Tips For Staying in Budget Accommodation

Staying in budget accommodation while travelling allows the pennies to go that little bit further, and hopefully extend a trip out, so that one can enjoy more of the world’s wonders. Modest accommodation may be cheap, but it certainly doesn’t need to be nasty. Here are a few different budget options, and a few points to keep in mind, when thinking about where to stay on a budget oriented break. In a similar vein to travel insurance, compare what you get for your money, as the cheaper options may actually be good value.

Dormitories
Dormitories may have the image of loads of travellers being crammed into loads of bunks in overcrowded dank rooms. While there may be a few of these types of establishments, there are actually a range of dormitory style accommodation options, with a few being surprisingly upmarket.

One sacrifices the privacy of a room for the cost savings that a dormitory can offer. While it’s hard to find a little quiet time in a 20 bed dormitory, some four bedroom dorm rooms can actually be quite pleasant. Sharing with just a few people may actually be a nice way of meeting a few fellow travellers without the room turning into a party. It’s also small enough, and the people limited enough for people to work out how to get along and be considerate of their fellow guests.

In low season or in more isolated locations, one may actually get a dorm room with just one or two other travellers, or even on one’s own, so it’s worth getting a feel for how busy the dormitory is.

Some of the better dormitories these days have all sorts of added features like swimming pools, wifi internet access and barbecue areas to cook up a storm and also meet fellow travellers. Dormitories can be a great place to get a real feel for what other travellers are doing and seeing in the area, and well run dormitories will also often be a good source of information about seeing attractions in the area on a budget.

Rooms At Backpackers
If you are travelling as a couple, then staying in a dormitory might not give you the sort of privacy you may need. It’s worth checking backpacker hostel room prices though, as these are sometimes not that much different from the price of two dorm beds. Even a group a friends happy to bunk down in dorms might find it more economical on occasion to book a room together instead.

Budget Hotels
It’s worth keeping a lookout for specials offered by budget hotels. Those that are on the backpacker trail may overlook these, but at times they can be quite economical, and offer quite a few more creature comforts as compared to backpacker hostels.

Capsule Hotels
If you are travelling alone, capsule hotels can be a great budget option in certain countries. Originating in Japan, capsule hotels are now opening up in China. While your sleeping “capsule” is quite small, it’s roomy enough to sleep in, and usually has a TV, radio and alarm inside. Communal areas in the hotel are usually quite comfortable, for the times when you don’t wish to sleep.

It’s not necessary to spend huge amounts of money on accommodation while on holiday. There are also several benefits of staying in budget accommodation, such as enjoying mixing with fellow travellers. Budget accommodation can also be an interesting, unique experience, in the case of capsule hotels. There are some good value places around, so compare the options, just like with your cheap travel insurance.