Travelling the world is at the top of many people’s bucket lists; however, the affordability of such means that not everyone gets to follow this dream. Paying out for five-star hotels night after night simply isn’t affordable for the average backpacker, meaning that you need to find suitable alternatives when it comes to seeing the world. When travelling, you won’t be spending very long in your accommodation, meaning that you don’t need to worry about it being top notch. All you need to worry about is cleanliness as opposed to luxury. Once you forget about the luxuries, you’ll find that it doesn’t have to cost a bomb for accommodation around the world.
Caravans
Residential caravans can be found in all manner of countries and provide a suitable alternative to hotels. In fact, if the caravan is mobile, you may be able to drive it from one location to the other. As a result, it will double as your transport and accommodation. If you decide to opt for this method of travelling, make sure you only stay overnight in official sites. Otherwise, you may be subject to fines or even potentially dangerous experiences. Caravans aren’t what they used to be and actually contain most things that a brick-and-mortar house has, so you can be sure that you’re well looked after in a caravan.
Hostels
Perhaps the most popular accommodation for backpackers are hostels, as they’re incredibly cheap when compared to hotels. This is due to the fact that guests are required to share rooms and bathrooms with other residents. Hostels are normally furnished with bunkbeds and typically hold four to 10 guests. They provide personal lockers for you to store your possessions and a basic breakfast is usually included. These are also the ideal environments for lone travellers, as it creates a social atmosphere in which they can meet others. Despite this, most hostels also offer lone rooms for those who want some more privacy.
Guest Houses
A guest house is pretty much a cheaper and more basic hotel. You’ll receive a private room, you may have your own bathroom, and you may have your own kitchen. What’s included will vary from guesthouse to guesthouse. When selecting a guest house, you should always ask to see the room before committing and ensure that all windows and doors are secure. Thankfully, guesthouses can be found on various booking sites, meaning that you can read the reviews of others to gauge what the space is like.
Homestay Experiences
A homestay is ideal for those who want to experience a culture first-hand, as this is when a local rents out a room in their house to a backpacker. Depending on who you stay with will impact what’s included. Even if you don’t speak the same language as your host, you may be surprised about how easy it is to communicate. You can learn a lot from your hosts so ensure that you keep an open mind. In order to find homestays, you can simply Google “homestay”, as well as the country’s name. This will present you with a multitude of options to take you on your travels.
Volunteering
A volunteer or work exchange programme can provide you with free accommodation, as you’ll volunteer your time in exchange for a place to stay. Examples include ranches, lodges, hostels, shelters, schools, farms, and even sailboats. Volunteering not only enables you to experience a foreign culture, but it also provides you with an opportunity to learn valuable skills and help others. Just make sure that your chosen volunteering program doesn’t include endless hours, otherwise you’ll be very limited when it comes to exploring.
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