Uberizing Real Estate with Zillow Offers

[Note from editor: We publish a Weekly Transmission for Geek Estate Mastermind members that consists of long form articles covering the spectrum from shipping container co-living spaces to the battle for listing acquisition in the first iBuyer world war. Below is a preview of this month’s sample Transmission, which is delivered in full via email.]

FEBRUARY MONTHLY TRANSMISSION

BY DREW MEYERS
Originally Published: February 28th, 2019

My jaw dropped when I heard Rich Barton was taking the helm of Zillow again. After all, Spencer Rascoff is an unbelievable executive and the company is the category king, with 157 million monthly users.

Zillow roots run deep for me. Back in 2005, Rich Barton was the single biggest reason I pursued a job at Zillow without any knowledge of the business or the product. As a young whippersnapper looking to soak up anything and everything about tech, business, and management, his intelligence, confidence, and presence deeply inspired me.

The company faced few setbacks, aside from the layoffs in 2008. The consumer was our north star. Rich dreamed big, Spencer kept the pieces moving, and we followed. The transition from Rich to Spencer in 2010 was the right move. At the time, Zillow needed an operator to scale.

Now, it needs a bolt of lightning.

With Zillow Offers floundering and a clear path forward uncertain, Rich offers the company its best chance to innovate its way to growth. There’s nothing quite like a founder’s passion and credibility to right a swaying ship.

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How to Get Around Southeast Asia on the Cheap

Posted: 2/28/2019 | February 28th, 2019

Southeast Asia may be a huge region — but it’s super easy to get around.

It’s well-traveled (backpackers have been following “the banana pancake trail” since the late ’60s), and there’s an extensive network designed to ensure that you can easily get from A to B.

In Hanoi and need to get to Bangkok? In Vientiane and want to go Malaysia? Or Ko Samui? No problem. Someone can arrange that.

But what’s the best way to get around Southeast Asia on a budget?

How can you go from point A to point B in the most efficient and easiest manner?

Here’s how you can travel around Southeast Asia on the cheap, with example prices and estimated travel times.

Table of Contents

1. Get Around Southeast Asia By Plane
2. Get Around Southeast Asia By Bus
3. Get Around Southeast Asia By Backpacker Bus
4. Get Around Southeast Asia By Train
5. Get Around Southeast Asia By Car/Motorbike
6. Get Around Southeast Asia By Boat/Ferry
7. Getting Around Towns
8. Distances/Times Around Southeast Asia?

Get Around Southeast Asia By Flying

This is the quickest but most expensive way to get around Southeast Asia. There are a lot of budget airlines (like Ryanair or EasyJet in Europe) in the region: Scoot (merged with Tigerair), Jetstar, and AirAsia are the biggest. Nok Air has a lot of flights within Thailand, and VietJet Air is popular in Vietnam. Lion Air serves Indonesia, but its safety record is really spotty and I would not fly them.

Here are some sample prices for some of the biggest routes:

• Bangkok to Singapore – $55 (one way), $120 (round-trip)
• Phuket City to Vientiane – $95 (one way), $180 (round-trip)
• Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok – $48 (one way), $108 (round-trip)
• Bali (Denpasar) to Kuala Lumpur – $75 (one way), $110 (round-trip)
• Siem Reap to Hanoi – $125 (one way), $169 (round-trip)
• Jakarta to Kuala Lumpur – $28 (one way), $56 (round-trip)
• Manila to Ho Chi Minh City – $80 (one way), $125 (round-trip)
• Yangon to Manila – $107 (one way), $226 (round-trip)
• Yangon to Bangkok – $45 (one way), $82 (round-trip)

If you book early, you can save on fares, as most of the airlines offer deeply discounted fare sales all the time, especially Air Asia. The best places to find cheap flights are Momondo and Skyscanner.

Keep in mind two things, though:

1. First, budget airlines all fly from smaller, more out-of-the-way airports, so be prepared to take buses or taxis there (and plan for traffic).
2. Second, all these airlines make their money by charging fees for everything, so expect baggage fees, credit card “convenience” fees, check-in fees, fees on fees, etc., etc.! If the fees add up, it can often be cheaper to fly one of the larger, more traditional air carriers, especially when you consider the main airport might be more centrally located.

All in all, I only recommend flying if you are pressed for time or find a super cheap deal.

Get Around Southeast Asia By Local or Tourist Bus

The easiest and cheapest way to travel around Southeast Asia is by bus. Buses will take you anywhere you want to go, no matter how far.

Buses are generally run by a plethora of small operators (there is no version of Greyhound here). You simply go with the operator that services the route you want to travel or with the company the tourist agency or guesthouse set you up with.

In Southeast Asia, you don’t have to plan ahead that much either. You simply show up at the bus station and buy your ticket! They use a first-come, first-serve basis but are rarely full. You don’t need to book them in advance or online — although, if I know where I’m going, I often book my bus the day before simply as a precaution. In all my years traveling this region, I’ve never shown up and been turned away.

Here are some sample fares and travel times for bus routes in Southeast Asia (in USD):

• Bangkok to Chiang Mai – $17 (10 hours)
• Bangkok to Pattaya – $4.75 (3 hours)
• Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai – $7.17 (3:40 hrs)
• Phnom Penh to Siem Reap – $12 (5:30 hrs)
• Kuala Lumpur to Singapore – $12.23 (5 hrs)
• Vientiane to Luang Prabang – $27 (10 hrs)
• Da Nang to Hanoi – $13.80 (14 hrs)
• Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh – $11 (4 hrs)
• Kuta Beach to Ubud – $6 (1 hr)
• Puerto Princesa to El Nido – $12 (5 hrs)
• Yangon to Bagan – $18.50 (9 hrs)
• Hanoi to Halong Bay – $7.35 (4 hrs)

Moreover, the backpacker trail in Southeast Asia is so well established that there is a very well-oiled “tourist bus” system here. (Usually, when you book buses from tourist agencies or guesthouses, they put you on these tourist buses.) These buses will pick you up at your accommodation or have a set meetup point in the tourist area and take you directly to your next destination.

For example, if you need to go from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, you’d buy a ticket, meet the bus (probably on Khao San Road), and enjoy the night ride up to Chiang Mai with other travelers. No stops at other bus stations — just a straight shot to Chiang Mai.

And while tourist buses are very convenient, they are also usually about 25% more expensive than the buses locals use. They generally cost $5-8 USD for a 5-6-hour journey; overnight buses are $22 USD or more depending on distance.

Get Around Southeast Asia By Backpacker Bus

There are two organized backpacker specific bus companies that serve Asia: Bamba Experience and Stray Asia. These are hop-on-hop-off buses that travel set routes across the continent.

Bamba Experience’s flexible passes start at around $600 USD for 15 days. Stray Asia’s pass is about $1,836 for a minimum of 40 days.

Personally, I’m not a huge fan of these services. You’re paying for flexibility, but it’s easy to get around the region as well as meet people, so I would skip this method of travel. Even if you’re a first-time traveler, the tourist buses can do everything these tours can do for you.

Get Around Southeast Asia By Train

Train service in Southeast Asia is basically nonexistent other than in Thailand, the only country that has an extensive train system around the country (and onward to Singapore), and Vietnam, which has a train along the coast, though it is slow and expensive compared to the bus (1,445,445 VND/$62 USD from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City instead of 695,865 VND/$30 USD).

Train prices are determined by distance and class, so the farther you go, the more you pay. Night trains with sleeper cars are more expensive than day trains: the night train to Chiang Mai from Bangkok takes 12 hours and costs 965 THB ($29 USD) for a sleeper seat, but that same train during the day is 230 THB ($7 USD).

You can travel by train between Singapore, Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Bangkok as well. It’s a long journey that will take you over a day to get there, but you can find fares for as little as $80 USD. If you’re a train enthusiast, it’s one of the most classic rides out there. If you have the time, I highly recommend the experience.

Myanmar has train service but it’s very limited. There is no website for Myanmar Railways, but the ministry of rail transportation has a schedule (don’t depend on this though — you’re better off finding out exact times at a station). You can also use 12go.asia to look up routes and buy tickets. There are trains every day between Yangon and Mandalay, with stops in Bago, Taungoo, Naypyitaw, and Thazi. This entire 15-hour route costs about 4,600 K ($3 USD) for an ordinary seat and 12,750 K ($8 USD) for sleeper class. There are a handful of other routes as well, like Yangon to Inglee Lake via Thazi.

In Indonesia, the main cities of Java (Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, Probolinggo (for Mount Bromo), and Banyuwangi (the ferry terminal for Bali)) are well linked by train, including. Economy class to Jakarta to Surabaya takes 15 hours and costs about 104,000 IDR ($7 USD), while a 9-hour executive-class trip can cost up to 1,250,000 IDR ($90 USD). Surabaya to Probolinggo (for Mount Bromo) takes 2-3 hours and costs 29,000 IDR ($2 USD) for economy or 150,000 IDR ($11 USD) for executive class. Surabaya to Banyuwangi (for Bali) takes 6-7 hours and costs as little as 56,000 IDR ($4 USD) for economy or 190,000 IDR ($13.50 USD) for executive class. You can reserve your tickets at tiket.com.

Get Around Southeast Asia By Car/Motorbike

I don’t recommend renting a car. Rental cars are expensive and the roads here are nuts. I would never drive around the region.

However, a lot of people motorbike around the area. I don’t know much about this, but Travelfish does. He’s the guru on this. Check it out here.

Get Around Southeast Asia By Boat/Ferry

While this won’t be your main way of getting around, it will definitely come into play in certain countries. If you’re exploring the islands of Thailand, for example, you’ll need to rely on boats and ferries. And if you’re backpacking around Indonesia or the Philippines, ferries will be the cheapest way to island-hop (but definitely not the fastest!).

It’s worth noting that ferries in Southeast Asia don’t often adhere to Western safety standards and lack of life jackets is an issue. Some people recommend staying on the top deck so it’s easier to quickly leave the boat if necessary.

While it’s not necessary to book in advance, it’s a good idea during peak season or on more popular routes to book your tickets the day before you plan to travel to make sure you have a spot. You can buy tickets on the ferry company’s website or via a ticket agent like 12go.asia. However, every agent or hostel or hotel can get you a ferry ticket too. It’s really simple!

Here are a few sample routes and prices to help you plan:

• Bali (Padang Bai) to Lombok – $5 (one way)
• Bali to the Gili Islands – $30 (one way)
• Koh Tao to Koh Samui – $16 (one way)
• Sihanoukville to Koh Rong – $25 (round-trip)
• Manilla to Puerto Princesa – $30 (one way)

You might also consider doing a multiday cruise on popular waterways like the Mekong River or Halong Bay. On the Mekong River in Laos, slow boats from Huay-Xai will drop you off in Luang Prabang. Slow boats take 2-3 days, stopping at guesthouses for nightly accommodation. Prices will vary depending on the quality of your tour company, but a decent tour will run you around 1,000,000 LAK ($116 USD).

Halong Bay tours from Hanoi start around 850,000-1,403,377 VND ($35-60 USD) for two-day trips and increase exponentially from there.

Getting Around Towns on the Cheap

Local buses are really your best and cheapest option when you’re traveling in town as well. Fares typically cost less than $1 (and even less if you buy multi-trip passes). All of the towns you’ll visit will have reliable, affordable public bus systems.

In some of the bigger cities (Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur), you’ll even find subways and tram systems. Jakarta and Hanoi are working on building their subway systems, but buses are still the best option in those places for now.

I normally advise budget travelers to skip taxis because they are way too expensive. But in Southeast Asia, you don’t have to always stick to this rule. Taxis and tuk-tuks (small shared taxis with no meters) are options here. They require a bit of haggling and cost more than public transportation, but they are clearly more convenient when you’re in a jam or not yet accustomed to an area.

In Singapore and Indonesia, taxi drivers do put on the meter. In Bangkok, you can get taxi drivers to use the meter, but if you’re hailing one in a tourist area, he might try to avoid using it. In Vietnam, the meter is usually rigged, but if you use a reputable company like Mai Linh, you won’t have any problems.

Grab (an Uber offspring) is a household name in Southeast Asia. It, too, is convenient, but it sometimes costs even more than a taxi. Gojek in Indonesia is a similar option. Be forewarned: If you order a Grab or Gojek, you might wind up on the back of a motorbike!

How Long Does it Take to Get Around Southeast Asia?

Here is a distance and travel-time table of how long it takes to get around Southeast Asia.

Route

Distance
(km/miles)

Air (hrs)

Bus (hrs)

Rail (hrs)

Phnom Penh –
Sihanoukville

214/133

1

5

7

Phnom Penh –
Ho Chi Minh City

230/115

1

6

N/A

Hanoi –
Vientiane

800/497

1:10

22

16

Chiang Mai –
Bangkok

688/428

1:20

10

14:40

Bangkok –
Phuket

840/525

1:25

13

N/A

Kuala Lumpur –
Singapore

350/217

1

7

7

Phuket –
Kuala Lumpur

964/599

1:30

18

N/A

Bali –
Lombok

75/46

0:30

4
(via ferry)

N/A

Yangon –
Bagan

626/390

1:15

9

17.5

Jakarta –
Bali

1,173/729

1:50

30

12
(ferry
terminal)

Vang Vieng –
Luang Prabang

183/114

N/A

6

N/A

Manila –
El Nido

613/380

1:20

10
(ferry
terminal)

N/A

Manila –
Boracay

442/275

0:55

3
(ferry
terminal)

N/A

***

In short, Southeast Asia is pretty easy to get around: take the train as often as you can in Thailand, take the train in Vietnam if you have the time, and take buses everywhere else. If you’re pressed for time, take the night trains or fly. And if you find a good flight deal, definitely fly!

Simple and easy.

As long as you do that you’ll be able to get around Southeast Asia on a budget and make the most efficient use of your time and money!

Book Your Trip to Southeast Asia: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe, so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the largest inventory. If you want to stay somewher eother than a hotel, use Booking.com, as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• World Nomads (for everyone below 70)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use — and I think they will help you too!

Looking for more information on visiting Southeast Asia?
Check out my in-depth destination guide to Southeast Asia with more tips on what to see and do, costs, ways to save, and much, much more!

Photo credit: 4

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CompCurve uses raw MLS data to provide market insight

[Note from the editor: The “Master Showcase” highlights companies and news from member of the Geek Estate Mastermind. Today’s showcase: CompCurve]

CompCurve delivers business intelligence driven by MLS data for agents, teams and brokerages to provide unparalleled market insights. Customizable reports for specific markets allow for analyzing and comparing the book of any agent to competitors instantly. They make it easy to accomplish a broad array of tasks, including looking into transactions, creating compliant market claims, listing presentations and reverse prospecting lists.

Whether you plan to recruit, prospect or coach, CompCurve gives you insight that past generations could only dream of, enabling you to work smarter rather than harder.

What we like: Their wide range of dashboard features offer detailed breakdowns of every aspect of market date, ranking from agent and office rankings to the ability to export data to tools like Excel and compare office vs. market trends.

Learn More

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What Does Globalization Really Destroy?

Posted: 2/25/2019 | February 25th, 2019

While walking down the streets of Medellín, I came across a Dunkin’ Donuts, a donut chain from my hometown of Boston. (It’s the best. Locals are quite attached to Dunkin. Don’t mess with a Massachusetts resident and Dunkin.)

As I looked at the store, a pit formed in my stomach and I got quiet and melancholy.

For days, I had been coming across Starbucks, McDonald’s, KFC, Papa John’s, and now, Dunkin’ Donuts!

Medellín had been overrun by the chains.

Another place ruined by globalization!

Another place where the local character was dying.

Or…was it? (Said in a Morgan Freeman narrator voice.)

Was that Dunkin’ Donuts really a bad thing?

Or that Starbucks I saw earlier? Or all those Papa John’s? (I mean that garlic butter sauce is amazing.)

As I continued down the street, a thought struck me: What had that Dunkin’ Donuts really ruined?

I mean the shops and stalls nearby were still full of life and brimming with customers buying snacks and coffee.

What was really bothering me?

Then it hit me.

I realized that maybe why I got sad was because what Dunkin’ Donuts really had destroyed was not Medellin but what I thought Medellin was.

As travelers, I think we tend to hate “globalization” because we imagine places to be a certain way from books, movies, and our collective cultural consciousness.

We often have this image — based on no firsthand experience — of what a destination should be like and how the people should act. We imagine deserted beaches, or quaint cafés, or rustic old towns, or gritty, worn-down cities because we saw that in a movie or read a book ten years ago. I mean, most Americans still think Colombia is teeming with narcos or that Eastern Europe is still like it was the day after the Iron Curtain fell.

We want the places we visit to fit into the box we mentally created for them. We want our image of them validated.

I mean we in part travel for a sense of adventure and exoticness. To be explorers and find spots devoid of any outside influence.

Globalization stops all that from happening.

Suddenly, we’re walking down the street — and we see a part of home.

Our illusion – the myth we created about the destination we are in – is shattered.

“Well, there’s a Starbucks. The tourists are here. This place is ruined now.”

But is that really a bad thing?

When we imagine how someplace should be — like Thai islands with little huts and empty beaches, or rural villages filled with only local food and pushcart vendors — we seek to freeze the world (and often with an air of leftover colonialism).

We forget that places aren’t Disneyland and it’s not 100 years ago. Things change. Places develop, mature, and move on. The world around us hasn’t stood frozen in time to act like our theme park. (And this doesn’t even touch the tip of the iceberg around the colonialism / Western stereotypes associated with these ideas.)

Would I rather see the world full of mom-and-pop stores and no Dunkin’ Donuts in Medellín?

On the surface, yes.

But if I really think about it, that’s because I want to escape my home, not be reminded of it. It’s because I’d like the world to match the one I see in books and movies. It’s because no one is completely immune to the views I just talked about. I’ve created a castle in the sky that I don’t want to see destroyed.

But part of the art of discovery is having your preconceptions shattered.

For example, most Americans (and maybe even most people in the world) view Colombia as this remote jungle full of coffee, crime, fruit, and narcos roaming the street. It’s gritty and dangerous.

But Colombia is nothing like people think it is. Medellín has one of the best transportation systems I’ve ever seen outside Scandinavia, and Wi-Fi is everywhere. There’s also some incredible Michelin star–worthy gastronomy taking place here. Bogotá has world-class museums. Digital nomads flock there. The roads are stellar. Many young people speak English, they are educated, and they are very informed of world events.

So, as Colombia sheds its narco past and embraces the world as much as the world embraces it, should we – I – be surprised that the guy riding in a little jeep is playing Taylor Swift, or that burgers and pizzas and gin and tonics are really popular? Should we be surprised that Colombians want a taste of the world too?

We often think of globalization as a one-way street, where the Western chains “invade” other countries. Our conversation in the West is always about how we’re ruining other places.

Yet these places don’t survive on tourist dollars alone. Locals do eat there. Who are we to tell them no?

And I often think about the reverse: when people from other non-Western cultures travel, do they have the same reaction?

Do Colombians travel somewhere and go, “Ugh, a mondongo place here? This place is ruined.”

Do Italians hate the sight of pizza on vacation?

Do the Japanese lament seeing sushi abroad?

I don’t want to see the golden arches next to the Pyramids, but is it so bad that there are some franchises in Egypt? Who are we to say, “Hey, you can’t have that. I want to imagine your country as this Arabian Nights fantasy! Get rid of that pizza place! Where are the guys on camels?”

Whether it’s a chain or just a type of cuisine, I don’t think the mingling of cultures is such a bad.

Globalization is not perfect. And, of course, its benefits aren’t balanced. People have written volumes on this subject. Let’s leave that aside. I’m not here to discuss that. I’m here to ponder globalization and our perceptions of it as travelers.

That Dunkin’ Donuts reminded me that the globalized world that allows me to be in Medellín also allows Colombians to access not only my culture but other cultures as well.

I think we need to stop viewing globalization through the myopic one-way lens of being a Western traveler.

Do we really want places to stay impoverished / secluded / unconnected so we can have an “authentic” experience based on some fantasy we have about a destination? Do we really not want the locals to experience pizza, or burgers, or Scotch, jazz music, or Thai pop, or anything else not local?

I don’t think we should look at globalization as causing a place to be “ruined.” Cultures are always in flux.

The same process that has brought unfamiliar cultures to us has also brought parts of our culture (among others) there.

When you have more cultures interacting with each other, you get to understand that everyone is a human being and shares the same wants and needs.

And I think that is something we should celebrate.

Matt’s note: Before everyone freaks out in the comments, let me be clear: I am not saying globalization is all rainbows and unicorns. There are a lot of problems with multi-national corporations, specifically, when it comes to taxes, labor, and how much money they keep in a country. There are also a lot of environmental and social problems related to outsourcing. Those are important social and economic issues that need to be addressed politically so that everyone can share the benefits of a more globalized world. I don’t deny there are problems. But this post is simply about looking at the issue from a traveler’s perspective.

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the largest inventory. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hotel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• World Nomads (for everyone below 70)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!

The post What Does Globalization Really Destroy? appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

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How to Get Around Thailand on the Cheap in 2019

Posted: 2/25/2019 | February 25, 2019

Thailand is one of the most popular backpacker destinations in Southeast Asia.

It’s also my favorite.

Of course, I’m biased.

Thailand was where I decided to quit my job and travel the world. I lived there for two years. I ran tours there. I speak the language. I feel at home there.

But that aside, Thailand remains popular some thirty years after the first hippies arrived on the “banana pancake trail” for a simple reason: it’s awesome.

The succulent food, the warm people, the postcard-perfect beaches, the lush jungles, the hot weather — Thailand is simply a wonderful place.

That said, Thailand is also a pretty big country.

What’s the best way to get around Thailand?

Well, how you will get around Thailand depend greatly on how long you’re staying. You have options!

So what should you do?

Here’s a breakdown of the best ways to travel around Thailand (including travel times) regardless of budget or the length of your stay in the country:

Table of Contents

1. Getting Around Thailand By Flying
2. Getting Around Thailand By Train
3. Getting Around Thailand By Bus
4. Getting Around Thailand By Car
5. Getting Around Thailand By Ferry
6. Distance/Times for Getting Around
7. The Bottom Line on Getting Around Thailand

 

Getting Around Thailand By Flying

Flying is obviously the most expensive but quickest way to get around. You can get pretty much anywhere in the country in two hours or less, making flying the perfect choice for people who are rushed for time.

Thai Airways is the largest (and costliest) carrier, but there are numerous budget airlines, like Thai Smile, Bangkok Airways, Thai Lion, AirAsia, and Nok Air. But avoid some of the smaller budget airlines like Orient Thai, as their safety records are pretty spotty.

Flights around Thailand generally cost 1,400-6,600 THB ($44-200 USD). Flights to the islands tend to be costlier than those between large cities like Bangkok and Phuket. Flights to Ko Samui are always more expensive than anywhere else, thanks to monopoly pricing by Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways.

Here are some sample fares (as of February 2019) so you can get an idea of how much flights cost:

• Bangkok to Chiang Mai – 780 THB/$25 USD (one way), 1,560 THB/$50 USD (round-trip)
• Bangkok to Phuket – 735 THB/$30 USD (one way), 1,311 THB/$42 USD (round-trip)
• Bangkok to Koh Samui – 3,715 THB/$119 USD (one way), 7,274 THB/$233 USD (round-trip)
• Chiang Mai to Phuket – 1,561 THB/$50 USD (one way), 2,997 THB/$96 USD (round-trip)

If you book early, you can save on fares as the budget carriers usually offer around 30-50% off tickets when they have sales — and they always have sales (especially Air Asia).

Keep in mind that each airline has different baggage fees and policies – budget airlines typically charge extra for like credit card processing (the stupidest of all fees), baggage fees, and preferred seating.

Getting Around Thailand By Train

Thailand is one of the few countries in the region with a decent rail network. It covers 2,796 miles and is one of the best and cheapest ways to get around the country.

There are three classes of travel: first class is the most expensive and is available only on night trains. Second class is quite comfortable and has softer seats, as well as air-conditioned cars. Third class is bare-bones cars, with hard seats and no A/C. However, these are the cheapest seats around! (I actually like third class, though, as you meet more interesting people and there are always vendors coming on and off selling delicious and cheap food.)

Trains here move very, very slowly. The Chiang Mai-to-Bangkok night train — a distance of only 430 miles — takes 12 hours.

Day trains are even worse, as there are frequent stops and waiting at stations for reasons I’ve never figured out.

There’s no high-speed train in this country so don’t be in a rush if you’re traveling Thailand by train!

That said, I love traveling by train in Thailand if I’m not in a rush. The trains are spacious, there’s always food and drinks available, most of the cars have A/C, vendors get on and off at each stop to sell meals, fruit, or drinks, and the scenery as you cruise through the tropical countryside is out of this world.

It’s also crazy cheap, especially if you take the day train. Heck, even the night train is super cheap! Here are some example fares for both day and night trains:

• Bangkok to Chiang Mai – 890 THB/$28 USD (day train), 1,011 THB/$32 USD (night train)
• Bangkok to Chumphon – 550 THB/$17 USD (day train), 920 THB/$28 USD (night train)
• Bangkok to Surat Thani – 858 THB/$26 USD (day train), 1,058 THB/$33 USD (night train)
• Bangkok to Ayutthaya – 30 THB/$1 USD (day train)
• Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai – 866 THB/$27 USD (day train), 1,131 THB/$35 USD (night train)
• Ayutthaya to Lopburi – 30 THB/$1 USD (day train)
• Bangkok to Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima) – 425 THB/$13.50 USD (day train), 1,010 THB/$32 USD (night train)
• Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima) to Surin – 300 THB/$9.50 (day train)
• Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima) to Ubon Ratchathani – 243 THB/$7.75 USD (day train), 593 THB/$19 USD (night train)

You can see train schedules and ticket prices on the State Railway of Thailand website (railway.co.th).

You can buy train tickets through a travel agent (there’s a slight upcharge) or directly at the train station. You can buy tickets the day of travel — there’s always space, especially on the day trains. That said, if you are looking for a bed on the night train, I would book at least three days in advance to ensure you have a reservation, especially during high season.

Getting Around Thailand By Bus

As trains don’t go everywhere in Thailand, taking the bus is your second-best option. Actually, buses are the widest form of transportation here. You can go anywhere in Thailand by bus. Though they often show bad Thai movies with the sound turned up too loud and blast the A/C, they are a comfortable and spacious ride.

If you’re taking a day bus, note that they often stop in multiple towns along the way to pick people up and drop them off, and they also pick up people by the side of the road. Don’t expect to move in an efficient or quick manner. They aren’t in a rush.

Be sure to tell them exactly where you want to go, because often there are no signs when you pull into bus stations.

There are also “tourist buses” that, while more expensive, are usually a lot more convenient. They are usually best for long distances (they tend to travel at night), and when combined with island ferry tickets (say, Bangkok to Ko Phi Phi). They are more expensive than local buses, but they are more direct, and you don’t have to worry about where you are or if it’s your stop. They usually pick up in the tourist area and drop you off in the tourist area of the next place — plus there’s no stopping to pick up other people along the way.

You can book these via the many travel agents that line the tourist areas of town.

Here are some sample fares for bus routes in Thailand:

• Bangkok to Chiang Mai – 534 THB/$17 USD (day bus), 830 THB/$26 USD (night bus)
• Chiang Mai to Pai – 150 THB/$5 USD (day bus)
• Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai – 229 THB/$7 USD (day bus), 312 THB/$10 USD (night bus)
• Lampang to Chiang Rai – 237 THB/$7.50 USD (day bus)
• Bangkok to Phuket City – 643 THB/$20 USD (day bus), 998 THB/$31 USD (night bus)
• Bangkok to Chumphon – 373 THB/$12 USD (day bus), 427 THB/$13 USD (night bus)
• Bangkok to Surat Thani – 858 THB/$27 USD (day bus), 1,058 THB/$33 USD (night bus)
• Bangkok to Hua Hin – 289 THB/$9 USD (day bus), 400 THB/$12 USD (night bus)
• Bangkok to Trat – 350 THB/$11 USD (day bus), 390 THB/$12 USD (night bus)
• Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima) to Surin – 291 THB/$10 USD (day bus)
• Surin to Ubon Ratchathani – 200 THB/$7 USD (day bus)

Getting Around Thailand By Car

Don’t rent a car in Thailand. They are expensive, and the roads in Thailand are crazy.

It’s much better to rent a motorbike and ride across the country. It’s quite a common thing to do. This is a good article to help you plan a trip.

Getting Around Thailand By Ferry

While you won’t be using the ferry to get around Thailand, it will definitely be an important mode of transportation when you’re exploring the islands. Due to the well-established travel trail, booking your ferry ride is simple and straightforward – you can often book tickets online or just show up. Most hostels and hotels will be able to help you with this if you need assistance. They will also have the most up-to-date schedules.

Here are some example routes and fares to help you plan your trip:

• Koh Tao to Koh Samui – 500 THB/$16 (one way)
• Surat Thani to Koh Phangan – 625 THB/$20 (one way)
• Phuket to Koh Phi Phi – 780 THB/$25 (one way)
• Krabi to Koh Lanta – 550 THB/$17 (one way)

How Long Does It Take to Get Around Thailand?

Trying to figure out how long it will take you to get from point A to point B? Here is a distance and time chart so you can get an idea of how long it takes to get from place to place.

Route

Distance
(km/miles)

Air (hrs)

Bus (hrs)

Rail (hrs)

Bangkok –
Chiang Mai

230/115

1:15

10

13

Bangkok –
Phuket City

840/525

1:25

12

N/A

Bangkok –
Chumpon

466/290

1

8

8:15

Lampang –
Chiang Mai

99/61

4:05*

1:45

2

Surat Thani –
Bangkok

641/398

1

11

12

Chiang Mai –
Chiang Rai

199/124

4*

3:40

N/A

Ayutthaya –
Bangkok

81/50

N/A

1:30

2

Bangkok –
Koh Samui

763/474

1:15

13-14**

13-16**

Chaing Mai –
Krabi

1,465/910

4

27

24

Bangkok –
Ubon Ratchathani

609/378

2:30

10

11

*No direct flights.
**Includes ferry

What’s the Bottom Line on Getting Around Thailand?

Trains are the best way to get around Thailand cheaply and in comfort, night buses are great for places that aren’t serviced by the train, and if you’re short on time, just fly.

***

That’s it. These are the best ways to get around Thailand. It’s pretty easy, as visitors have been traveling around here for decades and there’s an extensive network to make sure you can get from A to B no matter what!

If you have any questions, leave them in the comments!

Updated! Nomadic Matt’s Guide to Thailand

Want to plan the perfect trip to Thailand? Check out my comprehensive guide to Thailand written for budget travelers like yourself! It cuts out the fluff found in other guides and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel and save money. My guide will help you with:

• Budget advice from a budget travel expert
• Suggested itineraries with maps to help save time planning
• The best things to see and do (while avoiding tourist traps)
• My favorite non-touristy restaurants and bars
• Finding the best lodgings for your wallet, with advice from a professional budget traveler
• Transportation advice that will show you the easiest and cheapest ways to get around
• An extensive list of important information for travelers to this region
• And much more!

>>> Download my guide to Thailand <<<</a>

Book Your Trip to Thailand: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines, because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the largest inventory. If you want to stay somewher eother than a hotel, use Booking.com, as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• World Nomads (for everyone below 70)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel — and I think they will help you too!

Looking for more information on visiting Thailand?
Check out my in-depth destination guide to Thailand with more tips on what to see and do, costs, ways to save, and much, much more!

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The post How to Get Around Thailand on the Cheap in 2019 appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

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The Best Neighborhoods in London: Where to Stay When You Visit

Posted: 2/25/2019 | February 25th, 2019

I’ve always liked London, but when I visited last year something in me just clicked—and poof! I finally saw the light and came to love it.

London has a million things to do to keep you busy a lifetime over. With its amazing architecture, world-class art museums, tons of historical sites, and unique shopping experiences, what’s not to love?

What’s not to love about a city where the pubs are so small everyone just stands on the street with their pint glass?!

And from its beautiful gardens to the excitement of Piccadilly Circus, there’s just an energy that can’t be beat.

But London is huge, containing more than 8 million people and 48 neighborhoods stretching over 607 square miles.

I mean it’s HUGE.

Any city that warrants a “I survived the subway” T-shirt usually is. Stay in the wrong neighborhood and you’ll spend hours on “the tube.”

So which are the best neighborhoods and places to stay when you visit London?

That depends on a lot of things (especially what your idea of fun is).

Each neighborhood has its own charm.

So I’ll break down the best neighborhoods and accommodations in London (for travelers, according to me):

The City of London

This is technically the center of London (sometimes called “The Square Mile”), and it’s where the Romans set up a small military outpost named Londinium in 43 CE. You can still see evidence of the Romans here, including the crumbling wall on Tower Hill. Now, the area a financial district. There are several good markets here like Whitecross Street, with its large number of international food vendors; the Sunday Upmarket in the Old Truman Brewery for handmade crafts and clothing; and Leather Lane for a more traditional mix of everything from leather to tropical flowers. I like the history, quiet, and central location of this neighborhood.

Best Places to Stay in The City

• BUDGET: YHA London St Paul’s – Opposite St. Paul’s Cathedral, this was once the school for the cathedral’s choirboys (you can actually still see some of their graffiti on the walls). There’s no kitchen on-site, but there is a small restaurant and bar. It’s not a party hostel, as families often stay here. So it’s ideal for a good night’s sleep.
• MID-RANGE: Citadines Barbican London – Renovated in 2017, this hotel is comfortable, affordable, and close to the Barbican tube stop.. There are some really great restaurants nearby, like Tinseltown and Workshop Coffee, but there is also a small Sourced Market in the hotel for when you need to grab something to eat on the run.
• LUXURY: Counting House – The Counting House is actually an iconic English pub with 15 large luxury rooms above it with the most comfortable beds you’ll ever sleep in (Egyptian cotton sheets!). Some rooms come with living rooms. A free hearty breakfast is included. This is a very traditional, posh British hotel!

Kensington/South Kensington

If you have come to London to soak up British history or to indulge your love for all things royal, this is the neighborhood to be. Kensington is where London’s Museum Quarter is, including the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Science Museum, and the Natural History Museum. It’s really close to Hyde Park and the regal Kensington Gardens. I love to stroll the neighborhood and gaze at the mansion-lined streets. It’s quiet, quant, and classically British.

Best Places to Stay in Kensington/South Kensington

• BUDGET: Astor Hyde Park – This hostel is in a quiet neighborhood right off Hyde Park, and within walking distance to the Natural History and the Victoria & Albert Museums. There’s a great social vibe, and the friendly hotel staff will help you arrange tours and activities. Plus the £1 breakfast can’t be beat! I love the old wooden décor — you feel more like you’re in a home than a hostel. The dorms are huge and there’s plenty of room to sprawl out. Try to avoid the rooms on the upper floors, though, as the hostel has no elevator.
• MID-RANGE: London Lodge Hotel – You can book single rooms in this bright Victorian townhouse, while the executive rooms have more floor space and larger bathrooms. The rooms are each uniquely decorated to make them feel more like a home with colorful patterned wallpaper and carpeting, and vintage furniture.
• LUXURY: The Ampersand Hotel – The Ampersand is a luxury boutique hotel next to the South Kensington station. Each beautiful room has a different theme, like music or astronomy, and if you’re staying on the top floor, you get a great view over London. They do a posh afternoon tea in the drawing rooms and you can play ping-pong in the games room.

Mayfair

Mayfair is one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in London. Located between Hyde Park and the West End, it’s home to numerous five-star hotels, classy art galleries, and ultra-expensive shops but quiet at night. If you’re looking to stay in one of the city’s fancier and more beautiful neighborhoods, this is it!

Best Places to Stay in Mayfair

• BUDGET: Mermaid Suite Hotel – There are no hostels in this neighborhood, but the Mermaid Suite Hotel on Oxford Street is one of the best affordable options. You’ll get a private room with an en suite bathroom, satellite TV, and tea and coffee. There’s also a free continental breakfast.
• MID-RANGE: Mayfair Guesthouse – Although all the rooms in this guesthouse are private and spacious (some have balconies), most of them come with shared bathrooms. It’s a really good value property for this part of town.
• LUXURY: The Beaumont Hotel – Walking into the lobby is like stepping back into time. The walnut-paneled walls are covered in original classic paintings and photography, and all the rooms are art deco style with king-sized beds. The marble bathroom floors are heated. Take advantage of the sauna, steam room, fitness center, and hammam. If you’re going to treat yourself to dinner, try the fresh lobster at the Colony Grill. Or you can pretend it’s the 1920s and order a strong whiskey cocktail in the low light of Jimmy’s Bar.

Soho

Soho is one of London’s most vibrant neighborhoods. The former red-light district, Soho is home to hundreds of restaurants, pubs, stores, all-night coffee shops, and theaters. It’s eclectic and exciting, and London’s artistic community thrives here. I love Soho at night when the pubs here spill onto the street with folks having a pint after work. You’re a twenty minute walk from a lot of the main attractions (especially the theaters of the West End). This is one of my favorite neighborhoods in the city.

Best Places to Stay in Soho

• BUDGET: SoHostel – This large hostel (I kept getting lost in the hallways) has a rooftop “tiki”-style bar, nightly drink specials, quiz nights, live music, and karaoke. It also has a big common space with a restaurant with cheap food (like £5 pizzas) and beer. The beds are comfy, and the showers super clean. It’s one of the best hostels in London. If you book directly with them, they often have special rates.
• MID-RANGE: Mimi’s Hotel Soho – Mimi’s is a newer hotel, and its affordability is based on its tiny rooms. They come in “tiny,” “mini,” cozy,” and “lux,” but even the lux rooms are pretty small. On the other hand, there’s floor heating, specially filtered water, and really nice marble bathrooms. The hotel’s on-street bar, Henson’s, gets really busy at night.
• LUXURY: The Soho Hotel – No two guestrooms are the same at the Soho Hotel; they’re also enormous and most have floor-to-ceiling windows. There’s a well-equipped gym and even a personal trainer on-site, but if you’d rather take a book to the cozy library and read, you can do that too. There are tons of restaurants, bars, cafés, and theaters surrounding the hotel, and Oxford and Regent Streets are both just a quick walk away.

Covent Garden

Covent Garden is just east of Soho. This is the theater district and is also known for its historic indoor market and throngs of tourists. There are plenty of street performers and lots of shopping opportunities. But it’s also a quirky neighborhood with cobblestone streets, cool shops, restaurants, and a historic square. It’s also very central.

Best Places to Stay in Covent Garden

• BUDGET: Astor Museum Inn – Like the Astor Hyde Park, the dorms rooms here are pretty basic, but they aren’t overpriced, are clean, and there’s a cozy lounge and kitchen. Free dinners are also offered frequently. It’s not as quaint as the Hyde Park branch, but it is a better location.
• MID-RANGE: Strand Palace Hotel – This hotel has been around since the early 1900s, and all its rooms are built around six inner courtyards. If you want a quiet space, ask for a room overlooking the interior. There are single-room options too, if you’re traveling solo and don’t mind a small space.
• LUXURY: Fielding Hotel – The Fielding Hotel is named for author Henry Fielding, and in keeping with the period, the building has a lot of 19th-century charm. The rooms are tiny, but they come equipped with large TVs and tea and coffee facilities, and some even have claw-foot bathtubs. The hotel is located across from the Royal Opera House and just five minutes from the famous Covent Garden Market.

Shoreditch/Spitalfields

This artsy, hip neighborhood in East London is an up and coming neighborhood filled with outdoor markets, vintage clothing stores, bars, and restaurants, and it’s one of the best nightlife districts in town. The abundance of street art contrasts old industrial warehouses and dimly lit streets. Thanks to the immigrant influence here, you’re never too far from a döner kebab or a plate of Peruvian ceviche.

Best Places to Stay in Shoreditch/Spitalfields

• BUDGET: The Dictionary – The hostel itself has a great rooftop terrace, a bar for drinks, and free breakfast. There’s a big kitchen in case you want to cook too. The rooms are bare, but they’re spacious, and kept clean, and the beds are fairly comfortable.
• MID-RANGE: Brick Lane Hotel – This offers basic but very clean accommodations, including single, double, and triple rooms with en suite bathrooms. Each room has a tea and coffee station and a desk. There are only eight rooms total, so you’ll get to know your hosts quite well. The onsite Sheraz Bangla Lounge serves cheap curry and is a local neighborhood favorite, so be sure to eat here at least once!
• LUXURY: The Curtain – Every nook of this hotel has some sort of quirky design touch, whether it’s contemporary artwork or a wall-mounted stag. The rooms are spacious and come with exposed brick walls, nice seating areas, and rainfall showers. There’s a small rooftop pool, and the fitness center has daily yoga and cycling classes.

King’s Cross/Camden

These two neighboring areas are especially popular with backpackers and young Londoners. King’s Cross has a lot of hostels, and the canal banks are full of warehouses that have been transformed into restaurants and bars. Camden has always been a hot spot for the alternative crowd. Like Shoreditch, it has a lot of vintage and unusual shops (like Cyberdog, the futuristic glow-in-the-dark shop that’s also part rave). The waterside Camden Lock Market is quite famous, and you’ll definitely find some treasures here.

Best Places to Stay in King’s Cross/Camden

• BUDGET: Generator – This is Generator’s first hostel (it’s now a huge chain spread all over Europe), and it’s housed in an old police station. You can’t go wrong with this chain. Like most of their hostels, Generator London has lots of modern, upscale fixtures, a huge common area, a bar, and a restaurant (no common kitchen though). The beds are plush, but there are not many charging outlets, so you’ll have to fight for space. It’s a short walk from Regents Park, Covent Garden, and the British Museum.
• MID-RANGE: Ambassadors Bloomsbury – The rooms here are simple here. The hotel makes really good use of its space. The beds are excellent, there are blackout curtains, and the showers have strong water pressure. The hotel does a simple afternoon tea too.
• LUXURY: Great Northern Hotel – This luxury boutique hotel has been around since the 1850s. Each floor also has a pantry where you can get free snacks and treats, like home-cooked cakes, and plenty of tea and coffee. The rooms have high ceilings, walnut furniture, giant walk-in showers, and beds you’ll never want to leave.

Chelsea

Chelsea has a reputation as London’s most fashionable neighborhood. There are also some very picturesque hidden squares you can find with a little exploration, and the colorful buildings make for great photography. It’s located on the Thames, and Albert Bridge (reputably one of the “most romantic bridges in the world”) has beautiful views over London. Chelsea is pretty residential, but there are lots of galleries and shopping options!

Best Places to Stay in Chelsea

• BUDGET: Acacia Hostel – The rooms are small and they don’t have much character, but there are no more than six beds in each dorm. There’s a well-equipped communal kitchen but you’ll get free continental breakfast. It’s quiet, clean, and the Chelsea Football Stadium is a short walk away.
• MID-RANGE: Chelsea House Hotel – This 150-year-old Victorian hotel has maintained a lot of its original charm and makes for a relaxed stay right near Earl’s Court. The rooms are pretty dull, without any kind of artwork or design touches, but they’re comfortable and tidy. There’s also a free continental breakfast buffet.
• LUXURY: Blakes Hotel – Each room is different: some have four-poster beds, or enormous chandeliers, or antique furniture. The bathrooms have heated floors and soaker bathtubs. It can be a little dark for some people — there are a lot of blacks and grays — but overall it has a romantic vibe. If the weather is nice you have to get a cocktail in The Courtyard garden – there’s a ton of graffiti art and even an installation of a giant zebra.

Southwark

This historic district on the south bank of the Thames has a lot going for it. Tourists flock to the neighborhood, as it is home to the Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. There are several food markets, but Borough Market is the best, especially for foodies. You can’t miss London’s tallest, most modern building, the Shard. Make sure to take a walk along the river, as it’s a scenic route that affords great views of the city skyline. You can cross back and forth the Thames via the Tower, Millennium, or London Bridges.

Best Places to Stay in Southwark

• BUDGET: St. Christopher’s Inn at the Village – This hostel chain has eight London locations, but I like the Village venue the best — especially for being so near the Borough Market (an absolute haven for foodies). It’s also a short walk to the London Eye and Tower Bridge. This is a pretty big party place, with an outdoor terrace and a ton of social events to get you well acquainted with your fellow travelers, like regular beer pong nights and musical performances. It’s the first hostel in London to have cozy pod-style beds. They are actually super comfortable and provided one of the best sleeps I had in the city!
• MID-RANGE: The Bridge Hotel – Near London South Bank University and the Tate Modern, the Bridge Hotel has a ton of value for money. The beds are big, the linens are soft, and the shower pressure is super strong. During the week, you can access the Fitness First gym. The hotel’s classic English pub is a really nice spot to hang out, especially when there are small musical acts.
• LUXURY: H10 London Waterloo – The rooms here are bright and airy, with floor-to-ceiling windows and tons of natural light. There’s a lot of extra space, and the beds are really comfortable. Watching the sun go down from the rooftop Waterloo Sky Bar is a must-do, especially with a drink in hand. From here you can look out over the skyline and see the London Eye turning lazily in the distance.

Notting Hill

This is a really unique neighborhood, with cobblestone streets, Victorian townhouses, and plenty of quaint charm. You’ll find shop after shop with walls lined with antiques, as well as street food vendors, mom-and-pop shops, and small cafés and pubs that serve up some delicious grub. Notting Hill is really stylish! Each Saturday, it hosts the country’s largest antiques market, Portobello Road Market.

Best Places to Stay in Notting Hill

• BUDGET: Hostel One Notting Hill – This hostel is awesome. Guests get a free homemade dinner each night and can join in on organized activities (including drinking games). It’s a very social hostel with friendly staff and a good vibe. The rooms are a bit cramped and pillows a bit flat, but the vibe more than makes up for the beds! There are two locations (the other one is in Camden).
• MID-RANGE: Notting Hill Hotel – Located on a calm, tree-lined street right by the Pembridge Square garden, this is a nice boutique retreat from the city. The rooms are clean and come with your usual hotel amenities, but they’re a little colorless. The staff here are also super friendly and helpful. There is a common room and a library, and you can rent bicycles from reception.
• LUXURY: Portobello Hotel – You’ll wake up to the best breakfast ever: tea, coffee, cereal, pastries, meats, cheeses, fresh fruit…you name it! Some rooms have extra character, like round beds with feather toppers, or mattresses so high you need a set of stairs to climb in. Plus the staff brings a flask of hot chocolate to your room every night.

Clapham

For a long time, Clapham was a rundown suburb of London but, in recent years, Clapham has turned into one of those up-and-coming districts with a constantly improving list of restaurants, nightclubs, music venues, specialty shops, and more. It’s now one of the hip places to live in the city, thanks in part to the cheap rent there! And, when the sun is out, head to the Clapham Common and join the other Londoners hanging out or picnicking on the grass.

Best Places to Stay in Clapham

• BUDGET: PubLove The Crown – The main part of this hostel is actually its popular local pub that draws people from all over the neighborhood. The entire building was refurbished in 2018, so it’s a clean, fresh accommodation to lay your head after you have a few drinks at the bar. Each bed comes with individual sockets and security screens. You get discounts for food and drink as a guest.
• MID-RANGE: The Gateway Hotel – Located two minutes from the South Clapham metro spot (and also near the Clapham Common), The Gateway Hotel offers basic accommodations in all its en suite rooms. Desks and coffee/tea are provided in your room. It’s a small hotel with just 20 rooms.
• LUXURY: The Windmill on the Common – The Windmill is awesome. It’s housed in a 500-year-old British pub, with 42 individually designed boutique rooms. It’s also right on the Clapham Common. There’s a super cozy lounge with large sofas, a roaring fireplace, and even a friendly Bernese Mountain dog named Max. If you’re here on a Sunday, try their famous roast.

Paddington

Paddington is a hub for independent markets and boutique shops, and there’s a café on every corner. Spend an afternoon strolling along Praed Street and you’ll have your souvenir shopping done in no time. There are also unlimited sidewalk menu boards advertising meal specials day and night. Plus, you can wander the streets and take in the classic Georgian architecture.

Best Places to Stay in Paddington

• BUDGET: The Pride of Paddington – The Pride of Paddington has both private rooms and dorms with up to eight beds, including female-only dorms. The rooms and bathrooms are clean and tidy, but they lack a lot of personality, and there is no communal kitchen. You get a free English breakfast with your stay, and discounted deals on other food and drinks.
• MID-RANGE: Europa House Hotel – This is a family-run bed-and-breakfast that has been around since the ’70s. For a budget hotel, the beds are incredibly comfortable and luxurious. There’s not much decoration in these rooms, but they’re clean, and tea and coffee are provided.
• LUXURY: Royal Lancaster London – Every room in this luxury hotel overlooks the London skyline or Hyde Park. The most “basic” rooms have smart TVs, USB hubs, sofas, and a work area. You also get all the fun free stuff, like plush slippers and bathrobes, vanity kits, and mineral water.

***

This is by no means an exhaustive list of London neighborhoods. These are just my favorites. No matter where you stay, you’re sure to find the city an excellent destination. There’s so much — including lots of free museums and attractions — that you’ll never run out of things to do. Take it easy, pace yourself, and make sure you get to know each neighborhood.

Book Your Trip to London: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines, because they search websites and airlines around the globe, so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com, as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use it all the time.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• World Nomads (for everyone below 70)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use — and I think they will help you too!

Looking for more information on visiting London?
Check out my in-depth destination guide to London with more tips on what to see and do, costs, ways to save, and much, much more!

Photo credits: 4, 5, 8, 11, 12

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