Tips for Saving on Lodging When You Travel

While we all might love to stay in a 5-star hotel when we travel, for most of us, that’s out of our budget. Lodging is one of the biggest expenses for travel, and even if you choose budget hotels, you can still end up spending hundreds of dollars for your short stay.

There are a number of alternatives that can help you save money on lodging so that you can still enjoy the vacation of your dreams. (Well, unless your dream vacation entails staying in a $1,000-a-night castle in Scotland.)

Here are just a few alternatives that you can choose for lodging to save money when you travel:

Hostel

Hostels have long been the key to inexpensive travel for college students and backpackers. At a hostel, you share a room with anywhere from 1 to 9 other people, depending on the size of the room. There are typically bunk beds in the room, giving it the feel of a dorm.

Depending on where you stay, you could pay as little as $10 a night. You can get a private room, but you’ll have to pay more. Even a private room at a hostel can cost less than a room at a hotel.

Apartment

If you plan to stay for a week or more in one place, you should consider renting an apartment. Residents who are out of town for work or a vacation themselves often rent out their apartments for that time to make up some money for the rent. The rates are typically far less than what you would pay for a hotel for the same time period.

The additional benefits of renting an apartment are the comforts that it provides, such as more space and a kitchen in which to cook meals (another money saver).

House Swap

A house swap is a great option for homeowners who want to travel. You can connect with other homeowners who are traveling to your area during the same time that you plan to travel to their area, and you agree to allow them to stay in your house while you stay in theirs.

Homeexchange.com and homeexchangeplace.com are two sites that help you to connect with other homeowners to arrange a swap. Make sure you familiarize yourself with the rules for a successful swap.

Couch Surfing

Sometimes you don’t need something in trade. Some good-natured homeowners (and apartment dwellers) are willing to let you sleep on their couch or in their extra room for a night or two on your travels. Nothing is required in exchange, but a small gift or a nice gesture like cooking dinner for the night is usually considered good manners.

Couchsurfing.org can connect you with people willing to put you up for a night (or more). Be sure to get acquainted with the rules of the site and how to properly set up a couch surfing arrangement.

Volunteering

Organizations like WWOOF — World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms — can connect you with farms or other agencies that will give you free lodging in exchange for volunteer work. With WWOOF, you put in a little sweat equity on a farm and, in exchange, you learn more about organic farming, get a free place to stay during your visit, and get an insider look at the local people and culture. Not only will you be doing something good by volunteering, but you’ll get a memorable and unique travel experience.

There are many alternatives to traditional lodging that can help you save money and make your travel plans possible on just about any budget. Whether you are going for a night or two, or you are planning an extended stay, these options can help you save.

How do you save money on lodging when you travel? Share your tips in the comments!

Charissa  is a writer and manager for accountingdegree.net, where she has recently been researching accounting schools online. In her spare time, Charissa enjoys gardening and volunteering at animal shelters.

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Tags: Apartment, Hostel, Hotel, Lodging, Money, Travel

Category: Saving Money, Travel