This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 9th, 2011 at 8:07 pm and is filed under Accommodation. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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November 9, 2011
Accommodation is typically the most expensive aspect of any trip or vacation, and if you are on a tight budget, spending too much money on where you sleep at night can be frustrating and seem like a waste. Luckily, many travelers share this frustration.
As a result, there are a number of options you can look into that will save you money in your pocket, yet still guarantee you a place to sleep at night. That extra money means more sightseeing and adventures for you during the day.
1. Couch Surfing.
This is popular particularly with travelers who are in their early to late 20s. People with a love of travel across the globe happily provide their couch as a free place to sleep, in return for meeting new friends and learning about different countries.
If you haven’t been couch surfing before, printing out a list of couch surfing meet-ups that happen in your local area, and attending as many events as you can before you travel, is a great way to network and get connections on the site.
The more recommendations you have from fellow couch surfers, the easier it will be to find someone willing to let you stay for a few nights.
2. Night Trains.
If you are going to be travelling by train often – which is particularly common if you are backpacking around Europe – then night trains can be a great way to save on a night’s accommodation.
They also mean you don’t waste a day sitting on a train: yes, the scenery can be beautiful from the train window during the day, but if you are travelling for 8 or 9 hours, a night train is best. It might not be the most comfortable option, but it means you do not waste a day on travel.
Sleeping in airports if you have a very early morning flight is also common, but you should be prepared to sleep on the floor – and don’t expect to have a very restful night!
3. Airbnb
A great alternative to booking a hotel or hostel, you can use this site to rent a room in someone’s apartment.
Typically, it is a lot cheaper and your host will have a love of travelers and be happy to show you around or give you tips, or they will vacate the premises for the duration of your stay.
If you have a guest bedroom in your own home, you might like to consider renting it out yourself – a great way to make extra cash for your trip and to meet some interesting new people.
Accommodation is typically paid for in advance, but in the rare event you had difficulty getting the money owed, a debt collection agency would be able to advise you on what to do.
4. Friends of Friends of Friends.
The world really is a small place. If you don’t mind crashing on a couch or sleeping on an airbed, then call upon your friends and find out if anyone knows someone who lives in the areas you are planning to visit.
If it is only a night or two that you need to stay, most people will be happy to oblige. Just be sure to be prepared to return the favour, and take along a gift of some sort – it’s only polite.
5. Off-peak Accommodation.
If you are traveling during the winter or off-peak season, you will find accommodation prices decrease dramatically.
You also get the added bonus of queues being smaller for popular attractions, and fewer fellow tourists around to get in your way.
It might not be the summer vacation you had in mind, but it is a great way to get your travel fix at the cheapest price possible.
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