Summary
Lodging expenses make up a large part of any travel budget. When trying to trim your travel expenses, staying with friends might seem like an appealing option. You won’t have to pay for a hotel room, and all you might need to do in return is take your hosts out to dinner, right?
However, staying with friends can often be more stressful than relaxing. You will be living in someone else’s home, which can disrupt their routine and yours, resulting in an experience that may not align with your vacation intentions. Therefore, are the savings worth the potential loss of control over your vacation?
After evaluating the pros and cons of staying with friends on your next vacation, you might reconsider and choose to stay in a hotel instead. Conversely, you may decide that everything will work out wonderfully. If that is the case, reach out to your friend or relative. Remember to set aside a budget for that thank-you dinner.
Advantages of Staying With Friends
Free Lodging
Depending on where your friends live, you could save anywhere from $50 to $250 (or more) per night by staying with them.
Free or Low-cost Meals
While you may not visit many local restaurants, you can save a significant amount by enjoying meals at your friends’ home. Additionally, remember that polite houseguests typically contribute to groceries.
Insider Travel Tips
Your friends can guide you to the best local shops, restaurants, and attractions. No travel guidebook will provide the insider tips your hosts are able to share with you.
Transportation Assistance
Your hosts will likely be willing to pick you up from the airport, train station, or bus terminal upon arrival. If you are fortunate, they might also drive you to subway stations or bus stops each day, thus saving you the expense of renting a car.
Laundry Facilities
Having access to laundry facilities can be extremely beneficial. Washing your clothes during your trip can help you save on checked-baggage fees.
Emergency Help
It is indeed comforting to know that you can reach out to your hosts if anything goes wrong during your travels.
Disadvantages of Staying With Friends
Someone Else’s Schedule
Your routine will likely have to align with your hosts’ daily schedule. For instance, children or pets might wake you up early, and you may need to be dressed and ready at inconvenient hours just to catch a ride to the subway.
Someone Else’s Menu Plan
While home-cooked meals can be delightful, you might find yourself with limited dining options, especially if your friend has particular dietary preferences. You may be stuck with their meal choices unless you decide to eat out frequently.
Less Privacy — Or None at All
Be prepared to share a bathroom and potentially sleep in a common space. Expect early risers to tip-toe past your bed, which can be less than ideal for your sleep schedule.
Sofa Beds or Air Mattresses
If your hosts don’t have a dedicated guest room, you may find yourself sleeping in less-than-ideal accommodations such as sofa beds or air mattresses.
Pets
It is wise to check whether your hosts own pets, as this could pose a problem if you have allergies.
Someone Else’s Sightseeing Itinerary
Your hosts, being locals, are knowledgeable about their city. However, they might not share your desire to visit specific attractions. It can be challenging to insist on seeing places you want to explore if your host has a different itinerary in mind.
Make the Most of Your Visit
Ask for honesty from your friends regarding your visit. Be prepared for the possibility of rejection, as your travel schedules might not align.
Ensure that you are staying with people you genuinely enjoy being around. Their feelings toward you should be mutual, both before and during your stay.
Offering to take your hosts out to dinner is a nice gesture, but also consider contributing to groceries, gas, and household chores. Even if your hosts refuse your offer, extending it is a courteous approach.
Don’t overstay your welcome. It’s important to agree on arrival and departure dates in advance. Unless an emergency arises, try to adhere to your planned travel schedule.
Be respectful and tidy during your stay; no one enjoys hosting a thoughtless guest.
Accepting hospitality comes with the expectation of reciprocation. Encourage your hosts to visit you as well, welcoming them with enthusiasm.
Finally, remember to express your gratitude with a thank-you note.
