Last Updated: 3/10/21 | March 10th, 2021
I utilized to dislike renting apartments from web sites like Airbnb. As a solo traveler, I favored the social environment of hostels. You got to satisfy people, they ran activities, held events, as well as were where you were “supposed to stay” as a backpacke.
When I did want something other than a hostel, I utilized a hospitality network liked Couchsurfing or just stayed with friends.
But, after a decade of life as a nomad, there are times when I like my privacy (and often I likewise requirement additional area for work). While I may not utilize apartment or condo rentals all the time, I stay in them often. I’ve discovered that they supply great value (especially if you’re traveling with several people), privacy, space, as well as a fantastic home-like environment.
While Airbnb is not as great as it utilized to be (and while it does contribute to overtourism), there are still great deals of fantastic holds on the platform who supply affordable lodging to travelers trying to find an alternate to hostels that won’t break the bank.
After utilizing apartment or condo rentals routinely for years, I wished to produce a in-depth guide about exactly how they work, exactly how to pick the best apartment, as well as exactly how to not get cheated.
How Do apartment or condo Rentals Work?
Apartment rental sites enable locals to lease out an private room, shared area (such as a couch in a living room), or entire home/apartment. The hold listings their location online, articles photos, composes a description, hit publish, and, presto, they can begin to make additional money with the unused space.
The booking process is like booking any type of other type of lodging online. You browse the database, discover a location you like, produce an account, as well as request a booking. When the owner accepts, you are sent a confirmation.
Additionally, lots of web sites enable owners to listing their location with an immediate booking option, which indicates you don’t even have to wait on the owner to reply. You’re immediately booked in your lodging (similar to when you book a hotel).
You’ll likewise be able to checked out evaluations about the hold as well as the apartment or condo as well as see precisely what amenities are included. For example, you can see if there is a kitchen area (so you can cook your own meals to save money) or if there are limitations on noise, smoking, as well as pets. perhaps you requirement gain access to to a washer as well as dryer or quick Wi-Fi. You can discover all of that out in the host’s profile (or in the reviews).
Most lodging rental sites likewise include a map so you can see where you’ll be located. That way, you can pick an apartment or condo close to the attractions you want to visit, or, select one additionally afield so you can have a quieter stay as well as get a feel for regional life beyond the vacationer crowds.
Who is this for?
Apartment rentals represent the area between hostels as well as hotels. If you are traveling on service as well as want the comforts of home, you most likely aren’t going to stay in a hostel. however hotels may be as well costly or as well impersonal for you. A rented apartment or condo is a best compromise.
Or maybe, like me, you like the hostel scene however sometimes requirement a lot more area as well as privacy. An apartment or condo rental will be a great deal quieter as well as a lot more kicking back than a hostel considering that you won’t requirement to be around as lots of people (or as much noise). You’ll likewise be able to cook your own food, assisting keep costs down on your trip.
Traveling with buddies or a huge group? This is absolutely the choice for you. Squeezing a lot of people into a rental home/apartment will be much more affordable per person than a space in a hostel or hotel. Plus, you get area to spread out as well as relax. Dorm spaces as well as cramped hotels don’t provide you a great deal of “me” time.
Additionally, if you select a “shared accommodation” choice (which normally indicates sleeping in someone’s living space or other semi-private space), you can frequently discover costs for even less than a hostel. While you won’t have much privacy, this is a great affordable option for travelers who just requirement a inexpensive location to crash.
You’ll likewise get to interact with your host, who can supply great deals of insider ideas as well as insight to your destination.
How to pick the ideal Airbnb
Unfortunately, as lodging rentals have exploded into the mainstream, it’s ended up being harder as well as harder to discover fantastic hosts. A great deal of holds now own several properties as well as online elsewhere. That indicates you frequently offer with residential or commercial property managers as well as never get to interact with the actual owner.
Additionally, a great deal of apartments aren’t rather as great in truth as they appear in the pictures (my team had to get a refund on an apartment or condo in Boston since it was filthy as well as falling apart).
In buy to discover appropriate accommodation, I utilize the exact same requirements for sites like Airbnb as I do for Couchsurfing. This lets me weed out poor listings. right here is what to keep in mind when trying to find a host:
Do they have positive reviews? – If other people stayed there, had a great time, as well as discovered the apartment or condo as advertised, you most likely will too.
Do they have several listings? – This is crucial since lots of people utilize these sites to be residential or commercial property managers. They get a lot of apartments as well as then re-rent them on Airbnb. I try to prevent these locations since they are normally not as great as other apartments as well as lack the personal touch that comes when holds lease out their own apartments.
Do they have precise photos? – any type of providing that doesn’t include a great deal of (quality) pictures is most likely hiding something (or at the extremely least misrepresenting the accommodation).
Do they have verified photographs? – having verified pictures indicates somebody has been there, seen the place, as well as vouched that it really appears like its photos.
Are they an active individual or Superhost? – active individuals are great users, so see when they last logged on. If it’s been a while, your inquiry may go unanswered.
Is their calendar updated? – While listings only show up in a browse if they are available, holds don’t always update their calendar. If somebody hasn’t updated their calendar in 30 days, I tend to avoid it. There’s nothing worse than going to book a place, only for them to cancel as well as say, “Whoops, sorry, it’s not available!”
Do they reply often? – You don’t want your query to go unanswered. These sites show the portion of messages holds reply to. The higher the better.
Are they verified? – Verified accounts are less likely to be people of suspicious quality, as the providing site has at least discovered some background info on them.
Have they been somebody else’s guest before? – If they were someone’s guest as well as that went well, it’s likely that they will be reliable.
These nine policies are useful guidelines, however at the end of the day, you have to opt for your gut. I don’t requirement a providing to satisfy all nine points. I when had a hold who hit only a couple of these points as well as she [turned out to be] my preferred host! as well as sometimes, in locations without lots of hosts, you may have to be a bit loose with this list.
But the a lot more points a location meets, the safer I feel.
A note on Gentrification/Legal Issues
Over the years, Airbnb as well as other apartment or condo rental web sites have significantly increased the cost of rents as well as pushed out the locals you want to interact with as people have started to get several properties in buy to lease them out to tourists. It’s a huge problem.
In lots of locations like Lisbon as well as Venice, a lot of locals can’t pay for the cost of lease anymore.
There have been strong protests against Airbnb (and similar sites)in Barcelona. Japan cracked down on Airbnb. nyc has strict legislations against it.
I believe the government can’t tell you what to make with your location — however I likewise don’t believe these web sites have done sufficient to make sure that you are renting from actual people as well as not residential or commercial property owners who are getting several dwellings as well as forcing the locals out.
I strongly motivate you to only utilize Airbnb if you are renting a space in someone’s house. It’s as well difficult to figure out if that entire house you’re renting is truly someone’s personal home or a rental residential or commercial property had by a gigantic company. If it’s a room, you understand it’s a local’s place. If you do want to lease an entire apartment, make sure it’s someone’s genuine location — not a corporation.
Help end overtourism. You have the power. Don’t displace the people you want to visit!
Are These sites Safe?
These sites run on trust. All these business try to confirm both purchaser as well as seller to make sure nobody ends up robbing any individual else, however you often hear reports of sex parties, robberies, or weird hosts.
However, apartment or condo rental business do supply a window that enables you to get your money back if you get a location that’s not as advertised. just phone call their 24-hour hotline as well as they will set you up somewhere else (you can likewise reach out on social network to get the conversation started). They likewise hold your money in escrow to ensure that if the location isn’t as advertised, you’ll get your money back. You never hand it over directly to the host.
All kinds of accommodations have dangers (cleaners can take from hotelrooms, dorm mates can take clothes from hostels, Couchsurfing holds can get creepy), which is why these policies are important. I don’t believe apartment or condo rentals are any type of less risk-free than your other options, as well as the benefits greatly outweigh the perceived danger.
Moreover, holds depend on evaluations much a lot more so than standard accommodation. That means, as a guest, you have a great deal of power must there be a problem.
The finest sites to discover a Rental Apartment
While Airbnb reigns supreme, there are really a number of web sites you can utilize to discover rental lodging while you travel:
Airbnb
House Trip
Vrbo
Campspace (for discovering personal campsites)
Another choice for long-lasting travelers is home sitting as well as pet sitting. In exchange for taking care of someone’s residential or commercial property or pet while they travel, you get gain access to to complimentary accommodation. It’s a fantastic choice for slow/long-term travelers seeking to stay in one place for longer periods of time. inspect out this publish to discover a lot more about it!
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If I’m traveling by myself, I tend to stay in a hostel dorm or utilize hotel points, however I utilize Airbnb quite much whenever I travel with friends.
And lots of of the holds have truly made a difference. There was the hold in Curaçao who chosen me up from the flight terminal (and drove me around the island), the hold in Galway who took me out for drinks (he [turned out to be] a reader!), as well as the French holds who left me a adorable hand-drawn map as well as a bottle of wine. You won’t discover such personal service at hotels.
It’s that personal touch that makes Airbnb like apartments the very best budget plan choice for those without hotel points or the wish to stay in a hostel.
If you’ve been on the fence about it, don’t be. apartment or condo rentals, when done right, are safe, affordable, as well as assist you have a a lot more authentic experience. utilize the ideas above as well as try one on your next trip. You’ll save money, get away from the tourists, as well as have a much better trip!
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Book Your Trip: Logistical ideas as well as Tricks
Book Your Flight
Find a inexpensive flight by utilizing Skyscanner. It’s my preferred browse engine since it searches web sites as well as airlines around the globe so you always understand no stone is left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, utilize Booking.com as they consistently return the least expensive rates for guesthouses as well as hotels.
Don’t fail to remember travel Insurance
Travel insurance coverage will secure you against illness, injury, theft, as well as cancellations. It’s detailed security in situation anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to utilize it lots of times in the past. My preferred business that offer the very best service as well as value are:
SafetyWing (best for everyone)
Insure My trip (for those over 70)
Medjet (for extra evacuation coverage)
Ready to book Your Trip?
Check out my resource page for the very best business to utilize when you travel. I listing all the ones I utilize when I travel. They are the very best in class as well as you can’t go wrong utilizing them on your trip.