Depending on your budget and what you want to discover there are many different options to find a place where to stay when you are travelling. There is no one “right” way to go about it. All of the different options for accommodation while travelling constitute a true travel experience.
From a homestay with a local family to a luxury 4 or 5-star hotel, where you stay can be one of the most important parts of your trip. That’s why we put together a list of the most common options, so you can choose the experience which suits you the best!
Hostel: This is one of the cheapest accommodation options while travelling and can be used by people of all ages! Hostels provide dormitory rooms with private or shared bathroom ranging anywhere from 4 – 12 beds on average. They also usually offer private ensuite rooms for singles or couples. Because of the development of the tourism sectors around the world and the trend for university-age students to take a “gap-year” and travel cheaply around the world, the hostel option is becoming a very popular way to travel. Hostels are great because they have a young and fun environment often with tons of activities and join-in tours available. You can meet new friends at the hostel and enjoy your trip with tons of amenities that most hotels don’t offer, like a TV room, shared kitchen, ping pong and pool tables, bean bags, hammocks, games and more. The awesome part is that hostels welcome people of all ages, they are not only for students!
Hotel: This is the most well-known type of accommodation when you are travelling but it can also be the most expensive. Hotels are generally rated by stars ranging from two to five. Some two-star hotels are inexpensive guesthouses while most 4 and 5-star hotels offer world-class amenities in the price range of thousands of dollars. Prices also vary widely depending on the country and city in which you are travelling. There are many helpful websites that can help you find the perfect hotel option online prior to arrival.
Homestay: Homestays are an incredible way to really live a day in the life of locals while you are travelling. Many homestays offer accommodation and meals in an indigenous village so you can immerse yourself in the local culture and learn about their unique traditions and way of life. This is one of the best ways to truly discover the authentic way of life in any destination and feel the warm vibe of the local people. Even if you only feel adventurous enough to stay for a night or two, we highly recommend it!
Apartment/Home Rentals: This is the new emergent style of accommodation used increasingly by web-savvy travellers is renting an apartment away from home on websites like AirBnB. You have all of the comforts of home and facilities of a kitchen and sometimes a yard and pool. Families often prefer this option for accommodation as it is generally cheaper to rent an entire house rather than several hotel rooms.
Camping: Camping is perhaps the cheapest option for accommodation while travelling and also a great way to get in touch with nature while travelling in national parks or in the wilderness. It can be a hassle to carry all of your equipment with you, unless you are travelling in a car, but oftentimes campsites will rent you a tent and sleeping bags if you make a reservation ahead of time. Campsites can also be interesting ways to meet travellers from all parts of the world!
Free Accommodation: Yes, this is really an option! You can find a free place to sleep while travelling in a few different ways. Check out the websites Couchsurfing or HomeExchange in which you can register to sleep on a couch or set up a home-exchange with another traveller while you are away. You can also offer to volunteer or work in a hostel or program that might offer you free accommodation and sometimes meals in exchange for a few hours of work.
There is a wealth of possibilities out there while you are travelling. The sky’s the limit! Always be sure to take some time to research which option suits you best online ahead of time, so you can be prepared. There are tons of travel sites where you can see user-reviews of an accommodation and determine which option is best for you. We wish you safe travels and an unforgettable travel experience!
