One question I continually get about my 5 month Round the World trip earlier this year is:
“How much did it cost?”
I have to confess, I am one of the worlds worst budgeters. When I really want something (like this trip) I just go for it. Of course I did take efforts to save a chunk of change before I made my flight arrangements as I had no desire to find myself penniless in the middle of Europe. What I did not do is make out a strict budget with daily spending limits. I can agree that might have been helpful, but unfortunately the free gypsy spirit in me does not believe in spreadsheets and budgets (she’s kinda crazy like that).
However, I know the freewheeling gypsy mode does not work for everyone, so I did my best to keep track of my spending while I was traveling so I can report back to those who are trying to plan a little more than I did. In this post I’ll address the cost of accommodations.
For 5 months on the road in Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Europe the grand total I spent on accommodations came to $5,226.38.
Is that a lot? A little? I honestly don’t know. I’m sure for those who are on a strict hostel budget, this is a bit high. For others who regularly splurge on the finer things in life, this is a bit on the low side. But for the kind of traveler I am, one who can stay in a dorm room one night and in a 5 Star hotel the next, I think this sounds just about right.
A few things you should know about me before you use this figure as a guide:
* I definitely take advantage of friends I have scattered around the world. For example, I didn’t spend a single dime (or ten pence) on accommodations in London…during the Olympics…because I have a very dear (and hospitable) friend who opened up her home to me. Being able to find accommodations, let alone pay for them, in London during this time would have been prohibitively difficult so I am blessed to have had this opportunity. But even though staying with a friend may be free, if you are working on a strict budget, factor in the cost of gifts for your host. It doesn’t have to be pricey, but do plan on giving something to say thanks. Or there is also the option to thank your friends by doing a service, like watching their kids so they can have a night out or cooking dinner for them one evening.
* I can stay in hostels but I don’t always want to. Youth hostels are great for meeting people when you’re travel solo, but I also have a passion for nicer hotels, so whenever I can I like to splurge. For this reason my cost of accommodations may be a bit higher than if you’re on a strict hostel budget.
 |
| Hostels are great places for solo travelers because you won’t be solo for long. |
* I stayed put in Lebanon for 2 months, which meant I could rent a room in an apartment rather than having to pay hotel/hostel costs every day. This a great way to save money if you’re schedule allows it.
 |
| Sunset and water view from my affordable Beirut apartment |
* I did travel through Europe during the high season (summer) which made even the youth hostel prices higher than average.
* Flying between continents often means overnight flights, which means no hotel costs for that night.
* As a travel blogger, I did have a few complimentary hotel stays in exchange for a review on my blog.
So here are a few fun facts about the places I stayed during my trip:
1. Most expensive accommodation: Cross Hotel, Osaka, Japan ($267.37/night)
 |
| Comfy room at the Cross Hotel in Osaka, Japan |
2. Least expensive (aside from staying with friends): Cappadoccia Rock Valley Pension, Cappadoccia, Turkey ($16.52/night for a bed in a 5 person dorm room)
3. Most overpriced experience (Price vs. Quality): Bunk Hostel, Istanbul, Turkey ($83. 23/night) While I really liked this nice new hostel, charging more than $80.00 for a private room with a shared bathroom seems pretty high to me.
 |
| Balcony of my private room at the Bunk Hostel in Istanbul, Turkey |
4. Most expensive country (where I didn’t score free accommodations): United Arab Emirates
5. Most affordable country (not counting locations where I had more than half of my nights for free): Lebanon
6. Unexpected expense: I had planned to try my first couch surfing experience in Osaka, Japan, but at the last second my host canceled on me so I was forced to find a hotel. I ended up staying at the Cross Hotel which was one of the best places I stayed on my trip (cupcake bar in the lobby!), but also one of the most expensive. I went from paying $0.00 for a night to paying $267.37. Lesson: always have a bit extra budgeted for unexpected turns.
7. Five Favorite Hotels:
Hotel Mozaic (The Hague, The Netherlands $102.52)
 |
| Lovely, sunny room at Hotel Mozaic in The Hague, The Netherlands |
Cross Hotel (Osaka, Japan $267.37)
Aloft Hotel (Brussels, Belgium $82.52)
Four Seasons (Beirut, Lebanon – complimentary stay)
 |
| Four Seasons, Beirut |
Trader’s Hotel (Abu Dhabi, UAE $162.37)
8. Three favorite Hostels:
Traveller’s House (Lisbon, Portugal $33.73 for a dorm room)
Bunk Hostel (Istanbul, Turkey $88.23 for a private room)
Jam Hostel (Kyoto, Japan $33.71 for a dorm room)
If you would like to see a copy of the spreadsheet I created with accommodation costs on a day by day basis, please leave me a comment below or shoot me an email at nailah@theressomuchtosee.com.
I want to plan a trip to London, Italy, and France next summer & need ideas for accommodations & possible places to visit as well as dining… I have to stick to a teachers budget. Please advise
Misty
Hi Misty! Thanks for your question. Summer is high season in Europe, but that doesn’t mean budget options can’t be found if you plan ahead. Check out couchsurfing.com and hostelworld.com for less expensive options for accommodations. airbnb.com is also a good source for different price ranges. I also like to check out the Thorn Tree on lonelyplanet.com for ideas on good places to stay, eat and visit on a budget. Also, as an educator, you may be able to benefit from special discounts. Or perhaps you could even teach English or something in Europe to make a little extra cash and to meet locals. Also research how you’d like to get between cities you want to visit. Flight? Train? Bus? There are often discounted flights on some airlines, but make sure those flights are actually going into an airport close to the city (some use airports further away then you spend nearly as much money getting into the city). When you know what dates you’re planning on traveling and which cities, let me know and I can help reccommend some good places to eat, sleep and sightsee.
Hi Misty, a friend of mine suggested staying at the YWCA hostel in Rome, Italy, if that is where you are headed. It’s clean, safe and close to public transportation. I’ve been to London and Paris but I stayed with my sister and a friend.
Nailah, your post is a godsend! I am emailing you for the spreadsheet. I am headed to Istanbul in March but I have alredy paid for a hotel 🙁 I have never stayed in a hostel so I am glad you posted your review/price.
Thanks you so much!
Sahha.
Thanks for the advice, Sahha! I hope you have a great time in Istanbul in March. Its such an amazing city! I have written a few posts about my trip to Istanbul in April – you can find them using the search field. Got your email and I’ll send you the spreadsheet shortly.