Stay

Where to stay while traveling

Updated on June 01, 20265 min read

Hotel, apartment, hostel, guesthouse: the right type of accommodation depends on the length of your stay, the size of your group and the kind of trip you are running. This guide helps you pick the right one and book it at the right price.

Pick the right format

For 1 to 3 nights in a city, a hotel is usually faster and more flexible: free cancellation, daily cleaning, no check-in coordination.

For 4+ nights or a group of 3 and more, an apartment is often cheaper *and* more comfortable: kitchen, washing machine, separate rooms. The per-night price drops fast above the 4th night.

For solo travelers under 30 €/night and a social trip, a well-rated hostel still beats every other option in most cities.

Search and compare on at least two platforms

Prices and availability for the same property can differ by 10–20 % between two booking sites. Always compare at least two before you click.

Look at the *total* price (taxes + cleaning + service fees) instead of the headline rate. Apartment cleaning fees can double a 1-night stay.

Read the last 10 reviews, not the average

An average score is a snapshot of the last 2 years. The last 10 reviews tell you what the place is like *right now* — new management, ongoing construction, broken AC.

Trust photos from guests more than photos from the host. Wide-angle lenses make every room look bigger.

Book with free cancellation when possible

A free-cancellation rate is often only 5–10 % more expensive than the non-refundable one. It buys you the ability to rebook if a better deal appears or if your plans shift.

Recommended partners

A short list of services we trust for this topic. Booking through these links supports Travel Story Maker at no extra cost to you.

Partner

Booking.com

The largest hotel inventory worldwide with reliable free-cancellation rates and Genius loyalty discounts.

Find a hotel

Partner

Airbnb

Apartments and unique stays ideal for groups and trips of 4 nights and more.

Promo codeTravelStoryMaker

Browse apartments

Some links above are affiliate links. We only recommend services we use ourselves.

Plan the route next

Once the logistics are sorted, turn the trip into a share-ready animated map.

Open the editor