Are you looking for a way to travel on the cheap without that $100+/night hotel expense? Do you want to be in the main areas of the city near the major attractions? If you answered yes to this you may want to consider hosteling and/or Airbnbs. I have outlined what I think are the pros and cons to each through my experiences so that you can feel better about your booking choice.

Location

When traveling I find the location of my accommodation can make my travel either much easier or much harder. So what is so different about the location of a hostel versus airbnb?

Airbnb – An airbnb is typically a person’s home with a room, bed or sometimes the whole house for rent. Because of this you are likely staying in a local neighborhood and able to really experience the culture of a country or city. Staying local does have its downfalls if you plan on spending most of your time visiting major attractions. Getting into city center may take a lot more time and local transportation isn’t always convenient. In more rural areas if you do not have a vehicle this can be a major hinderance.

Hostel – On the other hand, hostels may be locally owned or more like a hotel feel. Hostels are typically located very close to major attractions and local transport which is great when trying to save costs on getting around. (Most hostels I have booked were mere blocks from major train and bus stations.)

Cost

Airbnb – Nightly cost of airbnbs range dramatically as they go from a basic room in a house to amazing vacation homes with the views to go with them. If you are looking for the basics then you can find plenty reasonably priced options. I have found in comparison that airbnbs are great if you are a couple because you can share the single bed and have it cost about the same per person as a hostel may.

Hostel – Aside from if you are brave enough to couch surf hosteling is about as cheap as its gets when traveling solo. Since you pay for a bed rather than a room this can save you a lot of money. Now with that being said if you are uncomfortable with strangers sleeping in the same room there are also privates. The private rooms do typically cost closer to airbnb or even hotel room prices and even if there are two of you they charge per person. (I have found hostels ranging from $3-$60 usd myself.)

Locals Experience

Airbnb – As mentioned above a lot of airbnbs are homes or rooms rented out by locals. The up side to this is you are staying in local communities and able to have a more genuine local experience rather than just staying in the tourist regions. It is amazing when you leave the confinements of the tourist areas how different cities can really be.

Hostel – Hostels are in a lot of various locations and you can find some off the beaten path as well. Notably you will not find the same cultural emersion at most hostels but there are locals that work them the may help guide you to the little known spots.

Tours

Airbnb – Aside from if you book your own tours, airbnbs do not have any group tour arrangements or tour booking options. This is not a dealbreaker rather a reason I find hostels more to my liking a times.

Hostel – Most of the hostels I have staying at have great resources for getting around the region. This may be brochures to recommended companies, selling tickets or booking the attractions for you, or even offering their own free tours with a local twist.

Baggage

Lastly one of my favorite perks when hosteling (which is just a note) is the fact that even before/after checkout they will store you luggage for you without cost! It is usually inevitable that I arrive 3 hours prior to checkin or have most of the day left after checkout which is a dilemma when you have luggage. Even with a back pack I do not want to walk around the city with 2+ weeks worth of luggage and most attractions won’t let you in with luggage.

Want to know more about what to look for before booking a hostel? Check out my post on the top 5 amenities I look for before booking.