When I first started this nomadic life, one thing really surprised me. Staying in hotels and furnished apartments around the world full time was actually much cheaper than renting or owning a home in the United States.
And the best part is everything is included. I do not have to think about electricity, water, internet, or any extra bills. It is all built into one price, which makes life a lot simpler.
That realization changed everything for me. It was a big reason why I decided to give up my condo in the U.S., sell my furniture and car, and fully commit to this lifestyle. Instead of spending a lot just to stay in one place, I now use that same money to live in different parts of the world and experience new places.
After doing this for years, I’ve figured out a few simple things that keep my accommodation costs low. If you are curious, keep reading.
Pick Safe, High-Quality Cities with a Low Cost of Living for Longer Stays
One thing that made a big difference for me was choosing cities where I can live well without spending a lot.
Instead of moving too often, I usually stay 1 to 3 months in places that offer a good balance of cost, comfort, and daily life.
Some places that worked really well for me:
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Penang (George Town), Malaysia
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Hua Hin, Thailand
- Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (Only District 2, Thao Dien Area)
- Danang, Vietnam
- Nha Trang, Vietnam
- Bali, Indonesia
- Osaka, Japan
- Busan, South Korea
- Antalya, Turkey
These places are not just affordable. They are comfortable to live in.
You can find good apartments, reliable internet, decent food, and everything you need for day-to-day life.
Staying longer in places like these helps reduce costs, avoid burnout, and makes full-time travel feel more stable.
Start With a Short Stay, Then Look for Short-Term Apartments in Person
One thing I often do is book a hotel for the first few days when I arrive in a new city. This gives me time to get familiar with the area before committing to a longer stay. Once I settle in a bit, I go out and look for short-term apartments in person. This way, I can see the neighborhood, check if the location feels right, and look at the actual apartment before agreeing to anything. It has helped me avoid places that looked good online but didn’t feel right in person.
Stay Longer to Get Discounts
One of the easiest ways to save money is to stay longer in one location. Many booking platforms, like Airbnb, offer discounts if you book a place for 28 days or more. It’s a great way to cut costs, especially if you want to take your time exploring the city. To avoid any issues, be sure to read reviews from past guests and, if possible, book with a Superhost. Superhosts are experienced and have a good track record, so you’re more likely to have a smooth stay.
Stick with One Booking Platform
I recommend sticking with one hotel booking platform (like Booking.com). The reason? You can build up a status and earn perks. For example, if you get to Level 2 or 3 on Booking.com, you can score 10-20% off a lot of hotels. Plus, they might offer other sweet benefits like free room upgrades or early check-ins.
Negotiate Directly with the Owner for Your Next Stay
If you stayed at a place, liked it, and plan to return, consider reaching out to the owner directly next time. Booking through a platform usually includes extra fees, so you might be able to get a better price by booking with them directly. It’s always worth asking!
Join Expats Groups for Local Tips
Facebook expat groups can be a great resource when looking for a place to stay in a new city. Join trusted groups for the city you’re visiting and ask locals or long-term residents for recommendations. Just be careful because scams are out there, so only use well-known and reliable groups.
Use Hyatt Points and World of Hyatt Loyalty Program
The Hyatt loyalty program is my favorite hotel program because they do not use dynamic pricing for award bookings. Hyatt uses an award chart with fixed point rates, which makes it much easier to plan and find great value compared to other hotel chains that change their point prices all the time. If you have a Chase Sapphire Reserve, you’re in luck. You can transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Hyatt and get some amazing deals. For example, you can book a room in a high-cost city for as low as 3000 Hyatt points if you travel during the off-season. The 3000 point rate is for Category 1 hotels during off-peak nights. It is a great way to save a lot without paying out of pocket. On the Hyatt booking site, you can check each hotel’s calendar to find dates when rooms are available for just 3000 points. The best part is that when you book a room with Hyatt points, you usually get free cancellation, so you can change your plans without worry.
Unfortunately, Chase reduced the transfer ratio to Hyatt from 1:1 to 4:3, effective June 15, 2026, for new Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders and October 1, 2026, for existing cardholders. This means that every 10,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points now convert to 7,500 Hyatt points. Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders still receive the 1:1 transfer ratio.
Use IHG Points & Keep an Eye Out for Points Sales
IHG has a lot of good hotel options in Southeast Asia, which is where I spend most of my time. If you have the Chase IHG Premier card, you get a perk where if you book 4 nights with points, you get the 4th night free. This helps stretch points a lot, especially for longer stays. The nice part is that this benefit keeps working for even longer trips. For example, if you stay 8 nights, you get 2 nights free, and if you stay 16 nights, you get 4 nights free. Also, IHG sometimes runs 100 percent bonus deals when buying points. I just keep an eye out for those and grab them when they show up. When the numbers work out, buying points during one of those promos and using them for stays can end up being cheaper than paying cash. Another thing worth mentioning is that once you stay 40 nights in a calendar year with IHG, you get free lounge access, and those 40 nights do not have to be consecutive.
For a deep dive into exactly how I use IHG points to get maximum value as a full-time traveler, including when to buy points, how to stack bonuses, and how I build elite status on a budget, read my post: How I Get Insane Value From IHG Points as a Full-Time Traveler.
Travel Off-Peak to Save More
Since you’re full-time traveling, you have the luxury of being flexible with your plans. Use that flexibility to your advantage and avoid traveling during peak seasons. Not only will you find cheaper rates on accommodations, but the places will also be less crowded, a win-win!