At a glance
Our globe-trotters draw on their extensive experience to give us 4 types of cheap accommodation for a road trip.
Julie and Michel from"Monde au Tournant", draw on their extensive experience as globe-trotters to give us 4 ways of finding cheap accommodation on a road trip.
1. Wild/freedom camping
Pro: Free, and sometimes with a lovely view (facing the sea, a river, a castle)!
Con: Comfort is a matter of luck. Sometimes you need to get up early to avoid being woken up ... by the police!
Out in nature: In some countries, wild camping is banned, in others it's tolerated, and in others still, campsites (official or not) are made available to travellers. Your best bet is to find a quiet spot, away from prying eyes and traffic. Avoid this kind of accommodation in places where your safety could be at risk (wild animals, prowlers, etc.).
At a local's place: If you spot a patch of waste ground next to a house, ask the people who live there whether they think you could stay there for the night. Worst case, you'll understand it's better not to; best case, they'll invite you to use their toilet or join them for dinner. Don't overstay your welcome on private land. Leave the spot clean and put your rubbish in a public bin.
2. Spontaneous hospitality
Pro: Free, and sometimes a genuine friendship can form. It's a better-protected and often more comfortable type of accommodation than a tent or sleeping under the stars.
Con: Success isn't guaranteed, and what you'll be offered is very much down to chance.
Knocking on a stranger's door: You'll need to pluck up your courage to dare ring a doorbell. Be ready for refusals and any questions you might be asked. Be as clear and honest as possible: briefly explain your trip and say that what you're mainly looking for is somewhere sheltered from the wind to sleep.
Example: "Hello, I'm travelling by bike and I've just arrived. Tomorrow I'm setting off on a new 50 km leg and I'd need somewhere sheltered from the wind to sleep and to keep my bike safe. Would it be possible for me to sleep in your garage? I'm registered on traveller networks and I can show you my references if you'd like."
Being put up by people who don't know you and who trust you right away is genuinely humbling. Don't be afraid to show your gratitude, but don't impose yourself on your hosts' life. Feel free to accept if you're offered a hot drink or a meal, but don't ask for one outright. On the other hand, don't hesitate to ask to use the toilet, as it shows you have a sense of hygiene.
On the other hand, if the person who opens the door seems very shady, don't hesitate to change tactics. Act as if you'd rung the bell to ask for directions and head a few streets further on to look for somewhere safe to stay.
3. Traveller networks
Pro: No money changes hands, because what matters is the human experience.
Con: As they've become accessible to the general public, well-rated "hosts" get too many requests and become more demanding or selective. So you might well be turned down, and it's worth having a backup plan (such as the address of a youth hostel).
Traveller networks (Couchsurfing, BeWelcome or Warmshowers for cyclists) let you meet travellers who value the human experience over comfort, basic hospitality over luxury, and sharing over monetising a stay. This kind of accommodation lets you make human connections, learn about another culture, and find out about good spots that aren't tourist traps, or local events.
But be careful: quite a few people don't understand the philosophy behind this kind of network and only use it to get free accommodation without giving anything back. The spirit of it is that, once you're back home, you can also host people yourself, or welcome them for a drink and give them tips about your town or village, whatever the size or comfort of your own place.
And while you're there, don't forget to show your gratitude by cooking or bringing along a speciality from your own country (chocolate, for example).
4. Volunteering and exchanging services
Pro: Meeting locals with a wide range of backgrounds and professions.
Con: You have to work in return, since this isn't an "all expenses paid" holiday.
In many countries, locals are looking for volunteers to teach in schools or help with harvests (in Australia and New Zealand, for example). Sometimes locals need a carpenter, a good plumber, etc., or people living alone need a hand keeping their garden or looking after their horses, and so on.
If you'd like to work on a farm, look into WWOOFing. If you'd like more variety in what's on offer, check out Workaway or HelpX.
Watch out: signing up for this kind of accommodation is often not free (20 to 50 euros for two years). In some countries, you're asked for a financial contribution on top of your volunteering. If it goes above 2 to 3 dollars a day, it might be a scam: someone may be trying to take advantage of you!
