Whether sharing a flat with a friendly German couple or staying in an entire home in Washington DC, keeping your price range low can offer some rewarding results. A getaway doesn't have to break the bank!
Yesterday's post 10 Getaways Under $200 a Night became very popular. Everyone wants to know how they can travel on the cheap. A lot of readers were asking for a list of even cheaper accommodations. The glory of Airbnb is the ability to customize your stay. If you enjoy getting insider tips while sharing a home with others, you can opt for a shared room or even a private room in a shared home. If you prefer a more private experience you can choose to stay in an entire home by yourself.
Once you get into a lower price range, you begin to lose a bit of freedom. Most likely you will be staying in a private room inside someone's home. A lot of people enjoy traveling this way. Staying in a home with the "locals" can be a rewarding experience. They'll give insight on their city that a travel book or even concierge can't tell you.
• Microloft Mitte - Berlin, Germany - Entire home - $60 p/night
• Beautiful Place to Stay - Cologne, Germany - Shared room - $32 p/night
• Double Close to Beach & Acropolis - Attica, Greece - Private room - $43 p/night
• Heart of San Telmo - Buenos Aires, Argentina - Private room - $20 p/night
• Rick's Place - Rome, Italy - Entire home - $73
• MeStyle Place - Bangkok, Thailand - Private room/hotel style - $40
• Double Bedroom in Barcelona Centre - Barcelona, Spain - Private room - $72 p/night
• Charming Jungle Home - Surat Thani, Thailand - Entire home - $45 p/night
• La Palapa, a True Colorful House - Portland, OR - Private room - $45 p/night
• Bachelor Pad - Washington, DC - Entire home - $72 p/night
Images: As linked above.
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cool- but honestly these are all overseas.
for all the budget overseas traveling we'll be doing.
There's one in Washington, DC.
These are brilliant options for Europe, where accommodation can be very expensive, but Asia is a different story. My husband and I spent six weeks in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam this past winter, and we spent an average of $25 a day (total for two), including guest houses, meals, transportation, and entry fees...
I had no idea you could do such a thing in DC. BRILLIANT. I'm bookmarking the link. Hopefully it'll hold up til the Cherry Blossom Festival next year!
@Jdad - Everyone has a different budget and budget doesn't automatically mean less money, either. I've been saving for a vacation to Europe and I know it'll cost me several thousand dollars. But I'm budgeting for it.
We have done this!!! It was a really great holiday in Kopenhagen!!! I would absoluteley recommend this!!! You just have to be aware that you often have to contact a couple of hosts until you get an apartment for your desired date... But I would always choose airbnb over any hotel now!
I can click through that site for hours!
barelona has a ton of really cool airbnb apartments too, I want to go there on my next hoiday.
@omnombiscuits - when you come to DC, make sure you check the location map. The advertised apartment on here is in SE, far away from the attractions, and I honestly wouldn't go there unless I know what I'm doing.
@omnombiscounts - I agree with @callme_supergirl. The fact that it isn't near the attractions isn't really a big deal (that's what public transportation is for, plus there are fewer residences downtown), but it being in SE (unless it's next to the Navy Yard) is definitely a cause for concern if you're a tourist.
Hey callme_ and Pi, thanks for the heads up! I actually lived in SE DC for a few months a few years ago (during an internship, of course), so I know what an adventure that area can be.
Didn't realize the advertised apartment was in that area, but it does give me incentive to check it out and see if there are similar cheap-o places to stay around the area. Thanks again!
Love it
I am an airbnb host in philadelphia!
Our city is great and has lots of fun things to do and see and you can get here rather cheaply on megabus or bolt!
My first place is a cozy studio I actually submitted for AT's small spaces! For $75 you get the entire studio with access to the local pool!
http://www.airbnb.com/rooms/82752
My loft is right near 30th street train station, the entire loft is 100, but you can rent just the bedroom for 55 or the futon for 35!
http://www.airbnb.com/rooms/115261
I had an amusing time thinking about how I'd advertise one of my spare bedrooms.
"Experience the gritty mill town that is the center of Andres Dubus II's "Townie." Stay in a multi-ethnic neighborhood. 5 minute walk to the commuter rail and access to Boston, MA, and the Maine coast. Fan-tailed dog greets you enthusiastically but vitriolically upon your return home. Must check in and retire to room by 7:30 p.m.. Wake-up call between 4 and 4:30 a.m., so you can catch the early train into the city. Please, no menopausal women. One is puh-lenty. Gay men greatly preferred. Straight men OK, but please don't have stinky shoes. Well, basically, I really don't like other people, so maybe you should just stay in your room while I'm awake."
Mary
Hey, Californians, I just stayed in a great place for $65 a night. "Tom's Place" just north of Bishop, California. Very close to Mammoth Mountain. There are cabins, but I stayed in a little room in an old lodge next to a river. There's a large wooden building across the street from the lodge (part of Tom's Place, too) that has a big wooden deck, great food, a bar, a general store, etc. And there's LOTS of local color!
I live in DC in the Hillcrest neighborhood. It's unfortunate that so many people still have negative views of SE. A lot of gentrifiers are discovering the the geographical and financial benefits of SE compared to the rest of D.C. Hillcrest is actually one of D.C.s best kept secrets. It's a quiet, well a maintained residential area. D.C. is a major metropolitan area and you should be alert/safe wherever you go. I wouldn't rule out this option just because it's in SE. I would check out that listing if I were a tourist on a budget.
This is an amazing concept. It's great to see that people commenting are hosts and users of the site. Of course I'm wary - has anyone had any bad experiences with it? Thanks for sharing!
Brianna Olds
CoolProducts Social Media Marketing Manager
Longmann & Eagle in Chicago.
Great cooking classes in Italy go to CIBO in Bologna
Http://www.cookingclassesinbologna.com
Here's a great video something that we cooked
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=GVGOLy2jJok&feature=plcp