Youth hostels

Youth hostels

Often extremely attractive, because very economical, youth hostels are all the rage among young people (hence the name!). Perfect for backpackers, roadtrips, or simply for low-budget vacations, they have several positive (and negative) points for the traveler. They are often well located, in the city center, or well served, which makes it possible to be a tourist from early in the morning (or until very late in the evening). Another positive point – especially if you are traveling alone – is their friendliness: you often have to sleep in a dormitory (cheaper) and share the kitchen for meals, which facilitates meetings; if you like to party but don't know where to go, you're almost sure to find a group you can join! If you are traveling in a group of four to eight people, the dormitory can almost become a private room if you book well in advance.

However, not all youth hostels are equal, and sometimes we are far from the comfort of a hotel room. Here are some tips for finding the right hostel for you:

– Never book the first hostel at a shock price that passes in front of you. As with plane tickets, you have to spend time comparing your different options. Reading reviews is a must! It is often thanks to them that we realize the true state of hygiene of the establishment for example…

– If you spend more than one day/night in the hostel and you are not in a private room, always consider checking the availability of lockers to store your luggage. Pay close attention to the difference between "individual lockers" and a locker in a collective room where everyone can have access to the key... Unfortunately, youth hostels are often hubs of activity, you should not leave your personal belongings unattended. A word of advice: always make sure that your most precious possessions are close to you (you can put documents and credit cards in a pocket to place under your pillow, for example). The same goes for the fridge – although much less controllable, we don't recommend leaving a mouth-watering dish unattended; it's very possible that it will magically end up in someone else's stomach.

– Find out about the activities offered by the hostel: is there a bar for example, and does this bar organize social events? Or table games? Or even musical instruments or group hikes? Knowing what kind of traveler you are, choose the hostel that best suits your privacy or socializing needs. In this regard, if you are in a busy hostel, but you need silence to sleep, we recommend the purchase of earplugs…

Other Hosting Solutions

Stay with the locals

This option is particularly interesting because in addition to being cheaper than a hotel, it will allow you to meet locals and exchange with them, a real travel opportunity! You will find many Airbnb-type sites on the Internet that offer this kind of service. It is possible to rent an entire apartment or house, or just a homestay, which is of course more economical. As with youth hostels, do not hesitate to spend some time reading the comments left by the hosts to find out more about the accommodation and its occupants! Another positive point, in some rentals breakfast is included, it's always a win!

Wwoofing

More than an accommodation solution, Wwoofing offers you room and board in exchange for a few hours of work a day. It can therefore be a good option if you have time to devote to your host and you are not afraid of work! Be careful though, often Wwoofing takes place on farms or other fairly isolated agricultural areas, a point to take into account if you plan to stroll around town after your working hours.

Couchsurfing

This solution is definitely the most economical, since it is free! Couchsurfing is a large network of individuals around the world who offer travelers a free bed or sofa. Couchsurfing is available worldwide!

Other more original options allow you to stay for free with a private individual in exchange for your skills, such as babysitting with "home-sitting" or even a few hours of exchange in your native language, a promising new concept offered by the site. TalkTalkBnB.

Ahh food while traveling! One of the pleasures of travel is undoubtedly being able to taste new things and discover new tastes. However, this does not mean that your wallet should suffer! Here are some tips for enjoying the local gastronomy without eating all your budget.

Take a trip to the supermarket

To eat like a local, head to the supermarket! You will find local products much cheaper than in souvenir shops and you can do some shopping to prepare yourself to eat.

Rent a home with a kitchen

Even though eating out is obviously fun, the budget for a three times a day restaurant will ruin you very quickly! By renting accommodation with a kitchen, you can save some money by preparing your own meals, such as breakfast. With a few races, you can have enough to prepare meals for several days, a great saving!

Trust a travel guide

The authors of travel guides were once like you, broke! You will always find in these guides a list of restaurants classified by budget, which will still allow you to go out a few times without breaking the bank.

Advice from locals or other travelers

You arrive in a city for the first time and you are hungry, so you rush to the first restaurant you see. There is about a 100% chance that this restaurant is a strategically placed tourist trap that will make you pay dearly for an average quality meal. Avoid this by finding out in advance. If you are lucky enough to have a local contact, do not hesitate to ask him for his favorite restaurants, he will surely be happy to share his tips with you!
Even if you do not have a contact on site, there are now many online communities divided by geographical area (Facebook group for example) where you can ask your questions and collect some good addresses. Finally, do not ignore travel blogs, a small gold mine to find good addresses tested and approved!

Prioritize street food

It is well known that street food is one of the most economical ways to eat while traveling. And often, it is also the tastiest! So, do not hesitate and throw yourself on the street stands, which offer you delicious, affordable and often typical food!

banner article activities
Going to discover a new place necessarily involves visits or activities. Often unavoidable, they weigh down your travel budget. How not to miss anything while avoiding ruining yourself?

Find free activities

Before rushing to the tourist attraction that you will pay top dollar for, take a minute to do some research. You will certainly find interesting and free activities to do, such as walking routes, museums or exhibitions with free entry, etc. You can find this information in your travel guide, on the official website of the tourist office of your destination or by asking around for advice.

Limit the cost of paid activities

Okay, you did some free activities but there are still must-see attractions, you can't go to Paris without visiting the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower! Nevertheless, there are some tricks to reduce the cost of these activities. Always ask for the conditions for a reduced rate, maybe you are entitled to it! And to be sure of being able to take advantage of it, always remember to slip into your wallet the documents that may be useful to you, such as your identity card (for reduced rates according to age), or your international student card.
Even if you are not entitled to a reduced rate, try to find other good deals. For example, some major museums open their doors for free at certain times. It is also possible to buy “passes” that allow you to visit different monuments at an attractive price.

health article banner
This is a point that we do not necessarily think about, and yet it can seriously undermine your budget! A health concern abroad can cost you dearly, and it would be a shame if all your savings were spent on healthcare. Here are some tips to reduce your health expenses while on vacation.

Do a check-up before departure

Nothing is more annoying than having to spend all your savings to treat a cavity during your vacation, when a visit to the dentist before your departure would have saved you that. Before leaving, remember to take a short trip to the doctor.

Take a medicine kit

The medicine kit will save you from having to go to a doctor or a pharmacy in the event of a minor ailment, such as a migraine or a cold. Find here our advice to not forget anything in your first aid kit.

Consider the European Health Insurance Card

If you are going to the European Union, remember to apply for your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) at least 15 days before your departure, it is free and the application is made online. This card works in the same way as your Carte Vitale and allows you to be taken care of in the event of treatment, in certain situations. Even if this card is very useful, it is not sufficient in terms of coverage, because 100% coverage of costs is not guaranteed and there is no repatriation guarantee.

Take out travel insurance

If you are traveling outside the European Union or want optimum coverage wherever you go, the best option is to take out travel insurance that will cover your medical expenses 100% from the first euro spent. This will allow you to leave with peace of mind and, in the event of illness or accident, to make big savings! Discover our Globe Partner insurance contract, a travel insurance contract at a price adapted to your budget which offers you complete guarantees, to go on vacation well (re)insured!

You now have a lot of tools that will allow you to travel while respecting a tight budget. Do you know any other tips for traveling cheaper? We are curious to know them, do not hesitate to leave a comment!