5 Reasons Why We Love Using Airbnb for Our Travel
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One of the main challenges that people encounter when they travel is cost. With flights, lodging, food, activities, transportation, etc. it all adds up. A strategy we’ve used for a number of our trips to help keep costs down was to book accommodations through Airbnb.
While it feels a bit elementary to explain what Airbnb is, somehow my college-aged brother had never heard of it. So just in case you haven’t heard of it before, Airbnb is a website that lets you book lodging. Hosts from around the world list their rooms, apartments, and houses on the platform for rent.
The concept is simple, and benefits both parties. It lets hosts utilize their extra space (which can potentially turn into a lucrative side hustle), and it gives travelers a wide variety of choices outside traditional hotels. As previously mentioned, we’ve used Airbnb often and have had a very positive experience. We actually used 5 different bookings during our trip to Ireland.
Sign up for Airbnb to receive $40 travel credit to put towards your first booking!
Here are 5 reasons why I would highly recommend Airbnb for your next trip:
5 Reasons Why We Love Using Airbnb
1. Cost
First and foremost, the cost of renting an Airbnb is usually cheaper than a typical hotel room. For example, in Ireland our average cost per night was around $50-60. In New York we had a group of 5 people share an apartment, and we each only had to pay $103 for 3 nights! Can’t beat those prices. There is usually a wide range of prices, so you’ll be able to find the right fit for your budget.
2. Flexibility
Along with a wide range of prices, there are numerous different options for what type of place you choose. This offers a great deal of flexibility for your travel. Do you want more privacy? Rent a whole house for yourself. Traveling with a group of friends? Find a place with multiple rooms. Looking to stick to a cheaper budget? Simply rent a single room. Also, one of my favorite aspects of renting through Airbnb is access to a kitchen. This lets you get some basic groceries to make inexpensive meals throughout your trip.
3. Location Control
Not only do you have more options for what type of accommodations you select, you also have more control over the specific location you choose. In New York we chose an apartment that was walking distance from Central Park. In Seattle we picked a place a few minutes down the freeway from Pike Place Market and Safeco Field.
4. More Personal
Since Airbnb listings are owned by individuals instead of a hotel chain, each place as its own unique charm. This makes it much more personal and homey. If you prefer a fancier experience and like the pampering of hotels, this might not be the best fit for you. I prefer the feeling of having a home away from home and being more settled in wherever I’m staying.
5. Easier to Immerse Yourself Where You’re Staying
Lastly, staying in an Airbnb makes it much easier to immerse yourself wherever you’re staying. This helps you get the full experience of the destination, and helps you learn about the culture. Most hosts will meet you upon your arrival. This lets you meet new people right away and get recommendations for sights to see during your travel. Our Ireland trip was a perfect example of this. All of our hosts were extremely friendly and accommodating, helping recommend the best restaurants and sights nearby for us to visit while we were there. Our trip was even more amazing thanks to these helpful suggestions!
Overall, we love using Airbnb when we travel. There are a number of advantages, including cost, flexibility, and unique charm. I would definitely recommend looking into booking an Airbnb the next time you travel.
Related Reading: My Intro to the World of Travel Hacking
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This post contains some affiliate links, this means that if you sign up for one of the services I may receive a small commission, but the cost is still completely free for you. At Spills Spot, my readers come first, and I pledge to only recommend products and services that I use myself or have researched thoroughly to verify their usefulness.
