• How to Travel the World for Free

  • One Man, 150 Days, Eleven Countries, No Money!
  • By: Michael Wigge
  • Narrated by: Stephen Bel Davies
  • Length: 5 hrs and 6 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (103 ratings)

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How to Travel the World for Free

By: Michael Wigge
Narrated by: Stephen Bel Davies
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Editorial reviews

It is apparently possible for a person to travel from Berlin to Antarctica without any money at all. Just ask Michael Wigge, author of How to Travel the World for Free: One Man, 150 days, 11 countries, No Money! Simultaneously droll and exuberant, Stephen Bel Davies keeps the listener curious and bemused as they listen to the true story of Wigge’s adventure. From street performance to dumpster diving, from container ships to couch surfing, this pleasantly self-aware fool’s journey is fresh enough to keep the listener wondering what’s around the next bend.

Publisher's summary

The unbelievable feat of traveling 25,000 miles - from Berlin to Antarctica - without any money! Join Michael Wigge as he immerses himself into fascinating subcultures, rides with Amish farmers in old-fashioned buggies, sleeps on the street with the homeless, and, with the help from alternative lifestylers, learns to nourish himself with flowers. Wigge had only three concerns during his travels: How do I get some food? How will I get to my next destination? Where can I sleep? …all without money! This unusual travel diary combines adventure with humor and contains surprising revelations about when money is really needed - and when it's not. A must-listen for every travel and adventure fan!

©2013 Michael Wigge (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about How to Travel the World for Free

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

How to travel the world for free (If you're a man)

What did you like best about How to Travel the World for Free? What did you like least?

The concept of the book is great, the adventures he goes on are interesting. However, a lot of this would be dangerous if a woman were to do it (unfortuantely). Because of this, I didn't find the book very useful. There's no way I'd hitchhike with strangers or walk alone in certain countries at night.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

A Bit Disappointing

Any additional comments?

I found the cultural references and descriptions in this book interesting. What turned me off was the author's "Uber" Western attitude. Why would you agree to take a multicultural trip around the world, and then critique and complain about all the cultures you visit?! Deal, Dude! It's free! The bus-driver in Chile wouldn't keep driving that way if it weren't somewhat successful?! The author should have relaxed into his experiences a little more and focused on the learning aspect. He also took an overly professorial tone when he described Black jack, and Niagara Falls, in detail--like the educated people who read these types of books need those things VERY carefully described. I read Mr. Wigge's next book in the series , about bartering (actually before this one), and it is better.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Advocates theft of services.

It turns out the author is the lowest form of human being.
He wanted to go on a grand adventure without paying for it.
I have no problem with him working on an Amish farm or painting railings on a transatlantic container ship. in fact I applaud those things.
But when he eats at a homeless shelter literally taking food from the mouth of someone who NEEDS it or when he accepts charity from people trying to live on a couple of dollars a day I can't help but be outraged by his greed.
Then there are the two occasions he commits outright theft.
To take from those with little or nothing because you don't WANT to spend any money is a sin and a shame.
But hey. it got this jerk a book deal.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • JC
  • 06-03-21

A story of privilege

I will admit, I only made it as far as chapter 5. I kept wanting to not be ruffled by this tale. The fact is the wonderful storytelling was interrupted too frequently by the storytellers distasteful persona, privilege and elements of nuanced writing which gave appearance of a slightly misogynistic character with antiquated ideas about race, diversity and ethnicity. The author divulges some useful and interesting information and observations are rich and keen. The privilege isn't entirely unchecked, though some moribund history is relayed piece by piece as if a funny joke full of gaffaws is being made about a younger self between drinks of scotch around a fire with aging baby boomers, you know, years later- so it's "ok". When he proceeded to mention Angelina Jolie for a second time, referencing a woman apparently too refined looking for a rough job it was just a build up of grime around the story. Like the cake was looking edible, even yummy but someone put it in a dirty Tupperware. Hmm. My review.

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4 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A very odd way to make a point?

The author shows how good natured people really are by freeloading around the world. It was tough for me to be excited for Michael's success in taking food, shelter, and favors from others (sometimes from people with very little) with a credit card in his pocket.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Judgmental - poster child of what’s wrong with the media.

Stoped listening once he labeled the mid-west as racist because they don’t believe with his politics.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

?

It could be very exciting book. Little bit blunt and little bit boring.. I do not want to say anymore.

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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

The whole idea is stu... "not smart"

I am sorry to burst your bubble but you didn`t go to the end of the world "with no money". Just because you STARTED with no money but you worked on your way to make ends meet doesn`t make it "free".
We all start with no money so following your logic we all do everything "with no money".
Smarter idea would have been to work for higher pay in Germany to do the same trip on a limited budget. You were 1 health emergency away from disaster.
Awesome memories can be made without going to the extreme to leaving your home country with $0 and immediately struggling for your next meal. Just a stupid idea, i`m sorry to break it to you

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Unexpected

The performance of reader was on point.

The title is misleading. I was hoping to learn something new, instead; the writer was being a bum; Not very mentally or physically safe.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Entertaining

It was a fun and adventurous story to listen to. It’s an interesting idea to travel with out money.

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