Global Travel on a Budget: Best Airbnb's For $50/Night (or less!)

As mid-range budget travelers, we strive to book accommodation that runs $50/night or less to help adhere to our overall goal of $100/day for the two of us.

If you think $50 only gets you a bed in a shared hostel room with eight giggly college students or a run-down apartment with a lumpy mattress and sketchy shower, think again.

Airbnb has been fundamental in making our (budget) travels possible and I've previously written about how I identify decent properties.    Sure, more money (usually) means better digs, but our objective is to stay on the road as long as possible, so we can't afford to overspend. 

But that doesn't mean we want to suffer, either.  I'm here to tell you that you can do a lot with $50/night.  Yes, we've had a few bad bed/dirty bathroom experiences, but the majority of our 'low cost' stays have been good with a few, downright outstanding.   Heck, I can only think of one that was definitely yucky, but even that was far from a horror story.   

Sure, it's easier to hit that target in SE Asia, but what if I told you that two of the places on my 'Best Of' list are in notoriously expensive Japan?  

View from the bedroom window of an Airbnb in Brasov, Romania

Of course, renting a private room is much cheaper than an entire apartment, and while we definitely have done that at times, especially during a short stay, have found a week in our own apartment is more cost effective as we can cook most of our food.  Being in someone's house, no matter how easy-going they are, means we tend to eat out more... which means we spend more money than if we had just rented our own place to begin with.

What It Takes to Be The Best

Pool and workout room at a Chiang Mai, Thailand  apartment

Besides the cost, what makes these places stand out as the best?  While the obvious answer would be 'because they are nice', the factors that make up 'nice' can vary.  Most have a ridiculously comfortable bed and high quality bedding- which help vault places to the top and while lots of places have a fairly decent bed, you wouldn't believe how many ruin it with cheap, sandpaper-like sheets.  

Other times, it might be because of a powerful shower or really great design.  In other cases, it's fantastic amenities like a pool or workout room, a killer location or a great host that make an apartment an ace property.

So, what are these super heroes of lower cost travel?  Read on for a peek into a few of my favorite apartments for $50 or less per night.

10)  Osaka, Japan

Small, but perfectly formed apartment in Osaka, Japan

This place was tiny, but everything was brand new, exceptionally clean and well-designed.  The bed was super comfy, although I don't know I would consider what covered the bed to be an actual sheet.  

Regardless, it was a really cool place to stay and conveniently located right on the metro stop Sakuragawa, but with the exception of our transport to/from the main train station, didn't use the metro as we were able to walk to Dotonbori in about 10 minutes.  Dotonbori is the main tourist district in Osaka and a hoot to visit at night, all neon, busy restaurants and kooky atmosphere.  

For $37/night, this was a steal in super expensive Japan, and even though there were kitchen facilities, we ate out a lot more because it was so cheap.

9)  Nanjing, China

Open floor plan and stellar city views in Nanjing

Nanjing is an enormous city with a skyscraper filled downtown area.  It was here that we were lucky to find this well appointed and super clean space with a large comfortable bed and unbelievable city views.  

The location was ideal as we were central to all the best malls and food shops, also being on two metro lines means we were easily able to navigate to all points of the city.

The kitchen was bit gimmicky, but it was stocked well enough for us to make eggs for breakfast and the occasional quick snack of dumplings and chili sauce.

At $44/night, it was a great value.

8) Kyoto, Japan

Traditional tatami mats and perfectly pressed sheets in Kyoto, Japan

So, you might think sleeping on the floor would not qualify an apartment for the 'Best Of' list, but you would be wrong.

The tatami mats in this adorable apartment were the best part of the stay.  It was like having my own personal Japanese-themed sleepover, which made me giggle every night when I laid them out.  The kicker?  They were actually comfortable. 

The other stand-out feature of this apartment was how clean it was.  I don't think I've been in a more immaculate place in my life.  Everything was so fresh, even the sheets were neatly pressed.  

Our $52/night rate was discounted due to booking a full week.  In writing this article, I see the rate is currently showing up at $67+ a night, but Keiko also offers a similar apartment in Kyoto for $50.

If you seek authenticity, comfort, cleanliness, location AND a lovely host all at a great price, well, look no further.

7)  Brasov, Romania

Spacious and nicely furnished apartment in Brasov, Romania

What a breath of fresh air after our less-than-ideal experience in Bucharest.  Just as I was about to write off Romania completely, Brasov saved my opinion.

The host, Florin, is one of the best Airbnb hosts I've met during our long term travels- friendly, polite and personable, he even picked us up from the train station and provided great suggestions for restaurants, day trips and the like.

The apartment itself is really nice and super clean with high quality furnishings that are just-like-home comfortable. You could easily live here long term with all of the amenities (washer/dryer, dishwasher, etc). The location is super quiet and a short 5 minute walk to the center with all the cafes and restaurants. 

But my favorite feature was the nighttime view of the Brasov sign on the side of Tampa Mountain.  Standing at the window, staring at the Transylvania hills, it was one of those magic travel moments.  All for $39/night.

6)  Prague, Czech Republic

The comfortable bed and spacious balcony with great views in Prague, Czech Republic

This apartment was absolutely fantastic with so many nice touches.  The host works for the Four Seasons and clearly understands hospitality.  

From the washing machine complete with detergent pillows to the luxury hand soap, it's the little things that help elevate this wonderful apartment. Modern, immaculately clean and beautifully decorated, Josef's place is amongst the best Airbnb's we've ever stayed in and an incredible value at only $53/night, which would have been much less if we had booked a full week and why I'm technically cheating by including it.

5)  Bangkok, Thailand

Rooftop pool with outstanding views in Bangkok, Thailand

The first time I saw the photo of this rooftop pool on Airbnb, I did a double take because price per night was listed as $40.  

I admit I was skeptical, but booked it because of the great reviews.  We arrived after a 38 hour travel day a bit loopy, but my apprehension evaporated when the taxi pulled up to a brand new building.  Our host was waiting for us and after a quick tour, we collapsed into bed.  The next day, we admired how nice and clean everything was, including the workout room, but we were particularly blow away by the pool.  My favorite memories from Bangkok were our nightly swims overlooking the city, which were so refreshing after long, hot days of touring. 

The location was also excellent with several restaurants and a very nice Tops supermarket nearby. We took advantage of the nearby Chong Nonsi BTS station, only 5 minutes walk, which brought us to the city center in only two stops. 

The only reason this apartment isn't number one is because of the hard bed.  While this is typical in Asia, it was a bit too firm for my liking.

However, if you don't mind it, then I strongly encourage you to book this place when in Bangkok.

4)  Krakow, Poland

Professionally designed apartment in Krakow, Poland

I fell completely in love with this apartment.

So thoughtfully designed and completely stylish, it has the perfect blend of modern comfort and classic elegance.  The designer has used materials from the apartment's past life so there are vintage elements (bathroom tiles, some furniture and photos) that balance out the contemporary side of things- important considering the history of the neighborhood.  I loved how immaculately clean it was with a brand new, luxurious bathroom and beyond comfortable bed with the nicest smelling sheets. I send out gratitude vibes to the universe any night I'm sleeping in quality sheets!  

The location is top notch- Kazimierz (the old Jewish quarter) has a great atmosphere and the coolest bars and restaurants. This is where you want to be based, not Old Town.   To cap it all off, the host Anna is exceptionally kind and an excellent communicator.

At $43/night ($29/night if you book a weeks stay), this apartment is beyond good value- it's under-priced.

3)  Sofia, Bulgaria

Uber-modern design in Sofia, Bulgaria

This was the first Airbnb where I jumped for joy when I walked through the front door.

After weeks of decent, but never outstanding accommodations, this apartment was a delightful treat.  Everything was so new and so nice, none of my own apartments have come close to such luxury.  

The host is into all things high tech and has outfitted the apartment with all kinds of bells and whistles such as electronic black-out blinds and a futuristic mood lighting system.

I personally loved the heated (and grippy!) black tile floors.

There is a grocery store practically underneath the apartment as well as several cute restaurants in the same complex.  A five minute walk to the metro, you can be in the midst of the ancient tourist area in another seven minutes.  

We loved Sofia (hiking Vitosha Mountain was a serious highlight) and this apartment definitely help enhance our opinion of the city overall.  

We gladly paid $42/night to stay here.

2)  Warsaw, Poland

Thoughtful design and high quality furnishings in Warsaw, Poland

Absolutely top notch in every way!

First, our host Malgorzata, was incredibly kind and thoughtful and has gone above and beyond to give her guests a first class experience. The apartment is brand new and finished to a very high standard- right down to the luxury shower gel. It's so lovely and comfortable, we found it difficult to leave and tour the city!

The location is also fabulous, in the hip section of Warsaw called Powisle.  With trendy restaurants (I loved both Cool Cat and Solec 44) and a supermarket one block away, a five minute tram from the main train/bus station and twenty minute walk (recommend walking along the Vistula River) to the Old Town, you are in an ideal situation for a city break.

An incredible value for $50/night.

1)  Chiang Mai, Thailand

Better than a luxury hotel in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Everything about this gated community apartment was high-end and luxurious. From the super comfortable bed and yummy bedding to the gorgeous pool and workout center, we felt like we were staying in an expensive hotel... except we only paid $50 per night.  

The friendly host, Jan, goes above and beyond as well, by providing breakfast food, not a common perk, but greatly appreciated.

We spent four nights here after a week at another apartment which was nice, but a bit far from the action.  Here, we were practically right on top of Nimman Road, a bustling throroughfare filled with a mixture of Thai and Western-style shops and restaurants and a short distance from the tourist mecca that is the old city.

I remember sipping my coffee on the balcony with views of the hills surrounding Chiang Mai and being filled with awe and gratitude. 

Even if it's just for a few nights, make sure to book Jan's place if you ever find yourself in Chiang Mai.  

Thanks for reading!

Things I'm Getting Used To: Europe, Round II

It’s been quite a while since my last ‘Things I’m Getting Used To’ update, mainly due to the new website I’m building, the cat café review masterpiece-in-progress The Neighbor’s Cat.  After a eureka moment in a Shanghai cat café where I threw out the comment ‘Did you know I have more visits to my website for cat café reviews than anything else I've written?’ things went from idea to fully fledged plan within weeks.

While the concept may seem a bit silly, it’s actually been a serious skill building experience as I simultaneously create a website from scratch while writing reviews and blogposts, teaching myself the basics of SEO/Google keyword search and getting a handle on all things social media.  All while changing location every three to four days.

Despite all the time I am devoting to this endeavor, I haven't stopped musing on the magnificent and mundane aspects of long-term travel, lucky you, dear reader.

Fast Travel… is Happy Travel?

Travel day from Cloppenburg to Cologne (Germany)

We are back in Europe for 'round two' in order to capture all the chocolate milk (Perry) and cat cafes (Paula) we missed last year.  With only 90 days (the duration of time Americans can stay in Europe as regular tourists) and a lot of ground to cover, we are moving fast and furiously.   Normally, we stay in one location for at least a week, but lately, three to four days is it.  So far, the biggest downside has been the extra time I'm spending on logistics, so we have adopted a ‘divide and conquer’ approach with Paula responsible for lodging (using my well-tested methods for identifying decent, yet cheap Airbnb apartments) and Perry in charge of transportation via planes, trains, buses and ferries!

I was concerned we would burn out moving so quickly, but so far, so good as we have interspersed previously visited places (Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Berlin, Prague, Budapest) with brand new ones (Malmo, Hamburg, Cologne and Vienna).  This has helped give us enough down time between tourist activities.  On the horizon, we’ve got several new cities back-to-back (Krakow, Warsaw and Vilnius) in a short period of time, but if necessary, loins will be girded.

Speaking of fast, moving at this pace has seemingly accelerated time itself.  It might be a side effect of our new ventures as last year our open days seemed to slow the clock while this year, the hours of work we are putting into our various websites have sped it up.

Rain, Rain Go Away

The gardens of Schönbrunn Palace are beautiful even in the rain

Even though we are nearly to 18 months on the road with countless hours spent outside doing everything from combing city streets to hiking mountain trails, we’ve rarely had rain affect our activities.  I don’t even carry an umbrella because the need for one has occurred so rarely.  I can remember one soggy excursion in Sapporo, but nothing really in last year's European travels.

I guess I just figured we were lucky (or invincible), but that attitude has come to an abrupt end.  We’ve had multiple wet outings since we returned to Europe on August 17, and our rain jackets have been in such steady rotation, I keep it in my daypack instead of rolled up deep in a packing cube, which is where it usually lives.

I succumbed and purchased an inexpensive €5 umbrella to get through a day of touring Cologne, but then had to leave it behind as it was not one of those compact models, but rather a classic curved handle sucker.  I keep telling myself I will buy one of those lightweight cheapies from H&M, but then forget until we get caught out in the next downpour.  

I'm crossing my fingers for a spell of dry weather.  Or a timely visit to H&M.

The Wheels on the Bus

We’ve always been budget-minded travelers, but our thrifty ways have been kicked up a notch with this second round in Europe.  Our new mantra?  FAF, or Frugal As F*ck.  Pardon the vulgarity but I'm a big fan of economy AND alliterative slogans.

I love trains, but in Europe they are just crazy expensive compared to the bus.  Since Berlin, the two of us have traveled to Prague, Vienna, Budapest and Krakow on the bus for less than what we paid for one ticket from Frankfurt to Berlin on the train. 

For real.

Most of the trips have been pretty awesome (exception being the crowded bus to Vienna which got lost in rural Czech Republic) with comfortable coaches and gorgeous sights/scenery, like Orava Castle in the mountains of northern Slovakia. 

Thanks FlixBus!

Orava Castle in the mountains of northern Slovakia

From Vienna With Love

In addition to less costly transport, we are much more hardcore about eating most meals at home so we can have the occasional splurge like the eating out we did in Vienna.  

While Perry was on the hunt for chocolate milk, I treated myself to a piece of Sachertorte at Café Sacher before an evening at the Vienna Opera to see Salome.  

The original Sachertorte...even the courts agree!

Oh, look!  There's a band!

Then, there was the Heuriger we visited with Bill and Judy.

What’s a Heuriger?  I hadn’t heard of one either before we went, but the concept is somewhat similar to Italy’s agriturismo where a vineyard has its own restaurant where they serve their wine and local dishes. 

On (yet another) rainy day, Bill and Judy, (fellow Americans we met at the Diverbo language program in Laubach, Germany and who used to live in Vienna), graciously walked the grounds of Schönbrunn Palace with us and then shared their favorite Vienna insider secret, Heuriger Nigl in Perchtoldsdorf. 

The village sign shows which Heurigers are open.

After a ride to the outskirts of Vienna on an old-fashioned street car, we walked through the lovely village of Perchtoldsdorf to Nigl.  Escaping the cold rain, it was warm and inviting inside, with traditional Austrian chalet-style interiors-- all rustic wood, yet at the same time, refined. 

But it was the food and wine that really blew me away.  Simple, yet perfectly prepared, we feasted on a smorgasbord of roasted pork with knödel and sauerkraut, fried emmentaler cheese and pickled vegetables, washed down with generous (look at our glasses!) pours of Gruner Veltliner.  Even though the food was plentiful, we made sure to save room for apple strudel in vanilla sauce and crepes with apricot marmalade.  I'm in rapture just remembering it.

They don't happen every day, but these are the authentic experiences that make for magical travel memories.  Thanks Judy and Bill!  

Random Thoughts

My Spanish practice, which has been ongoing for the past three years (but has accelerated since we've been on the road) has improved to the point where I'm almost ready to strike up actual conversation on the streets and not just skulk behind Spanish speakers attempting to practice translating conversations while I eavesdrop.

My big test will come this winter in Argentina and Chile when we hike Patagonia, so if you are a Spanish speaker who would like to help me out with a few practice conversations on Skype, let me know!

And finally, have you ever wondered what are the strangest things Perry and I carry around in our backpacks?  Wonder no more.

Paula:  Dish Scrubbers/Sponges

I'm seriously creeped out by the ghastly state of sponges we find in Airbnb apartments... I wouldn't scrub a toilet with the condition I've found some of these so-called kitchen scrubbers, much less a dish I'm going to eat off of!!!  Thus, I travel with brand new sponges because they are lightweight, take up very little room and contain no mysterious microbes yet-to-be-named. 

Perry:  Marigolds

Perry rocking Marigolds, circa 2012

Not the flowers, but the yellow rubber gloves used for washing dishes, Marigolds are a UK brand which have been a constant fixture in Perry's life since he became an honorary 'homemaker'* in 2012.

Thanks for reading!

*The inside joke is that when we moved to the UK we were at the bank to set up our account, and after responding to the banker's question of his occupation as 'Student', was met with an awkward silence which was finally broken with 'Well, since I don't have that selection on the form, I'll just put you down as 'homemaker.'' Perry's friends in the US sent him the fake license plate as a gag. But the Marigolds are no joke.  

The Five Best Cat Cafes In Seoul, South Korea

This post originally appeared on my other website The Neighbor's Cat, the global resource for first-hand cat cafe reviews, an up-to-date location directory and extensive photo gallery.  I'm on a quest to visit every cat cafe in the world and I've been to 196 in 28 countries so far.  

In addition to reviews of each cafe, I'm also creating city recaps for the most popular travel destinations in the world, so you can add the best places for kitty snuggles to your itineraries.

The Five Best Cat Cafes in Seoul, South Korea

Seoul is a vast geographical metropolis and exciting travel destination with much to see and do.

From the pop culture mecca of Gangnam to the shopping hotspot of Myeongdong to the arts and entertainment haven of Hongdae, this fast-paced city guarantees you won't be bored- and that your feet will be tired from trying to see it all. 

With so much territory to cover, sitting down for regular breaks will be necessary, but why just pick any old coffee shop when you can enjoy it in the company of cats?  

I recently traveled to Seoul in May, 2017 to visit all eleven of Seoul's cat cafes and there were five that stood out as among the best.

4REST NORWEGIAN FOREST CAT CAFE & SHOWROOM

I found this cat cafe in Seoul, South Korea quite by accident.  Happy coincidence because it turned out to be one of the best!

I've seen a lot of cats in my travels.  Well over 1000 at last count, but these cats are among the most gorgeous I have ever laid eyes on-- and they are no strangers to the art of flirting.

The cafe itself is handsome- sleek and spare, but nicely complemented by warm wood and rustic furniture.  The quirky collections featured around the room keep it unique and interesting, as if you could possibly be bored in this Mount Olympus of feline gods and goddesses.  They entertained us for two hours before we finally dragged ourselves away. 

The coffee, served by the friendly cat-loving owner, was the best we had in Seoul, and they also serve decadent desserts, so seeing as the cats aren't the only indulgence here, go ahead and splurge.  Once you arrive in this Hongdae neighborhood gem, I predict you will be here for many hours and need the sustenance.

Complete review with details and photos here.

CAT CAFE ATTIC CAT

Out of all the cat cafes in Myeongdong, this one is probably the most popular.

And for good reason, it does cafe as well as it does cat.

I love cats, but also appreciate a great cafe experience and feel if you are going to put the word in your title, you should deliver on the bare minimum of what a cafe is:  a comfortable place for conversation and a good cup of coffee.

Cat Attic does just that.  With colorful yet cozy nooks and decent lattes to attract coffee lovers, plus enough friendly kitties to satisfy cat lovers, it strikes the perfect balance of cat and cafe.

We visited on a busy day in Myeongdong and found it without issue, which was nice since most of our cat cafe locating in Seoul proved to be difficult.  What I noticed right away was how the owner and her husband were equal measures welcoming and competent.  They spent a great deal of time delivering drinks, wiping down surfaces and demonstrating little tricks to get the cats to interact with you.  Impressive!

Unlike the images you might associate with an attic, this cafe was super clean and extremely pleasant with elegant wood and slate decor, and pops of color.  Most importantly, the kitties were social and well-cared for.  

When visiting Myeongdong (via Metro Euljiro 1/Line 2 or Myeong-dong/Line 4), I highly recommend popping in to this 3rd floor feline emporium. 

PS.  The location in Gangnam is also top-notch!

Complete details and photos here.

TABLE A CAT CAFE I

(146 WAUSAN-RO LOCATION)

Could cats and raccoons be the ideal combination?  

Of the three Table A cafes we visited, this one was far and away the best, and while the raccoons definitely added a certain je ne sais quoi, it was not the main reason I liked it so much.  Spacious, sunny, clean, great drinks and full of mischievous kitties, this is what a cat cafe should be.

Seoul has a few animal cafes (puppy, owl and sheep, to name a few), but I had to do a double take when I saw the picture of a raccoon on the door.  After we ordered our drinks (two hot teas for 10,500 won/$9.22, but otherwise no entrance fee), I made my way downstairs where three raccoons played on a larger version of a hamster wheel behind a secure area away from the cats.  To be sure, they were super cute and playful, and while it's an interesting gimmick, it didn't seem like a happy existence for the raccoons, unfortunately.

Back upstairs, there was plenty of cozy corners and comfortable seating which attracts a decent sit-down business of both locals and tourists that complements the brisk take-away service fueling Seoul's rabid coffee culture.  But the cats are the stars here, a variety of Bengals, Scottish Folds, Exotics, Persians and Maine Coons that, while not excessively affectionate, are reasonably sociable.  The staff were friendly and tea was good quality.

Located near Hongik University metro (Line 2), this Table A location is a great place to wile away a summer afternoon.  

Complete details and photos here. 

CAT PLAYGROUND

The first time we visited, they weren't open, which is strange as Google shows them to open every day.

We returned to this busy Myeongdong location (via Metro Euljiro 1/Line 2 or Myeong-dong/Line 4) two days later and discovered the reason- a major remodeling project.

Cat Playground is investing in their future with a fresh, colorful and quirky atmosphere.  With 30+ adorable cats, ranging from Norwegian Forest to American Shorthair to Persian and even a Sphinx, it's one fun cafe to hang out.

It was on the crowded side the day we visited, but after being welcomed by the friendly staff, we managed to snag a table where we sipped our iced teas while several cats came to investigate our presence.  Most were incredibly social and playful, but a few ran to the protection of the off-limits section under construction to escape the cuddle seekers.

There are several cat cafes to choose from in this neighborhood, but I found Cat Playground stands out for offering a clean, odor-free atmosphere and loads of lovely kitties.

Complete details and photos here.

Y CAT

Formerly known as Gio, Y Cat Cafe is difficult to find, but worth the persistence.

I had seen three variations of the address including 12-6 Wausan-ro 21-gil, which is where we originally set our GPS.  It was not the correct location, but it did get us close enough to see the sign on Hongik-ro.  

Located near Hapjeong metro (Line 2 & 6) on the 3rd floor, we each paid a 9000 won ($7.82) fee, washed our hands and exchanged our shoes for slippers.  Once inside, we ordered a couple of lattes (included in the entrance fee) from one of the perfunctory, yet pleasant staff, and sat down at one of the many tables around the room.  While we sipped our drinks we noticed the cafe is incredibly spacious and well appointed for both humans and cats.  I particularly enjoyed seeing all the cardboard cat beds which were occupied by snoozing kitties, including two sweet gray babies posing as yin and yang.  

Speaking of cats, there were a whopping 37 on hand, from Somali to Maine Coon to Russian Blue to Exotic to American Shorthair, you are guaranteed to find a favorite.  We visited shortly after the cafe's noon opening and while many of the felines were sleeping, the cats that were awake were incredibly sociable- we had two cuties on our laps within minutes- and the rest posed for pictures like seasoned models.  

We had the place to ourselves for most of the hour we spent there, only having to share the kitties with a two young college students and a French couple.  

My only nitpick is that while the staff work hard to keep the cafe clean, there is a hint of cat odor, but overall, Y Cat Cafe has a fun atmosphere and loads of friendly fur babies to ensure a successful visit.

Complete details and photos here.