Stay Smart: Travel Accommodation Hacks Every Budget Traveller Should Know
When most people think about budgeting for a trip, flights often get the spotlight. But in reality, it’s where you sleep that can quietly drain your wallet. Accommodation regularly makes up 30 to 40% of total travel costs, especially on longer adventures — and yet, it's one of the easiest areas to save big with the right know-how.
From cleverly booked hostels to free nights through house sitting, the options today go far beyond overpriced hotels or hit-and-miss Airbnbs. Whether you're planning a two-week escape or a year-long round-the-world journey, mastering the art of affordable stays can stretch your travel budget further than you might think.
In this guide, we’re diving into the best travel accommodation hacks out there — from secret booking tricks to unconventional free stays. You’ll find everything you need to stay smart, sleep cheap, and still enjoy comfort and local character wherever you roam.
Ready to unlock the secrets? Let’s go.
Hostels Done Right
Forget the clichés — hostels today are as varied as the travellers who use them. From rooftop pools in Colombia to co-working-friendly dorms in Thailand, these budget staples can offer serious bang for your buck… if you know how to book smart.
Comparison Sites and Booking Tricks
Start your search on platforms like Hostelworld and Booking.com — they give you a good sense of price ranges, reviews, and vibe. But don’t stop there. Once you’ve got your shortlist, check the hostel’s own website directly. Some offer better rates, or sweet extras like free laundry, breakfast, or discounts on local tours if you book through them.
Tip: Booking.com often includes free cancellation, which gives you flexibility to rebook if prices drop.
Loyalty and Referral Perks
If you’re staying in multiple hostels across a trip, it’s worth signing up for rewards. Hostelworld’s ‘Perks’ programme gives discounts and member deals, while European chains like St Christopher’s Inns offer free welcome drinks and food discounts to members.
Referral links are another easy win — some platforms give you credit just for inviting a friend, which can be enough for a free night.
Private Rooms Can Be Cheaper
Travelling as a couple or in a group? Don’t assume dorms are always the cheapest. In many cases, a private room split between two or three people works out cheaper per head — and comes with added privacy. Some even include en suites and breakfast.
Think Beyond the Party Hostel
Unless you’re chasing nightlife, look for hostels that focus on community rather than chaos. Filters like ‘quiet at night’ or ‘great for remote workers’ can help you find spaces that suit your travel style — whether that’s yoga and hammocks or cinema nights and shared dinners.
House Sitting and Pet Sitting
Imagine living rent-free in a cosy flat in Barcelona, or a countryside cottage in New Zealand — all in exchange for feeding a cat or watering plants. That’s the beauty of house sitting. It’s a brilliant way to save on accommodation, especially for longer stays or slower travel.
Trusted Platforms
The big name in the game is TrustedHousesitters — it has the widest range of listings and a well-established reputation. Others like MindMyHouse and Nomador offer lower annual fees and a more localised feel.
Some platforms require a membership fee, but you’ll usually make that back within your first stay. Just make sure you create a great profile with photos, travel experience, and any relevant pet care experience — many homeowners are as picky as hosts on Airbnb.
Tips for Getting Chosen
Competition can be high, especially in big cities or during peak travel seasons. Respond quickly to new listings, and tailor your message to show genuine interest in the home and pets. References are key, so start with smaller or local sits to build up your credibility.
Flexibility goes a long way too — being open to offbeat destinations or last-minute sits can land you some incredible experiences most travellers overlook.
Why It’s Worth It
Beyond the free stay, house sitting offers a deeper connection to a place. You’ll shop at local markets, settle into a neighbourhood, and live like a local — with the bonus of a furry friend or two for company.
Home Exchanges
Swapping homes might sound like something out of a rom-com, but it’s one of the smartest ways to score free accommodation — especially if you’ve got a base of your own. Whether it’s a seaside flat, a city pad, or even a campervan, there’s someone out there who wants to trade places.
How It Works
At its simplest, home exchanging means you stay in someone’s home while they stay in yours — either at the same time (a simultaneous swap) or separately (a non-simultaneous swap). Many platforms also allow for points-based systems, where you host someone and earn credits to use on a future stay elsewhere.
It’s ideal for longer stays and for those who like a lived-in feel — think local coffee shops, real neighbourhoods, and kitchens you’ll actually cook in.
Best Platforms
HomeExchange is the most well-known platform, with a huge global community and a simple points system. People Like Us is a smaller, tight-knit alternative that many travellers love for its personal feel. Love Home Swap is another good option, especially for more design-forward or luxury properties.
Most platforms require a yearly membership fee (usually between £50–£130 / €60–€150), but considering it gives you access to free stays all year, it’s excellent value.
Who It’s Best For
Home exchanging works particularly well for:
Families or couples with a base to swap
Digital nomads looking to slow down for a while
Anyone with flexible travel dates
Even if you rent, some platforms allow you to list your place with landlord permission — so it’s worth checking the rules where you live.
Short-Term Rentals and Apartments
Airbnb might have started the short-term rental boom, but these days there are plenty of ways to stay in an apartment without paying a premium. With the right approach, you can get the comfort of a private flat at hostel-level prices — especially if you’re staying longer or travelling off-peak.
Get Around the Fees
Booking through platforms like Airbnb is convenient, but those cleaning and service fees add up fast. To avoid them, reach out to hosts directly — especially if you're staying more than a few nights. Many will offer better rates via email or messaging apps if they can bypass platform fees.
Another trick: book longer stays. Many listings offer automatic discounts at the weekly or monthly mark — sometimes up to 40% off.
Alternatives to Airbnb
Don’t stop at Airbnb. Sites like Vrbo and Plum Guide often list the same properties with lower fees or more flexibility. Booking.com has thousands of apartment options, and often includes free cancellation or no upfront payment.
In certain countries, you’ll find local platforms that work better than the global giants. For example:
France: Gîtes de France
Japan: Rakuten Travel or STAY JAPAN
Germany: 9flats or Wimdu
These often have better regulation, lower prices, and fewer surprises.
A Note on Legality
In some cities, short-term rentals are heavily restricted — and not always well-enforced. Do a quick check on local rules to avoid turning up to a cancelled booking or an illegal sublet. Bonus: you'll also find more local-friendly stays this way.
Budget Hotels and Capsule Stays
Hotels get a bad rap among budget travellers — but sometimes, they’re actually the better deal. Especially in certain parts of the world, a no-frills hotel can cost less than a dorm bed, with way more comfort. It’s all about knowing where to look and how to book.
When Hotels Can Be Cheaper
In cities with a strong business travel scene, hotel prices often dip at weekends when business travellers clear out. Look for budget business hotels — especially in Asia — that offer clean rooms, fast Wi-Fi and sometimes even breakfast, all for less than £30/€35 a night.
Apps like HotelTonight, Hotwire and Priceline offer last-minute deals that can land you unexpected gems. If you’re flexible and spontaneous, this can be a serious money-saver.
Capsule Hotels and Niche Options
Capsule hotels originated in Japan, but you’ll now find them across Asia and in some European cities too. They’re ideal for solo travellers — private, clean, and futuristic, usually with shared bathrooms and lounge areas. Prices range from hostel-level to mid-range hotel, depending on the city.
Other unique budget-friendly stays to look out for:
Love hotels in Japan and Korea (often discreet, quirky, and surprisingly good value)
Pensions and guesthouses in Southern Europe
“Business hotels” or “salaryman hotels” for basic comfort and convenience
Booking Tips
Use price comparison tools, but always check the hotel’s direct site — some offer extras or price matching. Also consider signing up for hotel loyalty programmes, which can unlock better rates, free upgrades or late check-out with just a few bookings.
Secret Booking Hacks
Sometimes the biggest savings come down to how you book, not just where. With a few smart tools and a little know-how, you can beat the system and score better deals than the average traveller.
Use Incognito Mode or a VPN
Ever notice prices go up the more you search? That’s not just in your head. Some booking platforms track your searches using cookies and raise prices based on demand. To avoid this:
Always search in incognito/private browsing mode
Use a VPN to check rates from other countries — sometimes booking from a different location can slash the price
For example, booking a stay listed in Thailand from a Thai IP address often shows cheaper rates than from the UK or US.
Stack Cashback and Rewards
Don’t just book — earn something back while you’re at it. Use cashback platforms like:
TopCashback (UK/EU)
Rakuten (formerly Ebates)
Revolut Rewards (via the app)
Pair these with loyalty schemes on platforms like Hotels.com (10 nights = 1 free night), or Booking.com’s Genius discounts for returning users.
You can also use travel-focused credit or debit cards with perks like no foreign transaction fees, free travel insurance, or cashback on bookings — just make sure you pay them off on time.
Timing Is Everything
Booking too early or too late can cost you. In general:
For hostels: book early if it’s a small town, but late for cities with lots of inventory
For hotels: 1–3 weeks before is usually the sweet spot
Mid-week stays are often cheaper than weekends, especially in big cities
Travelling off-season or during the shoulder months (just before or after peak season) can cut prices dramatically — and usually means fewer crowds too.
Free or Nearly Free Alternatives
If you're willing to trade a little comfort for adventure (or offer a few hours of your time), there are incredible ways to stay for free — or close to it — all over the world. These options are perfect for slow travel, cultural immersion, and stretching your budget further than you'd think possible.
Couchsurfing
Couchsurfing isn’t just about free couches — it’s about connection. The platform lets travellers stay with locals for free, often in exchange for a good conversation or a shared meal. Some hosts offer private rooms, others just a spare mattress — but all are offering insight into local life that you won’t get from a hotel.
To get the most out of Couchsurfing:
Fill out your profile fully, with photos and travel stories
Always read reviews and trust your gut
Attend local events — even if you’re not staying with a host, it’s a great way to meet people
Note: While the platform now charges a small annual fee, it still works out far cheaper than a single night in most hostels.
Work Exchanges
If you're happy to pitch in a few hours a day, platforms like Workaway, Worldpackers, and WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) offer accommodation — and sometimes meals — in exchange for help. Tasks vary from teaching English and social media management to gardening, painting or cooking.
It’s a brilliant option for long-term travellers or anyone wanting a deeper experience in one place. Just be clear on expectations before you commit, and make sure the exchange feels fair.
Dorms, Monasteries and Religious Guesthouses
In many parts of the world, religious institutions offer simple, clean and affordable accommodation. You’ll find monasteries in Italy, temples in Japan, and nun-run guesthouses in Latin America — usually in great locations, with a calm, no-frills atmosphere.
University dorms are another great option, especially in the summer when students are away. Cities like Paris, Berlin and Toronto open up student housing to travellers at surprisingly low rates.
Bonus Hacks to Maximise Value
These final tips might not fit neatly into one category, but together they can seriously boost your accommodation game — whether you're booking a five-night city break or winging it on a round-the-world adventure.
Mix and Match Your Stays
One of the best ways to save is to combine accommodation types. Use free or low-cost options (like house sits or work exchanges) for part of your trip, then splurge on a boutique stay or hotel when you need comfort. It balances the budget and keeps the experience fresh.
Rebook if the Price Drops
Found a better deal after booking? If your stay has free cancellation, simply cancel and rebook at the lower rate. Tools like Pruvo can even monitor your bookings and alert you if prices drop.
Travel in Small Groups
If you're travelling with friends or as a couple, you’ll often find that private rooms or entire apartments work out cheaper per person than dorm beds — and you get the bonus of your own space.
Message Hosts Directly
Especially with Airbnb and smaller hostels, a friendly message can go a long way. Ask if there are any discounts for longer stays, or if they can waive fees — particularly during off-season or if the listing is still available last-minute.
Pack Smart to Widen Your Options
Carrying a sleep sheet, microfibre towel, universal adapter and padlock means you can consider more budget options without sacrificing comfort. Some basic hostels or monastery stays might not provide these — but if you're prepared, you won’t have to skip them.
Accommodation doesn’t have to be the budget killer it’s often made out to be. With a bit of research, the right tools, and a willingness to think beyond the typical hotel booking, you can stretch your travel budget way further — without sacrificing comfort or experience.
Whether it’s scoring a free stay through a home exchange, discovering a hostel with real character, or using stealthy booking hacks to land a better deal, there’s no shortage of ways to stay smart while you sleep.
So next time you’re planning a trip, don’t just book the first thing you see. Try out a new strategy, test a new platform, or even challenge yourself to spend nothing at all. The world’s full of beds — you just need to know where to look.
Got an accommodation hack of your own? Drop it in the comments or tag us on Instagram @TheWorldLocals — we’d love to share it.
