Travel Cheaper, Longer, Better: An Exclusive Interview with Nomadic Matt
Ever dream of exploring the world without emptying your bank account? Today, we’re sitting down with the travel guru who has revolutionized how thousands of people make that dream a reality: Nomadic Matt. His mission is to give you the tools to travel smarter, turning your adventures into unforgettable, life-changing experiences. Let’s dive in!
Matt, your entire platform is built on a powerful philosophy. Can you break down your “Travel Cheaper, Longer, Better” mantra for us?
Absolutely. It’s more than just a tagline; it’s a new way of looking at travel. It’s a roadmap that goes far beyond just booking a flight and a hotel. It’s about three core principles:
- Travel Cheaper: This is about busting the myth that travel has to be expensive. I share proven tricks to make your money go further on everything—transportation, food, activities, and especially accommodation.
- Travel Longer: Forget whirlwind trips. My strategies teach you how to stretch your budget and your time, so you can truly immerse yourself in a place, explore at your own pace, and avoid the rush.
- Travel Better: This is the most important part. It’s not about collecting passport stamps. It’s about genuine cultural connection, personal growth, and creating lifelong memories. It’s about the quality of the adventure, not just ticking off a list of attractions.
Your blog is a goldmine of information. For someone visiting for the first time, what are some of the must-read articles they can expect to find?
My blog is where I share everything I’ve learned. You’ll find a mix of practical advice and inspiring reflections. Some classic, essential pieces include my definitive guide to traveling cheap, and articles that tackle the mindset of travel, like “Why There Is No Perfect Time to Travel” or “Everyone Says I’m Running Away.” I also get into the nitty-gritty, explaining things like “Why Your Flight Is So Expensive” and offering honest reviews of travel tools, like the Capital One Venture X Business Card, or gift guides for fellow travelers.
It can be overwhelming to start planning. You have a “Start Here” section specifically for this. How does it guide a new traveler?
The “Start Here” page is the perfect starting point, whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned traveler. It’s a step-by-step guide designed to take you from dream to reality without the stress. It covers the entire journey: finding inspiration for your next destination, real strategies for saving money, my foolproof method for planning the trip, and recommendations for packing the perfect gear. It’s a complete roadmap to get you out the door.
Let’s talk about one of the biggest travel expenses: accommodation. What are your go-to platforms and strategies for finding a place to sleep without breaking the bank?
This is a huge part of smart travel, and I have a few trusted allies I recommend because I use them myself. There’s a solution for every budget and travel style:
- Booking.com: For budget-friendly hotels and a massive variety of options, this is the king. It’s my top choice for hotel reservations.
- Hostelworld: If you’re looking for hostels, there’s no better site. It has the largest inventory, is super easy to use, and you can book everything from shared dorms to charming private rooms.
- HostelPass: This is a great travel hack for Europe. It’s a card that gives you up to 20% off at a growing list of hostels. And I have a code, NOMADICMATT, that gives you an extra 25% off the pass itself.
- Couchsurfing: For those who want to save big and have an authentic local experience, this is fantastic. You stay with a local for free, which is also an amazing way to meet people and share stories.
- Trusted Housesitters: This is a game-changer for long-term travelers on a tight budget. You look after someone’s home—and sometimes an adorable pet—in exchange for free accommodation. It’s a true win-win.
Beyond accommodation, what are some other essential tools you recommend every traveler should know about?
A smart traveler has a well-rounded toolkit. I provide detailed guides and my favorite companies for finding cheap flights, which is another major expense. I also heavily emphasize the importance of travel insurance—you should never leave home without it. I explain how to use travel credit cards intelligently to earn points for future trips, and I always recommend taking walking tours to explore a city like a local. My site has a curated list of my top travel companies for just about anything else you might need on the road.
For readers who are truly hooked and want to become travel experts themselves, what advanced resources do you offer?
For those ready to go deeper, I’ve created more in-depth resources. I’ve written several books, from inspiring stories like “Ten Years a Nomad” to practical guidebooks like “How to Travel the World on $50 a Day.” For those who dream of making travel their profession or taking their own travel blog to the next level, I also offer professional mentorship programs like the “Blogging Mentorship” course.
Finally, for someone reading this who is inspired and ready to start planning right now, what is the absolute first step they should take on your site?
The best first step is to grab my FREE Travel Starter Kit. It’s packed with value, including step-by-step planning checklists, free guides, and tons of my best money-saving tricks. It will help you start traveling like a pro from day one. After that, connect with the community! Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and TikTok for daily inspiration and tips. The journey begins with that first step, and I’ve laid out all the tools to help you take it.
