Accommodation is the biggest expense for most travellers. With the right strategies, you can cut your accommodation costs by 50–80% — turning a $60/night budget into a $15/night reality. Here are the 10 best ways to save money on accommodation while travelling.
10 Best Ways to Save on Accommodation
1. Stay in Hostels
Hostels are 50–80% cheaper than hotels. A dorm bed costs $5–$15/night in Asia, $15–$30 in Europe. Modern hostels have private rooms, female-only dorms, and excellent facilities. Use Hostelworld.com to book.
2. Use Couchsurfing
Free accommodation with locals. Best in major cities. Requires effort (writing personalised requests, being a good guest) but a great way to meet locals. See couchsurfing.com.
3. Housesitting
Live in someone's home for free while they travel, in exchange for taking care of their pets and plants. Best for stays of 1+ weeks. TrustedHousesitters ($120/year) is the leading platform.
4. Work Exchange (WWOOF, Workaway)
Work 4–5 hours/day in exchange for free accommodation and meals. Common at farms, hostels, eco-villages. Workaway ($44/year) and WWOOF (~$40/year) are the main platforms.
5. Book Last-Minute on HotelTonight
Hotels discount unsold rooms 20–60% on the day of arrival. HotelTonight app specialises in same-day bookings. Best in major cities.
6. Use Airbnb for Longer Stays
Airbnb weekly and monthly discounts are 20–50% off the nightly rate. For 1+ week stays, Airbnb is often cheaper than hostels. Negotiate directly with hosts for longer stays.
7. Stay Outside City Centres
Hotels 2–3 km from city centre are 30–50% cheaper. Use public transport to get to attractions. Often a better neighbourhood experience too.
8. Travel in Shoulder Season
Accommodation is 30–50% cheaper in shoulder season (April–May, September–November in most places). Same experience, lower prices, fewer crowds.
9. Use Loyalty Programs
Sign up for hotel loyalty programs (Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, IHG Rewards). Free to join, get member rates (5–10% off), free nights after stays, room upgrades.
10. Share Accommodation
Travel with a friend or partner and split costs. A $40 hotel room split two ways is $20/night each — cheaper than a $25 dorm bed.
Accommodation Costs by Region (2025)
| Region | Hostel Dorm (USD) | Budget Hotel (USD) | Airbnb Private (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast Asia | $5–$12 | $10–$25 | $15–$30 |
| South Asia (Nepal, India) | $4–$10 | $8–$20 | $12–$25 |
| Eastern Europe | $10–$18 | $20–$40 | $25–$50 |
| Western Europe | $20–$40 | $40–$80 | $50–$100 |
| South America | $8–$15 | $15–$35 | $20–$45 |
| Australia/NZ | $25–$40 | $50–$100 | $60–$120 |
| USA/Canada | $30–$50 | $60–$120 | $80–$150 |
Accommodation Booking Strategy
- Book first 1–2 nights in advance (especially after long flights)
- Extend if you like the place, move on if you don't
- Use Booking.com for free cancellation bookings (reserve options)
- Compare prices on Booking.com, Agoda, Hotels.com before booking
- For longer stays (1+ week), negotiate directly with the property
- For really long stays (1+ month), look at local rental sites (not Airbnb)
Hidden Accommodation Costs to Watch For
- City tax (€1–5/night in many European cities)
- Resort fees (common in US hotels, $20–$40/night)
- Cleaning fees (Airbnb — can be $50+ per stay)
- Service fees (Booking sites add 10–15%)
- Currency conversion fees (if paying in foreign currency)
- Late check-in fees (some hotels charge $20+ for arrivals after 10 pm)
- Wi-Fi charges (some luxury hotels still charge for Wi-Fi)
Accommodation is the biggest controllable expense in travel. With hostels, Couchsurfing, work exchange, and shoulder-season travel, you can cut accommodation costs by 50–80% and travel longer on the same budget. For Nepal-specific advice, see our Kathmandu on a budget guide and our Nepal travel budget guide.
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