When the money is a bit tight but you still seem to have this strong urge to get away from it all then why not think about staying in a hostel. Yes sure, it means that you have to share with other people and must assume that your fellow travellers are a trustworthy bunch, but if you put in a bit of research you can find some real gems.
One of the most popular destinations these days for many gap year backpackers is of course Southeast Asia because it is very easy to get to and offers great value for money with some hostels offering beds for as little as $2 a night. Of course that will depend on where you are with some countries like Cambodia and Laos being cheaper than its neighbors Thailand and Vietnam.
So let’s go through some of the places and how much you are likely to pay. Thailand is where people usually begin their journey and a few days in Bangkok to see the Grand Palace, the floating market and the various temples dotted around the city. For cheap hostels here most travellers head towards the Khosan Road are where hostels are in abundance. Expect to pay around $7 to $10 around this area as it is pretty popular.
As a destination, Cambodia is becoming more and more popular attracting nearly five million visitors last year with many visiting Angkor Wat in the party town of Siem Reap. If that is not your thing though why not try the small provincial town of Battambang in the Northwest of the country. There are plenty of things to see and do in this upcoming town which is reflected in the number of new hostels springing up. You could pay as little as $1-50 here for a room or around $5 for an air con dorm but remember, you get what you pay for.
Crossing from Cambodia into Southern Laos, most backpackers head for Dondet, or Four Thousand Islands as it is more commonly known. This place is quite idyllic with most of the accommodation sitting on the banks of the Mekong River. This place is a total chillout destination so be careful you don’t get trapped. Again beds can be found for around $2 to $4.
Whether you end up in Pham Ngu Lao, Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi’s Ta Hien Street you are going to have plenty of choices as far as somewhere to stay is concerned as both areas are very popular with backpackers. Just look for lots of guys with beards as Vietnam is where most people usually finish their trips. Hostels in these cities are generally in the same range as Bangkok. For lots more about saving money on your travels then you have to check out this blog post by Voucherbox, even though I have travelled extensively I learnt a lot from the things they listed!