One advantage of traveling solo is not having to worry about anyone else approving of the accommodations. Stay in a five-star hotel, rent a bunk in a hostel, or a small air bnb. It’s all up to you.

For me, it depends on the occasion, the time of year, the location, length of my stay, and my budget. If it’s a birthday trip, I may want to treat myself to a fancy hotel. If it’s a short weekend trip, it may make more sense to stay in a hostel because I will likely be packing a lot of activities in and won’t be in my room much. Therefore, all I need is a bed and a place to shower. There’s no right way to do it.

In the U.S., there are not as many hostels to choose from. So, you may be deciding between a hotel and Airbnb or Bed and Breakfast. There are also other options such as Couchsurfing or staying with a host. We will discuss these options too. To help make the decision easier, I will outline the differences between a hostel and a hotel.

Hostels

I’ve stayed in a hostel on three occasions. Twice in the States and once in London, England. A hostel’s best attribute is that it’s cheap. Usually, a night at a hostel averages $40. It’s no frills. You get a bunk bed and maybe a towel. Lockers sometimes are available for a fee. I have learned to bring my own lock, towels, and soap. These basic things are not often provided at hostels. But remember, you didn’t stay there for luxury.

In my experience, at a hostel, you can ask for a towel but it’s often a thin, white towel. I like to have a large towel and a face towel. Then, somehow I always forget that soap is not provided and have to find a store.

However, hostels frequently provide a nice continental breakfast with juice and coffee that is included in the low price. If a hostel doesn’t include breakfast, there is usually a kitchen where you can bring your own food and cook. Sometimes there’s even community meals where all the guests cook and the food is available buffet style for everyone.

I have also been able to participate in free tours provided by the hostel. In Boston, I went on a free tour of Harvard University. In London, I went on a free walking tour of Central London. These tours were very informative and added to the value of the hostelling experience.

The average hosteller is fairly young but I have seen all ages, races, and life stages at hostels. They are ideal for backpackers or solo travelers. Hostelling is really what you make it. You can stay to yourself or meet new people. Some hostels have the option to purchase a private room for a more expensive rate.

Similarly to hotels, hostels often offer laundry services for a fee and daily housekeeping. As for security, every hostel I’ve been to requires guests to have a key to enter. Guests must also have a key to enter the dormitory areas. Additionally, most hostels have a 24-hour staff and common areas similar to hotels.

Hotels

Hotels are the tried and true way to stay when traveling. They offer the security of a 24-hour staff. There’s often a concierge to assist guests. They are all around the fancier and most familiar option in lodging. My favorite hotel brands are any Marriott and Hilton’s Embassy Suites.

The major difference with a hotel is privacy. You have your own room and bathroom unlike some of the other lodging options. The best part, though, is knowing you’ll be in a clean, safe, and comfortable place. For these reasons, hotels are the pricier alternative. They are not usually budget friendly and take some planning ahead.

Airbnb’s

These vacation rentals are fairly new to me. I’ve stayed in a handful of Airbnbs. They can be great and affordable. My only qualm comes from a bad experience I had in 2008.

My family and I rented a vacation home in the Orlando area. We went to a theme park and when we came back, we had been robbed. Laptops, medications, and fragrances were stolen. There was no sign of forced entry. So my first thought is that it was an inside job. Of course the owners said they knew nothing about it. I know crime can happen anywhere but one bad experience can make you see things differently.

Also, there have been reports of hidden cameras in these popular rentals. Each case is unique and it’s on the consumer to do their own research. In my opinion, these are a better choice for group travel. I would take care to leave my valuables at home or tuck them away in a safe place. But that goes for anywhere you stay.

Bed and Breakfast

B&Bs are such a cute, cozy choice. I almost exclusively stay in a B&B every time I visit St. Augustine, Florida. These are older homes that have been refurbished and turned into an Inn. They include a full breakfast.

These homes usually have anywhere from 3 to 10 rooms so they fill up quick. Many rooms have a private bathroom and some have a jacuzzi in the room. Other rooms do not and you will share a restroom. The rooms and common areas are decorated nicely and have an old charm feel.

The bummer with these is the price. Like hotels, they can go for at least $200 a night on a weekend. They also sell out quick so you have to book far in advance most of the time.

Not all B&B’s have 24-hour staff but you will get a key to come in and out as you please. Many hosts also let guests arrive after hours of arranged ahead.

Couchsurfing and Hosts

The Couchsurfing, hosting, and house sitting craze is very new to me. I haven’t tried it yet but it looks like a promising choice. Here’s how it works. Download the Couchsurfing app, create a profile, and search. If someone is willing to host you, they usually offer a free couch or bed to sleep on. There’s also an opportunity for you to be a host too.

The Facebook group called Host A Sister is a similar idea. Someone will post the dates and location of where they’re going and see if anyone can host. This group has certain rules of how to post, so be sure to adhere to them or the post will be deleted.

House sitting is another alternative. It allows travelers a free place to stay in exchange for watching the house, and often, the pets. Just go to the website , sign up, and you could get to live in another country temporarily as a house sitter. Again, I haven’t tried it and will update as soon as I do.

Becoming a house sitter is a win-win for everyone. It allows the homeowners to travel. It allows the sitter to save money and travel at a slower pace.

So these are some of the lodging options I consider when traveling solo. Remember it depends on the type of vacation you want to have. This decision is yours alone, and that’s why flying solo is the best way to go!