AirBnB: Tips for a Successful Trip

So What is AirBnB?

Airbnb is a company that connects you with people from around the world that open up their homes to the world for usually a cheaper fee than staying in a hotel. This, in turn, helps the guests on a budget, and the host with paying bills. It’s a win-win. The places can be just a room, an apartment, condo or a whole house. They have places to fit everyone’s needs.

How it works

When you first sign up,  you can sign up through your Facebook, Gmail or any other email. (sign up with my link and get $40 off your first stay) After you are signed up, you can start searching for a place. At the top,  you’ll type in the place you want to travel to, how many people are traveling, and pick your type of housing.  You can click more than one. If need just a room, condo, apartment or whole house! (Yes, people rent out their WHOLE house to you, which is perfect for an extended family vacation.)

You can read reviews from others who have stayed at their place previously. This has really been helpful for me when booking my place to stay.  You can find places all over the world, not just limited to the USA. I have personally only used it for places so far in the US, but wouldn’t mind looking into places overseas. After your stay, you are able to review the place and your host. This gives you the ability to rate how well you enjoyed the place, if it was clean, just as pictured etc. You’re also able to give information about your host. The host is able to leave reviews about you as well. This helps both sides when booking for your new destination.

Is Airbnb Safe?

I’m sure there’s horror stories out there if you look for them, as with googling everything! But I guarantee you’ll find more positive remarks than negative. I really haven’t had a bad experience. ( You can read about all of them here). If you follow the tips below, you shouldn’t have to worry about anything but your next meal 🙂

Tips for finding the best one to fit your needs:

• Read all the information the host has listed under their listing. They leave important and helpful information for choosing a place. They tell you things like: child or pet restrictions, shared bathrooms, whats included or not included, check-in/check-out times, etc. These are things you’ll want to know so that there are no surprises while on your trip.
• READ THE REVIEWS. This is one of the most important. People who have stayed previously can help give you insight on how your trip will be. Sometimes they see things that host may have not stated or just don’t think about because they are not the ones traveling. The reviews can tell you not just about the rooms but the host too. (Be mindful, some hosts are not onsite for some of the listings, so they may not be able to accommodate as well as others). Click here to read my reviews of our Airbnb stays
• Remember these are people’s homes, not hotels. So they may not have all the accommodations a hotel would supply.
• If you don’t know, ask! The host are usually quick to respond and will answer any questions you have. Your host will usually always have a few places to recommend to see, eat, visit. Some offer these right on their page.
• Don’t forget to look at all places surrounding your ideal place. You never know what kind of deal you might find. (Groupon is your friend!)  When looking to travel to a new place, you normally venture towards staying right in the action so you don’t have to have a car etc. But look further out, even right outside the city. A lot of places have free transit or fairly cheap transportation, so it may save you a few extra bucks AND the place may be nicer than the one in the city.
• When you are looking to just get a room, look to see if you are getting your own private bathroom or shared bathroom. I know this has been a complaint from a few people because they didn’t realize they’d be sharing a bathroom or not having access to a kitchen etc.  Some places will allow you to use their kitchen. Others will not.
• Ask about parking. Some have to park on the street or pay to park. Make sure you add this to your budget for places that don’t offer free parking when having a car.

One of our traveling goals is to see all 50 states before 50, Airbnb has become one of our best friends.  My experiences have always been great. I make sure to pick places that fit my needs and contact the host beforehand. This ensures they are active on Airbnb and their personality is reflected through the messages. My favorite so far was Raleigh, NC and Seattle, WA.  All 3 ladies are very accommodating and ranked well.

Why wait to travel? When you get get it so cheap.

To give you an examples of how affordable it is:

Example 1:

Our trip to Raleigh, NC was $55/night with taxes and cleaning fee, it was $220 total for 3 nights, 2 people. We had our own room and bathroom. She had everything we could think of or forgot! Towels, shampoo, etc. She allowed us to use her kitchen,  and recommended places to visit. She was very welcoming and even checked in on us each day to make sure we had everything we needed. With my get $40 off offer, you could stay in Raleigh for $180 for 3 nights.  Thats a sweet deal, better deal than I got!  Rates do depend on when you go, and if its a popular time to visit a city, it may be higher. If you are going on their off season, then it may be even cheaper.

Example 2:

For our Seattle trip, we will be up there Labor day weekend. For 2 nights,  $220 total for a room and bathroom. (not bad for a holiday weekend) This lady does not allow us to use her kitchen, but thats ok. Since our trip is short (only 2 days) we are going to make the most of trying what the city has to offer. She did have a mini fridge, microwave and glasses for us to use in our area though.

What’s your favorite places to travel to? Where should I go next?

Till the next adventure,

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