A vacation or a multi-day trip is automatically associated with booking a hotel. While that might have been the standard in the past, trends are now heading in a different direction. For some travelers (and their willingness to invest in accommodation), hotel resorts simply don't fit. Fortunately, in the age of the internet and the sharing economy, the options are much more generous.
The end justifies the means
First, it's good to clarify what you actually expect from temporary accommodation. If you are going on a business trip where you need to look professional, you might still prefer classic hotels. However, if you are heading out on a eurotrip or hiking with a backpack, alternative accommodation will add authenticity to your journey and can also ease your budget.
Of course, also consider other members of your group – especially children or pets. It is also worth considering the sense of safety or access to drinking water in some less developed countries. Simply evaluate all the pros and cons and choose the ideal option in line with your preferences.
Apartments and hostels
The first option that allows you to enjoy plenty of comfort while avoiding classic hotel accommodation is independent apartments. You can find them, for example, on Booking.com or simply by entering them into any internet search engine. Usually, this is a room with a equipped kitchen and bathroom, where you are your own master. Cleaning, cooking, and other services are entirely up to you. However, it is still a relatively expensive affair, especially compared to some of the other options mentioned below.
You don't have to be afraid of hostels either. These are relatively cheap lodgings, often with shared rooms, where you cannot expect any great luxury. In the vast majority of cases, however, you don't have to worry about dirt or unwelcome visitors like bedbugs and other pests. An undeniable advantage (in exchange for a slight compromise) is, besides the low price, the opportunity to meet interesting people.
It always depends on the specific accommodation facility and your needs and standards that you do not want to compromise on (e.g., internet access, breakfast, private bathroom, rooms exclusively for men and women, etc.). You can find the ideal one for you on Hostelworld.com or HostelBookers.com.
Airbnb
A room, apartment, or house that is not currently being used by its owner can either be rented out or left empty. That would be a shame! The founders of Airbnb are convinced of the same – a service connecting property owners with travelers who are happy to rest their heads there for a few days or weeks.
A similar opportunity is especially useful if you are planning to spend a longer time in a foreign city – more precisely, a period that would get quite expensive in a classic hotel, but is too short to rent a place outright.
And how does it all work? Simply. On the Airbnb.com portal, you enter your requirements and then just choose the most appealing offer. You contact the host directly via the form on the website and make the payment online. When choosing, you can focus primarily on price and user reviews.
It can be shared or private accommodation, but in any case, don't expect hotel services. You are actually staying in someone's home (often where the owners have a lot of personal belongings), so it is necessary to approach this service as if you were staying with friends. Some hosts are on the other side of the world (they send an authorized person to hand over the keys or reveal their secret hiding spot), while others are happy to meet you and perhaps even show you around the city.
If you would like to save money on Airbnb, watch for last-minute offers. With some hosts (if they don't explicitly state in their profile that it is a fixed price), you can also try to (politely!) negotiate and slightly reduce the accommodation fee.
Couchsurfing
Another, somewhat hipster option for staying somewhere without the need to pay for a hotel, especially suitable for solo travelers, is couchsurfing. As the name suggests, you simply sleep on someone's couch. When searching, you can use the specialized portal Couchsurfing.com or look around in one of the Facebook groups and arrange it on your own.
Couchsurfing can be a great way to find friends and guides in foreign countries and cities, but it also pays to be cautious. After all, you are moving onto the couch of a person you are seeing for the first time in your life. However, your host must also trust you, so you are actually in the same boat. Again, it pays to rely on references and perhaps exchange a few messages with the host in advance.
Couchsurfing is generally free. However, it is appropriate to bring the host a small gift (perhaps typical of our country), be kind and helpful (for example, with household chores), and also be a pleasant companion. Many hosts are looking for interesting company. You, in turn, can gain a guide to your destination or valuable advice from a "local".
At your own risk
- Camping – ideal especially in the summer months
- Transportation – night travel by train or bus simply solves the question of accommodation for you
- Just invite yourself to someone – you can be inspired, for example, by the well-known traveler Ladislav Zibura, who learned to brilliantly use the hospitality of local residents during his travels
And what about you? Do you have personal experience with similar services? We look forward to your comments!
Photo source: pixabay.com
