Like many of you, I’m sure, I love to travel. I want to see as much as I can and learn from new cultures and cities.

Also like many of you, I'm sure, I don’t have a lot of money. I’m a college student doing as best as i can without throwing all of my money away.

This past summer I lived abroad in Dublin, Ireland, as part of an internship program. It was a dream come true and an absolutely perfect way for me to spend time abroad. When not at work, I spent the weekends traveling to other places in Ireland and in the rest of Europe. What could have been very expensive, I did my best to get the lowest priced option for every part of each weekend.

Lodging is something that can cost more than anything else when it comes to a weekend away, no matter where you are in the world. While hotels are very dependable and hostels are always the go-to option for young people when traveling, I wanted something in between. Hotels can get very expensive and while hostels can be great to meet new people, it can be a little uncomfortable keeping all of your things to one spot and needing to wear shower shoes like you’re living in a dorm. I wanted something that was private, inexpensive, and traveler-friendly.

That’s when I went to Airbnb.

Now this is not sponsored content from Airbnb. I just truly love it and want to share why to all of you. So here are the reasons why I fell in love with Airbnb and why you should think of it before booking your next hotel room:

Airbnb is Very Inexpensive

If it wasn’t, I wouldn’t be writing a whole article on it. Airbnb can be so inexpensive considering everything you can get in a stay. Depending on what you’d like, you can stay in an entire apartment (kitchen, living room space, bedroom, bathroom) all to yourself, for the price of a stay in a hostel. It can bring the privacy and cleanliness of a hotel while keeping the character and charm of a hostel.

It’s More Private Than You May Think

Many people think it is very odd to be staying in someone’s home and that Airbnb means that you have to stay sleep in a room right next to the person who owns this space, but this isn't true at all. While you can choose to stay in a shared space with an owner, there are many options to stay in an entire apartment or house to yourself. While I was in Europe, I stayed in six Airbnbs and none of them were shared spaces with the actual owners. In fact, many of the places I stayed in were extra houses or apartments of the owner that they never stayed in. In some instances, I never even met the owner at all. You can really control how private you want your experience to be!

Airbnb is Every Where

When traveling around to smaller towns (especially in the United States) hostels can be very scarce. The beauty of Airbnb being made up of houses and apartments means that it is pretty much everywhere in the world. Don’t think your only option is a hotel room.

You Truly Do Feel Like You Live There

I know it’s their slogan, but it’s 100% true. Hostels are a fantastic way for travelers to learn a lot about the city from walking tours and other events being hosted by the hostel, but Airbnbs can help you explore the city like a traveler instead of a tourist. Many Airbnb hosts will either meet you in person or be happy to suggest sights and restaurants in the town. Some Airbnbs will even have maps, lists of suggested restaurants, tips for getting around, and more. You can have the resources of a hotel or hostel while staying in a home!

Airbnb Can Take You to Hidden Gems of Cities

Many hostels and hotels are placed in the craziest and most touristy parts of the city. If that’s where you want to stay, go right ahead. For me though, I love to stay in safe and not-so-touristy areas. Staying in more of the residential parts of a town means that you get to see character and personality that not every other tourist gets to see. Some of my favorite bars and restaurants, for example, were the ones that I found near my Airbnb and not in the city center.

My list can go on and on. If you’re like me, once you try Airbnb, you'll can get hooked. Airbnb adds to the fun and character of any trip, and I encourage you to add more it to your next adventure.

I challenge you to be a traveler on your next trip, not just a tourist.