Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) and Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) lodgings are usually cheaper than a hotel but more expensive than a hostel. Not all locations offer lodging; those that do are often located in urban downtowns. Many YMCAs accept women and families; some will not lodge those under 18 without parental permission.
For a cozy alternative to impersonal hotel rooms, B&Bs (private homes with rooms available to travelers) range from acceptable to sublime. Rooms in B&Bs generally cost $70-90 for a single and $90-100 for a double in the US. Any number of websites provide listings for B&Bs; check out Bed & Breakfast Inns Online (www.bbonline.com), InnFinder (www.inncrawler.com), InnSite (www.innsite.com), BedandBreakfast.com (www.bedandbreakfast.com), Pamela Lanier’s Bed & Breakfast Guide Online (www.lanierbb.com), or BNBFinder.com (www.bnbfinder.com).
Many colleges and universities open their residence halls to travelers when school is not in session; some even do so during term-time. Getting a room may take a couple of phone calls and require advanced planning, but rates tend to be very low, and many dorms offer free local calls and Internet access. Some universities that host travelers include the University of Texas in Austin, TX (☎512-476-5678) and Ohio State University in Columbus, OH (☎614-292-8266). Most colleges and universities don’t advertise dorm vacancies, so it’s good to contact individual schools in the regions where you’ll be staying.
Home exchange offers the traveler various types of homes (houses, apartments, condominiums, villas, even castles in some cases), plus the opportunity to live like a native and to cut down on accommodation fees. For more information, contact HomeExchange.com, P.O. Box 787, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254, USA (☎800-877-8723; www.homeexchange.com), or Intervac International Home Exchange (☎800-756-4663; www.intervac.com).
Hospitality clubs link their members with individuals or families abroad who are willing to host travelers for free (or for a small fee) to promote cultural exchange and general good karma. In exchange, members usually must be willing to host travelers in their own homes; a small membership fee may also be required. GlobalFreeloaders.com (www.globalfreeloaders.com) and The Hospitality Club (www.hospitalityclub.org) are good places to start. Servas (www.servas.org) is an established, more formal, peace-based organization, and requires a fee and an interview to join. An Internet search will find many similar organizations, some of which cater to special interests (e.g., women, GLBT travelers, or members of certain professions). As always, use common sense when planning to stay with (or host) someone whom you do not know well.
Travelers planning to stay in the US for extended periods of time may find it most cost-effective to rent an apartment. Rent prices vary greatly between different regions and cities within the US: a basic one-bedroom (or studio) apartment in Boston, MA, will cost more than a studio in Des Moines, IA, but a studio in San Francisco, CA or New York City, NY will cost more than a studio in Boston. For most major cities in the US you should expect to pay at least $700-1500 per month. Besides the rent itself, prospective tenants usually are also required to front a security deposit (frequently one month’s rent, which is returned after the lease is up) and the last month’s rent. Aside from studio apartments, travelers can often find unoccupied bedrooms in multi-bedroom apartments. As long as you don’t mind sharing a kitchen or bathroom with other tenants, this is often a cheaper and more convenient way of renting. A good online resource for finding apartment and housing rentals in the US is www.craigslist.org, which is free and posts daily listings for most major US cities. Other websites and services match potential roommates.
If you decide to rent, make sure you have a written agreement or lease, and that you are clear on all specifics regarding your rental. Never sign an agreement that seems questionable and don’t deal with landlords whom you don’t trust. A good way to avoid getting ripped off is to check with the housing department in the city or region for laws and regulations for tenants and landlords.
Another option for shorter stays (2-3 months) is subletting, which is popular and often easy in the summer months. Subletting involves making an agreement with the current tenants of a house or apartment to occupy their residence for a set amount of time. Sublets often come with furniture and are much more relaxed than formal lease agreements, which usually are set for a year. Before subletting, make sure that it is legal in your city or region, and make sure that the landlord of the property is aware of the sublet agreement.
Aside from renting an apartment or house, there are many other ways to find long-term housing during stays in the United States. Many hostels, motels, hotels, and YMCAs have long-term options for visitors who wish to stay for an extended period of time. Also, homestays often provide a long-term option, whether for school, work, or some other arrangement. For accommodations not arranged through a university or organization, it is best to check newspapers or online lists (like www.craigslist.org) for lodging opportunities.
For those with the proper equipment, camping is one of the least expensive and most enjoyable ways to travel in the US. Camping opportunities are boundless and accessible to inexperienced travelers. Generally, private campgrounds have sites for a small fee and offer safety and security. Well-equipped campsites (usually including prepared tent sites, toilets, and water) go for $10-25 per night in the US. Backcountry camping, which lacks all of the above amenities, is often free but can cost up to $20 at some national parks. Most campsites are first-come, first-served.
Depending on the region of the country in which you plan to camp, wild animal safety may be a concern. For more information on outdoor activities in the US, including camping and wildlife safety, see The Great Outdoors, below.
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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
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