On our world travels, we have personally used the following budget accommodation options….
Cheap hotels, backpackers hostels, camping, camper vans (RV’s), resorts, a friend’s house, a stranger’s house, overnight bus/train/plane trips, the floor at the airport, and so on…
There are times when you will just stay anywhere to save a dollar, and there are times when you need more comfort and facilities.
So whether you are looking for cheap accommodation in Paris, London hostels, cheap hotels, couchsurfing, home exchange, wwoofing, or house sitting, we have you covered….
Here Are Your Budget Accommodation Options:
- Cheap Hotels
- Backpacker Hostels
- Couchsurfing
- Tripping
- WWOOFing – World Wide Opportunities On Organic Farms
- House Sitting
- Home Exchange
- VRBO – Vacation Rentals By Owner
- Sleeping While Traveling
- Sleeping at Airports
1. Cheap Hotels
If you are in need of a little more comfort, and your budget allows it, then the obvious step up from a hostel is a hotel. Finding hotels cheap has been a desire several times for us, a little splurge for a night or two never goes astray after a while. Here is a great site for finding cheap hotels…
- Hotels Combined – Search all the best travel sites at once and find the cheapest price!
- Hotwire - For last minute hotels
- EasyToBook.com - Discounts up to 80%…Find & Book your cheap hotel worldwide”
- For hotel reviews check out Raveable which analyzes all available user-generated hotel review sites and gives you the rants and raves!
2. Backpacker Hostels
A great option for budget travel all around the world are backpackers hostels. We have consistently used hostels because they are affordable, are usually well located, they contain other like minded travelers, and they ar almost everywhere. To get a complete guide on the benefits and drawbacks of staying in hostels and how to book online, visit our backpackers hostels page.
Private room in our hostel in China
3. Couchsurfing
Is a great way to get free accommodation and to meet locals whilst you’re at it. Couchsurfing connects travelers with local people in various cities that offer places to stay. It could be a couch, a bed, or literally just space. Either way, you’ll save on accommodation and meet local people who can be a great resource on what to do around the local area.
How it works is you set up a profile of yourself and you can search other people’s profiles to find someone who lives where you need to go and is willing to host travellers. You can then communicate by email and work out the details from there.
Is couchsurfing safe?….The site has taken several precautions and there are steps you can personally take as well. Visit the site here
4. Tripping
Similar to couchsurfing, Tripping is a global network of travelers who believe cultural exchange makes the world a better place. Members connect with each other for travel tips, shared cups of coffee and even home stays. Tripping is safe and free.
How it works is quite simple. When you’re traveling, Tripping enables you to connect safely with locals who will introduce you to their towns, their cultures, their lives and their friends. As a member of the Tripping Community, you’ll feel welcome everywhere you go and you’ll experience places on a deeper and more meaningful level.
5. WWOOF – World Wide Opportunity On Organic Farms
WWOOF is a world wide network - and has since become an international movement that is helping people share more sustainable ways of living.
WWOOF is an exchange - In return for volunteer help, WWOOF hosts offer food, accommodation and opportunities to learn about organic lifestyles.
There are many WWOOF organizations around the world, but there is no single WWOOF membership that covers all countries. To check it out CLick Here
6. House Sitting
Mind My House is a global house sitting matching service. They provide all the online tools for home owners and house sitters to find each other from around the globe (or around the corner). The house sitters provide their pet and house sitting services for free in exchange for the privilege of accommodation in the owner’s home.
Learn more about this service here
7. Home Exchange
Probably best for older travelers or families who are looking to live cheaply in another country or state for an agreed period of time. It’s just like the name suggests, you stay in their house whilst they stay in yours. This is obviously not for everyone, but it just gives you another option. All the security measures and verification are put in place to make it as secure as possible.
Learn more here
8. VRBO – Vacation Rentals By Owner
Established in 1995, VRBO was founded by vacation rental owners who self-manage their second homes. They provide an online space for homeowners to advertise their vacation properties and make it easy for travelers to search 130,000+ rentals in over 100 countries worldwide.
Why vacation rentals?
Compared to hotels, vacation rentals can sometimes offer more value, space and privacy. Plus, your pets are welcome at over 25,000 properties across the US. To check it out Click Here
9. Sleeping While Traveling
When taking a bus, train, or flight, make it so that you are traveling at night time. That way, you don’t have to pay for a night’s accommodation. You have to get from one location to another, so why not do it at night time and save your money.
We have taken a many overnight bus and train journey, as well as the red-eye flights, and it greatly helps to cut down on your accommodation costs!
10. Sleeping at Airports
Sometimes it is practical and economical to lay your head down at the airport if you have a late night or early morning flight, which saves you paying for a nights accommodation.
But there are things to watch out for….Read this How To Sleep In Airports Guide for the right way to go about this!
Sweet dreams!…
