Traveling the world is one of the most eye-opening and fulfilling experiences. However, even the most avid traveler needs to relax and sleep at some point.
Accommodation is one of the most expensive aspects of traveling. However, you don’t need to check into a five-star hotel to rest for the night. There are dozens of more accommodation options, and many are cheaper and more convenient than staying in a hotel.
Here are six safe and affordable accommodation tips when traveling on a budget:
Camping
Camping is a cheap and exciting option that brings you closer to Mother Nature. It lacks the comfort of the apartments back home, but it has its benefits.
You will get to spend some time out in the wild experiencing the peace that Mother Nature has to offer, for starters. You will also surround yourself with natural beauty with billions of stars as your ceiling. What’s more, you will get to enjoy all of that for free – unless you are camping in a popular tourist location, in which it will be ridiculously cheap.
The first rule of camping out is choosing a safe and secure location, ideally in a popular park. Additionally, make sure to bring your camping gear to stay warm and comfortable.
Couch-Surfing
Couch-surfing is a cheap and enticing option, especially if you want to learn more about the local cultures. You can build it on a large and growing community of more than five million people who come together to help each other on couchsurfing.org.
Couch-surfing entails getting local travel enthusiasts to open up their homes to you. The idea is that you get to spend the night on their couch, exchanging traveling stories and unique ideas. However, many will provide a bed and food. Besides, some can charge at a considerable low rate while others can host you without any charges.
Couch-surfing requires mutual trust, so ensure that your profile is honest and credible. Additionally, be a polite guest and take some time to converse with your host.
Backpacker Hostels
Backpacker hostels are also a cheap and convenient option that entails a roof over your head for as little as $5. These hostels offer decent beds and living areas, in addition to other amenities such as a shower, kitchen, and personal locker. However, many hostels are designed to accommodate as many as six people, which is useful if you like socializing with other travelers.
Guesthouses
A guesthouse is a hotel without the pomp. Guesthouses are decent rooms that often feature amenities such as a bed and shower. Some high-end guesthouses also offer extra amenities such as TVs, Wi-Fi, and breakfast.
The main benefits a guesthouse has to offer are affordability, privacy, and a decent degree of comfort. However, quality can vary greatly, so it is advisable to research your options before booking a room.
Vacation Rentals
Vacation rentals are a decent and affordable option that can rival some of the best local hotels. This option entails renting out a spare room for a night or the whole house for several days.
Many vacation apartments usually come fully furnished, and you can cook your favorite meals as you watch your favorite show. What’s more, you will have all the freedom you need, and there are lots of extra perks such as food and a hot shower.
The quality of these apartments also varies considerably – as does the price. For example, you will pay more for a fully-furnished apartment than you will for a single room. As such, it is essential to do thorough research before booking.
Home Exchanges
Home exchanges are a bit more complicated than booking a room and leaving in the morning. For starters, you must find another traveler from your intended destination planning on touring your hometown at the same time you will be traveling.
Additionally, you have to make arrangements to live in their home for the duration of your tour, and they will do the same with your family.
Home exchanges are free. However, they require a high degree of mutual trust – someone else will make your home theirs, after all. As such, it is advisable to vet your potential candidates thoroughly before striking a deal – make sure that you are credible, too.
You deserve a night of rest when you are traveling the world, and you don’t have to pay a fortune for it. These accommodation options are popular mostly because they are safe and decent. There is an option for everyone at price tags starting at $0.