Three Websites for Budget Travellers
Seeing the World on a Shoestring
The world is a big place and how much of it we get to see often depends on how much money we have to spend. Who ever went globe-trotting in stilettos? Pull on your trusty travel boots and tread the path less travelled.
Here are three travel sites for shoestring budgets.
CouchSurfing
What is it: Staying on people’s couches for free.
Where is it: www.couchsurfing.com
Reason to visit: CouchSurfing is a phenomenal way of travelling the world on a minimum accommodation budget. Thousands of people in almost every country across the globe have registered their sofas for guests to sleep on.
Conditions vary from a full-on spare bedroom to literally a couch and some cushions but each CouchSurfer gives a full profile with information about location, facilities and preferences so you can check them out and get in contact before you leave.
Members also have levels of safety rating from a grade one verified member who can’t be guaranteed to a grade three whose address has been verified by posting out a security code. Other CouchSurfers also rate hosts so you can get a fair idea of whether you want to visit.
There’s also a highly active online forum community where surfers talk about their experiences and offer tips and advice.
Budget Traveller's Guide to Sleeping in Airports
What is it: A guide to the world’s most comfortable airports.
Where is it: www.sleepinginairports.net
Reason to visit: This seriously is what it says: a guide to the world’s best and worst airports to use as free accommodation. Travellers report on the comfort of sleeping conditions, noise levels, food available and amenities such as toilets and showers.
They are currently running a competition to vote for 2008’s best airport to sleep in. Singapore airport currently rates the highest whilst Paris’ Charles de Gaulle and Quebec City come in worst. The site is given the personal touch with blog anecdotes and reviews.
Help Exchange
What is it: Going to work on farms for bed and board.
Where is it: www.helpx.net
Reason to visit: In the words of the website, Help Exchange is “an online listing of host organic farms, non-organic farms, farmstays, homestays, ranches, lodges, B&Bs, backpackers hostels and even sailing boats who invite volunteer helpers to stay with them short-term in exchange for food and accommodation.”
Although the site is free, you can upgrade for €20 to join the contact network of people already volunteering and get the low-down on each of the hosts through volunteers’ personal experiences. Whatever your skills are there’s somewhere for you to put them to use. It’s a good resource for working your way around Europe, Australia, Canada, America and beyond.
