Having visited 85 countries, and over 300 cities/towns I have had my fair share of experiences when it comes to accommodation, both good and bad. There’s been cheap, last minute 5-star deals, rooms I would rather forget, and some absolute bargains when it comes to ticking all of the boxes.
I consider myself a budget traveler and over the last several years my style of travel has changed somewhat. I will only stay in hostel dorms if there isn’t a cheap private option available, this being in the more expensive countries such as Norway. I am still happy to share bathroom facilities but I prefer to have my own space to rest after a day of travel or sightseeing.
There are several things I consider when researching accommodation options for a trip:
- Cost – Due to the number of times I travel each year, cost is probably the biggest factor when it comes to choosing accommodation. The destination as well as the time of year will be a major factor when it comes to cost. It also depends on what you want from your accommodation. Personally, whether I’m traveling alone or with someone, where I stay is simply a base to rest, freshen up and store my backpack whilst I’m out exploring.
As a general rule of thumb target an average nightly cost of £25, as this gives some flexibility. If you’re staying in a capital city or near an airport, rooms are often more expensive. But, in the majority of countries I have stayed in including the more recent trips in countries like Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Uzbekistan, Iraq, Pakistan and Belarus you can find clean, comfortable and affordable accommodation without breaking the bank. - Location – This is obviously an important factor when you are choosing where you are going to stay, but you’ll need to weigh the benefits of a great location against cost. It’s usually a good idea to be based as close to the city center as possible, or at least to its main attractions, but this will impact nightly rates.
Accommodation close to the city centre usually costs more but there are things you can do to counter this. Sometimes you can save money by staying slightly outside the city centre, if there are frequent, accessible and affordable public transport options to help you get around. So, researching public transport is a great place to start (I use Google Maps to do this). This method has saved me money many times over the years; I was able to stay in Minsk, Belarus for £11 per night, and travelled into the city each day by using the £0.21 subway. In Vienna, Austria, I found a hotel that was a short 30 minute tram ride away and cost less than £30 a night. - Pre-Book or Book on Arrival – My usual websites for pre-booking accommodation are Booking.com, Hotels.com and Agoda. These three are the most common amongst travelers as they offer benefits like free cancellation, flexible payment options., and a vast catalog of destinations. For some lesser-known destinations, especially in countries like Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Belarus, I had to use alternatives. You can sort each search by whatever your preferences are such as cost or location and filter different options like airport shuttle, private bathroom or individual amenities. Pre-booking, where possible, is a great way to travel as you have a confirmed address as well as location when you arrive.
However, there are countries and scenarios where booking in advance may not be possible, or the most affordable option. Iraq, for example, doesn’t often have accommodation options outside of major cities. In these scenarios, I’ve used Google Maps to find local hotel options once I’ve arrived at my destination. I use Google reviews as a guide, then turn up at the accommodation to book a room in person.
Sometimes, no matter how much research you put in when choosing your accommodation, things don’t work out as planned. If you end up with something ‘less than ideal’, chalk it up to a learning experience and take comfort in the fact that you’ll have a fantastic story to tell when you come home!