It can be difficult when you’re travelling to keep in touch with everyone back home. And while you’re staying in Sydney hostels and doing what you can to go the distance without breaking the budget, getting in touch can often lead to a blow out. But this doesn’t necessarily have to happen, as long as you know how to keep in touch, the cost free way. Here we’ve got a great list of ideas for keeping the family happy without constantly having to go out and buy international calling cards:

Skype

Skype has many benefits to it and is something that all travellers should be aware of. Not only can you use it to make calls over the Internet for free, but you can also video conference so you can watch your little niece grow as you travel the world. If you know that you’re going to get homesick and seeing your family like this will be important while you’re away, make sure that they too know how to use it.

Snail mail

You shouldn’t turn your nose up at snail mail. In fact, if you have a sweetheart back home, writing her letters while you’re overseas or sending her postcards is so much more romantic than writing her an email. Better yet, postcards are only $1 or so and cost hardly anything to send!

Email

Of course, sending emails is a fast, instant way to let mum, dad and the whole crew know you’re doing fine. Once again it’s important however that if your parents or other relatives you want to keep in touch with don’t have an email address or know how to use one that you set one up for them and teach them how to use it before you leave for your trip.

Shop around for the best international calling deals

There’s no point in going with the first calling card you see. Do your research to find one that best suits your needs and provides you with the cheapest rates so when you do need to make that call to double check mum received her birthday card you can do so knowing you aren’t being charged your complete food budget allowance for the day in just a few minutes.

Blog

Setting up a blog is a fast, time efficient way to keep everyone up to date on your whereabouts and what you have been doing. You can post links to the best backpackers Sydney has to offer to let them know where you are staying and you can post all of your holiday snaps of the harbour and the Botanical Gardens for everyone to enjoy. Rather than having to send everyone a separate update, this is a wonderful thing to have so people can simply visit your blog when they want to know what’s been going on with you.

There are plenty of great ways to keep in touch without breaking the bank. I hope our list of tips has given you some useful suggestions for checking in with your family and friends every now and then, without spending too much.