Budget Sleeping Alternatives

These past few months we have been planning our big trip to South America and we are setting off in just a week! Considering and calculating the costs and our budget, we realized accommodation is one of the biggest expenses when traveling. If we are able to reduce that cost, it will definitely help us save big!
If you don’t want to compromise on your accommodation then there are ways you can afford it such as getting a personal loan (click to investigate) and this will get you the extra funds that you need in your budget for your vacation. Fortunately for us, we came across a number of ways backpackers can find a good place to stay without paying a fortune. Here are some of the most popular budget-friendly sleeping alternatives:

Hostels, Bed & Breakfast and Short term Rentals

There are many comparison sites to look at for nice and affordable hostels, B&B’s or rentals. It all really depends on where you’re traveling and how much you are willing to spend.
Hostels or Guest Houses are the most common option for budget travelers. Many people think that hostels are appropriate only for young people, but the truth is that many of them offer single rooms or rooms for couples as well. We usually use Airbnb to find good deals, Ratings and reviews.
Bed & Breakfast refers to small lodging or private homes that offers overnight accommodation and breakfast. B&B’s provides the opportunity for a relaxing break in a homely environment, and the chance to make new friends and experience new ways of life.
Short Term rentals can be much cheaper than a hotel and they’re a great way to spend a few days or weeks in one place. One of the advantages is that you can cook and save even more on meal expenses. Short-term rentals also offer visitors the chance to get an idea of what it’s really like to live in the city they’re staying in. There are quite a few services like this agency in Andorra which helps people find rental properties or estates.

Aside from these options, if you enjoy visiting a specific location, you could consider investing in a timeshare property. A timeshare is a vacation property arrangement in which you share the cost of the property with others in exchange for guaranteed time at the property. A typical timeshare involves splitting the cost of the property with other buyers in exchange for a set amount of time at the property each year. Timeshares are frequently smaller units within a larger resort property. It could be a good investment for those who want to return to the same location again. However, one of the major disadvantages of a timeshare property is that you might need to pay maintenance fees even if you do not visit the place every time. Moreover, getting out of the agreement could be a time-consuming and difficult process. You may even require the services of a timeshare exit company such as Wesley Financial Group. As a result, while it may be an appealing option for adventurers, you should be aware of all the benefits and drawbacks of investing in real estate.

Beach Guest House. Goa, India

Couch Surfing

This is definitely one of the best ways to meet new people from all over the world and also save money on lodging. There are many hospitality exchange networks and during my previous travels I always used Couchsurfing.org. This site provides a platform for people from around the globe to “surf” on couches by staying as a guest at a host’s home while traveling, host travelers in your home, or participate in social events. A new version of the site was recently launched and it looks awesome and very easy to use.
What I love about couchsurfing is that you can meet many new friends along the way. Through CS you can really get a feel of how people live and also know a lot more about their culture. This is also a great way to find new interesting places that only locals know about and that can’t be found in the tourist guidebooks.
On my solo traveling trips in Europe I used couchsurfing several times and it was always an amazing experience. It’s an exciting feeling when you’re accepted by a couchsurfing host and meeting a potential new friend. I got to meet many new friends from all over the world who offered me their couch with their wonderful hospitality. As a woman traveling alone I had my reservations with couchsurfing, but after a long search on the site I can honestly say couchsurfing can be very safe and there’s nothing to be scared of. People who open their doors are usually open minded and very nice. But I do think anyone looking for a couch should always stay put and check the reviews a member has on his/her profile and see what other couchsurfers wrote about their experiences.
There are three Couchsurfing principles that increase security and trust, which are all visible on member profiles for potential hosts and surfers:
1. Reviews: Everyone can leave a comment/review about their personal experience with the host or surfer person.
2. The site offers an optional credit card verification
3. A personal vouching system for every member.

My amazing couchsurfing hosts in Kinross, Scotland

Home Exchange

Home swapping has been around for many years, however it’s still building its popularity worldwide. It is a great way to connect people from different cultures and lifestyles and also have an inexpensive vacation with free accommodation anywhere you wish to travel. There are many online home exchange platforms to choose from such as CasaVersa and homeexchange. Having stayed in someone’s house overseas, you may then also wish to look for your own property in that country so that you can go back whenever you wish to. Should you ever get to this point, you may wish to get in touch with someone like simonconn.com who will be able to advise you when it comes to getting a mortgage for this new home abroad so that you can make this dream a reality.

Happy Camping

Camping is a great frugal sleeping alternative and fun activity. It costs nothing to take a hike and the more you gain experience and learn the tricks, the easier and more enjoyable the experience. It costs a bit more to camp overnight at camp sites, but even that can be done very cheaply. All you need to do is take with you (or rent) a tent, sleeping bag, a tarp, lantern, matches, warm clothes, water, easy-to-prepare foods and you’re set!

FarmStay

You can also choose to spend time on a farm. A farmstay is a unique accommodation alternative where you can work in exchange for free accommodation. Similar to a B&B or vacation rentals, you stay in the home of your hosts, but here you also help and work on the farm and enjoy outdoor activities. It’s also a great way to meet people from all over the world and feel like you’re part of a farming family. Its another great way to save some money for more traveling fun.

Religious Housing

If you want to experiment with something different you can try religious housing. Find a monastery that offers accommodation for a small fee. The accommodations offered by religious housing are usually very simple and the meals are prepared by nuns or monks. Some religious housing are even free or simply ask for donations.

Academic Housing

Academic housing is another budget friendly alternative. Some colleges and universities are renting their dormitory facilities to tourists during the student vacation time.