Are you tired of ever-rising hotel prices? Have you considered selling your house to cover increasingly expensive vacation costs? No need to worry anymore. In addition to hotels, the American travel website “smartertravel” offers eight accommodation options. With a bit of research and a dash of adventure, we can avoid booking those pricey hotels. Check them out now!
1. Rent a Vacation Home
Numerous travelers swear that renting a vacation home comes with countless benefits—not only can you save a bundle on lodging, but you can also truly experience local life and stay in a wide variety of unique homes. There are many new and established websites offering such services, such as HomeAway, VRBO, Airbnb, and Onefinestay. No membership required—convenient and fast.
2. House Swapping
If you’re not a neat freak and don’t mind others staying in your home while you're on vacation, then house swapping is a great money-saving option. With a bit of advance planning and the help of websites like HomeLink, HomeExchange, and Love Home Swap, you can securely and affordably exchange spaces with suitable partners. Most of these sites are even free to use.
3. Couchsurfing
As the name suggests, couchsurfing means “sleeping on someone else’s couch” while traveling, staying in a local’s home and eating and exploring with residents. Simply sign up on Couchsurfing.org to connect with couchsurfers worldwide. (Reminder: It never hurts to be polite—even though couchsurfing saves money, doing a small favor for your host is always appreciated.)
4. Night Swap
This accommodation method falls somewhere between house swapping and couchsurfing. Introduced in 2012 by the French website Cosmopolit Home, it’s a new travel concept available in 54 countries with 6,000 listings. Based on a reciprocal idea, every time a traveler stays overnight at your place, you earn “nights” in the form of points—or you can purchase “nights” on the site for your own future travels.
5. Camping
Although camping is a traditional American activity, according to the Outdoor Foundation, more and more Americans choose to camp during family trips. It not only helps you save money but also allows you to enjoy the thrill of exploring the wilderness. You can find your ideal campsite or rental cabin through websites like Reserve America, KOA, and the National Park Service.
6. Stay in a Hostel
You might think hostels are low-quality, but that’s not necessarily true. According to Hostels.com, these welcoming, no-frills accommodations cater to all age groups, from seniors to children, making them perfect for long-term travelers. They offer the cheapest dorm rooms as well as slightly pricier private rooms, along with a variety of convenient amenities.
7. University Dormitories
If you want to save money and don't mind simple accommodation, university dormitories are a great option, costing only about $35 to $70 (approximately 217 to 435 RMB) per night. But such accommodations are hard to find and are generally only available during the summer vacation. You can check them out on the UniversityRooms.com website or search on Baidu. Though it requires some effort, the savings are definitely worth it.
8. Stay in a Monastery
From monk residences in Kathmandu to beautiful monasteries in the Scottish Highlands, staying in a monastery is also a great way to save money. Not only are the prices low—about one dollar per night or payable as a donation—but you can also enjoy serene and enchanting scenery. Travelers can find the information they need through various websites, such as Monastery Stays, The Order of the SS, Savior of Saint Bridget, and others.