One of the keys to traveling on a budget is realizing that you can have an incredible experience without breaking the bank. Often, you’re going to have an even more memorable trip for going a little out of your way.
Everyone is always seeking cheap hotels and accommodations through Airbnb, and VRBO has become a viable new option.
Gone are the days of minibars and questionable cleanliness. For the same money or less, you can often rent a beautiful home or apartment. This allows better access to the places you want to be and the things you want to see. That said, these new methods of accommodation are now quite well known to the general public. The entire concept of rental versus a hotel has changed travel forever. However, with its mass acceptance, the prices have increased commensurately. However, there are still deals hidden in the right places for the savvy traveler.
To Be, Or Not AirBNB?
The very first consideration is when you’re looking to travel. There are times of year for different parts of the world that are cheaper or more expensive, however, think a little deeper. Airbnb, as an example, cut its teeth in 2008 by providing more affordable accommodations dramatically in San Francisco, a city notorious for its costs. They quickly realized they could pull in even more business by providing these discounted rates, especially during the greatest times of need, basic supply, and demand.
As their popularity rose quickly, however, those prices rose as well. The trick is planning around the low times for your particular destination. Is there a concert you want to go to? Don’t book your VRBO a day before the concert, take multiple days beforehand. That will lock in a lower rate for the duration of your stay. If you’re comfortable not going during the perfect weather season at your destination, that can also be massive cost savings.
More Than Just A Good Nights Sleep?
One of the easiest travel mistakes to avoid is being honest about where you’re staying and why you are there in the first place. Do you have children and want activities and safety for them? Then you’ll likely have to spend more for a home that meets those needs. If neither of those is a concern, consider staying in much more sparse lodgings. If you’re not going to be cooking where you’re staying, honestly, all you need is a bed and bathroom. Look for an AirBNBnear where you desire that is as barebones as possible. The one thing to not skimp on, however, is noise issues. If that perfect spot is too close to a major road, airport, etc., it will likely compromise your sleep.
After years of traveling, the worst thing is to wake up sleep deprived in a place you don’t know, which can even be a hazard as the days wear on. If you’re physically fit (and you should already be long before the trip), also consider your AirBNB above the first story. While this can be an additional challenge, the physical exertion is often well worth the monetary cost and is a minor inconvenience in the grand scheme.
The Cost Of Safety
The world is not a nice place. It has moments of incredible beauty and unique opportunities, but it is also fraught with danger, and those dangers can dramatically affect your trip. When booking a VRBO or Airbnb, consider the area around you and any crime you might be likely to experience. Nothing will ruin your trip faster than having belongings stolen or you becoming injured.
Whether identification, luggage, or money, all these things can take what was to be an incredible experience and turn it into something you’ll never forget for all the wrong reasons. Along with being choosey regarding your location, travel insurance is another way to cover yourself often for a pittance regarding what it covers. These precautions are a solid way to hedge your bets on an adventure.
Simply Put, Plan Ahead
Sometimes, being spontaneous and adventurous has huge benefits for your trip. Often these times come amid another, adequately planned experience. Simply throwing caution to the wind can often end with you caught in that strong wind. Planning a trip down to the minute is also going too far. Leaving no room for flexibility and the unforeseen will similarly cause you massive strife, and those traveling with you will likely never do so again. There is a happy medium to be found. Arriving in a foreign land or alien city and picking your AirBNB on the fly is also unadvisable and possibly even dangerous. The general rule of thumb is to have a comprehensive plan for the day, maybe one or two activities. Don’t plan too far beyond that unless specifically necessary. Much like anything else worth doing, everything needs to be balanced.
Travel has been dramatically impacted by the rise of rental services, largely for the better. Now we can experience places and people as never before from the bland luxury of hotels. Airbnb and VRBO are a great way to embark on a journey just following a few of the simple guidelines provided. Never let your sense of adventure be dulled or held back simply because there’s no hotel nearby.
