Saving money when it comes to accommodation is probably the biggest difference you can make if you’re trying to travel cheap. Getting a free night’s stay therefore is a mega bonus if you haven’t got a huge holiday budget, especially in an expensive country like Australia. Here are my top 5 ways to get free accommodation when traveling.
5. Camping
It might sound obvious, but it’s often overlooked. I never leave for any travel adventure without a tent and neither should you! From national parks, to people’s back gardens, showgrounds and community land, pitching your tent across the globe is a sure-fire way to score a free night’ sleep. Nowadays, there are so many lightweight tents available on the market, which are small, easy to assemble and designed to be carried or attached to your pack – no more excuses!
4. Couchsurfing
I’m sure many of you will have heard of this brilliant online network that connects travelers, looking for somewhere to lay their heads, with locals, who have free mattresses, couches, bedrooms or floors. I’ve used this network all over the world, but particularly in Australia, and can’t rate it highly enough. It’s also led to me make some great friendships and to visit places I never would have gone without a personal recommendation. Simply visit the couchsurfing website, create a profile and off you go. It’s simple, easy and free!
3. Wwoofing
Wwoofing stands for Willing Workers on Organic Farms and is a global enterprise designed to match travelers look for work with hosts who need jobs doing. Work is completed on a voluntary basis, but food and accommodation is provided in exchange. For only 4 hours work, you can get a roof over our head and plenty to eat! Wwoofing networks are run independently within countries, so the level of service and availability varies depending where you are in the globe. Nevertheless, I’ve used the scheme with great success in Europe, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand. Memberships fees can apply, but they are minimal and you get to access a whole country’s worth of free accommodation, so it’s worth it!
2. HelpEx
Like Wwoofing, but less geared solely towards farmwork, Helpex matches people who need jobs doing with travelers who can help. Again volunteer work in exchange for somewhere to stay, Helpex lets you rest and eat for free as you meet locals and travel around. I like Helpex as the spectrum of work is broader than Wwoofing and often you can end up doing some cool stuff on sailing boats, in bed and breakfasts or on butterfly farms! I’m not kidding, this stuff I’ve actually done!
1. Housesitting
Sweeping the budget travel realm by storm is housesitting, which is the latest arm of the burgeoning share economy and a great way to score accommodation for free when you travel. There are multiple websites you can sign up to register your interest as a sitter and it’s certainly a growing global network. Housesitting particularly suits slower, more long-term travelers – I’m yet to try it but I’m very excited about doing so in the future.
So there you have it, my top 5 ways to get free accommodation when traveling. Well, what are you waiting for?!
