There’s something soul-crushing about paying $270 a night for a hotel bed that feels like a slab of drywall covered in slightly damp sheets. And then—on the flip side—you’ve got those rock-bottom Airbnb deals that look dreamy in photos but reek of mildew and broken promises IRL.

Traveling on a budget without feeling like you’re in a concrete shoebox? It’s a delicate dance—part strategy, part gut feeling, part sheer dumb luck. But hey, we’ve got you. Here’s how I (and countless other slightly neurotic, travel-obsessed humans) find accommodations that are both affordable and livable, if not downright delightful.

Spoiler: it’s not just about scrolling endlessly on Booking.com (though, yeah, you’ll probably do that too).

1. Research… but Not Too Much

You know how people say “the more you know, the better?” Well, sometimes the more you know, the more overwhelmed and indecisive you become—thank you, analysis paralysis.

Start on the big guys: Booking.com, Hostelworld, Airbnb—you know the drill. Compare, read reviews (especially ones written in the last few months because let’s be real, a “great experience in 2017” doesn’t help you much now). Use filters, but don’t get too filter-happy. You’ll eliminate some of the real gems if you only tick boxes for “breakfast included” and “city view”—is that city view really worth an extra $60?

Also—here’s a trick nobody talks about: map view. If you’re not using map view on your booking sites, you’re missing half the picture. Sometimes an extra 10-minute metro ride can slash your nightly rate in half—and it’ll be quieter, too. Trust me, I’ve stayed one block from the Eiffel Tower before. It was noisy, smelly, overpriced, and the croissant shop downstairs was closed for renovations.

2. There’s More Than Just Hotels, You Know

Hotels are fine. Sometimes. But they’re not your only option—and rarely your cheapest. Let’s break it down.

→ Hostels with Private Rooms. Sounds contradictory, right? But these days, hostels aren’t just for 19-year-old backpackers with questionable hygiene and ukuleles. You can get a clean, private room with an ensuite for less than a motel. Some even have rooftop bars and yoga classes.

→ Homestays & Guesthouses. My favorite stay of all time? A homestay in rural Sri Lanka, $18 a night with homemade curry and the smell of rain-soaked jasmine outside my window. You can’t bottle that kind of magic.

→ Self-Catering Apartments. Perfect for longer stays. You want to cook your own eggs at 1am? You can. Traveling with friends? Split the cost. Bonus: fridges mean cold wine on demand.

→ Couchsurfing. This one’s not for everyone, but it’s a culture-rich gamble. You might end up with a lifelong friend or a cat-loving loner who never leaves their room. Both have their perks.

→ Home Exchange. Remember that rom-com The Holiday? It’s real—and people do it all the time. Swap your home, live like a local, pay $0.

→ Camping. Yeah, it’s affordable. And also… damp? If you’re outdoorsy, great. If not, maybe glamping is more your jam. Either way, nature doesn’t charge resort fees.

3. Loyalty Points: Your Quiet Superpower

If you’re not collecting hotel loyalty points, you’re leaving money on the table. Scratch that—you’re setting fire to free nights in swanky hotel rooms.

Join all the programs. IHG, Hilton, Marriott—most are free and even if you only use them once a year, the perks add up. That time I checked into a Marriott in Warsaw with points? Free breakfast, early check-in, AND a bottle of wine. Magic.

Also, credit cards are clutch. Some sign-up bonuses are insane—like 80,000 points just for buying groceries for three months. That’s a week at a resort in Thailand. Or two nights in New York.

Apps like MaxRewards or AwardWallet help you track it all so you’re not mentally juggling six accounts and blackout dates.

4. Comfort ≠ Luxury

Let’s set this straight: comfort doesn’t mean opulence. You don’t need gold-plated light switches or mood lighting. You need:

• A clean bed that doesn’t creak like a haunted ship
• A bathroom that doesn’t inspire horror-movie flashbacks
• Wi-Fi strong enough for Zoom calls or doomscrolling
• A quiet space (unless you’re in Bangkok and silence is a fantasy)
• A decent pillow. Seriously.

Oh—and check reviews for keywords like bedbugs, noisy neighbors, or mold. If you see those more than once, run.

5. Locals Know Best (Seriously, They Do)

Want to find the coziest, cheapest, most under-the-radar stay in town? Ask a local. Or at least someone who’s been there recently. Reddit threads, FB groups (shoutout to “Girls Love Travel”), and niche forums are absolute goldmines.

Also—and this might sound old-school—call the place directly. I once called a family-run guesthouse in Oaxaca, and they gave me a deal $20 cheaper than their online listing plus free breakfast. Why? Because I asked.

6. Be Loose with Your Dates… and Your Dreams

Flexibility isn’t just helpful—it’s practically mandatory. Off-peak travel is where the sweet spot lives. That charming little guesthouse in Amalfi that’s $150 in August? It’s $58 in late October—and the sunsets are better.

Also… don’t marry the idea of one destination. Maybe you wanted to go to Paris but found a killer deal to Porto instead. Go. Be spontaneous. You’ll save cash and maybe fall in love—with a place, a person, or just the food.

Final Thoughts (Or Half-Thoughts)

Finding the perfect affordable place to stay isn’t a science. It’s art. With a splash of chaos and a dash of serendipity. Some nights you’ll be in a plush robe sipping Nespresso. Other nights it’s lukewarm noodles in a room that smells vaguely of bug spray—and you’ll weirdly love it.

Travel is weird. It’s unpredictable and messy and sometimes the best parts come wrapped in misadventure. But with these tips, you’ll probably sleep somewhere clean, maybe even beautiful, and definitely not bankrupt yourself doing it.

So book smart. Stay curious. And never forget: a soft pillow is worth its weight in gold.