In our article about how to travel the world and sleep for free, we discussed a variety of strategies travellers can use to sleep for free completely.
These are the strategies and techniques that you should familiarise yourself with if you want to dramatically reduce your accommodation costs.
Most travellers will find that many of these methods are a bit extreme and are better suited to emergencies, when money is tight, or when no other options are available.
Most travellers will look for accommodation that meets their requirements and is affordable. Value for money is the main thing that people look for.
We encourage you to look for value for money at the lower end.
You should also know the difference between your needs and your wants to avoid wasting money on both.
Why not choose the more expensive rooms? Why not spend more on accommodation when you have the cash?
We’ll discuss some of the main reasons why travellers choose backpacker or budget accommodation as opposed to other types of accommodation such as flashpacker and mid-range accommodation.
Why Choose Budget Accommodation?
Budget accommodation is a great alternative to more expensive lodging, no matter where you travel.
Travellers, particularly those who are strapped for cash, will benefit from the savings they make. They can use the money to enjoy more experiences on their trip and extend it before the funds run out.
Some travellers are not interested in saving money. They prefer to stay at budget hotels instead of more luxurious properties they can afford.
Budget or backpacker accommodations can offer a more communal and down-to-earth experience.
Luxury resorts and expensive hotels can have an isolating or insulating effect. You may feel like you are in a tower, sheltered from the outside world and local people who live their lives in another realm.
Holidaymakers often spend the majority of their time in resorts, hotels, or apartment complexes, relaxing on recliners by the pool, drinking at the bar, or otherwise not immersing themselves in the place they are visiting.
Hostels, on the other hand, offer travellers the chance to socialize and meet new people from around the globe. This can be an important amenity for solo travellers who need companionship.
Homestays and family-run guesthouses offer travellers an insight into the culture and daily life of the people they are staying with. They often reveal insights they wouldn’t have gained if they stayed at a more luxurious accommodation.
Some travellers who can afford to stay in more expensive accommodations may see it as a waste.
Why spend more money if the basic needs of security, privacy, and cleanliness can be met by paying $5 per night?
Accommodation isn’t a big deal for many travellers. It is primarily a place for travellers to relax and recover at the end of each day when they are experiencing the most exciting and rewarding adventures.
Most travellers don’t feel they get much more value from staying in a luxurious room with expensive hardwood furniture, impressive interior décor, a four-poster bed, luxurious down blankets, walk-in wardrobes, electrical appliances, and flat-screen TVs. They also may not benefit enough from staying at a hotel that offers amenities such as a spa, sauna, infinity pool, or even a property that includes these amenities. Returns seem minimal when compared to the price increase.
You should also be aware that low-budget accommodations are not necessarily dirty, unsafe or seedy.
Our experience has shown that cheap rooms are rarely associated with problems such as bedbugs and other insects, thin walls, unlocked doors, staff who steal, dirty or mouldy bathrooms and bedrooms, and claustrophobic bunkers.
You can almost always find a nice place to stay for less than you would pay to stay at one of these nightmare properties.
On more than one occasion, we were able to get a double room in a luxurious hotel for only $6 per night due to the low demand and our efforts to bargain. These deals were amazing.
We have been mostly satisfied with our rooms. In fact, during the last three years, we have spent an average of $3 per person and per night on accommodation while travelling throughout India and many countries in Southeast Asia.
For only $3 per person per night, we can find spacious, clean, and comfortable double rooms or dorm beds with free WiFi and all other amenities.
Myanmar was the only country where we had to pay $4 per person per night.
You may be wondering how you can also find the best accommodation deals and super cheap rooms.
Here are 26 tips to save money on your accommodation when you travel.
Tips for saving money
#1: Timing is everything
The most popular destinations in the world do not have a constant visitor flow throughout the year.
Visitors numbers are largely influenced by seasonal weather and holidays.
Booking well in advance is the best way to avoid the rush of visitors during major events or festivals.
The three best times of the year to travel to a particular destination and get the lowest rates on rooms are:
Off-season
Off-seasons, low seasons, or off-peak seasons are all terms used to describe the period when visitor numbers are at their lowest. This is usually the time of year when the weather is the worst.
In Southeast Asia, for example, beach resorts are almost abandoned during the monsoon. This is due to strong winds, heavy rain, storms, and turbulence waves.
The peak tourist season is characterized by calm, cerulean water and endless days of sunshine.
Due to the lack of tourists during off-peak seasons, many hotels and restaurants, travel agencies, and other businesses that cater to tourists close temporarily or use this time to do important maintenance or refurbish their properties to prepare for the next busy season.
Travelling in the off-season may have some downsides, such as a greater likelihood of bad weather and fewer restaurants, hotels and other facilities open. However, it also has many benefits.
You will likely have more peace and quiet and a better chance to appreciate a place’s true character without tourists overrunning the area. You may even be able to update your journal without being distracted by the sun, ice cream, and bikini-clad women.
A heavy rain shower in the late afternoon can be a welcome relief from the heat.
Off-season travel offers the greatest savings as demand plummets and room occupancy rates are low.
Hotels are less likely to refuse special discounts during this time, even if rates have not been officially lowered.
We stayed in Little Andaman, India, during the off-peak period in a cozy bamboo hut with a comfortable bed, a mosquito net, and a ceiling fan. The cost was only 100 rupees ($1.56) per night.
The Andaman Islands archipelago is dotted with beautiful islands surrounded by coral reefs. A storm rages on Neil Island.
Our accommodation cost $0.78 per person per night. This is a great example of what you can get by travelling during the off-season.
Asking other travellers, looking at weather charts, or reading online guides to destinations can help you determine a destination’s low season.
If you notice that there is a distinct rainy season with higher rainfall levels than other times, you can be pretty sure that the tourist season will be low.
It’s especially important if you live in a coastal region. As we all know, most people go to the beach for the sunshine and calm weather, not for heavy rains, high winds, or stormy seas.
Shoulder Season
Shoulder season is the time between peak and off-peak. The shoulder season can be just before or after peak season.
This period will not be as bad as the off-peak time, but you’ll still see fewer tourists.
The room rates are usually lower in off-peak seasons but not as low as during peak seasons. The shoulder season offers a good compromise between these two extremes.
Sundays and weekdays
Weekends are a time for leisure and relaxation. Couples and singletons will both be interested in weekend getaways. They’ll often choose the same destinations as you and book all available rooms.
We’ve been to several places, including the Cameron Highlands, Malaysia, where room rates are higher every weekend. If your destination is susceptible to fluctuating rates, arrive Sunday to Thursday.
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