The Introduction
Our philosophy is simple: Go cheap, and you can go more often.  I got the idea to write this book in 1992.  Gary and I were on one of our many holidays in Amsterdam.  While there, we read an article in the International Herald Tribune that pronounced the average tourist in Paris spends $200 per day.  $200 per day…each!?!  Since Amsterdam is almost as expensive as Paris, we concluded that if we were average, we would be spending at least $150 per person per day.  Our daily budget was $30 each, and not only did we have a great time, we were able to bring home a trinket or two. 

 The Road to Hell: Making Heaven out of Third-Class Travel has been painstakingly field-researched over 25+ years, 40+ countries and too many beers and coffees at outdoor cafes to count.  Gary and I have taken our philosophy and our backpacks to the four corners of the globe and have never had either fail us yet. 

 Gary and I typically go just to travel.  It is the favorite times of my life: Gary and me with two weeks to a couple months of freedom, and little or no schedule.  It is freedom to explore…to spend an entire afternoon walking around and observing a city…to be bored and consider life.  The majority of this book advocates for this reason to travel, and its best advice is for those who seek out this solution.  No wait; this type of travel isn’t a “solution” to anything.  It is an end in and of itself.  If you are a bit more of a Type A personality, you might also be traveling to work abroad, study aboard or for mission trips or volunteer activities.  No matter your reason, this book will provide you information that will guide you during your adventure. 

 While I share many stories in my book, typically to emphasize a point, my book doesn’t provide you information about any one locale, city or continent.  It is place-agnostic, because I want you to go to many places and experience numerous cultures.  While London may be the polar opposite of New Zealand, and Europe expensive while South America not so much, my advice will help you navigate your trip, no matter where your compass points.  Every locale does ultimately accommodate the budget-minded traveler with lower cost accommodations, transportation and eating options.  Additionally, every locale will open your eyes to new ways to live, some amazing beauty and an experience of a lifetime.   

 My book is not just for the budget traveler as I have included sections on safety – it is rather detailed, exchanging money, what to pack and how to buy a cheap ticket.  Most importantly, you will learn our secret for transforming yourself from a tourist to a traveler: get off the bus, leave the resort, and meet the people so you will get to know a place – any place – and make it your place.  Otherwise, you could spend your fancy holiday on the bus getting to know the Johnsons from Hackensack.

 I encourage you to read this book, pack your pack, catch a flight and see the world, third-class.  Your experience will give you courage, intelligence, insight and a head-full of wonderful memories.

Insisting on perfect safety is for people who don’t have the balls to live in the real world.

– Mary Shafer, author & educator

Fountain Dance — New York City, New York, USA