There are many choices when it comes to sleeping arrangements, and the costs are not always proportional to what you may get. The range of accommodations can include resorts, hotels, flats (for longer stays), hostels, camping, and couch surfing and the cost can range from as low as free for couch surfing to thousands of dollars a night at resorts. The part of the world you are traveling in will also be a huge factor in cost as well - a hostel in Europe will be up to three to five times more expensive, if not more, than the same style of accomodation in Asia.
(Pictured: 30 euro/night 6 person dorm ensuite hostel in Paris)
I have a pretty basic view of sleeping arrangements. I don't like wasting money on extravagance at some place I am only at to sleep and shower. I would rather put that money to other good uses like sight seeing or additional days of travel if possible. While I would like to sleep as cheaply as possible, I do not think couch surfing is for me and the typical distance away from city centers put camping and cabins out of my mind as well. For that reason I utilize hostels and my favored form of accommodations.
(Pictured: $50/night triple share hotel without A/C in London)
There are many topics that need to be addressed when it comes to your choice of places to stay. I look for location, cost, dorm size (if applicable), ensuite vs shared bathrooms, hot vs cold showers, air conditioning vs. fan, wi-fi vs pay internet access, good reviews on reputable sites, and more. If it is only an extra dollar or two a night, I am more than willing to pay that for an ensuite hot shower and wi-fi access.
To get an idea of what you can expect for cost, I recommend searching the internet for the average costs of your level of accommodation in each country you intend to visit. Since I am choosing hostels, I utilize hostelworld as my primary source of information regarding the previously mentioned topics with travelpod as a secondary source of reviews. Guidebooks such as Lonely Planet are good to get an idea, however I have been reading that once published on such a popular source most of the recommended places tend to raise their prices, so be sure the information is accurate.
The following is a list of average hostel costs in USD, per night, for a mid-sized dorm (4-6 people) although some countries may factor privates as well, hot showers, with internet access, and favorable reviews of over 75% from hostelworld for all the countries I intend to visit on this trip:
China: $5-10
Hong Kong: $15
Macao: $20
Vietnam: $7.5-15
Cambodia: $5-7.5
Thailand*: $7.5-15
Malaysia: $5-10
Singapore: $15
Indonesia*: $7.5-15
India: $4-15
Nepal: $5-7.5
Brazil: $15
Argentina: $10-15
Chile: $10-15
Peru: $7.5-15
Mexico: $10
*These locations I may splurge and get a bungalow by the beach rather than a hostel, cost is not much different depending on location
My original plan included a $15/night budget for hostels. When looking at these values there may be room for potential savings as the average price is well under $15/night when everything is all factored together.(Pictured: Amsterdam Hostel Bathroom, complete with leaky shower and faulty toilet)
When it comes to booking a hostel you can either book online at a site like hostelworld, or walk in and hope you have good luck. I will be likely booking on hostelworld the night before I intend to visit assuming I have internet access. In addition I will be posting random reviews of some of my favorite and least favorite hostels on here to give in depth ideas of what you can expect for various countries around the world.
Traveling in the near future? Check out hostelworld in the application below for information regarding accommodations or other tour packages at your destination!
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