If you travel a lot, you will agree that accommodation can be expensive. For high quality accommodation, you can usually expect to pay hundreds of dollars--per night! If you don't need all the extras that come with 5-star accommodation, or are simply on a tight budget, there are still ways you can travel and have a bed to sleep in each night. Here are some ideas to help you save on your accommodation expenses for your next trip.

Backpacker Hostels

Backpacker hostels are cheap places to stay, but you generally get what you pay for. The cheapest option usually provides you a bed within a shared room (usually shared among 8 people), so if a lack of privacy isn't going to bother you much this can be a viable option. Backpacker hostels may also provide smaller or private rooms, but these are increasingly more expensive and you may be able to find cheaper accommodation elsewhere.

Caravan Parks

Caravan parks are also known to be cheap accommodation options. If you bring your own tent or caravan, hiring a campsite is the cheapest option; however you can also rent cabins at many caravan parks. These cabins may be self-contained, providing you with your own fully functional kitchen, bathroom, and sometimes with a number of bedrooms. If you are travelling in a group or with your family, this can be a cheap yet comfortable place to stay.

Cheap Motels

Cheap motels offer budget accommodation in towns all over Australia. You can often find cheap nightly rates advertised as you drive by, so if you are making a spontaneous stopover you can usually quickly find a cheap accommodation option. Looking online and booking in advance can help you save more money, as some motels may have a special online-only offer, and it can be easier to quickly compare the rates of different motels.

House Swaps

For a free accommodation option, you can swap houses with another family in your desired location. However, house swaps do require advanced planning, and you may be limited by the swap requirements of the other family (for example, they may only want to swap for 1 week but you might need 2 weeks at your destination). It may also be difficult to find someone to swap houses with in your desired location. However if you can organise the house swap well, it can be a great option for cheap (or free) accommodation.

There are a range of budget accommodation options available, so if you just can't justify spending big money for a night's rest consider a cheaper option instead.

You can find budget accommodation in a place like Welcome Inn 277.