option that allows you to lock in low fares for domestic flights even if you haven’t determined your travel dates. All you have to do is purchase a minimum of four flights (or credits) and choose a time when you’d like to travel in the next 12 months. You can then book your flight up to seven days before departure. On the downside, you’ll have to always fly back to your original departure point. That is, instead of flying from Cairo to Luxor and Alexandria, you’ll need to fly Cairo to Luxor and back to Cairo before going to Alexandria. That said, the Flight Pass is still about 30% cheaper than booking the same multi-destination flights with other airlines. The Flight Pass is super customizable. You can select the number of flights (e.g. four, which is two round-trip flights) for a period of time (e.g. within one month), and also how early you can book your flights (e.g. one week before travel). This means that if you pick Cairo as your origin, you can select two round-trip flights to Aswan, Luxor, Alexandria, Sharm E Sheikh, or Hurghada. Each flight is $73 USD one-way. But if I were to book a flight from Cairo to Luxor for one week from now, that same leg would cost at least $142 USD! You can play around with this pass. For example, if you purchase a similar pass to the one above but select “one month” for how early you can book, the flights become $66 USD each per one-way. If that’s too much of an inconvenience for you, there are plenty of other airlines offering affordable flights. When it comes to finding cheap flights on other airlines, I use Skyscanner. By being flexible with your dates, you can save up to 50%. Keep in mind, though, that you might be traveling at inconvenient times, like the middle of the night. In the Skyscanner search bar, instead of entering specific dates, select the “Entire Month” option. This will show you a calendar with fare prices for departing and returning flights for every day of the month. This also works for one-way flights. However, it does not work for multicity flights.

4. How to Save Money on Tours and Guides

Massive pillars near the pyramids in Egypt The best money-saving tip I can offer here is to avoid booking online before you arrive in Egypt. If you’re a Type A traveler who needs a plan in hand before you even arrive, you’re not going to like this. But online agencies charge massively inflated prices, and you will end up paying a lot less if you deal directly with the tour company or guide locally on the ground. Add in the feel-good factor of your money going directly to your guide, their family, and community (and not to some middle person, agency, or large corporation) and you’ve got yourself a win-win situation. You may need to be a little more flexible with your dates. But you will have the added advantage of being able to negotiate (haggle, in reality), which translates to overall savings. Tours, private drivers, and the quintessential cruise down the Nile can all be booked locally at significantly lower prices than booking in advance. So, if you can stomach it, wait until you get your boots on the ground before booking your tours. Guides, in my experience, are an invaluable source of local knowledge and information. They have the inside scoop on the best vantage points for photos at all the epic landmarks. In addition, they’re great at dealing with those persistent and sometimes aggressive street vendors. The best guides can be found by asking for recommendations from other travelers who have used their services, but I always recommend my Egyptian brother, Rami. Back in 2015, on my first trip to Egypt, Rami and I connected by way of a mutual friend. We hit it off, and ever since then, I’ve helped him to grow the little tour business he and his family-run. It feels good to be able to help a local family in such a positive way. He’s honest, affordable, reliable, incredibly communicative, well connected, and did I mention honest? That’s one of the difficult parts about traveling in places like Egypt: when people are selling you things, it’s hard to know who you can trust. But Rami is my man. Send him an email at ramielshaer2@gmail.com and let him know Jeremy sent you (there are no commissions here — this is just a helpful referral to a well-deserving friend). He will sort you out or put you in touch with someone else in your preferred destination.

5. How to Save Money on Entrance and Admission Fees

Ancient stone monuments in the Egyptian desert Get the International Student Identity Card – Entrance and admission prices for almost all monuments and attractions in Egypt are set as advertised. However, you can get discounted tickets with an International Student Identity Card, including 50% off some of Egypt’s best museums (including the Luxor). Get a travel pass – You can get a Cairo Pass or a Luxor Pass (multi-entrance discount passes) from the Ministry of Antiquities, the Egyptian Museum, or the Giza Plateau for about $80 USD. You’ll save about 50% off entries to over 30 attractions in Cairo and Giza. You’ll find very little information about these passes online, however, so your best bet is to just show up at one of those locations and inquire there.

Suggested Budgets for Traveling in Egypt

The bustling streets of Cairo, Egypt full of locals While you can spend money on luxury resorts or private tours, it’s entirely possible to travel through Egypt on the cheap. In fact, you can easily spend as little as $30-$35 USD a day. The biggest way to reduce costs is to stay in dorm rooms or hostels. If you opt for a private room or mid-range hotel, you can expect to spend $30-40 USD more per night. Where and what you eat also adds to your daily budget. For example, street food is an affordable and filling option for dining in Egypt. You can eat everything from falafel and sandwiches to shawarma and koshari noodles for as little as $1 USD. Eating in a restaurant is more expensive, but still relatively cheap compared to Western countries. Meals in a mid-range restaurant start at $4 USD, while international dishes can be around $10 USD. Transportation is another added cost. Train travel can be cheap but may not be the most efficient option if your time is limited. So, if you plan to fly between your destinations, expect to add $50-$100 USD to your budget for each flight. Of course, your daily budget will also increase if you book private guides or splurge on souvenirs and gifts. And remember, haggling is one of the most important skills if you’re looking to save money in Egypt. Taxis, excursions, and other services can usually be bargained down to a lower rate than what is initially quoted. So, if you have a high tolerance for haggling, your daily budget could easily be less. Regardless, it’s always better to go slightly over budget, especially somewhere with as many must-see sights and experiences as Egypt!
***
The key to budget travel in Egypt is to be generally well informed and to have a good sense of humor (the latter goes a long way when dealing with vendors). Haggling and scammers are all part of everyday travel life in Egypt. There are very few goods and services that can’t be bargained for. Most importantly, always, ALWAYS ask for and agree on a price first before accepting any goods or services. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to politely say no and walk away. Now it’s time to start planning your trip to Egypt for maximum adventures at minimum cost in the land of Pharaohs, pyramids, and wonders of the ancient world. Get to it! Jeremy is the adventurous traveler behind TravelFreak, a website dedicated to helping people create lives they are passionate about. You can check out his blog to learn more or find him on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned. Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the largest inventory. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time. Some suggested hostels to stay at are: Dahab Hostel
    (Cairo) – The rooms are basic but the owner is friendly and helfpful and the hostel is in a great location.
  • Al Salam Camp (Luxor) – Great location and incredible staff. it’s away from the noise of the city and a great place to relax and meet other travelers.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are: Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and that will save you time and money too!

My 5 Favorite Hostels in Mexico City

One of the many beautiful historic buildings in Mexico City Over the past several years, Mexico City has become a hot spot for travelers as cheap flights and a burgeoning food scene have made this an ideal destination for travelers who wish to discover its temples, museums, and restaurants while sticking to a budget. As such, the choices of hostels have exploded — there are now over 40. They’ve become a lot more luxurious and offer better accommodations than before. But they are still cheap! Beds generally cost 229-379 MXN ($12-20 USD) per night. Plus, you’ll find that many hostels offer tours, free breakfast, and common areas for meeting other travelers. To help you plan your trip, here is my list of the hostels in Mexico City that I like the most. If you don’t want to read the longer list below, here’s the quick highlights. Based on lots of night stays and years of experience, the following hostels are the best in each category: Best Hostel for Budget Travelers: Massiosare El Hostel Best Hostel for Solo Female Travelers: Casa Pepe Best Hostel for Digital Nomads: Hostel Home Best Hostel for Families: Massiosare El Hostel Best Hostel for Partying: Hostel Amigo Suites Downtown Best Overall Hostel: Casa Pepe Want the specifics of each hostel? Here’s my comprehensive list of the best hostels in Mexico City: Price Legend (per night)
  • $ = Under $20 USD
  • $$ = $20-30 USD
  • $$$ = Over $30 USD

1. Casa Pepe

One of the beautiful dorm rooms at the Casa Pepe hostel in Mexico City Hands-down the best hostel in the city, Casa Pepe is equal parts cultural hub and boutique hostel. It offers a plethora of activities for travelers like in-house concerts, wrestling trips, tequila tastings, traditional dishes for breakfast, and free daily walking tours in different areas of town too. The rooms are clean and spacious and come with private lockers. The dorm beds are cubby-like and covered by a curtain, so you can have your own private space, which makes sleeping a lot easier. They also come with their own light and USB charger port. You can enjoy yoga in the morning and relax on the rooftop terrace in the evening (there’s a rooftop swimming pool too!). If you’re looking for a social hostel that makes it easy to meet people, this is it! It’s also located in a great part of the historic center of the city, near the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Zócalo. Casa Pepe at a Glance:
  • $$
  • Organizes tons of activities and events
  • Female-only dorms for extra privacy and security
  • Great place to meet other travelers
Beds from 379 MXN ($20 USD), privates from 1,619 MXN ($86 USD). —> Book your stay at Casa Pepe!

2. Massiosare El Hostel

Bunk beds in the Massiosare El Hostel in Mexico City Towering over Mexico City, Massiosare El Hostel is located in the penthouse of a beautiful historic building. There’s no elevator up to the hostel (which is on the 4th floor), though, which can be tiring, but it more than compensates with cozy dorm rooms and a super chill rooftop. The views from the roof are incredible, and it’s a fun place to relax at night and listen to music with other travelers. There are two kitchens (one for vegetarians and one for meat eaters) as well as a free breakfast every morning as well. It’s another great social hostel, and it’s super easy to meet people here. Just make sure to bring earplugs since it’s an old building and sounds tend to carry. Massiosare El Hostel at a Glance:
  • $
  • Laid-back rooftop for hanging out and mingling
  • Free breakfast
  • Social atmosphere so its easy to meet people
Beds from 240 MXN ($12 USD), privates from 600 MXN ($31 USD). —> Book your stay at Massiosare El Hostel!

3. Hostel Home

one of the dorm rooms in Hostel Home, Mexico City Hostel Home is Mexico City’s first hostel. Located in the Roma district, this place feels is super homey. It’s small, with colorful paintings on the walls and tons of potted plants, and offers comfortable beds, free drinking water, and good Wi-Fi. The rooms are a little cramped, but each dorm bed has its own locker and power socket, and there’s a large common area in which to socialize in. There’s a kitchen to cook and fresh fruit and eggs are provided at breakfast. The staff are also super helpful and can provide information about the surrounding area and things to do nearby. If you want a more “old school” hostel feel, this place is it. Hostel Home at a Glance:
  • $
  • Laid-back, homey vibe
  • Great location near lots of bars and restaurants
  • Free breakfast
Beds from 300 MXN ($15 USD), privates from 747 MXN ($39 USD). —> Book your stay at Hostel Home!

4. Suites DF Hostel

the dorm room of the Suites DF Hostel in Mexico City Suites DF Hostel is located in the hustle and bustle of downtown near tons of bars, restaurants, and cafés — although it’s still a bit quieter than other hostels so if you want to avoid a party hostel, stay here. Overall, the rooms are clean and simple, and the bedsheets have bright, funky designs that brighten up the place. All the dorms have en suite bathrooms, and there is a personal light and power socket for each bed. There are multiple common rooms to hang out in, a cool terrace for relaxing, and free breakfast every morning. The hostel also offers a lot of awesome tours to see the sights and meet other people. They also arrange trips to the Teotihuacán Pyramids, the Xochimilco Canals, and lucha libre wrestling matches. Suites DF Hostel at a Glance:
  • $
  • Central downtown location near lots of bars and restaurants
  • Lots of common areas so it’s easy to meet people
  • Organizes lots of events and activities
Beds from 324 MXN ($17 USD), privates from 857 MXN ($45 USD). —> Book your stay at Suites DF Hostel!

5. Hostel Amigo Suites Downtown

the terrace of the Amigo Suites Inn in Mexico City This hostel is the place to party. The rooftop terrace and bar go until 5:00 in the morning! After spending your night partying, you can soak in the sunshine in the solarium or swing on one of the hammocks. Dorm rooms are small (only 3 or 4 beds per room). You’ll get towels, a personal locker, and an en suite bathroom. The private rooms are pretty spacious, though, with either a double bed or two single beds. There’s also a delicious free vegetarian buffet breakfast and dinner. Hostel Amigo Suites Downtown at a Glance:
  • $
  • Party atmosphere so it’s easy to meet people
  • Bar on-site makes it easy to mingle
  • Free breakfast and dinner
Beds from 229 MXN ($12 USD), privates from 650 MXN ($35 USD). —> Book your stay at Hostel Amigo Suites Downtown!
***
Mexico City and the hostel scene here is fast becoming one of the best in the region. Whether you’re looking for a quiet place to stay or want to party the nights away, Mexico City will have a hostel for you. The prices are incredibly reasonable too, making it an affordable destination for backpackers and budget travelers alike. P.S. – Want to meet other travelers in real life? This year we launched The Nomadic Network, a platform created to help travelers connect, learn, and get inspired in real life! Here are our upcoming events if you want to take part: Seattle (2/17), Austin (2/18), Fort Lauderdale (2/19), Portland (2/19), San Francisco (2/20), Los Angeles (2/23), Detroit (2/24), Boston (2/24), Dublin (2/24), San Diego (2/24), London (2/25), Chicago (2/25), and NYC (3/10).

Book Your Trip to Mexico City: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned. Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the largest inventory. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are: Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too! Looking for more travel tips for Mexico City? Check out my in-depth Mexico City travel guide for more ways to save money, costs, tips on what to see and do, suggested itineraries, reading, packing lists, and much, much more!
Photo credits: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Udemy vs. Skillshare – A 5 Point Comparison

Skillshare is the most comparable online course marketplace to Udemy.  Both platforms market your online course to the masses and pay instructors a course revenue share monthly. That’s about all the similarities in the Udemy vs. Skillshare comparison, really.  They are pretty different platforms.

So, let’s say you are a new instructor and trying to decide which is best to start with. Or, perhaps you are already creating courses on one platform and considering hopping to the other.  What would the impact be on your online course business and the way you go about it?  

Udemy vs. Skillshare – 5 Key Differences

A comparison of Udemy vs. Skillshare’s features for instructors is pretty straightforward.  In this article, we’ve outlined the 5 biggest differences between the two platforms that matter to online course instructors (not to students).

Instructor Payout

At the end of the day, teaching online is about making money, right? Well, actually, teaching on Skillshare may not necessarily be “all about the money”.   The mission of the Skillshare platform is to provide affordable and accessible education to all.  The company asks of its instructors to “give back”.  You might translate that into “don’t expect a get rich scheme”. 

So let’s just cut to the chase and compare Udemy vs. Skillshare payouts.  Udemy has a fairly transparent, widely known, consistent instructor payout formula, based on its “pay per class” sales model: 

  • 50% of revenue for organic course purchases
  • 97% of revenue for courses purchased through direct instructor link
  • ~ 25% of revenue for affiliates sales

How much can Udemy instructors make?  You’ve no doubt read and heard stories about the earnings potential on Udemy, particularly for instructors in the tech field.   We at Teachinguide even attempted to estimate what top Udemy instructors could make earlier this year.  At the top instructor echelon course income can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.  

It’s fair to say that if you are a serious and very good instructor on Udemy and you put in the work, you have a shot at earning a decent living, or at minimum some decent passive income, selling online courses.  A large part of this is due to Udemy’s huge audience of some 25 million students and its growing global reach and brand recognition which drives a ton of traffic to the platform.  The platform also has a very extensive affiliate network that instructors can leverage to boost sales.

Skillshare, however, has a very different instructor payout scheme. As we said before, the fact that the platform’s mission is to make education accessible to anyone by providing affordability should give you a hint about the relative potential payout of Skillshare vs. Udemy.  The website reads “Why Teach on Skillshare? It’s a great way to earn money, build your online following, and give back. Top teachers make $100,000+ a year.”  We’re not scoffing at earning $100,000 a year, that’s great money. But top Udemy instructors have added another three zeros to that number.

So what is Skillshare’s payout scheme?  Skillshare is a subscription-based website, and the subscription fee is relatively low at about $12 per month for access to all “Premium” courses. For that amount, students can watch as many course videos for as many minutes as they like that month.

Once an instructor’s course has been watched for 30 minutes he/she becomes eligible to earn a payout. Thereafter, instructors are paid based on Skillshare’s algorithm that calculates payouts based on how many paying students enrolled in your courses versus all other courses, a variable percent of the subscription revenue for the overall Skillshare platform that month (30%-50%), and the number of minutes watched for your courses. The focus of the Skillshare platform payout is different in that it is a community-based platform with a pool of funds that fluctuates each month to be divided up. 

Estimates that we have seen roughly work out to between $3-$5 per hour of course watched per student. So for a 3 hour course, you might make $10-$15 per student.  Instructors can also earn $10 per student referred using their personal referral link.  Finally, instructors can earn a $50 gift card each time they refer another teacher to the platform who creates a course within 30 days.

Skillshare’s payout scheme seems a little more complicated on the surface than Udemy’s. But if you think about it, with all of Udemy’s course discounting, the free coupon campaigns to get enrollments, affiliate marketing, etc. you never quite know what you’ll earn from Udemy either.

Course and Instructor Competition

Clearly on Udemy with its 100,000+ courses, as an online instructor you are likely to be competing with hundreds of other courses in your chosen topic area.  So as an instructor, you have to think a lot about marketing and promoting your course, optimizing for Udemy search rankings, and getting great reviews quickly to convince a student to take your course instead of the many alternatives.  That said if you manage to find a decent niche for an up and coming topic (increasingly rare) or do what it takes to develop a student following (virtuous circle!), you’ll do fine.

Versus Udemy, Skillshare is what we might call “less cutthroat” when it comes to competition with “only” 29,000 courses.  With less competition on Skillshare, instructors who publish a lot of courses and develop a student following can do quite well.  In addition, since students have paid for a monthly subscription that allows unlimited access to courses, you have a better chance of students enrolling in your course because they don’t have to pay anything extra to take it. But you still have to get them to watch minutes of your course to earn money. So marketing and promotion is still a necessary evil despite the lesser competition.

Also on Skillshare, a lot of the courses are more “crafty”, along the lines of art or calligraphy. So if you are in a creative field, you may face stiff competition.

Community and Support

Community is, as Skillshare describes it, “the pulse of Skillshare”.  It has an active community of students who share their projects with each other and provide feedback to each other.  The bond within the teacher-student community is much stronger on Skillshare due to the hands-on nature and interactivity of course projects.

For new teachers, Skillshare promotes a 30-Day Teaching Challenge which gives prospective teachers milestones, reminders, tools and encouragement to design and upload a course within 30 days. It also has a great online video course for new instructors that teaches you how to get going, as well as a Teacher Handbook. The platform also helps teachers develop a following by notifying students each time their instructor publishes a new course. The whole “new instructor” thing just seems a little less “scary” on Skillshare.

Udemy does have Facebook groups, instructor conferences and its Studio U instructor forum with about 20,000 instructors on it.  The platform is so popular, you are bound to find help somewhere if you look for it (like on Teachinguide!).  That said, there isn’t much of an instructor-student community and virtually no student community.  There’s no place to get feedback on work or projects either. Finally, the customer/instructor support on Udemy has met with mixed reviews as well.

Restrictions and Eligibility

Both platforms have restrictions concerning minimal course content and parameters. However, Skillshare does not require its prior approval before instructors can upload their courses to the platform. It relies heavily on the community aspect of the platform to ensure there are no “cheaters” when it comes to quality, adhering to course requirements, etc.

Udemy requires background checks and course quality approval before you can upload your courses.

Skillshare has topic restrictions.  Prohibited topics include those focusing on passive income strategies, courses about teaching on other learning platforms, topics related to romance and relationships, and courses on how to resell existing products/services.  When we did a search for  “passive income” on Udemy, there were 883 search results. “Drop shipping” turned up 1,100 course results. In this sense, Udemy is much more accommodating when it comes to defining what “learning” is. This is one reason it boasts so many more courses (and users) than Skillshare.

Types of Courses and Course Content

Did you know that many Udemy courses like this one about Tableau 10 are also on Skillshare?  (Note that this course has 4,247 students enrolled on Udemy vs. 285 students on Skillshare)

Both platforms have a wide range of instructors in terms of experience and background.  One key difference between Udemy and Skillshare is that on Skillshare courses of less than 30 minutes are allowed, even encouraged.  Skillshare also encourages instructors to create learning in bite sized classes, for instance with about 10 minutes of instruction and then a project assignment.  There are courses as short as 12 minutes.  Some Udemy instructors will take their longer course and break it down into smaller Skillshare courses.

On that note, another key difference between Udemy and Skillshare course content concerns the nature of learning. All Skillshare courses have at least one project. The emphasis of instruction is on learning by doing and students are encouraged to upload their projects to share and get feedback. This means as an instructor, you must be willing to create courses and projects fairly frequently to teach your subject matter. 

Udemy, on the other hand, allows for simple talking head and PowerPoint instruction. Some instructors may prefer this more passive approach to teaching. Students may prefer it as well.  That said, Udemy allows instructors to incorporate quizzes into their courses which does help engage students somewhat.

Finally, when it comes to foreign language course instruction and content, Udemy wins hands down.  Skillshare is very English language centric.

Udemy vs. Skillshare – the Verdict

In the end, these comparisons don’t matter all that much to your opportunity to sell courses through an online marketplace. You can become an instructor on both platforms if you wish and repurpose the same content. There is no exclusivity. However, here are some key issues to consider when choosing one platform over the other:

  • You will have to change the format somewhat to accommodate Udemy vs. Skillshare. If you don’t like creating projects or many many courses (to make more money), the you should avoid Skillshare and stick to Udemy’s talking heads powerpoint “mashup” format.
  • If your goal is to make money a good deal of money online, it is probably better to start on Udemy. You have control over your course pricing and your payout is based on transparent, simple math so it is easier to set earnings goals and work towards them. Again, you just have to look at the top earners to see there is more potential on Udemy.
  • If you want to dip your toe in the water and experiment with online teaching quite simply, perhaps by creating a very short module of less than 30 minutes, Skillshare is probably lower risk (and lower pay). Then you can migrate to Udemy once you are feeling more confident and ready to spread your wings.  Also if you don’t want to have to think a whole lot about promotion and marketing, Skillshare may be better given its lesser competition.
  • If however, you are developing a course in any of the Skillshare restricted areas – which by our small search experiment eliminates several thousand instructors – or your primary language is not English then Udemy is for you and your students.

In the end, you might as well publish on both platforms and see which one works for you. You certainly won’t lose money!

Reader Survey Results: What We’re Changing This Year!

a laptop notebook and smartphone At the end of 2019, the team and I ran a reader survey. We wanted to see what you liked, didn’t like, and wanted from us in the future. There were some interesting and helpful suggestions in there. I read through over a thousand responses, as I wanted to see what you wanted from us. You can’t get better without feedback, and we always want to make sure we’re serving your needs. So, as we make our way through this year, I wanted to share with you some changes you can expect to see on the website: First, we’re continuing to bring on new voices to write for us. You might have noticed that we’re having more guest posts to more destinations! We’re currently looking for articles about:
  • LGBT content: stories by transgender people, queer couples, and solo gay, lesbian, or bi travelers
  • Africa-related content (bonus points if it’s East or Central Africa)
  • Middle East–related content
  • Central Asia–related content
  • India-related content
  • China-related content
  • Technology- or gear-related content
  • Senior/Older travel
  • Family travel
If you want to write for us, check out our guidelines page. Second, I plan to write more travel stories this year. We do a lot of brass-tacks, hard-numbers stuff here. The nuts and bolts of travel. Practical information. But last year, writing my book inspired me to get into more storytelling. So this year, as I make my way around the world, I’m making an effort to create more stories about the places I visit — their history, people, and culture. So you’ll see such content popping up with more frequency. And you’ll see more history and culture in our how-to posts too. I want to start painting a more holistic view of each destination we write about. Third, we’re going to be hosting a lot more events this year. We’ve started The Nomadic Network so we can do more in-person events this year. We really want to take this online community offline, so we’re building a great website for that and hosting lots of events. For more information and ways you can get involved, check this post out. Fourth, a lot of you suggested topics you wanted to see, so we’re busy making that happen! Some of the topics you’ll start to see more of over the course of the year are:
  • Eco-travel
  • Traveling with pets
  • Family/kid-friendly travel
  • Traveling when you’re older
  • How to make friends when you travel
  • How to make the most of your time
  • How to save more money BEFORE you go
  • Off-beat destinations
  • “Thematic” ways to see a city
  • Reader stories
  • Ways to volunteer
  • Itinerary posts
  • And a bunch more!
Obviously, I can’t write all the time (or expertly on all these topics), which is why we’re going to be bringing in a few more regular contributors and writers now. So not only will you be seeing more content, you’ll be seeing a lot more diverse voices on the website too. And, as a sidebar to that: since we have so much content now, we’re going to be doing a new redesign in the middle of the year so the site will be easier to navigate. That’s it! Those are our big plans! We’re super excited about what’s in store for this year. – Matt

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned. Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the largest inventory. If you want to stay somewher eother than a hotel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are: Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!