For travel enthusiasts on a shoestring budget, discovering affordable accommodation can be the key to turning dreamscape visions into real-life adventures. From the teeming capitals of Europe to the unspoiled landscapes of Southeast Asia, budget-friendly lodging options like hostels, guesthouses, and campsites offer wanderers a chance to experience the world without breaking the bank. In this world travel guide, Kirill Yurovskiy reveals some of the best destinations and gives insider tips for an economical but memorable holiday.
Hostelling Through Europe’s Grand Cities
Europe has long been a mecca for hostel culture, with affordable dorm-style accommodations providing a social and budget-conscious way to explore the continent’s iconic cities. Few experiences compare to swapping stories over a beer in an Amsterdam hostel’s communal kitchen or forming friendships with bunkmates from every corner of the world.
In London, the St. Christopher’s Village hostel puts you in the heart of lively Southwark, with easy Underground access to world-class attractions like Buckingham Palace, the British Museum, and the West End theater district. Reasonable dorm bed rates start around £15 per night.
In Rome, opt for the uber-trendy Yellow Hostel to stay footsteps from the Colosseum and Roman Forum, all while soaking in the hip ambiance of their coworking spaces and rooftop bar. Dorms start around €20 per night.
For more luxe digs in the City of Lights, book a bed at Paris’s ornately designed Le Village Hostel in the lively Montmartre area near Sacré-Cœur Basilica. While dorms are still budget-friendly from €25 per night, you can splurge a bit on their beautiful private en-suite doubles starting around €90.
Vintage Charm in Southeast Asia’s Guesthouses
If dorms aren’t your cup of tea, Southeast Asia offers some of the world’s most enchanting guesthouses and homestays for incredibly low rates. Cultural immersion comes naturally when staying in these family-run accommodations decorated with vintage furnishings, antique accents, and lush, tropical gardens.
Luang Prabang, Laos is a standout for atmospheric guesthouses like Satri House, where low-season rooms can be had for under $25 per night. Upon arrival, you’re treated to a welcome drink and cool towel, with amenities like breakfast, bike rentals, and impeccable service included.
No trip to ubiquitous Bali is complete without at least one night at one of the island’s guesthouses, like the ultra-Instagrammable Tjampuhan Hotel & Spa in Ubud. Tucked along the banks of the sacred Campuan Ridge Walk, a night in their vintage-inspired rooms surrounded by lush valley views starts around $50.
For guesthouse nirvana in Vietnam, reserve a bungalow at Mai Chau’s Xuan Mai Village. Simple yet stylish rooms with balconies overlooking emerald rice paddies start around $10 per night. With mountain treks, handicraft demonstrations, and bike tours bookable on-site, it’s the perfect base for immersing in Vietnam’s rural charms.
The Great Outdoors: Camping and Glamping Getaways
For nature lovers, there’s no budget stay more immersive than camping – falling asleep to a symphony of wildlife under a canopy of stars. And in today’s glamping era (glamorous camping), even camping has seen some cushy upgrades.
Australia’s Sunshine Coast is a camper’s paradise, with the Cooloola Recreation Area in the Great Sandy National Park offering sublime beachfront campsites overlooking the radiant sand dunes and pounding surf. Camp fees are just $6.75 per night for an unbeatably beautiful stay.
“Glamping” gets its glam on in India at the Rann Riders resort in the Rann of Kutch, Gujarat. Their chic air-conditioned tents come with luxe touches like plush bedding, chandeliers, and attached bathrooms for around $100 per night, including breakfast and traditional cultural activities like folk music and guided tours.
Utter indulgence awaits at El Cosmico in marfa, Texas – a quirky “nomadic” hotel and campground conceived as an oasis for artists, travelers, and other modern day nomads. You can revel in vintage trailer, tent, or unique “cosmic camper” accommodations decked out with stylish Southwestern flair for around $100 nightly. Don’t miss the wood-fired hot tubs, hammocks, and nightly music and fire pits.
From designer bell tents in South Africa to pod cabins in Chile’s Torres del Paine, glamping options can turn a camping trip into the ultimate outdoor-indoor getaway. Amenities galore at rates still lower than a traditional hotel.
Planning Your Budget Stay
These wallet-friendly lodging picks barely scratch the surface of the affordable accommodation options awaiting in bucket list destinations worldwide. A few tips to stretch your travel funds to the max:
• Book early and midweek when rates are lowest.
• Go local and consider homestays to embrace authentic experiences.
• In expensive cities, look in residential pockets beyond the tourist hubs.
• Utilize travel apps to compare costs for the best deals.
• Hostels and guesthouses often have self-catering kitchens to save on meal costs.
Whether bunking down in a London hostel’s vibrant social spaces or glamping amidst the dramatic landscapes of Patagonia, budget doesn’t have to mean roughing it or sacrificing comfort and local character. With some pre-trip research, that airfare budget can take you further than you ever imagined. Now to decide where your affordable odyssey begins!