airbnb

Let’s go back to the roots for a second. Although the concept of ‘ travel sharing ’ sounds like a fashionable trend that goes hand in hand with selfies on Snapchat, it already exists for years, even centuries. The trend is as old as commerce itself. Back in the days when our wallets weren’t filled with shiny coins, the economy used to rely on sharing property, goods and jobs.

The Comeback of the Travel Sharing Culture
Where does the rise of the travel sharing culture come from? Making connections, saving money and we have to thank technology. Through the digitization of society, it is possible to make connections with complete strangers from all around the world. Websites and application function as a gate to reach out to them at a very low cost and little time. Together with cheaper travel and getting used to having vacation more often, one summer vacation and perhaps a winter sport trip a year is not enough anymore. With all those city trips and months of backpacking people benefit to the fullest from the money saving option though sharing. Finally, you make great connections with foreign places and people. In my opinion that’s best reason to jump in to the sharing culture and experience the possibilities.

The possibilities are endless. There is so much more to experience then staying in a fancy hotel room. For example renting a whole boat, camping in someone’s backyard, couch surfing or house swapping. The best part is that you can make it as cheap or luxurious as you want. Below you’ll find the list of the 6 travel sharing accommodations you should try:

Apartment rentals
We don’t need MTV Cribs anymore to look inside someone’s home. Sites like AirBNB, FlipKey and Wimdu make it possible to peek inside the houses of total strangers. Share your own apartment on AirBNB and your holiday is partially for free.

Campers & RVs
Prefer being on wheels? While the owners are not using their RV you can take them on a new adventure. Of course, it is also possible to rent your own camper, else we wouldn’t talk about sharing. Outdoorsy is the most famous international way to rent a RV but isn’t available in the Netherlands yet. Camptoo is your friend if you live in the Netherlands and can’t wait to take that four-wheel beast on a trip.

Couchsurfing
If you’re open for new experiences, meeting people and sharing stories, couchsurfing is your way to travel. Especially while traveling alone it is a good and (most of the time) really cheap option if you’re done with the hostels. You easily make international friends and can offer them the same hospitality if they visit your country. Take a look at the Couchsurfing website.

The possibilities are endless.

Hotel Share
Aren’t bargains great? With Hotel sharing you book someone’s non-refundable reservation at a discounted rate. A perfect way to combine luxury with low prices. Take a look at Roomertravel.com, a safe way to book reservation. Of course, you can also share your own if your travel plans have been changed.

Hotel, Motel, Holiday Innnnn

Work for accommodation
Want to make yourself useful while on holiday (or simply cause you mind says yes but back account says no)? Offer or receive work in exchange for free accommodation. From farm labors to cat sitting, surfing lessons to managing a reception desk. Companies such as Nomador and Housecarers make it possible to securely match home owners with house sitters. Prefer putting your hands in the dirt? WWOOF is the place to be for worldwide opportunities on organic farms. Isn’t it great to help this planet a little bit while traveling around it?

House swapping
You go to theirs. They come to yours. Taking the Airbnb experience to a new level, it is kind of swapping lives for a little while. A cheap but also simple holiday idea, and let be honest, we do love to peak inside someones house. Sites like Lovehomeswap and Home Exchange offer memberships and unlimited swapping.

Travel sharing is not only about cutting traveling costs but also about the experience. Connect with the word in many different ways, styles and levels of luxury. In the end, it’s always a win-win situation.

Love,

Eva

*Eva is one of our guest bloggers from Amsterdam. She’s a city girl who only leaves her heals at home when wearing a backpack. Living by the urge to be where she’s not, to explore, experience, fall and get up. You can follow her on Instagram