Solo Travel Accommodation: 5 Insanely Easy Steps to Booking

If you’ve ever spent hours scrolling through hotel or Airbnb listings trying to find the perfect place to stay, you’re definitely not alone.

It’s so easy to look up places to stay online, see the photos, and want to book instantly. But, there’s a little more that goes into it when deciding on a place that’s safe and comfortable (especially if you’re planning on stay a while.)

In this blog post you’ll learn about 5 super quick and easy steps to help you choose a solo travel accommodation that not only looks cool from the website, but is also in the exact location you need, with safe transportation and security, and is recommended by other travelers just like yourself.

Step 1: Decide on Your Location

The first step is always going to be deciding on where you want to stay, which might sound pretty obvious, but it’s important to solidify. Determine how flexible you’re willing to be, such as considering the possibility of staying in a nearby town instead if it’s cheaper or has more options.

If you’re staying in a large city, do some research and see which areas stand out to you. If you’re staying in a more rural town, do an online sweep of the area and figure out what’s nearby that you’ll need access to (gas station, grocery store, etc.)

After you’ve scoped out your destination and have a solid idea of where you want to stay, move on to step 2.

Step 2: Check Transportation Access

Now, start thinking about transportation.

• Will you rely on public transportation?
• Are you looking for an accommodation that will provide their own transportation options?
• Will you have a car or take rideshare?
• Are you planning on walking the whole time?

These are all the questions you need to be asking yourself. And, you should also consider how you’re going to get to your accommodation upon arrival and departure.

This step is less crucial if you’re staying in a bigger city where you’ll have more options, but in small, rural towns with limited access to transportation…it’s important to figure out these logistics ahead of time.

Once you know your location, figured out how you’re going to get around, and have a few options to consider, move on to step 4.

Step 3: Read the Reviews!

Do not, and I repeat, do NOT book your solo travel accommodation based on website photos and descriptions alone.

A little travel hack I learned is to always read the reviews first, and this will save you so much time!

Instead of entering your travel dates, searching through room styles, checking to see if the cost is within your budget, all just to find out that several people found bed bugs in their room or cockroaches ransacking their personal belongings at night…you’ll learn about the bugs before you do all that, and be able to move on to find something better.

Another little tip, make sure the reviews are recent. It’s almost pointless to base your booking off of a review that was left 2 years ago, since so much can change over time. The best rule of thumb is to look for reviews (or better yet, personal recommendations!) from within 1 week to 3 months prior, that way you know the information is recent.

Step 4: Safety First!

Safety is always a top priority when it comes to solo traveling.

Make sure, above all else, that you are choosing to stay where you’ll feel safe. That insanely cool view you’re excited about won’t be as cool as you think it’ll be if you’re constantly uncomfortable and on edge.

Also make sure there is some form of security. Whether it be a security guard on-site, locked rooms with only guest access, or even lockers for personal items and valuables. (Bonus points if your accommodation has all three!)

This is also something you can specifically look for when reading reviews from previous travelers.

• Did they feel safe there?
• Would they recommend the stay to other solo travelers in regards to safety and security?

Be sure to ask yourself these questions when doing your research.

Step 5: Choosing Your Accommodation Style

The last factor to consider, is what type of accommodation you’re looking for.

If you’re interested in learning more about hotels or hostels, check out this blog post that directly compares the different styles and how each one might work for you.

But, there are more options to consider, such as Airbnbs or camping. The style of accommodation you choose will depend on where you’re going and what’s available. Other factors such as budget and safety will also play a key role in deciding as well.

A good rule of thumb when choosing a place to stay is to write down a short list of non-negotiables that you aren’t willing to budge on. Things like:

• Walkable location
• On-site security
• Parking access
• On-site laundry
• Private bathrooms & showers

After you have your list, compare it to the accommodations in the area and you’ll get a better idea of which options will fit your needs best.

And that’s all there really is to it!

Using these 5 simple steps to book your next solo travel accommodation will make the process seamless, save you time, and match you with the best possible stay. 🙂