With hot spot hotels in major international cities costing several hundred per night before taxes, thinking outside the “hotel room” is the intelligent way to go. From hostels to home stays, there are a range of accommodations that give travelers budget-saving alternatives.
When planning your trip, decide if it’s an absolute necessity to stay within walking distance of the intended amusements, museums, monuments and more before booking lodging. Travelers willing to range outside of popular tourist areas can take advantage of public transportation, often at substantial discounts offered to tourists, and find much cheaper digs.
Hostels aren’t just for backpackers any more. More often than not they offer a variety of rooms – from dorm style and family accommodations to private rooms. Most offer communal kitchens and recreation areas as well as WiFi.
Montreal’s Auberge Alternative (358, rue St-Pierre, Vieux-Montréal) is a stylish, eco-friendly example of the Indie hostel with its eclectic art, warm and colorful decor and exposed stone walls in the communal areas. Prices range from $19 a night in the small dorm to $55 for a private room.
Renting apartments or rooms for three days to a week or month from private individuals or real estate firms is yet another option. Apartment stays save hundreds on travel bills, giving travelers an opportunity to immerse themselves in a culture, living as locals do, shopping and dining in neighborhood markets and restaurants, enjoying an espresso or glass of wine in a local cafe.
A recent nine night stay in a one bedroom Roman apartment steps from the Colosseum, featuring a beautifully landscaped terrace with a view of the Forum, and equipped with all amenities was roughly $100 per night.
Craigslist offers the independent traveler a marketplace to explore private rentals while Google searches turn up plentiful opportunities from agencies. To avoid scams and unpleasant surprises, arrange to pay for lodgings after arrival and upon site inspection.
French gîtes and Italian agriturismos, among others, offer home stays or living with a native family while on holiday and provide an extraordinary opportunity to explore a region and, perhaps, make lifelong friends.
Still another option is to swap your home. If one lives in a desirable location, the possibilities for apartment or house-swapping are vast with several Internet sites dedicated to making the process seamless. Sites generally charge membership fees to list your home ranging from $40 to $80.
Among the better known sites are InterVac, HomeExchange.com, Green Theme International, HomeLink International and Digsville. Do-it-yourselfers can turn to Craigslist to post their houses and apartments for swapping.
More adventurous travelers can try The Couch Surfing Project, an online community of travelers who open their homes to nomads like themselves who want more than the typical tourist experience of a place. Couch surfers connect with like-minded individuals in the locations they visit and experience a community from a unique insider’s perspective.
According to the project’s website:
Couch Surfing is not about the furniture, not just about finding free accommodations around the world; it's about making connections worldwide. We make the world a better place by opening our homes, our hearts, and our lives.
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