Couchsurfing

You are an adventurous traveler looking for a cheap accomodation? Hotels are too fancy, but hostels are too crowded for you?

There is a whole community  of like-minded who take part in a concept called couchsurfing. Basically, you offer strangers who are looking for accomodation a place to stay for the night - usually a convertible couch. The couchsurfing website works like a social media site, where you can create your profile and add details about yourself, the place you live in, and the people you would like to host. You can meet other couchsufers in your area to talk about your experiences, offer your couch to travelers or look for a place to sleep while you are travelling.

I have never tried couchsurfing myself because even though it states that it is safe, it seems too dangerous when you are a woman travelling alone.

There are a number of alternatives to couchsurfing:

Air B&B, for example, can be a cheap alternative to hotels. Again, someone offers you a place to sleep (sometimes their whole apartment!), but you pay to stay with them exactly as if you were staying in a hotel. It seems a lot more trustworthy than couchsurfing, but the difference is that it is not free.

An unorthodox alternative is HelpX. HelpX is an online listing of host organic farms, non-organic farms, farmstays, homestays, ranches, lodges, B&Bs, backpackers hostels and even sailing boats. In the typical arrangement, the helper works in these places for an average of 4 hours per day and receives free accommodation and meals for their efforts. It seems to be a great way to gain practical experience and get to know new cultures.