Top 10 Websites for Finding Cheap Accommodation (With Real Savings Tips!) (Part 12)
- Budget Nomad
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Top 10 Websites for Finding Cheap Accommodation (With Real Savings Tips!)
Finding the right place to sleep can make or break your travel budget. Accommodation is usually the second-biggest expense after flights, and if you don’t know where to look, you’ll end up paying far more than you should.
In Part 12 of the Budget Nomad Course, I’m breaking down the 10 accommodation websites I personally use to find cheap rooms, monthly stays, hostels, and hidden deals anywhere in the world. You’ll learn the strengths, weaknesses, loyalty benefits, discount hacks, and how to choose the right platform for your travel style.
Whether you're booking a $5 hostel bed, negotiating a monthly apartment, or searching for last-minute deals, these platforms have saved me hundreds of dollars every month.
Let’s dive in.
1. Booking.com – Best All-Round Platform for Budget & Mid-Range Travel
Booking.com is reliable, global, and unbeatable for finding a mix of hotels, hostels, and apartments.The secret is the Genius loyalty program, which starts saving you money after just two stays.
💰 Budget Nomad Tips
Turn on “Genius” filters for Level 2 or Level 3 deals — often 10–20% off.
Message the property and ask: “Is there a better rate if I stay weekly or monthly?”
Use the “cheapest first” filter but also check the map view to avoid isolated neighborhoods.
⭐ Best For
Short stays, hidden discounts, guesthouses, mixed accommodation options.
2. Hostelworld – Best for Solo Travelers & Backpackers
If you're staying in dorms or cheap private rooms, Hostelworld is your home.The review system is the most accurate for hostels because everyone writing the review actually stayed in a hostel dorm.
💰 Budget Nomad Tips
Sort by value for money, not by price.
Check the hostel Instagram — often they list walk-in promotions cheaper than the website.
⭐ Best For
Backpackers, solo travelers, social atmospheres.
3. Airbnb – Great for Monthly Stays & Unique Properties
Airbnb is inconsistent for budget travelers, but for long-term nomads, it’s a goldmine.Most hosts offer large discounts for 28-day stays, sometimes 40–60%.
💰 Budget Nomad Tips
Turn on the “Monthly stay discount” filter.
Message hosts directly:“I’m a long-term traveler. If I commit to 30 days, can you offer a better rate?”
Avoid high tourist seasons — hosts drop prices sharply right after.
⭐ Best For
Monthly stays, remote work, apartments.
4. Agoda – Best for Asia (Better Deals Than Booking.com!)
Agoda consistently offers lower prices in Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Japan.Some properties list “Agoda Exclusive” rooms that don’t appear anywhere else.
💰 Budget Nomad Tips
Always compare Agoda vs Booking.com for Asia.
Check if VAT or service fees are added at checkout.
⭐ Best For
Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Japan.
5. Google Hotels – Best for Quickly Comparing All Platforms
Google Hotels is not a booking site but a meta–search tool.It shows the cheapest prices across Booking.com, Agoda, Expedia, Hotels.com, and Airbnb in one screen.
💰 Budget Nomad Tips
Sort by “Deals” — these are verified price drops of 20% or more.
Use the map view to find underpriced neighborhoods.
⭐ Best For
Price comparison, last-minute deals.
6. Expedia – Best for Cashback & Points
Expedia’s biggest strength is its OneKey reward system, which works across Expedia + Hotels.com + Vrbo.
💰 Budget Nomad Tips
Always choose properties offering OneKey Cash — it adds up fast.
Great for flights + hotel bundles if you’re traveling from high-cost regions.
⭐ Best For
Business hotels, cashback hunters.
7. Hotels.com – Best for “10 Nights = 1 Free Night”
Hotels.com used to offer one of the best loyalty programs in travel.Now, it’s part of Expedia’s OneKey, but still fantastic for freebies.
💰 Budget Nomad Tips
Book 10 cheap nights → redeem your free night at a more expensive place.
Great for slow travelers who move city to city.
⭐ Best For
Digital nomads doing constant slow travel.
8. Facebook Marketplace & Local Groups – Best for Long Stays
In many countries, the cheapest monthly rentals are not online.They're found through expat groups, local housing groups, and Marketplace listings.
💰 Budget Nomad Tips
Search:
“[City name] monthly rental”
“[City name] expats”
“[City name] digital nomads”
Deal directly with owners → biggest savings.
⭐ Best For
Long stays, negotiating local prices, avoiding platform fees.
9. TrustedHousesitters – Best for FREE Accommodation
This is a genius hack for budget travelers.If you love animals, you can stay in entire houses for free by petsitting.
💰 Budget Nomad Tips
Build a strong profile with references early.
Look for listings in expensive cities like London or Sydney — massive savings.
⭐ Best For
Slow travel, pet lovers, expensive destinations.
10. Couchsurfing – Best for Meeting Locals & Zero Costs
Couchsurfing is less popular than it used to be, but still alive.It’s about cultural exchange, not just free stays.
💰 Budget Nomad Tips
Write personalized requests — hosts choose guests based on effort.
Don’t rely solely on it; use it occasionally for local immersion.
⭐ Best For
Cultural exchange, meeting locals, ultra-low budgets.
How to Choose the Best Platform (Simple Guide)
Travel Style | Best Website | Why |
Short trips | Easiest + great Genius discounts | |
Hostels | Hostelworld | Best reviews + social vibe |
Asia travel | Agoda | Cheapest in Asia |
Monthly stays | Airbnb / Facebook | Big discounts + private apartments |
Free stays | TrustedHousesitters | Houses + pets = zero cost |
Price comparison | Google Hotels | Saves time + identifies real deals |
Final Thoughts – Stack Platforms, Negotiate Smartly, Save Hundreds
The secret to budget travel isn’t about being cheap — it’s about being smart.Use these platforms the right way, and you’ll consistently find:
lower prices
better locations
monthly discounts
loyalty perks
local prices instead of tourist traps
This is how Budget Nomads travel the world long-term without draining their savings.
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