Author Archives: NomadicMatt

RTW Update: How Heather is Traveling on a Budget

Heather in Italy
Posted: 11/12/18 | November 12th, 2018

Last December, Heather won our round the world trip contest and was gifted a trip around the world worth $50 a day! In January, she started backpacking her way through South America on a budget. Today, she’s written a blog post about how she’s been able to stay on budget for the last 36 weeks and the lessons she’s learned as a new traveler!

 

After over ten months on the road, it’s time to update the community again on my trip! Since the last update, I spent two weeks in Brazil, a month exploring Morocco, and two months in Europe watching the World Cup.

Now, I’m in Tanzania exploring Africa!

After so long on the road, I think it’s time to answer the question that really drove the contest in the first place:

“Is budget travel possible on Matt’s $50 a day recommendations?”

One of the reasons Matt sponsored this trip was because he wanted to show everyone that travel is possible on his suggested budget of $50 a day. He wanted a living case study for the ideas in his book!

After tracking all my expenses — including my flights, travel insurance, and incidentals — I’ve spent $14,450 or $56 a day so far. I’ve not only found sticking to Matt’s budget feasible but not at all demanding (especially with a little creativity).

After Africa, I’ll be flying to Southeast Asia, where I’ll end my trip. I suspect that will lower my overall costs even more!

How I stayed on budget

Heather in Africa
At the beginning of my trip, I went to the Galápagos Islands, which are not backpacker-budget friendly, so I had some work cut out for me to get back on budget.

I saved on housing costs by Couchsurfing and staying with friends. In Chile, I stayed with friends I met in Colombia. In Paris, I stayed with a friend I met in Brazil. I’ve been overwhelmed by the number of kind people who offer me help, especially with accommodation, as I travel, expecting nothing in return. The travel community is extremely warm and open. It makes friends of strangers.

I’ve been balancing out other expenses by also keeping my transportation costs low. I opted to take the longer, cheaper way to get from A to B. In Brazil and Europe, I used BlaBlaCar to save money. In Morocco and South America, buses were my go-to option — they were cheap and easy. I booked a limited number of flights and tracked prices so I could book them at just the right time if possible.

Food has been the only place I haven’t cut back. I’m a foodie and, as Matt always says, what’s the point in traveling if you don’t eat the local food! In South America, this was usually easy. There were tons of lunch specials around and cheap local food so I was able to eat on a budget. In Europe, it was much harder. Food was by far my biggest expense but I have no regrets. A girl’s got to eat!

Here are my costs broken down by region:

Duration
Total Spent
Average per Day
South America
115 days
$5,215
$45; $32*
Ecuador
14 days
$600
$42
Galápagos
8 days
$1,700
$212
Peru
63 days
$1,800
$28
Chile
7 days
$210
$30
Argentina
4 days
$146
$36
Iguaçu Falls
3 days
$225
$85
Brazil
16 days
$534
$33
Africa
63 days
$3,904
$62
Morocco
22 days
$748
$34
Tanzania
31 days
$3,156
$76
Europe
78 days
$4,757
$60
Portugal & Spain
5 days
$368
$74
France
22 days
$1,650
$61
Germany
7 days
$500
$42
Italy
14 days
$839
$59
France (part 2)
30 days
$1,700
$56

*Total for South America if you exclude the Galápagos

Here’s the breakdown of my spending by category:

  • Housing: $2,874
  • Transportation: $2,632
  • Food: $4,687
  • Travel insurance: $1,040
  • Activities: $3,217 (such as tours to Machu Picchu or the Sahara, diving, a safari, shopping, etc.)

However, that’s not to say it’s all been super easy. I’ve made a ton of rookie mistakes. Even though I’ve read countless articles and books on traveling, once you’re on the road, you tend to get caught up in the moment. It’s one thing to read about it, it’s another thing to be there doing it!

And that can lead to a bunch of easily preventable mistakes! For example, some of the “doh” moments I had:

  • I spent 16 EUR on coffee as I was walking with a friend I met in Rome. It was SO hot and we just wanted to get off our feet before going to the Vatican. Big mistake! We even forgot to ask the prices. Since it was so close to the attraction (something I normally never do), each cappuccino was 8 EUR — and I got two! Oh, man were we pissed.
  • When I was in Morocco, just before going to the desert, I went to the supermarket to buy three day’s worth of snacks for lunch. I had heard that lunch was not included in your tour price (already ridiculous, at 86 EUR for three days!) and the tour guide, of course, only takes you to expensive lunch places. I did buy a bunch of groceries — 130 dirhams’ worth ($14 USD). But then I ended up eating at the restaurants anyway because I felt too awkward not eating with everyone and too tempted to order a nice chicken tagine instead of eating trail mix.
  • Looking back, I would have done a self-guided tour of the Sahara. I knew that before I did the tour, but I was lazy and tired, and I wanted to get out of Morocco. Being lazy is a quick way to burn money — and often also a quick way to have a less special experience.
  • I met some really interesting people in Buenos Aires who invited me to dinner. One of them was a local expat who was eager to show us that Buenos Aires “isn’t all meat anymore.” It was a great place, but that dinner was about 25 USD, which was almost my budget for the whole day! Then we had drinks afterward as well.

My Advice for Others: How to Save Money When You Travel

Heather in Brazil
Backpacking isn’t like vacation travel. When you travel on vacation, you have little time but more money. When you backpack, the opposite is true: you have time, but little money.  If you seek too many comforts and conveniences, you’ll blow your budget and have to go home early!

If I were to give advice to others, my main piece of advice would be to take a minute before your trip to think about what expenses you anticipate and what you are willing to spend. (Matt talks a lot about this.) Ask around for the right price for experiences, food, and lodging so that you have the most accurate information. The time you spend researching will help you better budget you money.

On the road, I would suggest doing two things: first is to write down everything and, second, is to forego convenience.

In his book, Matt says, “It’s the people who don’t write down their expenses that go home early.”

Speaking for myself, I can say this is completely true. There were a few days here and there where I would be so caught up in the experiences I was having that I completely forgot to write down my spending. Afterward, when I sat down to recall what I had spent, I realized I was not thinking about these costs and how they fit into my budget. Writing them all down helped me be mindful how much I was spending. It allowed me to make adjustments to my spending as I went. It’s because of that that I haven’t run out of money yet!

Heather on safari in Africa

Even more important is foregoing convenience. Backpacking isn’t luxury travel. The majority of the time, there isn’t someone to port your luggage, drive you directly to your lodging, or arrange your day trip or tour. But walking when you can, sharing a ride with other travelers, asking for help from a kind stranger, or arranging your own itinerary — all those are free or nearly free.

***
Staying on budget has become second nature to me now. It’s not hard once you internalize the strategy and learn to think outside the box. When you do that, you can spend your energy on why you are traveling in the first place: for new experiences and new friends.

I’m ten months into my yearlong trip. Some moments whizzed by. Others felt like they lasted forever. But, overall, it has been everything I hoped it to be – and also unlike anything I expected.

As Heather keeps going with her travels, we’re going to follow along to get more details about her trip, experiences, roadblocks, budgeting, and everything in between! You can follow her journeys on her blog, Confidently Lost, as well as on Instagram. She will also be sharing some of her experiences here!

How to Travel the World on $50 a Day

how to travel the world on $50 a dayMy New York Times best-selling paperback guide to world travel will teach you how to master the art of travel save money, get off the beaten path, and have a more local, richer travel experiences. It’s the book Heather is basing her travels off her and using as her guidebook around the world. As you can see, it’s working! She’s travel big on a small budget.

If that’s something you want to do too, click here to learn more about the book, how it can help you, and you can start reading it today!

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!

The post RTW Update: How Heather is Traveling on a Budget appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

My Top 15 Favorite Hostels in Paris

Paris along the River Seine
Posted: 11/9/2018 | November 9th, 2018

Paris. It’s a city on everyone’s bucket list. I’ve been dozens of times and my love for the city is well known to you all.  I love visiting Paris and can’t imagine a year in which I don’t go even for a bit. To me, Paris has it all – music, history, food, culture, and beautiful architecture. It’s got that special something. I dream of moving to Paris to live out that writer cliche…if just for a bit!

As a visitor to Paris, knowing where to stay in Paris can be difficult. There are lots of arrondissements (neighborhoods). What’s the best place to stay in the city? What’s the best neighboorhood?

For a tourist, there’s really no bad neighboorhood to stay in. No where you stay is going to be too far or unsafe (forget what you hear about in the news). Paris’ metro goes everywhere, stays open late, and has stops throughout the city.

However, that said, Paris has thousands of hotels and hostels. How do you know the best ones to pick? The city is expensive and as someone who has stayed in some less than stellar places for way too much money, I know the price of making the wrong decision.

That’s why I wrote this post on the best hostels in Paris so you know my the best places to say. This short, to the point list will make choosing a hostel in Paris easy. I’ve been visiting Paris for a decade and have stayed in dozens upon dozens of places to stay. This short list will make knowing where to go stay easy.

Before you go: Things to Consider When Picking a Hostel in Paris

I’ve stayed in thousands of hostels in my life. There are a lot of things to consider when selecting a hostel. The top three things you want to consider when picking the best hostel in Paris are:

  1. Location – Paris is huge and, while the metro goes everywhere, it can take some time to get places. Pick a place that is central to the sites and nightlife you want to see! All the hostels listed here are in central locations.
  2. Price – Paris is not an expensive city. Its hostels aren’t either. In Paris, you really get what you pay for so if you go with a really cheap place, you’re probably going to get a hostel that is small, cramped, and doesn’t offer great service.
  3. Amenities – Every hostel in the city offers free wifi and most have a free breakfast but if you want more than that, be sure to do your research to find the best hostel for your needs!
  4. Staff – All the hostels listed here have amazing staff! They are super friendly and knowledgeable. Even if you don’t end up staying at one of the places listed below, be sure to look up reviews to ensure you get a place where the staff is helpful and friendly! They can make or break a hostel!

15 Best hostels in Paris

So where should you stay in Paris? Well, without further ado, here are my favorite hostels in the city:

1. St. Christopher’s Canal

St. Christopher’s Canal
I love the St. Christopher’s chain. They have two hostels in Paris (see below for the other one). This location has Wi-Fi, comfy beds, lockers, clean showers, free breakfast, and a lively bar. It’s very popular among backpackers and is in a relaxing and beautiful part of the city. The view on the canal is incredible and, during the summer months, the terrace is hoping!  This is one of my favorite hostels in Paris.

Beds from 18 EUR/20.50 USD.

—-> Book your stay at St. Christopher’s Canal!

2. The Loft Boutique Hostel & Hotel

The Loft Boutique Hostel & Hotel
The Loft is located in the diverse and historical neighborhood of Belleville. It’s an up and coming immigrant neighborhood that is super fun to hang out in. The area has a lot to offer, including many ethnic food options. The hostel itself has an awesome outdoor patio, bar, and a cute cat, Espiga. It’s small and cozy with friendly staff too!

Beds from 18.95 EUR/22 USD, privates from 74.95 EUR/86 USD.

—-> Book your stay at The Loft Boutique Hostel & Hotel!

3. Les Piaules

Les Piaules
This hostel has a fantastic chimney lounge, cool bar, and a rooftop space. The bar/restaurant on the ground floor is popular with locals too (I saw a paint and drink club here). The rooms are super modern and the beds comfy. It’s my favorite hostel in Paris and one of the best places to meet people! I can’t recommend it enough!

Beds from 19 EUR/22 USD, double rooms from 100 EUR/114 USD.

—-> Book your stay at Les Piaules!

4. Generator Hostel

Generator Hostel, Paris
In this emerging district, the Generator Hostel has a chic array of stylish rooms with comfortable beds, high-speed Wi-Fi, and friendly staff. Its private rooms even have terraces! There is also a lively bar, a common area, and female-only dorms. This is one of my favorite chains in Europe.

Beds from 30 EUR/34 USD.

—-> Book your stay at Generator Hostel!

5. St. Christopher’s Gare du Nord

St. Christopher’s Gare du Nord
This backpacker base opened in 2013 and is close to the Gare du Nord train station, making it easy to get to the airport. It’s the most convenient hostel in the city. It has Wi-Fi, comfy beds, clean showers, free breakfast, and a bar that features live music too. It’s really popular with many of the backpacker tours that come through the city! Try to get a room facing the street, as the interior courtyard rooms are loud from the downstairs bar.

Beds from 24 EUR/27 USD.

—-> Book your stay at St. Christopher’s Gare du Nord!

6. Enjoy Hostel

Enjoy Hostel Paris
This hostel is in the residential/business neighborhood of Montparnasse in the south of the city. There are lots of restaurants, bars, and supermarkets in the area. It’s much more “local” than other neighborhoods in the city. The hostel provides a free basic breakfast. If you get there early, try to get a top bunk, as the bottom ones have very little headspace. This also is a great choice if you have an early or late train as it is close to the Montparnasse station.

Beds from 24 EUR/27 USD.

—-> Book your stay at Enjoy Hostel!

7. Woodstock Montmartre

Woodstock Montmartre
This 1970s themed hostel has been around for more than 20 years. It’s a much more old school hostel experience! The hostel offers free breakfast and an in-house bar. This is a great option for couples and singles as the private rooms are pretty inexpensive when compared to other hostels. You’ll never lack for something to do as it is near Sacré-Coeur and Montmartre, one of the best neighborhoods in the city. It’s action packed and fun! If you’re looking for a good time, come here.

Beds from 24.30 EUR/27.75 USD, privates from 48.60 EUR/55.47 USD.

—-> Book your stay at Woodstock Montmartre!

8. Le Montclair Montmartre

Le Montclair Montmartre
Also located in Montmartre, Montclair is a fun hostel with soft beds, group activities, and a spacious common room. The staff is super friendly and the hostel is pretty big with lots of beds! This is the most popular hostel in the area.

Beds from 25 EUR/28.53 USD.

—-> Book your stay at Le Montclair Montmartre!

9. Yves Robert Hostel (Hostelling International)

Yves Robert Hostel
This eco-friendly hostel is in an old warehouse and boasts a bar, restaurant, and theater. There is a garden, free Wi-Fi, bicycle rentals/storage, a kitchen, and a book swap. Very low-key and quiet, this hostel is perfect for families, groups, and seniors (or those not looking for the noise of the other youth hostels).

Beds from 27 EUR/31 USD, double rooms from 68 EUR/77.60 USD. Discounts for HI members.

—-> Book your stay at the Yves Robert Hostel!

10. Arty Hostel Paris

Arty Hostel Paris
Located in Montparnasse, a historical artists’ area, this out-of-the-way hostel is near many theaters and restaurants. It’s small, but the artistic décor is lovely. The beds are pretty average but the pillows are really great! If you’re looking for a small, queit place to stay, this hostel is it!

Beds from 33 EUR/38 USD.

—-> Book your stay at Arty Hostel Paris!

11. Perfect Hostel

Perfect Hostel Paris
This “old Paris”-themed hostel is in the lively Montmartre neighborhood and has something that is hard to find in hostels – an elevator. If you get a private room, ask for one with a balcony and enjoy the great views of Paris. While the toilets and showers are small, sinks are in your room. There’s free breakfast too!

Beds from 34 EUR/39 USD, privates from 64 EUR/73 USD.

—-> Book your stay at Perfect Hostel!

12. FIAP Jean Monnet

FAIP Paris
This hostel is huge and modern and filled with fun activities. Breakfast is included, and there is a cafeteria where you can get other meals. This is not a party hostel – there are often school groups here. It’s in a quiet neighborhood too. This is another place to stay if you’re looking for something quiet and relaxing. Dorms are available only for 18 to 30 year-olds.

Beds from 36 EUR/41 USD, privates from 77 EUR/88 USD.

—-> Book your stay at FIAP Jean Monnet!

13. Hotel Angleterre Etoile

Hotel Angleterre Etoile
This family-friendly hotel is only a few minutes walk from Place de l’Etoile, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Champs-Élysées. There are a couple of great restaurants and bars nearby, as well as museums like Muse d’Art Moderne. All rooms are super quiet and have private bathrooms.

Rooms from 87 EUR/100 USD.

—-> Book your stay at Hotel Angleterre Etoile!

14. 3 Ducks Hostel

3 Ducks Hostel
A 10-minute walk from the Eiffel Tower, 3 Ducks has one of the best locations in town. The staff is friendly, the rooms are small but comfortable, and the showers are clean. It has one of the cheapest bars in Paris (which slightly offsets the expensive dorm prices). This is a more upscale hostel, with a recently revamped decor. It’s my second favorite hostel in the city!

Beds from 31 EUR/35 USD, privates from 109.50 EUR/124 USD (sleeps two).

—-> Book your stay at 3 Ducks Hostel!

 

15. Oops Hostel

Oops Hostel
Oops Hostel is right next to Paris’s Latin Quarter, one of the city’s best hubs for nightlife, dining, and shopping options. It’s actually my favorite part of the city! Dorms are small and cozy but feature great amenities like ensuite bathrooms, free WiFi, and individual reading lamps.

Beds from 27 EUR/31 USD, privates from 70 EUR/80 USD.

—-> Book your stay at Oops Hostel!

***
Whichever one of these hostels you choose, you’re going to meet a lot of people, have a good night’s sleep, friendly staff, and clean room. You just need to pick the hostel that matches your personality! These are all easy to get to using public transportation and several offer airport transportation (for a fee). These are the best places hostels in Paris (remember Les Piaules is my number one pick) and you won’t go wrong with any of them.

Get Your In-Depth Budget Guide to Paris!

Nomadic Matt's Guide to ParisFor more in-depth information, check out my guidebook to Paris written for budget travelers like yourself! It cuts out the fluff found in other guides and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel and save money in one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in the world. You’ll find suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on and off the beaten path things to see and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, and bars, and much more!! Click here to learn more and get started.

Book Your Trip to Paris: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Get Your Guidebook to Paris!!
Check out my detailed guidebook to planning a visit to Paris with suggested itineraries, places to stay, things to do, where to eat, and how to get around. It has all my secrets to having a fun and inexpensive trip there! Just click here to get the guide and continue planning today!

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!

Photo credits: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16

The post My Top 15 Favorite Hostels in Paris appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Cheap Holiday Ideas: 8 Alternative Budget Vacation Deals

Visit Beautiful Zion National Park
Updated: 11/8/2018 | November 8th, 2018

While many of us dream of traveling the world (or at least taking a few months off from work in pursuit of adventure), it’s not always feasible, even for those with the best of intentions. A lot of things can get in the way.

I frequently talk about long-term travel and round-the-world trips, but I know that realistically, not everyone can or wants to enjoy this style of travel. I don’t think traveling the world is hard, but I also know that what I do isn’t for everyone.

Some people just want to go on a cheap vacation for a few weeks. Not everyone has the time or luxury to take an extended trip.

So what do you do when you only have a short amount of time and a short amount of money?

What are some budget vacation ideas that aren’t about traveling the world?

Even if I won’t find you backpacking Cambodia for three months or walking the Camino de Santiago, there are many ways to get on the road and see the world without breaking the bank! Here are eight cheap travel ideas if you are cash-strapped and/or time-poor:

Cheap Vacation Idea 1: Be a Local Tourist

 Tour The Statue of Liberty
How often do you visit the tourist sites in your own city? Hardly ever, right? I know New Yorkers who have never seen the Statue of Liberty and Bostonians who have never walked the Freedom Trail. I once took a Dutch friend on a tour of Amsterdam because, despite growing up there, she had never seen the local attractions that lure millions of visitors to the city every year.

We’re all guilty of this. It took me five years to see the Jim Thompson House in Bangkok (even after living there), and I’ve still never been to Bunker Hill in Boston despite spending the first 24 years of my life there.

We always put it off until tomorrow, because when we live in a city, we think there is always a tomorrow.

We get so caught up in our daily lives we forget that we can have a cheap vacation in our own city. We don’t have to go anywhere!

If you’re short on time and money, there’s no better way to spend some free time than to wander your own city. No matter what its size, it has a number of wonders that you’ve never seen or even known about because you just don’t like! We’re busy leading our lives and following our routines. It’s normal but let’s look at your home with new eyes.

Be a traveler in your own town!

Important tips: When you become a local tourist, check out of your house and into a hotel, hostel, or guesthouse. It’s important to get out of your familiar environment because if you stay home, you’ll find something to do around the house and create excuses for why you can’t sightsee. Moving to a different location can help give you that feeling of adventure, excitement, and unfamiliarity.

Moreover, be sure to go to your local tourism office and get a city tourism pass. These cards allow you to see a wide range of local attractions for free or reduced prices and can be your way to see your local sites on a budget. They aren’t just for outsiders!

Cheap Vacation Idea 2: Travel Regionally

 Adventures in The Woods, Maine
Travel brings to mind faraway and exotic destinations. It invokes images of all the places we’ve dreamed of and seen in movies. Because of that, few people look in their own backyard for adventure — as my Aussie friends always tell me before they jet off somewhere, “Mate, you’ve probably seen more of Oz than I have!” — but it offers just as many places to travel.

I could say the same thing as my Aussie friends. I grew up in Boston, and from there, I could visit New Hampshire, the woods of Maine, the bed-and-breakfasts of the Berkshires, or the farms of Vermont. New York was a four-hour car ride from home. How often did I do that? Not often enough!

Exploring your own region is an underrated and often overlooked aspect of travel. It gets the occasional lip service in magazines, but driving across the United States made me realize how much our own countries have to offer us and how often we overlook that for some foreign place.

There’s something special about being a stranger in your homeland and realizing you really don’t know much about it as you thought.

We think because we’re born in a place we understand it but every country has regional differences that make it unique and, unless we travel to see and experience them, we’ll never fully understand the place we call home.

Driving across my country (the U.S.) taught me a lot about it. It gave me a deep appreciation for it, the people, and the diversity within its borders. It broke down stereotypes and misconceptions I had about the different regions in the US. My time exploring my own backyard was just as important to my growth as any trip to a foreign country.

If you’re on a limited budget, can’t afford a flight or a trip to exotic lands, or just want to do something different, don’t forget that you can always travel your own country. It can be just as powerful as visiting another country.

Cheap Vacation Idea 3: Go to National Parks

 Take A Tour of the Grand Canyon To Save Money
The great outdoors present a great chance to go somewhere on the cheap. Camping, after all, costs very little money. Camping fees in national parks are as little as $15 USD per night in the United States, $15-40 CAD in Canada, $10-60 AUD in Australia, and $17-22 NZD in New Zealand. And in many places in Japan and Europe (especially Scandinavia), you can camp on public lands for free. Additionally, you go camping stocked with all your own supplies and accommodation (i.e., a tent), so you don’t have to worry about spending lots of extra money. Your food bill can be whatever you spend on groceries and nothing more.

You don’t need to love camping to spend time in the national parks, either. Personally, I hate camping. I’m not the camp-in-a-tent kind of guy; I need toilets, beds, and hot water. Luckily, many parks provide cabins. While hiking the Grand Canyon, I stayed at a national park lodge at the bottom. I had a room in a dormitory, but for a few nights, it was the cheap accommodation I needed.

There’s almost always a park nearby and spending a few days with nature is not only good for your wallet but also good for your soul.

Along these same lines, Camp in My Garden is a website that lets people camp in someone’s backyard (or garden). Got an RV that needs parking? Check out RV with Me, which finds cheap parking and overnight solutions for RV owners!

Cheap Vacation Idea 4: Book a Last-Minute Cruise (or Book Far in Advance)

 Book a Last Minute Cruise To Have a Cheap Holiday
Cruises are normally very expensive, affairs with a seven-day Caribbean cruise costing over $600–700 USD per person for a small interior room. And, if you’re traveling alone, you often have to pay the price of two people since not many cruise lines offer single traveler rooms!

But, if you’re the last passenger running onto that ship, you can find some sweet deals.

Cruise lines always offer incredible last-minute deals. No ship’s captain – or cruise company – wants to leave with half the cabins empty. If you wait until a few weeks before departure, you can find some really amazing deals as cruise lines scramble to find passengers. Plus, cruise operators always throw in some on-board amenities, free upgrades, and cash vouchers to sweeten the deal.

The website CruiseSheet often has cruises as low as $30 per day! (It’s the best cruise booking website in the world!)

Conversely, if you book over a year in advance, cruise lines also offer amazing low fares for early birds.

Cruises are the one form of travel for which I recommend visiting a travel agent if you’re part of a big group. They have wonderful working relationships with the operators and can score better packages than booking online.

After you book, keep an eye out on prices, because if they drop, you can often call your travel agent or the cruise company itself to get a partial refund or vouchers to use for dining and alcohol on the boat.

READ THIS —> Click here to read my guide to finding super discounted cruises (and how to save money once you are on board.)

Cheap Vacation Idea 5: Think Outside the Box

 Visiting Paris in Winter
Forget Mexico and go to Guatemala. Skip Paris and head to Budapest. Forget Italy and see Greece (it’s really cheap!). Ditch Brazil and take on Bolivia instead. The list goes on and on. There are countless cheap alternatives and budget destinations around the world!

Travel counter to the prevailing trend.

Zig when everyone zags.

If people are going in the summer, you go in the spring or winter. Skip the popular destinations and head off the beaten path a bit.

Contrarian travel will save you a bundle of money. It’s like reverse commuting. While others heading into the city in the morning for work are stuck in traffic, you breeze the opposite way hassle free. The same is true for travel.

The more you are a contrarian in where – and when you go – the better off you’re wallet will be. Plus, you’ll enjoy destinations more because there will be fewer crowds. No one loves a crowd!

READ THIS –> Click here for 10 Destinations to Visit on a Budget to help give you ideas on where you to go!

Cheap Vacation Idea 6: Book a Last-Minute Tour

 Last Minute Tour Bookings Save Money
Just like cruises, tours are best booked last-minute. Tour companies need to fill the seats just like cruise companies, because once that trip departs, they still have the same costs. Last-minute tour bookings work the same way as cruise bookings.

Why are tours so cheap last-minute? Well, think about how people plan vacations. You get the time off work, you book your vacation, you buy your flight, and you go. Since people pre-book, prices are higher in advance because these companies understand booking patterns and then price accordingly. As departure time nears, companies know people aren’t likely to turn up and book on departure day, so they sweeten the price to increase bookings. So take the time off work, wait until the week before, see what’s cheap, and then go.

My favorite company, Intrepid Travel, often offers 15–30% discounts on last-minute tours.

Cheap Vacation Idea 7: Become a House Sitter

 House-sitting Can Save You Money on Your Vacation
Accommodation can eat into the cost of a trip big-time. You might get a flight deal, but then accommodation — even if you can find it cheaply — might push the cost of your trip into unaffordable territory. A way around that is to stay somewhere for free. While I like Couchsurfing, it’s hard to do that for two weeks without annoying your host. A unique way to overcome this is to house-sit for someone while they are on vacation. You get free accommodation, a kitchen to cook in, and the chance to explore a destination in depth. It’s a pretty unique way to travel and one that I know a lot of world travelers take advantage of. You can even do this in your own region too, to cut down on transportation costs.

READ THIS —> How to Become a Housesitter

Cheap Vacation Idea 8: Grab a Cheap Flight

 Book Cheap Flights to Get You to Your Budget Vacation
Nowadays, you don’t have to guess where the cheapest flight from your home would be. You can look up a whole list of flights (from cheapest to increasingly more expensive) using a site like Momondo or Google Flights. With those sites, you can type in “(the closest airport to you)” for your departure city and “everywhere” for your destination. Then a list of the cheapest flights appears in front of your very eyes, so you can choose where to go within your budget. This is how I decide where to go when I don’t have a specific place in mind. It’s a great tool!

Here are some other great airline booking sites where you can find deals:

  • Skyscanner – Skyscanner has a very intuitive platform that lets you search for an open-ended trip. If you’re not 100% sure where you want to go (or when) then start your search with Skyscanner.
  • Kiwi – Kiwi recently updated their search platform, making it much more intuitive and user-friendly. You can also search multiple cities and countries at once, making this a must-use platform when looking for budget flights.
  • AirTreks – If you’re looking to plan a multi-city trip, AirTreks offers great deals for round-the-world adventures with multiple stops.

***

Not everyone can jump overseas at the drop of a hat or spend six months backpacking around Europe or Asia. A fancy vacation to Mexico may be out of your reach. But while you might not have a lot of time or money, luckily there’s more than one way to see the world. These cheap vacation ideas may be exactly what you’re looking for!

Travel is simply the art of going somewhere new and different and exploring everything the place has to offer. It doesn’t matter if you have two days, two weeks, or two months. Use these cheap vacation ideas and go explore – on a budget!

Want more? Read these articles to get more specific destination ideas for where to have a budget vacation:

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation
To find the best budget accommodation, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time. You can book your hostel – if you want that instead – with Hostelworld as they have the most comprehensive inventory.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!

The post Cheap Holiday Ideas: 8 Alternative Budget Vacation Deals appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

The Best Neighborhoods in NYC: Where to Stay on Your Visit

A busy intersection with a yellow cab in New York City
Posted: 11/7/2018 | November 7th, 2018

Trying to find accommodation in New York City can be a painstaking long process given the large number of hotels and neighborhoods to stay in. This is a city of 10 million people. It’s massive and there’s a lot of choice.

What neighborhoods are good to stay in?

What’s central?

What’s safe?

Why does everything seem to cost a freaking fortune?

Where is the best place to stay?

As someone who has been working and living in New York City on and off for over five years, I’ve stayed in a wide variety of places here. I’ve Couchsurfed, stayed in cheap hostels, cheap hotels, expensive hotels (on points), B&Bs, pod hotels, friend’s couches, Airbnbs, and everything in between. There are a lot of things to consider when figuring out where to stay in NYC that looking at Google simply can’t tell you.

So, today, as fall and holiday season – the best season in the city – gets into full swing, I want to break down the best neighborhoods in New York City and the best accommodations in each of those neighborhoods so you can pick the right place to stay on your visit:

Best Neighborhood in Brooklyn: Williamsburg

a view over Williamsburg in Brooklyn; Photo by Pietro & Silvia (flickr:@googlisti)
Williamsburg in Brooklyn is hipster(ish) central. It’s home to offbeat restaurants, bars, clothing stores, and coffeeshops, and an “I’m cool because I’m different” attitude. You’ll find lots of flannel and beards here! It’s not as hipster as it used to be thanks to all the Manhattanites who came for cheaper rents (though the impending closure of the L train is forcing people back into Manhattan) but I really enjoy this area because it’s close to Manhattan, cheap, and filled with fun bars (check out Freehole), top rated restaurants, incredible bars, art, wonderful markets (Smorgasburg is the best), and music shows. I spend a lot of weekends here.

Best places to stay in Williamsburg

  • BUDGET: International Students Residence – This hostel isn’t just for students. It’s a comfortable place to stay with free Wi-Fi, comfortable and clean beds, kitchens to cook in, and an awesome common area.
  • MID-RANGE: Pointe Plaza Hotel – A luxury hotel but with budget prices, this place has spacious suites (with full kitchens!) and oversized rooms with friendly staff.
  • LUXURY: Wythe Hotel – The Wythe is a refurbished waterfront factory with brick exposed rooms that have heated floors and cool are. There’s a rooftop bar with a great view of Manhattan as well. It’s the best place to stay if you want to splurge.

Best Neighborhood for Nightlife and Food: East Village

young people hanging out in the East Village; Photo by peter burge (flickr:@peterburge)
Famous for its nightlife, Manhattan’s East Village is my all-time favorite NYC neighborhood. The bars scene here is excellent (you’ll find tons of cocktail lounges, speakeasies, and dive bars), the restaurants are amazing (so much good Japanese food around here), there are cool karaoke bars and barcades and just an eclectic mix of people It’s a lot of fun. There’s a lot to do here, it’s very central, and it’s pretty affordable.

Best places to stay in the East Village

  • BUDGET: American Dream Bed & Breakfast – This B&B has only private rooms. The breakfast is hearty, with cereals, baked goods, and fresh fruit. Snacks are available throughout the day, and you also have free use of the kitchen.
  • MID-RANGE: East Village Hotel – Each studio apartment has a fully equipped kitchenette so you can save money on food when you visit! The rooms are beautiful with exposed brick walls and the hotel’s central location can’t be beat.
  • LUXURY: The Standard – The Standard is one of the best hotels in the city and its East side location is better than the one in the Meatpacking district. The bar serves some of the best drinks in town and is usually always packed with NY’s fashionable set.

Best Overall Neighborhood: West Village

a park scene in the West Village; Photo by Nicolás Boullosa (flickr:@faircompanies)
The West Village is the place to be (and live). Despite its wealthy, celebrity-heavy demographic and plethora of fancy restaurants and boutiques, the area is pretty low-key. Walking around the cobblestone streets past sidewalk cafés, you feel as if you’ve left the crazy city behind and are in a quiet, suburban neighborhood. That’s the charm of this area. You’re in the city but really not. It’s busy during the day but, at night, it quiets down greatly making it a great place to sleep!

Best places to stay in the West Village

  • BUDGET: The Jane – This historic hotel was actually where the survivors of the Titanic were put up when they landed in NYC. Now, it’s probably the best budget hotel in town, with compact single rooms, comfy beds, and shared bathrooms.
  • MID-RANGE: The Marlton – The Marlton is a restored boutique hotel with brass fixtures and crown moldings and a tremendous bar that serves incredible cocktails.
  • LUXURY: Gansevoort – This chic hotel is one of the fanciest in the area. Technically it’s in the Meatpacking district but that’s basically the West Village so I’m including it! They have a great rooftop bar and hip, modern rooms. It’s a popular place with the celeb / model crowd.

Best Neighborhood for Overall #2: Chelsea

street view of Chelesa, NYC
Chelsea is one of New York City’s best neighborhoods. It’s got lots of restaurant offerings, cool lounges, art galleries, and is one of the focal points of LGBT life in the city. You can spend all day exploring flea markets and antique shops, grab some tacos at the Chelsea Market, walk the beautiful High Line (an old train track turned into a park), and then enjoy a drink at a speakeasy or a dive bar before calling it a night.

Best places to stay in Chelsea

  • BUDGET: Chelsea International – This is one of the largest hostels in the city and has an outdoor courtyard, a dining area, and two kitchens. Breakfast is included and there’s also a free pizza party on Wednesdays.
  • MID-RANGE: Heritage Hotel New York City – The Heritage Hotel has simple but clean and comfortable rooms, with air conditioning and a flat-screen TVs. There’s free Wi-Fi throughout the building and a 24-hour fitness center.
  • LUXURY: Ace Hotel – A centrally located artsy hotel with good dining. There is a coffee shop in the lobby that attracts lots of freelancers and start-up folks. It gives the place a great vibe!

Best Neighborhood for Families: Upper West Side

street view of the Upper West Side NYC; Photo by Juliana Swenson; flickr:@julianaswenson
The Upper West Side is definitely one of the more expensive parts of town, but it’s worthwhile to see the beautiful, famous brownstones and some of the museums nearby, like the American Museum of Natural History. It’s close to Central Park, and there are plenty of shopping, eating, and nightlife options as well. It’s one of the biggest family areas in the city so if you’re bringing kids or just want something a lot more laid back and quiet, stay here!

Best places to stay in the Upper West Side

  • BUDGET: HI New York City – One of the biggest and most popular hostels in the city with a ton of space, an outdoor patio, free Wi-Fi, events, activities, and a huge kitchen.
  • MID-RANGE: Royal Park Hotel & Hostel – You’re just a quick walk from Times Square when you stay here. Rooms are simple, but you have all the amenities, like free WiFi and air conditioning.
  • LUXURY: Hotel Lucerne – Just a few blocks away from Central Park and the Hudson River, Hotel Lucerne has luxurious rooms (the beds are fantastic!) with free Wi-Fi and 24-hour in-room dining, as well as spa services and valet parking.

Best Neighborhood for Sightseeing: Midtown

night lights in Times Square, NYC
Midtown has a lot of NYC’s biggest tourist attractions like Rockefeller Center, Times Square, and the Museum of Metropolitan Art, Madison Square Garden, Broadway, and Koreatown. There’s a lot going on! I don’t love staying in this part of town as it’s touristy, really busy, and there are far cooler neighborhoods in the city. BUT, if you must stay here, the below places are where you should stay!

Best places to stay in Midtown

  • BUDGET: Jazz Hostel – This hostel on Columbus Circle is my favorite hostel in New York (there’s also one on the Upper West Side). It provides a friendly environment, a kitchen, comfy dorms, free WiFi, and a common area on every floor.
  • MID-RANGE: YOTEL – A modern, high-tech hotel that even has a luggage storage robot (seriously). The rooms are great, but the incredibly large outdoor terrace is the real winner. Grab some grub and enjoy the view.
  • LUXURY: W Hotel Times Square – You’re literally on Times Square at the W Hotel, next to big attractions like MoMA and Radio City Music Hall. There’s onsite dining, free WiFi, and a W MixBar in every room.

If you want to stay in Midtown East, you’ll be closer to Grand Central Station, the Chrysler Building, and the Empire State Building.

Best places to stay in Midtown East

  • BUDGET: Vanderbilt YMCA – The Vanderbilt YMCA is close to everything you want to see and do in Midtown East, and within walking distance to Times Square, the New York Public Library, MoMA, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The rooms are simple, but they’re all private, and guests can take advantage of a shared kitchen and luggage storage. You can also use the fitness center and steam room, as well as the pools.
  • MID-RANGE: Pod 39 Hotel – Pod 39 is located in Murray Hill, close to all the hustle and bustle but quiet enough to enjoy a good night’s sleep. It’s near Grand Central Terminal, with easy access to the rest of the city. The rooftop at this hotel is worth visiting in the summer. It’s stunning!
  • LUXURY: The Library Hotel – If you’re a book lover, you’ve got to splurge on a stay here! Each room has a library feel to it, with wood furnishings and individual libraries full of unique books. Rooms have Wi-Fi and all the amenities you need. You’ll also get free breakfast!

Best Neighborhood for Museums: Upper East Side

the Guggenheim, NYC
Upper East Side is another area known for being family friendly and as a cheaper place to live than downtown (a lot of my friends live here). It’s the best area for Museum Mile, home to the Guggenheim, Frick, Museum of the City of New York, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Additionally, thanks to all the young kids that live here, you can find a lot of incredible bars in the area. It has a really good nightlife and restaurant scene!

Best places to stay in the Upper East Side

  • BUDGET: The Franklin Hotel – The rooms here are simple, but the Franklin Hotel has a lot of perks, like a free buffet breakfast and a free wine-and-cheese reception very evening. There’s also 24-hour espresso and cappuccino! All rooms come with large TVs, iPod docks, and comfy pillow-top mattresses. It’s also close to Central Park and Museum Mile.
  • MID-RANGE: Bentley Hotel – An affordable boutique hotel with great views over the East River. The rooms are super comfortable, and all the beds come with down comforters. There’s a nice lobby bar and the breakfast buffet is $18.
  • LUXURY: Hotel Wales – A boutique hotel in the Carnegie Hill area, Hotel Wales has some beautiful historical architecture but also lots of modern luxuries, like down duvets and a really great spa. Paola’s Restaurant serves really excellent Italian food too, including handmade pasta dishes. There’s also a 24-hour fitness center.

Best Neighborhood for Eating & Drinking: Lower East Side

People walking through the busy Lower East Side; Photo by alans1948 (flickr:@alans1948
The Lower East Side is a prime shopping, eating, and drinking neighborhood in the city. It’s an incredibly diverse area – there are gritty pubs and bars, late-night comedy clubs, tattoo parlors galore, and a number of art galleries too. The Tenement Museum, one of my favorite museums, is also located here. You’ll get the full NYC experience staying in the Lower East Side and it’s one of my favorite neighborhoods.

Best places to stay in the Lower East Side

  • BUDGET: Blue Moon Hotel – A clean, friendly place to stay with dorm rooms. They have a brand new lobby bar/café area, and a TV common room for guests. You’re just a quick walk to the subway from here!
  • MID-RANGE: The RIDGE Hotel – Small rooms, but with some great amenities like iPod docking stations and wall-mounted TVs in each room. The helpful concierge can help you book tours.
  • LUXURY: Hotel Indigo – This hotel is dedicated to supporting local street art and artists, and you’ll see plenty of their work throughout the building. Locals flock to the Mr. Purple rooftop bar and pool area in the evening for fancy cocktails.

Best Neighborhood for History: The Financial District

view of NYC's skyline in the Financial District
The Financial District area of New York City definitely caters to business workers during the day but it’s become a lot cooler of an area in the last few years. It’s now a popular place to live in the city. Here you’ll be able to take in the old city: the historic churches, buildings, and taverns that have been around since the 1700s. You’ll also find Federal Hall, the Statue of Liberty, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Wall Street, and Battery Park. In short, it may be busy but there’s a lot to do here!

Best places to stay in the Financial District

  • BUDGET: Eurostars Wall Street – There are not many budget options in this area, mostly because it caters to people traveling on business. But Eurostars consistently offers good prices, and amenities include a microwave and TV in each room. Free WiFi, too.
  • MID-RANGE: Hilton Garden Inn NYC Financial Center/Manhattan Downtown – A 24-hour convenience store (The Pavilion Pantry) and the fitness center are just two reasons to love this place. It’s also a stone’s throw from the Charging Bull on Wall Street and Battery Park!
  • LUXURY: Club Quarters Hotel Wall Street – With its newly renovated rooms and great location right next to awesome restaurants and bars, Club Quarters Hotel is an ideal place to stay. Fun perks: free snacks and in-room yoga mats and resistance bands.

Best Neighborhood for Arts/Culture: TriBeCa

street view in Tribeca
TriBeCa (Triangle Below Canal) is where former warehouses have become lofts, galleries, and performance spaces. In the evening, the streets heave with people out for a drink or a bite to eat in one of the new “it” spots. It’s one of the hippest areas of town. Be on the lookout for Taylor Swift, New York City’s official tourism ambassador. She’s lived in NYC since 2014!

Best places to stay in TriBeCa

  • BUDGET: Sheraton Tribeca New York Hotel – A 4-star hotel but with budget prices, this Sheraton has really modern rooms and a nice 24-hour gym. There’s shopping across the street and a Starbucks onsite. You’re also less than a block away from the subway!
  • MID-RANGE: Duane Street Hotel – This boutique hotel has some really fantastic touches, like terry bathrobes and classic books in each room. You can use their complimentary iPads, or take a bike out for the day.
  • LUXURY: The Frederick Hotel – Located near the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, the Frederick Hotel is a funky, contemporary spot offering air-conditioned rooms with sofa beds, free Wi-Fi, and a great workout area. You can also take advantage of their complimentary walking tours through the neighborhood.

Best Neighborhood for Arts/Culture #2: Harlem

street art in Harlem; Photo by Jose Carlos Machado (flickr:@joseclm)
Harlem often gets a bad rap, but in recent years it has become one of the trendiest, up-and-coming neighborhoods in New York City. The area has deep African-American roots and was known for its importance to music, literature, dance, and art. The famous Apollo Theater (where the Jackson 5 once played, among many other famous performers) is also here.

Best places to stay in Harlem

  • BUDGET: Harlem YMCA – With its key location next to a number of 24-hour train lines, the Harlem YMCA is an excellent place to stay. All the rooms are private, but guests share a common bathroom. You also get to take advantage of the full fitness center, swimming pool, and sauna area.
  • MID-RANGE: Edge Hotel – Even luxury is fairly affordable in Harlem! Each room here is ultra modern and comes with a city view, and you’ll also receive free breakfast. There’s a 24-hour fitness center and free Wi-Fi.
  • LUXURY: Aloft Harlem – Aloft is a trendy hotel located within a few minutes’ walk to the Apollo Theatre. Each room comes with free Wi-Fi, a work desk, coffee facilities, and a flat-screen TV. If you’re thirsty, grab a drink at the W XYZ bar. Rooms go for $185 (in the winter) and $260 (in the summer).

Best Neighborhood in Queens: Astoria

architecture in Astoria, Queens
Although Astoria, in Queens, was traditionally NYC’s Greek neighborhood, there’s now a huge number of Italian, Brazilian, Baltic, Irish, and Egyptian residents in the area. As a result, it’s one of the most culturally diverse parts of NYC, especially in terms of food and art. Astoria is far from the action of Manhattan but it’s a cheap place to stay and has lots of amazing cultural things to do. It’s a whole different NYC than what you imagine! Check it out even if you don’t stay in the area.

Best places to stay in Astoria

  • BUDGET: Giorgio Hotel – This hotel also has small and affordable dorm rooms, so you have plenty of options here to fit your budget. It’s a great location and within walking distance to a number of restaurants, bars, supermarkets, and laundry facilities. There’s also free Wi-Fi.
  • BUDGET: The Local NYC – The dorm rooms at The Local are comfortable and clean, and the staff here is excellent. There’s a lobby bar, guest computers, a rooftop area, and single sex rooms available.
  • MID-RANGE: Hotel Nirvana – Hotel Nirvana is next to a metro station that takes you directly to Manhattan. Take advantage of the free Wi-Fi, terrace, and fitness center. Bonus: you get a free continental breakfast each morning!
  • LUXURY: Paper Factory Hotel – Warm colors and elegant furnishings have transformed this former factory into a homey hotel. Each room is large and comes with its own unique touches. There’s a coworking space and a game room!

***

Where do you stay in NYC? Well, that wll be up to you but wherever you end up booking your hotel or hostels, chances are you’ll never be far from a subway line so it will be easy to get around the city. New York City has a lot of amazing neighborhoods and accommodation options so use this guide the next time you’re visiting the city and enjoy some great places to stay!

NEXT STEP —> Get My Guide and See More of NYC for Less!

See New York City the way it’s meant to be seen!

With my guide, you’ll get off the beaten path, away from crowds, and see the local side of New York City featturing my favorite sights, restaurants, bars, and attractions!
Get the NYC Guide Now!

Book Your Trip to NYC: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Get Your Guide
Check out my detailed guide to planning a visit to NYC with suggested itineraries, places to stay, things to do, where to eat, and how to get around. Just click here to get the guide and continue planning today!

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!

Photo credits: 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 13

The post The Best Neighborhoods in NYC: Where to Stay on Your Visit appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

My 15 Favorite Hostels in New York City

New York City street view
Posted: 11/7/2018 | November 7th, 2018

New York City my be the city that never sleeps but it’s definitely hard to find a (cheap) place to sleep here.

Accommodation in NYC is not cheap – and it’s often hard to find deals.

That’s (in part) by design.

There used to be a lot of hostels in NYC, but the hotel lobby got the city to use an old law meant to block tenements that limited the number of people that could stay in a single room. This effectively shut down most of the hostels in the city, except for a few that were grandfathered in.

Now, you’re only going to find a few hostels in New York City.

Demand outstrips supply.

Even though there aren’t hundreds of hostels to choose from, there is enough to make a “best hostels in NYC” post so you know which of the hostels in the city are worth staying at as there are a few that are really terrible and to be avoided.

So, without further ado, here you are…

Best Hostels in New York City

1. Q4 Hotel

Q4 hotel in NYC
Q4 Hotel is a recently renovated hotel/hostel property with pretty basic rooms, but the beds are comfy and there’s plenty of light. The common room has a pool table and table tennis, and there’s a small kitchen for cooking. Located in Queens, this hostels is a great launching pad to exploring one of the best food neighborhoods in the city! It’s a stone’s throw from the Queens Plaza station, where you can take the E line into Manhattan.

Dorm beds from $34. Private rooms from $120.

—-> Book your stay at Q4 Hotel!

2. Broadway Hotel n’ Hostel

Broadway hotel in NYC
This hotel/hostel is close to Central Park. The dorm rooms are small and a bit cramped but the showers have great water pressure (and you can’t go wrong with that). It’s a nice place to just hang out – the hostel screens movies daily, there’s a library (with a cozy fireplace), a lounge with a Nintendo Wii system, and a kitchen. If you’re looking for a comfortable place in a more relaxed environment, this is one of the better hostels to stay in the city.

Beds from $45. Private rooms from $90.

—-> Book your stay at Broadway Hotel n Hostel!

3. The Local NYC

The Local NYC in NYC
This hostel is known for having one of the friendliest staffs in town. They really make it their mission to get people socializing, and you’ll find the common area is regularly used for hosting events, screening movies, or showcasing artwork. There’s also a roof terrace overlooking NYC’s skyline, and a great bar with cocktails (the bartenders are generous pourers). The rooms are clean and comfortable too!

Beds from $45.49. Private rooms available, from $99.

—-> Book your stay at The Local NYC!

4. NY Moore Hostel

NY Moore Hostel in NYC
Located in the trendy hipster neighborhood of East Williamsburg, this hostel has a central location as well as a host of nice amenities, including free street parking (which is rare in NYC). I love how this hostel is covered in artwork and graffiti. It makes it extremely beautiful. The beds are average but it’s a cozy hostel to stay at.


Dorm beds from $48 (winter), $58 (summer). Private rooms also available.

—-> Book your stay at NY Moore Hostel!

5. Chelsea International Hostel

Chelsea Hostel in NYC
This is one of the largest (and most centrally located!) hostels in the city. One of the city’s first hostels, it has an outdoor courtyard, a dining area, and two kitchens. As an added bonus, all the dorms are single beds so no top bunks here! Breakfast is included, and there’s a free pizza party on Wednesdays.

Beds from $50. Private rooms also available.

—-> Book your stay at Chelsea International Hostel!

6. Blue Moon Hotel NYC

Blue Moon Hotel in NYC
Blue Moon has an awesome location in the trendy Lower East Side neighborhood full of bars, restaurants and shops. It’s a good, basic place to sleep, but there’s no common area or communal kitchen, so don’t expect to make a lot of friends and socialize here.

Beds from $52.25.

—-> Book your stay at Blue Moon Hotel NYC!

7. HI New York City Hostel

HI New York in NYC
This is one of the biggest and most popular hostels in the city. Located on the Upper West Side, there is a ton of space, an outdoor patio, free Wi-Fi, events, activities, and a huge kitchen. Lots of school groups and families stay here, too. They also hosts comedy, improv, and variety shows in the theater room. It’s the best hostel in the city.

Beds from $55.

—-> Book your stay at HI New York City Hostel!

8. Jazz Hostels

Jazz Hostel in NYC
These hostels are my favorite in New York City. They both provide friendly environments, kitchens, and comfy dorms. Both places are popular for solo travelers, so you’ll find it easy to make friends. There are two locations:

  • Jazz Hostel Columbus Circle – If you’re lucky you might be able to find a bed as low as $20 – but it’s rare. Private rooms also available.
  • Jazz Upper West Side – Beds $65–80, private rooms also available.

—-> Book your stay at the Jazz Hostel Columbus Circle!

—-> Book your stay at the Upper West Side!

9. Harlem YMCA

Harlem YMCA in NYC
There are five locations in town, but the only one worth talking about is the Harlem one. That’s the biggest and cheapest location, and it’s close to the train; it has a large common area, a courtyard, computers, and big comfy dorms. The gym, pool and group classes are included in the price of your stay.

There are only single and double rooms (with bunkbeds). Singles from $75 (winter), from $85 (summer), plus $10 resort fee per night.

—-> Book your stay at the Harlem YMCA!

10. American Dream Bed and Breakfast

American Dream B&B in NYC
This cute, family owned-hostel considers itself a bed and breakfast: all rooms are private, and breakfast is free (including the fabulous homemade waffles). Plus, it has a great location near the Empire State Building, Union Station and the Flatiron Building. The staff is very responsive and helpful.

Rooms from $94.

—-> Book your stay at the Harlem YMCA!

11. Freehand New York

Freehand in NYC
This isn’t a hostel but I put it on the list because the rooms are fairly cheap for Manhattan and the place is just super cool. The décor and artwork by Bard College students give it an upscale feel. There’s a great bar and restaurant that’s popular with locals. The rooms aren’t huge but they have enough space for you to move around. They are all modern, clean, and offer incredible value.

Rooms from $99.

—-> Book your stay at the Freehand New York!

13. The Jane

The Jane in NYC
This historic hotel in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District, where you’ll feel like you stepped back in time, was actually where the survivors of the Titanic were put up when they landed in N.Y.C. Now it’s also one of the best budget hotel in town, with compact single rooms, comfy beds, and shared bathrooms. There’s a café downstairs and a popular nightclub on the weekends. They even offer complimentary bikes for in-town use.

Singles from $125.

—-> Book your stay at The Jane!

14. International Student Center

International Students Residence in NYC
This hostel on the Upper West Side isn’t just for students. It’s a comfortable place to stay with free Wi-Fi, comfortable and clean beds, kitchens to cook in, and an awesome common area. Their age restriction is 18-35, though; you’re out of luck if you’re older! The location is really the main selling point for this place.

Beds from $50.

—-> Book your stay at The International Student Center!

15. Brooklyn Riviera

Brooklyn Rivieraa in NYC
A quaint, friendly hostel within walking distance to the A and C trains, as well as the #3 train. Each dorm has four beds and plenty of storage, and there’s a nice backyard area where the staff regularly hosts BBQ. The Brooklyn Riviera looks a little rundown but it’s well taken care of, and it’s comfortable enough for a short stay.

Beds from $25.

—-> Book your stay at the Brooklyn Riviera!

***

After traveling to (and living in!) New York for so many years, I’ve experienced a huge variety of accommodations in the city. There’s a lot of awesome places to stay but these have become my favorites because of their relatively low prices, stellar locations, and generally cleanliness. It’s a shame there’s not more cheap accommodation in the city but, out of them all, these are the best hostels in NYC. Check them and save your money for all the other things NYC has to offer when you visit!

NEXT STEP —> Get My Guide and See More of NYC for Less!

See New York City the way it’s meant to be seen.
You’ll get off the beaten path, away from crowds, and see the local side of New York City visiting my favorite sights, restaurants, bars, and attractions!

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Book Your Trip to NYC: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Get Your Guide
Check out my detailed guide to planning a visit to NYC with suggested itineraries, places to stay, things to do, where to eat, and how to get around. Just click here to get the guide and continue planning today!

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!

Looking for more information on visiting NYC?
Check out my in-depth destination guide to NYC with more tips on what to see, do, costs, ways to save, and much, much more!

Photo credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15

The post My 15 Favorite Hostels in New York City appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.