Long-term travel has its price and even if you’ve been meticulously saving for months, stretching a shoestring budget isn’t easy, especially when it comes to the biggest expense: accommodation.
The good news is that the money-conscious traveller is no longer limited to dreary guest-houses and bargain hostels. There are now loads of ways to finding cheap accommodation while travelling by using expert local opinions or even finding a free sofa to sleep on.
Finding cheap accommodation while travelling
It’s safe to say that if you want to plan a low-cost trip, the world of the web is the best place to start. Not only is this where you’ll find the last-minute discounts on websites, but you can actually chat to the people who live and work where you’re going.
Whether you find an ex-pat forum in Greece or grill a few Peruvians for advice on where to stay in Cusco, the key to travelling without the bumper price tag is usually local knowledge.
You can even push this a step further, and go for a home stay.
Popular as an immersive alternative to hostels, you can choose from ‘house trades’ for those wishing to do a kind of cultural exchange, to more informal arrangements, where people all over the world offer a bed or couch to sleep on, as well as a friendly local willing to share some tips and trips with you for free. These are usually obtainable online, where previous visitors can post reviews, and those offering accommodation are verified to allay any safety concerns.
Hostels have always been the go to for travellers. They are a great way to learn from other travellers as to how to find the best deals, food or experiences. For example. if you’re staying in a French hostel, then you’ll want to know where to find the best french bakeries and gourmet delicacies to dine on at local prices rather than at the tourist hot spots.
Some of the best options now are apartment sites where you can immerse yourself in the local culture. This option allows you to pop down to the local markets and buy fresh produce so you can cook at home in your apartments kitchen. Cooking using all the local products is a great way to save money rather than heading out and paying for every meal at a restaurant. And hopefully your apartment might come with a coffee machine too! Then you can take along your own Gourmesso coffee so you’re never away from a fresh brew in your home away from home.
Plenty of countries really get behind the homestay ethic, with B&Bs in places from Spain to Cuba promoting more of a family home vibe, as well as offering lower rates. If you’re willing to work, farms often lease out rooms, or for something a little more peaceful, consider staying in a monastery where the rooms are quite basic yet generally offered on a donation basis. As a way of getting a real sense of culture, these have got to be some of the more interesting options.
For those who want the ultimate independence, camping is still a viable option.
Finding cheap accommodation while travelling in Banff National Park
Though hard-going and not for every traveller, there are plain advantages to being able to pitch up (almost) anywhere you like for a minimal fee or no charge at all. Popular routes through central France provide lots of good sites, and if you want to up the stakes, you can take your tent anywhere from the wilds of Canada to the base of Kilimanjaro.
Once you’re out on the road, most people find that savvy ways to save on accommodation come with experience, meeting fellow travellers and knowing the right places to look. What’s more, there’s always something to be said for the classic hostel stay, especially if it means you make friends you can double-up with on the next leg of your adventure, splitting the costs even further.