Save Money on Accommodation with These Cheap Alternatives to Hostels

When you’re planning a trip, whether it’s long or short, your accommodation might not be your primary concern. If you’re going long-distance, your flights are probably at the forefront of your mind. Most places you can think of to visit will have options for anyone on a shoestring budget, so you can just rock up and check into a hostel right off the plane, right? But hostels might not always be your best option, and you can’t always bank on finding a decent one. If you want to save on accommodation but also wish to experience the destination like a local or stay somewhere more comfortable, you need to think more strategically.

Don’t Rule Out Budget Hotels

If you want to go one step up from a hostel but don’t want to blow your budget on hotels, look for budget hotels and guesthouses. You don’t need to stay in a three, four or five-star hotel if you’re just looking for somewhere safe and comfortable. Some budget hotels work along the same lines as a budget airline, giving you only the necessities in the price, with add-ons available for extra. These are great for staying somewhere central for cheap. Look for B&Bs and guesthouses too. You can meet other travelers, but you’ll be hosted by a local, so you won’t be as cut off from the real world as you would be in a hostel.

Home Swaps

Swapping your home with someone who wants to come and experience your city is an option that will cost you little to nothing. It may not be the best choice if you’re planning to visit several destinations, but if you only want to go to one place, it could be easy to find someone to swap with. As you travel to their home, they’ll be settling into yours. You might worry about security, but remember that they’re trusting you with their home. Before you do this, you should check with any relevant authorities, from your landlord (if you don’t own your home) to your city regulations.

Try Rentals Instead

Staying in hostels and hotels doesn’t give you much of an idea of what it’s like to live like a local. Although you’ll never truly know, you can get a better feel for it by renting a house or apartment instead. For example, looking at apartments in New York will show you how real New Yorkers live. You won’t spend your time stuck in a backpackers’ bubble, where everyone experiences the place through the eyes of a visitor.

Farm Stays

If you want to get even more into what it’s like to live somewhere, many countries have opportunities for staying on farms. And don’t worry, they won’t make you do any work (although they might let you if you want to). You can find farm stays in the UK, Australia, the US, many countries in Europe and more.

You don’t have to stick with hostels if you want to save money. Try out one of these other accommodation options, and plan in advance to help you stay on budget.

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