If you’re travelling on a tight budget, an ideal option to save money on accommodation may be to stay with family or friends. However, this isn’t always possible. Fortunately, there are alternatives for those willing to explore creative accommodation options, which might even offer enriching experiences!

A quick internet search will present you with a plethora of apps and websites offering numerous opportunities. However, I highly recommend assessing all sites for legitimacy and safety standards.

Additionally, flexibility is key when looking for accommodation. You may wish to find your accommodation before booking any flights. With that in mind, here are a few options for cheap – or free – accommodation abroad.

House sitting

International house and/or pet sitting is an excellent way to get the local perspective, whilst saving on accommodation costs. The deal is free accommodation varying from a few days to a few months, in exchange for caring for a house and/or pets while the owners are away.

When seeking hosts, I’d suggest looking at nearby public transport. Moreover, when it comes to a lengthy sit, it’s also important that you check the country’s tourist visa regulations, as some might view house sitting as employment.

International volunteering

Volunteering presents ample spare time to experience global cultures off the beaten tourist trek, whilst making a real difference in critical causes.

There are numerous global volunteering placements offering free lodging and, in some cases, even food and activities – all in exchange for your time and skills!

Volunteering opportunities include:

• Environmental programs such as climate change and reforestation, or organic farming.
• Conservation programs including marine life and wildlife.
• Community services including human rights, NGO management, cultural and arts programs, construction projects or animal welfare.
• Humanitarian aid in the medical field, healthcare, childcare, or teaching.
• Hospitality positions such as reception, housekeeping, cooking, or bartending.
• Marketing and communication positions including social media and content developers, photography, or videography.

Hospitality exchanges

The couch surfing community is a network typically made up of fellow budget travellers offering a spare bed or couch for a few nights. The added bonus is that some hosts might even take the time to show you around their town.

As this is a hospitality exchange, the expectation is that at some stage, you will reciprocate by welcoming your host in your home.

It is crucial to research your prospective host by reading feedback from previous guests and building a rapport before your travels. If you feel at all uncomfortable once you get there, you can always leave.

Home swaps

Homeowners have an alternative free accommodation opportunity by swapping homes with others. With a setting similar to house sitting, this concept may work for families travelling together, as it offers savings whilst getting all the comforts of a home.

Language or cultural exchanges

For those interested in learning a foreign language, there is no better prospect than to learn it where the language is spoken! As a language exchange program traveller, you would live with a host family, thus immersing yourself in local culture and the opportunity to advance your language skills.

Hostel volunteering

If none of the above interest you, then you might want to consider approaching hostels and asking whether they can offer ‘work for free accommodation’.

In this scenario, you might be tasked with manning the reception desk, housekeeping, or organising social nights in exchange for free boarding. Besides saving on lodging costs, this is a great way to broaden your travels while meeting fellow budget travellers.

Generally, all these platforms require you to create a profile, pay an annual subscription fee, and upload a resume with past references. As your application progresses, there may also be an opportunity to engage with prospective hosts in a video interview.

For those still new to such concepts, I’d suggest using any feedback you received on sites like AirBnB, property rentals or a character reference by your employer/supervisor until you build reviews on your profile.

I hope that these accommodation alternatives will stimulate some creative, cost saving, life enriching, travel aspirations!

Happy planning!

Like every article on this website, this is not personal financial advice.