Tips on traveling CHEAP

[zeus661]

Looking for tip on traveling cheap. I ride solo and usually take a weeks vacation by myself. One thing I have found is you can get a good rest at a Pilot Flying J store because they have a room with comfortable chairs you can sleep in. Share your ideas on being cheap.

[shooter]

That's interesting. I don't think we have any of those around here but maybe I haven't been paying attention. Is it like a truck stop/gas station?

[3Chief]

yep, big truck stop chain.

[phoenixrdr]

I found a bed and breakfast for 20 bucks a night, Motorcycle-Travel.net..hope this helps..

[53driver]

Anyone seen "The Booze Traveler"?

Map out all routes to stay with FB friends whom you've never actually met!
Bring a bottle of wine for a house warming gift and then ask where your room is!

Seriously: I spent two weeks on a GL1500 Valkyrie from Philly to Vancouver and paid for a hotel room only 2x.

Slainte,
Steve

[Patch]

For free night stays with accommodating strangers (perhaps new friends)...if you really want some free sleeping (usually on a couch, sometimes a bed)...couchsurfing.org. Have used this in the past quite a few times and have never had an issue with the hosts. Just need to be clear here...you are essentially an unknown outsider asking to crash on someones couch for the evening. Be gracious, consider providing them with a favor or perform a chore (like cleaning their dishes or taking out the trash) It's best to go to the site, and set your profile up. No one that I've run across has ever asked for money and a few even allowed me to use their shower and made breakfast for me before I left. There are a few folks providing a place to sleep that are older but every one I've run across have been 35 and younger. A good resource for larger towns and cities...not many around in the middle of Nacanowhere though.

[VaBob]

Have a buddy that hosts couch surfers. Gets some really interesting people, and a surprising amount of international traffic. When he gets visitors from Germany or France or some other country he likes to throw a small get together. Talk about cultural differences, food and travel, and pronunciation of american-bastardized words. And on the flip side, he travels Europe and south america on the cheap.

[Heavvyduty]

Looking for tip on traveling cheap. I ride solo and usually take a weeks vacation by myself. One thing I have found is you can get a good rest at a Pilot Flying J store because they have a room with comfortable chairs you can sleep in. Share your ideas on being cheap.

I see yer not to far from me.Like to ride with other F6B,,er,s. Looks like yer near Fremount

[soberbiker]

Awesome thread. I never heard of couchsurfing.net! What a concept! The only one I heard of is airbnb.com. Good prices and in someones home.

I have never used it but have been tempted a couple of times.

[ReserveBum]

as a vet I have access to "Armed Forces vacation club". https://www.afvclub.com/. They have condos around the world for @ $300 for 7 nights. Full kitchen, washer dryer, separate bedrooms and pull out couch. Had some friends visit for the weekend, they bought the food. So it cost me less than $45/night for some nice digs. Last year for vaca, I went to TN and stayed in a nice condo in Fairfield Glade. Day trips to the Dragon, Cherehola, Kentucky, Alabama, and little bit of GA. This year I may try the Nashville location and combine with our Arkansas get together.

[shooter]

Anyone seen "The Booze Traveler"?

Map out all routes to stay with FB friends whom you've never actually met!
Bring a bottle of wine for a house warming gift and then ask where your room is!

Seriously: I spent two weeks on a GL1500 Valkyrie from Philly to Vancouver and paid for a hotel room only 2x.

Slainte,
Steve

"thanksgiving''' I tried to tell that other Florida boy.

[53driver]

...I tried to tell that other Florida boy.

Oh I'll stop by all right, with booze, and if the chef in the house does not desire to cook, we're going out for dinner and it's on me.
And planned trips, I don't arrive unannounced....but I might swing by Shooter's place someday without prior warning, white flag ready, of course. :icon_mrgreen:

[choptop]

Interesting thread, lot's of recourses I was not aware of.

[zeus661]

I see yer not to far from me.Like to ride with other F6B,,er,s. Looks like yer near Fremount

I'm in Rossford which is like a suburb of Toledo. I wouldn't mind getting together some weekend day. Looks like Tiffin might be about half way for us.

[robrm250]

Sometimes me or when I am with a bud we stay at the Lowes or Home Depot hotel.I find a decent size portable building in a Lowes or Home Depot parking lot pull my bike in after closing then a hasp and 4 wood screws on the inside and roll out sleeping bag.

[willtill]

Sometimes me or when I am with a bud we stay at the Lowes or Home Depot hotel.I find a decent size portable building in a Lowes or Home Depot parking lot pull my bike in after closing then a hasp and 4 wood screws on the inside and roll out sleeping bag.

Very genius. I like that. :icon_lol:

[3Chief]

This has been discussed by a few of my co-workers as they are older and getting ready to retire. Grab your bedroll and go :icon_cool:

http://boondocking.org/

[zeus661]

This is turning into an interesting thread. My thought is if i am traveling for a week or more cutting expenses and getting a hotel less often. Maybe every few days instead of every night.

[stepbill]

as a vet I have access to "Armed Forces vacation club". https://www.afvclub.com/. They have condos around the world for @ $300 for 7 nights. Full kitchen, washer dryer, separate bedrooms and pull out couch. Had some friends visit for the weekend, they bought the food. So it cost me less than $45/night for some nice digs. Last year for vaca, I went to TN and stayed in a nice condo in Fairfield Glade. Day trips to the Dragon, Cherehola, Kentucky, Alabama, and little bit of GA. This year I may try the Nashville location and combine with our Arkansas get together.

Thanks on this tip! I'm retired Air Force and will look into it!

[zeus661]

Sometimes me or when I am with a bud we stay at the Lowes or Home Depot hotel.I find a decent size portable building in a Lowes or Home Depot parking lot pull my bike in after closing then a hasp and 4 wood screws on the inside and roll out sleeping bag.

Be careful doing that. My wife works for Lowes and if the catch you they will prosecute you. To many times they have found things inside, like drugs.

[GNW]

Sometimes me or when I am with a bud we stay at the Lowes or Home Depot hotel.I find a decent size portable building in a Lowes or Home Depot parking lot pull my bike in after closing then a hasp and 4 wood screws on the inside and roll out sleeping bag.

Never thought of that. Bet, little wife would not go for that, but I been to VN and we are talking major Hotel here !!!
We have been desperate late at night though, so, it's now on our bucket list (with wife approval).
Education is POWER !! 'all/right'

[GNW]

as a vet I have access to "Armed Forces vacation club". https://www.afvclub.com/. They have condos around the world for @ $300 for 7 nights. Full kitchen, washer dryer, separate bedrooms and pull out couch. Had some friends visit for the weekend, they bought the food. So it cost me less than $45/night for some nice digs. Last year for vaca, I went to TN and stayed in a nice condo in Fairfield Glade. Day trips to the Dragon, Cherehola, Kentucky, Alabama, and little bit of GA. This year I may try the Nashville location and combine with our Arkansas get together.

WOW !! Good to know.
Thanks !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[valkmc]

I travel on the bike a lot in the summer (school teacher) and have found several ways to save money. I will hit up a friend or family when available. I was on the road a couple of summers ago for six weeks and avoided high dollar hotels by doing this. NO reservations, when I get close to my final destination for the day I stop and use the internet to find the cheapest hotels in the area. Once I find one I negotiate with the clerk (works great with mom and pop hotels). Most nights during the week I was able to lower the original rate. Weekends are more difficult. I also pull my trailer sometimes and take some efficient camping gear. I have found RV parks will some times let you through up your tent for as little as $5 per night, I never paid more than $20 to put up the tent and I stayed in some very nice RV parks with great showers, laundry and some even had grill/bars on site for food and drink. What I found most interesting is older retired RV'ers love to talk. I have been offered and given many free meals and drinks in my travels and enjoyed the conversations. The last trick I try while trying to make a deal with a hotel is I ask for the government rate. I am an OSHA instructor and I also have a teacher ID.When the hotel has a government rate it can be as much as 1/3 off. They always say you need an ID but have always accepted mine. These things save me a bunch every summer and have allowed me to meet many interesting people.

[robrm250]

Never thought of that. Bet, little wife would not go for that, but I been to VN and we are talking major Hotel here !!!
We have been desperate late at night though, so, it's now on our bucket list (with wife approval).
Education is POWER !! 'all/right'
Never would do it with the wife just a couple cheapskate riding buds late at night passing thru.We did have a cop in Oklahoma see us then check us out but it was raining and 2 guys on goldwings did not look too menacing he just told us leave it like we found it.

[zeus661]

Last year I rode west and found I could get a good rest at Pilot Flying J truck stops. They have a room with comfortable chairs and a TV that I actually slept about 6 hours in.

[choptop]

If anyone is in my area this summer, I have a place to stay, beer, bonfire and I might even make you breakfast before you leave. lol
Number is on the list.

[bobo116]

good thread. I happen to be trucker and know first hand that any and all truck stops (flying J, TA, Pilot, and petro) these are the big 4. all have showers. If you get 50 gallons of fuel, you get a shower free. ( not on a bike) or 13 bucks if u just want to use one. but, I save mine for when I go on bike trips, and I get free showers. They also have laundry, and drivers rooms, that people do tend to "nap" in. Trucks stops are good if in good areas.

I usualy bring a tent with me and most rv parks will take in a biker for the night, and there are lots of camp grounds out there. 5-10 bucks, you have a place to stay for the evening. most even have showers.

Hotel rooms, well, if it comes down to it, I find a hotel/motel mom and pop type place. 25-30 bucks for a bed, and a shower, and sometimes a pool. this is not a every night option.

Craigslist works at times to, however, you never know what your walking into. so be aware.

I have even stopped at rest areas and slept on a picnic table in the back. no one really bothers you. not the most comfy, but hey, if your where the weather is nice, who cares.

and bed and breaksfast places, always good. cheap, easy, and you meet some cool people.

[copper]

I found a bed and breakfast for 20 bucks a night, Motorcycle-Travel.net..hope this helps..


Thanks for posting this up, could be a new member in the Vancouver area soon!! :cheers: