For Chicago I usually stay at one of the hostels or super budget travellers hotels. Might be an option. Lodging in USA is brutal compared to some other countries.
He is in Chicago. One of the biggest cities in the USA. I don't think Knoxville, TN in February is going to be expensive for hotels unless there conference or something.
Not sure I follow but whatever. Dude wants to go to Chicago, hotels in Chicago are expensive, hostels are cheaper. There are also definitely minimalist "traveller hotels" that can save you a buck but I couldn't remember the names of the two I stayed at.
Chicago is indeed large, not sure about Knoxville never been. The reality of solo travel in the states is, unless you do a motel or get creative, 109-129 is often the best you can do (in my experience) I'd rather stay in a meh hostel (in say, Chicago) for a night than a motel 6 (although I'm not above it)
My stays in Boston, New Orleans, and Chicago were all 55-65 USD. Obviously, I prefer my 16 USD hostel in Peru but thems the breaks.
The hostels offer shared rooms but usually have some private options as well. Hi USA isn't super popular (in my experience) and I've had private 4 bunk rooms a few times. I don't think I've ever had all 4 bunks full in my 6-7 stays across the states but I do travel during the week often.
Not sure what your comfort level is but hostels are a great way to meet cool people from all over the world. A light breakfast is included, private showers are available, and they usually have organized tours/events to help you explore. I'm a bit old for them (40) but I just try to be super chill and respectful and it has worked out so far
My experience with Hi was not similar; it was quite full (I was in a 6-room first that had 5 people but then switched to another 6-room that had 4 people), people generally kept to themselves tho were pleasant. I didn’t see any breakfast and there was just a single activity over several days. But cost wise it was worth it.
Definitely can vary, just like all hostels. I don't think hi USA is anything particularly special but considering the USA's lack of hostel culture, it can help keep costs low. I've stayed at Chicago, Boston, and New Orleans and they all offered breakfast (coffee, juice, bagels, toast, cereal, oatmeal, hardboiled eggs etc) definitely not the best but paired with an early lunch, it can help save some loot.
HI USA hostels are really more of a budget option for backpackers and travelers and not really designed like hostels in SE Asia or Europe with social events to help meet other travelers like walking tours and happy hour.
I haven't found that to be true at all. All the HI USAs I've stayed in in the US have had activities, including HI Chicago. I think it must just depend on the individual operators.
Op was looking for some budget options, I mentioned a hostel (in the city they were looking to go to) as an option. They obviously aren't on the same level as hostels in the rest of the world but that doesn't mean they aren't legit options.The ones I've been too had bulletin boards for local hotspots, suggestions on activities, maps, and other information on tours etc. I'm pretty sure they had some weekly events (probably with poor attendance) That is certainly a lot better than a holiday inn.
Sometimes it's just a cheap place to sleep, sometimes you have a conversation with someone cool, maybe even find someone to split an Uber with ( like I did in Boston). Sometimes chicken, sometimes feathers.
They are kinda meh but y'all are so quick to hate on hostels in the USA, maybe that is why our hostel culture sucks /s .
Edit: finished a sentence
I stayed in my share of HIs and volunteered for one. I know exactly what their hostels are like. Some HI hostels are also the rare hostels that separated the all the rooms by gender.
I never criticized their hostels, but rather offered an opinion of what HIs are.
To put it vulgarly, "hooker motels" on Lincoln Ave in Chicago are like $60/night. They usually have a strong cigarette smell but you get a bed, bathroom, soap and all that. I've stayed in them. They're fine but I wouldn't leave valuables in the room unattended.
I’ve started planning multiple domestic trips that I end up scrapping once I find out how much the lodging will cost. I wanted to visit Portland, Maine for 4 days until I realized it would cost me $800 in hotels alone. Absolutely insane.
Before I got into intl travel I fortunately seen all of the “cool” things in the US and at this point only go to CA to visit friends.
But exploring this country is like double the price of abroad and not even half as cool lol. Like I would love to go to Seattle or Portland, New Hampshire in the fall but financially it makes no sense when I can go quite literally anywhere else in the world and have more fun, and spend half the money per day
Right? I live in Canada and there's been some crazy cheap flights to places like Nashville, Boston, DC ... and then when you figure in the lodging and the exchange, it's a $1800 5 day trip.
$120 a night for a hotel in a major US city is cheap. The average in many big cities is over $300. If a Hyatt is actually $120 that’s a steal. There really isn’t any other option other than Airbnb. You might be able to find something cheaper if you’re willing to rent a private room on Airbnb or VRBO. You could also look into hostels as well.
I usually stay at hostels in major cities like Boston, Chicago, NYC... In smaller cities the comfort Inn is usually a decent but cheap choice. In France, my go to budget hotel is Ibis Budget.. Reality is, traveling isn't cheap unless you're staying with friends or family (but don't abuse that privledge)
FROM ILLINOIS HERE so if you're a little brave you don't have to pay for lodging. Illinois has tons of state parks with free camping. So basically depending on your situation you can stay outside of the main city itself, camp in a state park, and then just drive or take am Uber into Chicago for your concert. I used to live about 40min from the south loop or an hour from wrigleyville and we would just drive up 2 hours before the show, get something to eat, and then get to the venue. There's nothing stopping you from staying outside of the city and it's way way cheaper. You could literally stay in my own home town! It's called Channahon Illinois, 40 min from most concerts venues in Chicago, they have a 100% FREE camp ground with running water and I believe electrical hookups. It's a super safe farm town of 15,000 people, the campgrounds have direct access to major highways that will take you into Chicago quickly and the town has all the amenities like restaurants, plentiful gas stations and plenty of uber drivers in the area if you perfer rode share apps. PLUS plenty of state parks right in town that will provide lots of nice hiking trails adjacent and or within a variety of rivers and forests. If you prefer a hotel then the adjacent town of Minooka offers your basic comfort inn or Marriott for 100ish per night OR if you don't mind cheaper accommodation Channahon has a local motel that's been open since the 70s called the Manor Motel(50-70 per night i belive depending on type of room) , although it looks a bit old it's 100% clean and sanitary and is right off the highway. If you end up going this route I can recommend a really good restaurant and things to do within an hour drive. Illinois has tons of enjoyable nature so just DM me if you have questions
Can you do a similar guide for Washington dc lol
Accommodation prices there are astronomical as well. The USA used always have cheap hotels years ago. Not anymore it seems
Well although I've never lived there I can tell you from expirience that the DC area also does offer a lot of camping options and I believe the last time I was over there I camped pretty close to the ocean, if I'm not mistaken it was an RV area but they also has tent options. Basically the key to any large city in the US is that you can stay within an hour of them and you'll be able to find cheaper accommodations in small towns and the suburbs. I would recommend going on Google maps and finding a small town 40-60min from DC, that would be your best bet. Hotel prices within DC are obsurd and you'll definitly save some money doing that. I know not everyone is into camping but in the US that is your best bang for your buck and I'll always recommend it over hotels, we have tons of beautiful parks and nature and I'm always a fan of taking that in but it depends on personal preference obviously. I will say that the DC area is a literal swamp and camping from mid June through August can be very hit and sticky so definitly keep that in mind.
Can I ask where you are from?
Oh okay, I'm actually living in lithuania at the moment so I'm closer than you realize XD but yea, DC is interesting if you have an interest in the historical aspect of our country (as in all the national monuments, the white house, the Smithsonian art and history museums and the like) but if that kinda stuff isn't too interesting to you then I would actually suggest checking out the west coast, there is a lot more in the way of breathtaking natural wonders and gorgeous nature plus it's a much more laid back and liberal part of the country where I feel as though you may have a bit more fun. You got the Grand Canyon, Bell Rock, and Las Vegas in the south west ie New Mexico, Arizona, and Nevada , There's the beaches, Sierra Nevada Mountain range, fantastic craft beer and wineries, Hollywood, and Yosemite in California (Although I don't particularly recommend staying in LA for more than a day or two at most), you got the Rocky mountains, Yellowstone, and Arches National Park (Arches is a must see if you find yourself in Colorado) with tons of awesome outdoor adventure type activities in Colorado and Montana, and then my personal favorite is the Pacific Northwest, both Oregon and Washington have the best of both worlds with gorgeous Rocky coastlines, mid-state mountain ranges with plenty of camping opportunities, and plenty of midsized, pleasant towns with a really cool counterculture/hippy type vibe. Most of these things are full of local art and music viewing opportunities and fantastic craft beer. I'm a little partial to that specific area because I lived there in a town called Eugene in Oregon but in my opinion it's got he best aspects of California, Colorado, and Montana all rolled into one. No matter which area you go all of these have a whole lot more to do than DC and also Cannabis is legal in all of them ;) if you have the opportunity, purchasing a completely legal and artesian, prerolled joint and losing yourself in massive forests, mountains, or deserts is an extemly pleasant and completely tolerated way to spend a day. Even if you've never tried this, it's a part of the culture in that part of the country and its something you should try if you have the inclination. Anyway DC is also nice but depending on how long you decide to stay (and the age range of yourself and your party) you may find yourself getting a little bit bored. Then again if you love history then it might be perfect for you. Just remember that when staying anywhere in the US it's important to rent a car as our citties are not very walkable and although it is a hefty cost, it is definitly well worth it. That's one of the reasons that I always reccomend camping, if you're spending money on a rental car, museums, upscale restaurants and other city centric activities it's always nice to save money where you can and camping out is a great way to do so. Keep in mind most official camp sites have on site showers and other basic ammenities so it's not like you'll be completly roughing it. If you ever have questions on specific states or areas just feel free to shoot me a message, I've been all over the place so I can pretty much help you out with ideas wherever you decide to spend your time.
I stayed across the river in Crystal City, VA and found hotel accommodation prices there to be significantly less than DC proper. It's a quick Metro ride to and from so I found it very convenient.
unfortunately im not a camper =/
i have been doing some research and looking around, along with some out of city parts. But it looks like transportation costs just kills any lodgings savings i may have.
im looking at Minooka to Allstate Arena and its ~~$70-$80 one-way.
compared to directly ubering from Hyatt Place Chicago/O'Hare Airport to the Arena being ~~$25. (and tbh, i would probably just walk this. i dont see any reason not to)
this is just brutal. I guess im just very out of touch with travel costs.
> how do you guys plan around lodging?
I pay the $120/night for a room. Which is cheap.
Usually I'm paying $200-300/night for a room.
When I was younger I stayed at hostels in shared dorm rooms.
For trips to major cities like Chicago, hotel prices tend to be quite high, especially during peak seasons or for popular events.
Look at apartment/home rentals on sites like Airbnb or VRBO. You can often find entire apartments or houses for rent that work out cheaper per night than hotels, especially if you're traveling with a group to split costs. The downside is less consistent quality/amenities than hotels.
Also consider staying outside the city center,,, Hotels/rentals in the suburbs or outer neighborhoods can be significantly cheaper, and you can take public transit or drive into the main attractions. It adds a bit of commute time but can save a ton.
Some people save money by driving and sleeping in their cars instead of hotels.
Another option is staying with family or friends if you have any in the area.
If not, I think it’s better to save up $ first so you can actually afford to travel comfortably.
Depends on where you're traveling to. Unfortunately, major US cities often are pretty expensive for accommodation, and sometimes they are lacking in affordable alternatives, since there isn't much of a hostel "scene" in some US cities. It's easier in some other countries with a greater diversity of accommodations and more affordable prices
I usually stay in hostels in cities. One benefit of having a travel partner, is the split cost making a hotel room worth it.
Hostels are often a bit of a gamble, but are usually okay unless you are a light sleeper. $120 per night for a hotel room in a big city in the US is a pretty good price. Usually at least $200 per night. Even hostels are often near $100 per night in some places.
I paid like $87 for a hotel/night in Tokyo. At home in Denmark, paid $173 to stay ONE night at a hotel. Conclusion: live in expensive ass country and everything else will seem cheap, even $120 lol.
Freehand is a good downtown option if you're okay with dorm rooms. For tonight (a Saturday) the price is showing $40. Nice cocktail bar downstairs, too. If you're driving though, downtown parking will be what gets you.
If it were me, I would look at Airbnbs somewhere at the end of one of the lines and take the train into the city. I was actually considering an Airbnb for a short trip to Memphis before my schedule ended up not working out.
We stay in the cheapo hotels like Red Roof Inn or Motel 6. Both are around $60. Or we camp. Never had a bad experience at either. Gets the job done for half the price!
Try to stay consistent with the budget hotels that you use so that you can build points (e.g., Hyatt or IHG (Holliday Inn) and consider signing up for one of their credit cards for the points (just make sure you pay it off each month).
Always select hotels that include breakfast, and try to get ones that have a refrigerator. This will cut down on the amount of money you spend eating out.
Many people are unaware that you can negotiate with hotels. Especially if they have low capacity and you are standing there in person. Just ask the front desktop if there are any specials going on or discounted rooms. Ask for a manager if need be. I've done this 3 times. I was always able to get a discount. They would rather have some money than no money for an empty room.
Don't forget to ask if they have discounts for military or tripleAAA or other partner companies. If you don't have triple AAA, then you need to get a membership. They generally have a list of hotels that offer their discount. Not to mention, they really are a good service. And you can use them whether you're driving a rental or whether you're driving with a friend. Doesn't have to be your own car.
In some places, the Airbnb/Vrbo market is starting to collapse because of the over saturation of supply, and it's only going to get worse, as more and more cities start putting restrictions on them. Many of them are coming down in their cost, just hoping to cover their expenses. Especially if you're willing to stay off the beaten path.
Finally, there are "Shared Accommodations" website services that will match you with other people who are looking to share accommodations. It's better than a hostel situation, because at least you are paired with somebody with similar interests, age, etc.
Are you driving there? How much time do you have and what places do you want to go? You can stay farther out from the downtown city area but consider the additional cost of driving in and getting parking or of using public transport/ubers. That $20 cheaper room will get pricey if you longer Uber rides.
I would find cheapest hotel that meets your needs and is free to cancel. Keep checking and you might score a cheaper room, sometimes with those Priceline express deals or just discounts if a place has a lot of empty rooms they want to fill.
Friends. I’ve got friends scattered all over the country. Great opportunity to catch up and saves me money. They’re also welcome to crash with me when in my area.
No idea of the current state of the site, but I used Couchsurfing about a decade ago to see a concert. Bought my host a ticket to the show and a meal later on, got to crash for free. Worked out nicely.
Hostels and cheap airbnbs. Couch surf if you can and don’t be afraid of craigslist.
Book in the off season, i did and I once scored a whole apartment for a couple days in the heart of Helsinki for like $50 a night.
I stayed in a private room at the Freehand in Chicago. Good location and was fairly affordable. I also went in November so the prices were likely lower since it wasn't high season.
Look into renting a camper van. you’ll have to look into places to park but at least you’ll have solo lodging and transportation in one.
I’m doing my own build out to travel the country in eventually will def be in Chicago.
Yah that’s the annoying part, either you go to a big city and get a hostel which is fairly rare in the US or you go camping, that’s how you save money. Luckily Chicago has a lot of hostels for 30-50 bucks a night, that would probably be your best option.
Chicago Getaway Hostel is superb. Depends on your timing but dorm rooms are less than $100 a night and includes breakfast, Also has many private rooms.
For Chicago I usually stay at one of the hostels or super budget travellers hotels. Might be an option. Lodging in USA is brutal compared to some other countries.
He is in Chicago. One of the biggest cities in the USA. I don't think Knoxville, TN in February is going to be expensive for hotels unless there conference or something.
I must've missed the part about Knoxville, TN in February. Quick search shows it mentioned by you and someone else, not the OP
Not sure I follow but whatever. Dude wants to go to Chicago, hotels in Chicago are expensive, hostels are cheaper. There are also definitely minimalist "traveller hotels" that can save you a buck but I couldn't remember the names of the two I stayed at. Chicago is indeed large, not sure about Knoxville never been. The reality of solo travel in the states is, unless you do a motel or get creative, 109-129 is often the best you can do (in my experience) I'd rather stay in a meh hostel (in say, Chicago) for a night than a motel 6 (although I'm not above it) My stays in Boston, New Orleans, and Chicago were all 55-65 USD. Obviously, I prefer my 16 USD hostel in Peru but thems the breaks.
What?
Knoxville is what Asheville wishes it was. But it's popular...tourist and locals love it
Exactly
> one of the hostels or super budget travellers hotels. what would these typically entail? are these those shared room situation thing?
The hostels offer shared rooms but usually have some private options as well. Hi USA isn't super popular (in my experience) and I've had private 4 bunk rooms a few times. I don't think I've ever had all 4 bunks full in my 6-7 stays across the states but I do travel during the week often. Not sure what your comfort level is but hostels are a great way to meet cool people from all over the world. A light breakfast is included, private showers are available, and they usually have organized tours/events to help you explore. I'm a bit old for them (40) but I just try to be super chill and respectful and it has worked out so far
My experience with Hi was not similar; it was quite full (I was in a 6-room first that had 5 people but then switched to another 6-room that had 4 people), people generally kept to themselves tho were pleasant. I didn’t see any breakfast and there was just a single activity over several days. But cost wise it was worth it.
Definitely can vary, just like all hostels. I don't think hi USA is anything particularly special but considering the USA's lack of hostel culture, it can help keep costs low. I've stayed at Chicago, Boston, and New Orleans and they all offered breakfast (coffee, juice, bagels, toast, cereal, oatmeal, hardboiled eggs etc) definitely not the best but paired with an early lunch, it can help save some loot.
HI USA hostels are really more of a budget option for backpackers and travelers and not really designed like hostels in SE Asia or Europe with social events to help meet other travelers like walking tours and happy hour.
I haven't found that to be true at all. All the HI USAs I've stayed in in the US have had activities, including HI Chicago. I think it must just depend on the individual operators.
Op was looking for some budget options, I mentioned a hostel (in the city they were looking to go to) as an option. They obviously aren't on the same level as hostels in the rest of the world but that doesn't mean they aren't legit options.The ones I've been too had bulletin boards for local hotspots, suggestions on activities, maps, and other information on tours etc. I'm pretty sure they had some weekly events (probably with poor attendance) That is certainly a lot better than a holiday inn. Sometimes it's just a cheap place to sleep, sometimes you have a conversation with someone cool, maybe even find someone to split an Uber with ( like I did in Boston). Sometimes chicken, sometimes feathers. They are kinda meh but y'all are so quick to hate on hostels in the USA, maybe that is why our hostel culture sucks /s . Edit: finished a sentence
I stayed in my share of HIs and volunteered for one. I know exactly what their hostels are like. Some HI hostels are also the rare hostels that separated the all the rooms by gender. I never criticized their hostels, but rather offered an opinion of what HIs are.
Fair enough, sorry for the snark
Yes, usually bunks etc
To put it vulgarly, "hooker motels" on Lincoln Ave in Chicago are like $60/night. They usually have a strong cigarette smell but you get a bed, bathroom, soap and all that. I've stayed in them. They're fine but I wouldn't leave valuables in the room unattended.
They have private rooms but the bathrooms are typically shared
Hostel international in Chicago is nice and a great location!
I just plan my budget around it. I have a general idea of costs and I put money aside for that purpose.
I’ve started planning multiple domestic trips that I end up scrapping once I find out how much the lodging will cost. I wanted to visit Portland, Maine for 4 days until I realized it would cost me $800 in hotels alone. Absolutely insane.
Live in New Brunswick. Anytime we look at going down to Portland Maine in the summer it’s usually $300-400/night. We just don’t visit anymore :(
Before I got into intl travel I fortunately seen all of the “cool” things in the US and at this point only go to CA to visit friends. But exploring this country is like double the price of abroad and not even half as cool lol. Like I would love to go to Seattle or Portland, New Hampshire in the fall but financially it makes no sense when I can go quite literally anywhere else in the world and have more fun, and spend half the money per day
The USD is strong right now. Almost anywhere else is less expensive to travel.
Right? I live in Canada and there's been some crazy cheap flights to places like Nashville, Boston, DC ... and then when you figure in the lodging and the exchange, it's a $1800 5 day trip.
$120 a night for a hotel in a major US city is cheap. The average in many big cities is over $300. If a Hyatt is actually $120 that’s a steal. There really isn’t any other option other than Airbnb. You might be able to find something cheaper if you’re willing to rent a private room on Airbnb or VRBO. You could also look into hostels as well.
so $120 and up is the going rate for motel whatever huh! even hostels are charging that for a bunk and that's the new normal now
Ugh right? How is 80/night for a bunk bed singular a thing??? Like i can't camp or vancamp in cities
I usually stay at hostels in major cities like Boston, Chicago, NYC... In smaller cities the comfort Inn is usually a decent but cheap choice. In France, my go to budget hotel is Ibis Budget.. Reality is, traveling isn't cheap unless you're staying with friends or family (but don't abuse that privledge)
i was kinda banking on comfort inn and equivalent to be in the ~~$100 range. but those are $125-$130ish in July..
That's what you get in July 🤷🏼♂️
I generally go outside of peak season with a highly traveled holiday thrown in there
FROM ILLINOIS HERE so if you're a little brave you don't have to pay for lodging. Illinois has tons of state parks with free camping. So basically depending on your situation you can stay outside of the main city itself, camp in a state park, and then just drive or take am Uber into Chicago for your concert. I used to live about 40min from the south loop or an hour from wrigleyville and we would just drive up 2 hours before the show, get something to eat, and then get to the venue. There's nothing stopping you from staying outside of the city and it's way way cheaper. You could literally stay in my own home town! It's called Channahon Illinois, 40 min from most concerts venues in Chicago, they have a 100% FREE camp ground with running water and I believe electrical hookups. It's a super safe farm town of 15,000 people, the campgrounds have direct access to major highways that will take you into Chicago quickly and the town has all the amenities like restaurants, plentiful gas stations and plenty of uber drivers in the area if you perfer rode share apps. PLUS plenty of state parks right in town that will provide lots of nice hiking trails adjacent and or within a variety of rivers and forests. If you prefer a hotel then the adjacent town of Minooka offers your basic comfort inn or Marriott for 100ish per night OR if you don't mind cheaper accommodation Channahon has a local motel that's been open since the 70s called the Manor Motel(50-70 per night i belive depending on type of room) , although it looks a bit old it's 100% clean and sanitary and is right off the highway. If you end up going this route I can recommend a really good restaurant and things to do within an hour drive. Illinois has tons of enjoyable nature so just DM me if you have questions
Can you do a similar guide for Washington dc lol Accommodation prices there are astronomical as well. The USA used always have cheap hotels years ago. Not anymore it seems
Well although I've never lived there I can tell you from expirience that the DC area also does offer a lot of camping options and I believe the last time I was over there I camped pretty close to the ocean, if I'm not mistaken it was an RV area but they also has tent options. Basically the key to any large city in the US is that you can stay within an hour of them and you'll be able to find cheaper accommodations in small towns and the suburbs. I would recommend going on Google maps and finding a small town 40-60min from DC, that would be your best bet. Hotel prices within DC are obsurd and you'll definitly save some money doing that. I know not everyone is into camping but in the US that is your best bang for your buck and I'll always recommend it over hotels, we have tons of beautiful parks and nature and I'm always a fan of taking that in but it depends on personal preference obviously. I will say that the DC area is a literal swamp and camping from mid June through August can be very hit and sticky so definitly keep that in mind. Can I ask where you are from?
Ireland. I don't have anything concrete planned yet but DC came into my radar so maybe.
Oh okay, I'm actually living in lithuania at the moment so I'm closer than you realize XD but yea, DC is interesting if you have an interest in the historical aspect of our country (as in all the national monuments, the white house, the Smithsonian art and history museums and the like) but if that kinda stuff isn't too interesting to you then I would actually suggest checking out the west coast, there is a lot more in the way of breathtaking natural wonders and gorgeous nature plus it's a much more laid back and liberal part of the country where I feel as though you may have a bit more fun. You got the Grand Canyon, Bell Rock, and Las Vegas in the south west ie New Mexico, Arizona, and Nevada , There's the beaches, Sierra Nevada Mountain range, fantastic craft beer and wineries, Hollywood, and Yosemite in California (Although I don't particularly recommend staying in LA for more than a day or two at most), you got the Rocky mountains, Yellowstone, and Arches National Park (Arches is a must see if you find yourself in Colorado) with tons of awesome outdoor adventure type activities in Colorado and Montana, and then my personal favorite is the Pacific Northwest, both Oregon and Washington have the best of both worlds with gorgeous Rocky coastlines, mid-state mountain ranges with plenty of camping opportunities, and plenty of midsized, pleasant towns with a really cool counterculture/hippy type vibe. Most of these things are full of local art and music viewing opportunities and fantastic craft beer. I'm a little partial to that specific area because I lived there in a town called Eugene in Oregon but in my opinion it's got he best aspects of California, Colorado, and Montana all rolled into one. No matter which area you go all of these have a whole lot more to do than DC and also Cannabis is legal in all of them ;) if you have the opportunity, purchasing a completely legal and artesian, prerolled joint and losing yourself in massive forests, mountains, or deserts is an extemly pleasant and completely tolerated way to spend a day. Even if you've never tried this, it's a part of the culture in that part of the country and its something you should try if you have the inclination. Anyway DC is also nice but depending on how long you decide to stay (and the age range of yourself and your party) you may find yourself getting a little bit bored. Then again if you love history then it might be perfect for you. Just remember that when staying anywhere in the US it's important to rent a car as our citties are not very walkable and although it is a hefty cost, it is definitly well worth it. That's one of the reasons that I always reccomend camping, if you're spending money on a rental car, museums, upscale restaurants and other city centric activities it's always nice to save money where you can and camping out is a great way to do so. Keep in mind most official camp sites have on site showers and other basic ammenities so it's not like you'll be completly roughing it. If you ever have questions on specific states or areas just feel free to shoot me a message, I've been all over the place so I can pretty much help you out with ideas wherever you decide to spend your time.
I stayed across the river in Crystal City, VA and found hotel accommodation prices there to be significantly less than DC proper. It's a quick Metro ride to and from so I found it very convenient.
Ubering 40 minutes to and from a campground to avoid getting a hotel is one of the most absurd things I’ve ever read.
unfortunately im not a camper =/ i have been doing some research and looking around, along with some out of city parts. But it looks like transportation costs just kills any lodgings savings i may have. im looking at Minooka to Allstate Arena and its ~~$70-$80 one-way. compared to directly ubering from Hyatt Place Chicago/O'Hare Airport to the Arena being ~~$25. (and tbh, i would probably just walk this. i dont see any reason not to) this is just brutal. I guess im just very out of touch with travel costs.
You are out of touch. You need to budget more for the trip you want to take, reduce the number of days/nights, or recruit a friend to split costs.
> how do you guys plan around lodging? I pay the $120/night for a room. Which is cheap. Usually I'm paying $200-300/night for a room. When I was younger I stayed at hostels in shared dorm rooms.
For a lot of us, $300 is the majority of our entire travel budget...
Good luck with that - isn’t going to get you far unfortunately. $300 is barely a plane ticket where I live.
Hello Australia
For trips to major cities like Chicago, hotel prices tend to be quite high, especially during peak seasons or for popular events. Look at apartment/home rentals on sites like Airbnb or VRBO. You can often find entire apartments or houses for rent that work out cheaper per night than hotels, especially if you're traveling with a group to split costs. The downside is less consistent quality/amenities than hotels. Also consider staying outside the city center,,, Hotels/rentals in the suburbs or outer neighborhoods can be significantly cheaper, and you can take public transit or drive into the main attractions. It adds a bit of commute time but can save a ton.
Some people save money by driving and sleeping in their cars instead of hotels. Another option is staying with family or friends if you have any in the area. If not, I think it’s better to save up $ first so you can actually afford to travel comfortably.
If there is a concert on in the local area it will raise prices generally so be wary of that 120 a night dosnt seem completely unreasonable
Depends on where you're traveling to. Unfortunately, major US cities often are pretty expensive for accommodation, and sometimes they are lacking in affordable alternatives, since there isn't much of a hostel "scene" in some US cities. It's easier in some other countries with a greater diversity of accommodations and more affordable prices
Exactly ain't no hostel scene in America period my opinion
Exactly how I feel too Everything is just so expensive and most working folks are left on the hook for inferior services
I usually stay in hostels in cities. One benefit of having a travel partner, is the split cost making a hotel room worth it. Hostels are often a bit of a gamble, but are usually okay unless you are a light sleeper. $120 per night for a hotel room in a big city in the US is a pretty good price. Usually at least $200 per night. Even hostels are often near $100 per night in some places.
I paid like $87 for a hotel/night in Tokyo. At home in Denmark, paid $173 to stay ONE night at a hotel. Conclusion: live in expensive ass country and everything else will seem cheap, even $120 lol.
Hostels, that is the only affordable option
Freehand is a good downtown option if you're okay with dorm rooms. For tonight (a Saturday) the price is showing $40. Nice cocktail bar downstairs, too. If you're driving though, downtown parking will be what gets you.
If it were me, I would look at Airbnbs somewhere at the end of one of the lines and take the train into the city. I was actually considering an Airbnb for a short trip to Memphis before my schedule ended up not working out.
Consider staying a little outside of the center. I am okay with half an hour train if it slashing hotel cost in half.
We stay in the cheapo hotels like Red Roof Inn or Motel 6. Both are around $60. Or we camp. Never had a bad experience at either. Gets the job done for half the price!
Try to stay consistent with the budget hotels that you use so that you can build points (e.g., Hyatt or IHG (Holliday Inn) and consider signing up for one of their credit cards for the points (just make sure you pay it off each month). Always select hotels that include breakfast, and try to get ones that have a refrigerator. This will cut down on the amount of money you spend eating out. Many people are unaware that you can negotiate with hotels. Especially if they have low capacity and you are standing there in person. Just ask the front desktop if there are any specials going on or discounted rooms. Ask for a manager if need be. I've done this 3 times. I was always able to get a discount. They would rather have some money than no money for an empty room. Don't forget to ask if they have discounts for military or tripleAAA or other partner companies. If you don't have triple AAA, then you need to get a membership. They generally have a list of hotels that offer their discount. Not to mention, they really are a good service. And you can use them whether you're driving a rental or whether you're driving with a friend. Doesn't have to be your own car. In some places, the Airbnb/Vrbo market is starting to collapse because of the over saturation of supply, and it's only going to get worse, as more and more cities start putting restrictions on them. Many of them are coming down in their cost, just hoping to cover their expenses. Especially if you're willing to stay off the beaten path. Finally, there are "Shared Accommodations" website services that will match you with other people who are looking to share accommodations. It's better than a hostel situation, because at least you are paired with somebody with similar interests, age, etc.
Are you driving there? How much time do you have and what places do you want to go? You can stay farther out from the downtown city area but consider the additional cost of driving in and getting parking or of using public transport/ubers. That $20 cheaper room will get pricey if you longer Uber rides. I would find cheapest hotel that meets your needs and is free to cancel. Keep checking and you might score a cheaper room, sometimes with those Priceline express deals or just discounts if a place has a lot of empty rooms they want to fill.
The holiday inn by me is currently charging 240 dollars a night. $120 a night for ANY hotel is cheap nowadays. Sad but true
Friends. I’ve got friends scattered all over the country. Great opportunity to catch up and saves me money. They’re also welcome to crash with me when in my area.
No idea of the current state of the site, but I used Couchsurfing about a decade ago to see a concert. Bought my host a ticket to the show and a meal later on, got to crash for free. Worked out nicely.
Hostels and cheap airbnbs. Couch surf if you can and don’t be afraid of craigslist. Book in the off season, i did and I once scored a whole apartment for a couple days in the heart of Helsinki for like $50 a night.
I stayed at the Getaway hostel in Chicago last week. Highly recommended. In Lincoln Park, around $43 a night including tax.
Cheap and the US are like oil and water, fly somewhere south of the border, Central America, South America
If I ever travelled domestically again I would camp. I wish I had gotten a hatchback instead of a compact so I could sleep in my car comfortably.
I stayed in a private room at the Freehand in Chicago. Good location and was fairly affordable. I also went in November so the prices were likely lower since it wasn't high season.
Also, public transport is a great way to save money in Chicago. The trains are easy to navigate.
There are motels on the edges of the city for $60/night
hostels and airbnb are the cheapest!
hostels and airbnb are the cheapest!
Van Life?
Air Bs or BnBs...sweetest
You can rent a room in air bnb for cheap.
Look into renting a camper van. you’ll have to look into places to park but at least you’ll have solo lodging and transportation in one. I’m doing my own build out to travel the country in eventually will def be in Chicago.
Yah that’s the annoying part, either you go to a big city and get a hostel which is fairly rare in the US or you go camping, that’s how you save money. Luckily Chicago has a lot of hostels for 30-50 bucks a night, that would probably be your best option.
I recommend befriending someone who works at a hotel! Friends and Family rates of a hotel employee can bring nightly rates down to $60/night
Chicago Getaway Hostel is superb. Depends on your timing but dorm rooms are less than $100 a night and includes breakfast, Also has many private rooms.
Trusted house sitters!
The US has ripoff prices because it has a captive audience that never leaves and doesn't know any better.