Cheap Accommodation for Slow Travelers: Budget Tips
Traveling slowly can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. There are many ways to find affordable places to stay. We’ll share some great options to help you save money and enjoy new experiences.
Key Takeaways
- Discover budget-friendly accommodation options that can save you hundreds on your travels
- Learn about the benefits of staying in hostels, house/pet sitting, and hospitality exchanges
- Explore alternative lodging choices like camping, glamping, and vacation rentals
- Understand how to maximize hotel loyalty programs and credit card perks
- Uncover tips and resources to find the best deals on long-term accommodations
Ready to make your travels more affordable and fun? Let’s explore the world of cheap accommodation for slow travelers together.
Hostels: The Backpacker’s Choice
For those watching their budget, hostels are a great choice. They offer dorm-style rooms perfect for solo travelers and backpackers. Hostels today have more than just the basics. They have Wi-Fi, tour desks, and bars, welcoming all ages.
Hostel Booking Websites and Passes
Booking a hostel stay is now easy with sites like HostelWorld and Booking.com. These platforms let you compare prices and read reviews. For those who travel a lot, a HostelPass can give up to 20% off stays in Europe.
| Hostel Booking Platforms | Features |
|---|---|
| HostelWorld | Largest global hostel booking platform Offers over 36,000 hostels in 178 countries Enables comparison of prices and reviews |
| Booking.com | Extensive selection of hostels, hotels, and apartments Genius loyalty program with up to 30% discounts Flexible cancellation policies for bookings |
Hostels are perfect for solo travelers and backpackers looking to save money. They offer a social and fun place to stay. With modern booking sites and passes, budget travel is easier than ever.
House and Pet Sitting Opportunities
As slow travelers, we’ve found a great way to get free places to stay: house and pet sitting. Websites like Trusted Housesitters help homeowners find sitters. Travelers get to watch over homes and any pets or animals.
We’ve had 8 house sits, staying for 3 nights to 2 months for free. Homeowners post their homes, and many sitters apply. With Trusted Housesitters, we get a 25% discount on membership, saving us money.
House sitting means taking care of pets, plants, and homes while owners are away. We’ve looked after dogs, cats, and even exotic pets. It’s a special part of our travels.
House sitting also lets us live like locals and feel at home, even far from our own place. In 2017, we stayed for 111 nights in 6 countries for free.
Whether you’re traveling alone, with a partner, or family, house sitting is a great option. It saves money and lets you experience local life. Trusted Housesitters has over 50,000 members worldwide, helping us find great sits.
“House sitting has been a game-changer for our long-term travels. It allows us to live like a local, care for beloved pets, and save a fortune on accommodation costs.”
Cheap Accommodation for Slow Travelers
Couchsurfing and Hospitality Exchanges
Looking for affordable places to stay on your slow travel trips? Couchsurfing and other hospitality exchange sites are great options. They let you stay with locals for free, so you can dive into the culture and save on lodging.
Couchsurfing is a well-known site for finding hosts. It helps you meet people and stay with them. This way, you get to see the local life up close and have a real travel experience. Always make sure to check reviews and profiles to stay safe and respect your host’s space.
BeWelcome is another site that works the same way. It lets you meet locals and enjoy cultural experiences without spending money. These sites are perfect for saving on places to stay while enriching your travel with cultural exchange.
“Couchsurfing and other hospitality exchange platforms offer a unique opportunity to save money on accommodation while immersing yourself in local culture.”
Choosing Couchsurfing, BeWelcome, or other hospitality sites can change your slow travel game. By staying with locals, you learn a lot, make friends, and enjoy your journey even more.
Camping, Glamping, and Outdoor Stays
Slow travelers love camping and glamping for their eco-friendly and affordable stays. Wild camping lets you set up a tent in nature for little to no cost. Campgrounds and glamping sites offer furnished tents and yurts at good prices.
Glamping mixes glamour with camping, offering unique stays worldwide. You can find tipis, domes, and tiny homes. It’s a chance to enjoy nature with comforts like plush beds and private bathrooms.
KOA (Kampgrounds of America) is a top choice for glamping. They have cabins, treehouses, and RV sites. KOA also has pools, hot tubs, and activities for kids.
Collective Governors Island in New York City offers a luxury glamping experience. It has Summit Tents and Journey Tents. You can enjoy yoga, spa treatments, and farm-to-table meals.
Wild camping, campgrounds, or glamping lets you connect with nature. It’s a way to travel green and save money.
| Accommodation Type | Amenities | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Wild Camping | Minimal to no amenities | Free or very low cost |
| Campgrounds | Shared facilities, some basic amenities | Affordable, typically $20-$50 per night |
| Glamping Resorts | Luxury furnishings, private bathrooms, on-site dining | Higher-end, typically $100-$500 per night |
“Glamping is the perfect way to enjoy the great outdoors without sacrificing comfort or style.”
Vacation Rentals (Airbnb)
Vacation rental platforms like Airbnb are great for slow travelers. They offer more comfort and flexibility than hotels. Plus, they can save money, especially for stays of a month or more.
Some Airbnb rentals give up to 50% off for monthly stays. This makes them much cheaper than hotels.
The COVID-19 pandemic has made Airbnb even more popular. The company now offers “split stays” for long-term rentals. This is different from hostels, which can be pricey for two people.
Airbnb has a wide range of options for different budgets and needs. This is unlike hostels, which are often more expensive for two travelers.
Reviews from past guests are key when choosing Airbnb. “Super hosts” and well-reviewed hosts are usually the best choice. They offer more assurance and protection.
Airbnb also has a system to help with any issues at the rental property. This gives renters peace of mind.
Some people worry about Airbnb’s impact on local communities. But for many, the benefits like affordability and connecting with locals outweigh the concerns. There are also other options like short-term leases from local landlords.
In summary, Airbnb is a great choice for slow travelers. It offers a home-like experience while saving money. With monthly discounts and a wide range of properties, travelers can have a more authentic and comfortable journey.
Home Exchanges
We’re always looking for ways to save money when we travel. Home exchanges, or home swaps, are a great option. They let us swap our homes with others in our dream destinations. This way, we get to stay in a new place for free and really get to know the local culture.
The Magdalein family saved almost $12,000 on hotels in 2020 by using home exchanges. They paid just $220 for 45 nights in places like Florida and Utah. With many members staying 14 nights a year, the savings are huge.
Joining home exchange sites like HomeExchange or Holiday Swap is easy. For $220 a year, you get access to over 230,000 homes worldwide. These sites also have safe payment systems and reviews to help you find the best places.
| Home Exchange Platform | Key Features | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| HomeExchange | Over 230,000 homes in 130+ countries Flexible home swapping Secured payment and customer reviews | $220 annual membership fee |
| Holiday Swap | Full-service bookings and 24/7 support Access to state-of-the-art holiday homes Customizable accommodation options | Token-based payment system |
Home exchanges open up a world of affordable travel. You can see Utah’s beauty or Tennessee’s culture without spending a lot on hotels. It’s a smart way to travel and live like a local without breaking the bank.
“In 2021, as of February, the family had already vacationed for 14 nights with HomeExchange for the annual $220 fee.”
Conclusion
The slow travel lifestyle shows us many ways to save money on travel. We can find affordable places to stay, like hostels and vacation rentals. These options help us connect with local cultures and make our trips more meaningful.
Choosing slow travel means we focus on quality over speed. This way, we can enjoy our trips more and spend less. We can find deals by staying longer or using the sharing economy. This makes our travels both affordable and enriching.
The slow travel movement is great for saving money and understanding cultures better. It also helps protect our planet. By using these smart travel tips, we can have amazing experiences without breaking the bank or harming the environment.
