I’ve been looking at CouchSurfing and the Hospitality Club sites as I’m aware that accommodation is probably the most expensive part of my travel budget. These sites offer the possibility of free accommodation in the home of the host but it’s more than that, they also allow more authentic travel in the sense that you meet local people who can give you insider information about what to do and see in their area. A lot more appealing than spending your time with other tourists and relying on a guide book.

With the availability of cheap flights with low cost airlines like Ryanair and Easyjet it’s possible to get return flights for £50 including taxes if you fly midweek, off peak. However finding acceptable budget accommodation is more of a challenge.

I’m really not into camping or sleeping in youth hostel dorms, the two obvious budget options. If I travel off peak and book well in advance it’s possible to get some pretty good deals like £19 Saver rate at Travelodge in the UK. I’m staying at the Generator Hostel in Berlin in a private twin bedroom with shared bathroom but including breakfast for £28 a night next week. I’m attending a Travel Bloggers Summit during the Berlin Travel Fair and hotels prices have shot up. I reckon I’ll be out from morning until late evening so I just need a cheap, clean place to sleep.

I’m just not sure about the whole “free” accommodation scene as either a host or a guest. We like our peace and quiet and privacy at home and I’d feel quite apprehensive about having strangers staying in our home who might for example come in at night noisy and drunk. As a guest I’d also feel a bit uneasy being in someone else’s home. At the same time it could all work out very well, you could make some great new friends, get a lot more out of your trip and save a lot of money.

What’s your feeling about it all? My husband reckons that there’ll be a lot more people looking for free accommodation than willing to play host.