Hostel for backpackers - Best tips, tricks and infos to find - 9 other possibilities for sleeping
Be smart!
Save time and money!
- Save up to 15 % compared to other offerors by taking our advices.
- When travelling a whole year, you might be able to save up to € 1.000,- by choosing the right offerors (€ 18,- per night on an average)
“I have done too much travelling in my life!
Said no one ever…”
1. Book on the internet beforehand
Used most often by far is booking accommodation online in advance. Statistically, it takes least time and is the cheapest way on an average. Our recommendations are:
Admittedly, there are many more good vendors. However, their offers are considerably smaller, the search function is often limited and prices tend to be higher. Below, you will find all details regarding our recommendations!
Advantages:
- Fast and neatly-arranged search function
- Uncomplicated processing
- Oftentimes comparably cheap – statistically the cheapest
Disadvantages:
- You’re doing a blind bargain – pictures might be misleading
2. Book on site
In areas where supply is higher than demand you will probably get the best price like that. If you are a little patient, you’ll get the keenest prices directly at the hostel’s or hotel’s reception – and you will know what you’ll get. This option might be a little time-consuming sometimes. However, there’s a chance it pays off, indeed.
Advantages:
- If supply of accommodation is large, you might make a good bargain.
- You’ll get what you book.
Disadvantages:
- If supply of accommodation is low, you will probably come off badly since prices are often raised arbitrarily.
- It’s time-consuming and can be tedious (often you have to walk from accommodation to accommodation until you find something that fits you)
Couchsurfing
A community of more than 10 million members spread all over the world and you can sleep on their couches for free. Having done it ourselves, we have really made some cool experiences. Usually, hosts are candid, cook for you and often show you around. Of course it can get merry and bizarre sometimes since you don’t really know what is expecting you. A very peculiar way of travelling! Couchsurfing
Advantages:
- For free (however, it’s always a good idea to bring a little gift for your host)
- You get to know awesome new people; also cultures and customs
- Once you are a member, it is uncomplicated
Disadvantages:
- You don’t really know what is expecting you
- Registration and authentication might take some time in the beginning
- If you are new, you should make an effort to get an affirmative respond from a host
Airbnb
Airbnb is an online marketplace where people make their flat, houses, cabins, etc. available. You have the whole accommodation for yourself, then. In return, you have to pay a fixed price per day/week. Especially in cities or at the sea that is really cool. You “really” live at that place! Register today und you get a € 40 price reduction on your first booking. Just click this link: Airbnb Gift. You will find further information below.
Advantages:
- Cool atmosphere – you live where you are
- Great accommodations for fair prices
- You are your own boss
- Getting the feeling not to be a tourist
Disadvantages:
- Compared to couchsurfing it will cost you – in larger cities it might be expensive (usually it’s still cheaper than hotels)
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Homestay.com
Accommodation at guest families who really take great pains. Especially in exotic countries a real cool experience for a fair price. -
Sleepinginairports.net
If your budget is already strained and you are up for a new adventure, here you’ll find a guide how to best sleep at airports. Why not? -
Camping/tenting
Having a tent or caravan with you is one way to do it. Another is renting one on a camping site. For all the campers amongst you! -
Overnight trains
If you want to be somewhere else by tomorrow, that’s a great option. Often, they are very cheap and you’ll get good sleep.
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Workaway.info
Similar to WWOOF but a little more exotic. These offers are more exceptional. Having a look pays! -
Wwoof.net
You can imagine working on organic farms? Then WWOOF might be exactly right for you. Accommodation and meals are usually included. -
Housecarers.com
Look after houses of other people while they are away. Water plants, mow the lawn or take care of pets might be your duties. In return, you live in the house for free.
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Are there common areas available?
In common areas you get to know other travellers. Is there enough space in a hotel/hostel? Is there a leisure room? Is there a dartboard, table football or billiard table? Or at least a big communal table? That really is worth a lot and it makes it easier to get in contact with other people. -
Internet at a hostel/hotel
If internet is as important to you as it is to us, then you should check if there is any and how good the connection in your accommodation is. Admittedly, Wi-Fi is pretty much standard, but not every Wi-Fi is the same! Best is to read through the customer ratings. -
Just book for one night
If the hostel or hotel is not that overbooked, you just can book for one night. Was it alright book one more night. If not, just leave. -
The bigger the more anonymous
If you rather want to be on your own, we recommend to choose larger accommodations since you are more likely to get some you-time there. Other way around, go for smaller ones if you like to get to know other travellers. There you find a more familiar atmosphere.
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Inform yourself on the internet beforehand
How many accommodations are there where you want go? How many are not fully booked? What expenses are expecting you? How are the ratings? We advise you to check on 2-3 websites. Prices tend to be quite similar with the best vendors, but it is never a bad idea to play it safe. We recommend booking.com, agoda.com and tripadvisor.com. By doing so, you’ll instantly get the best vendors and usually will get the best hostel/hotel for the best price available online. -
Public transportation
Oftentimes, you depend on public transportation. There is nothing worse than walk long distances to the next stop unnecessarily. Pay heed to your immediate infrastructure! -
Reliable offerors
Book your accommodation at reliable offerors only. Avoid rip-offs and fraud. Best is to go for renowned and big offerors.
Test winner: The best hotel search
engines you can find!
It really is that simple…
#1 Booking.com
Booking.com is by far the biggest website for finding accommodation in the world. We can absolutely recommend you this site to you as your No. 1. But for a better control of the price you get, we also recommend to check out the other two winners.
Why Booking.com?
- At the moment by far the biggest seller of accommodation.
- Easy to handle and safe to use.
- Good and fast service.
- Statistically the cheapest booking platform in the web.
- Very powerful in Europe, Australia, North and South America.
#2 Agoda.com
Agoda.com is also one of the biggest booking websites worldwide and has it’s focus on accommodations in Asia. There, they offer truly fantastic accommodations.
Why Agoda.com?
- Great results for cheap accommodation in Asia
- Easy to use
- Excellent prices
- Perfect addition to Booking.com
#3 Tripadvisor.com
Tripadvisor.com is not a direct provider of accommodations (like agoda.com or booking.com). It suggests hotels and hostels from other websites around the world. This way, it can offer and compare accommodations you never would have found with our other two winners.
Why Tripadvisor.com?
- More than 170 million hotel reviews
- Easy to handle
- Finds cheap accommodation from smaller web pages as well
- Big meta search option
Whenever you are in Chiang Mai we recommend:
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