“Budget slow travel” is not your typical week-long vacation. You don’t have to rush around and try to see everything on a limited and hurried schedule.
Budget slow travel can be much cheaper and more environmentally friendly than traditional tourist sightseeing. And a slower pace in a foreign place will better connect you with the culture.
The faster you go, the less you see – and the more you spend.
Instead of flights, budget slow travelers use buses, trains, and ferries as much as possible. We explore a region of Earth and use flights only as necessary to hop continents. This is better for the environment – and your wallet.
Slow travel definition for retired budget travelers
Definition of ‘budget’
Budgets are relative. Everyone has different budgets and different needs to feel comfortable when they travel.
This is your definition. It’s your budget, so you get to create your own definition of a ‘budget slow traveler’. We share what we do – where we go and what we spend – merely as a way to show retirees travel to exotic places is possible without spending a million dollars each year. In fact, our budget is far from that.
Budget slow travel examples
We demonstrate through our real world experience where two people can live – and live well – on budgets from $2,000 (developing nations) to $3,500 (developed nations) each month. If you’re solo, we estimate your expenses might be about two-thirds of our totals.
Where to go as a budget slow traveler
We identify destinations with easy tourist visa policies for Americans – these are countries where you can ‘live somewhat like a local’ well for less than the USA.
Helpful related posts:
These methods are a way to enjoy retirement at any age. We retired early to travel while still healthy enough to enjoy wandering around the planet at a slow place. During the first eight years, we were active with cliff jumping and diving, volcano hiking and more. Now, we have slowed down a bit, though we still are certainly active.
Our mantra: Life is Now!
Thanks for reading, “Slow travel definition for retired budget travelers.”
Recent posts on costs:
Budget breakdown: Travel in Japan
Budget breakdown for a trip to the USA
What our entertainment cost in Tokyo & Mount Fuji
About Ellen
Ellen and spouse Tedly started a budget slow travel lifestyle in 2015. She was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer while traveling in Europe in 2018 through an annual mammogram. She had a double mastectomy in Croatia, recovered from surgery, and kept traveling.
As a recovered alcoholic, Ellen seeks out spiritual growth opportunities in a variety of ways during her travel life, including service work, volunteering, and the occasional silent meditation retreat.
Ellen has another blog about getting diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. The cancer was found so early, and the tumor was so small, it was considered a rare case. For information on T1aN0 ‘triple positive’ breast cancer, please go here.
About Theo
Tedly (Theo) retired early from the news business to wander the planet with wife Ellen. He enjoys exploring all Earth has to offer: jungles and beaches, volcanoes and deserts – always drinking beer along the way.