How to Plan your first visit to Turkey – An Ultimate Guide

How to plan your first visit to Turkey – An Ultimate Guide

Planning to visit turkey and not sure how many days are enough? And what is must to see and good to see? Let me make it easy for you.

How to get Turkish Visa

  • Getting Turkish tourist visa was never easy before. If you are resident of USA, UK, Schengen States or Ireland (or even you have a valid visa of these countries on your passports) then you can get 6-Months Tourist visa through ONLINE system. Just fill the form and pay the fees 60USD and you will receive the PDF copy of visa on your email within a minute. I personally had a USA visa on my Pakistani passport and got the online Turkish visa very easily.

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  • (For Pakistani Citizens): In case you guys don’t have valid visa’s of USA, UK, Schengen or Ireland then you have to apply to Turkish Embassy through GERRY’s Pakistan drop box visa service. You must apply for visa atleast 2 ~ 3 weeks before your actual travel to turkey. Gerry’s takes  2500 Rs other than Visa fee to provide their services.

Purchasing the Air ticket

Although the best and cheapest option is to travel through Turkish Airline however before booking your tickets through a Travel Agent, you must check cheapest flight to Turkey using online Flight search engines like SKYSCANNER.COM  or  KAYAK.COM

 

TRAVELING AROUND TURKEY

 

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ISTANBUL !! The only city in the world where you can visit ASIA and EUROPE at the same time.

 

 



Where to Stay:

If you want to experience the deep culture of Istanbul then your Hotel must be in SULTAN AHMET area. However if you want modern touch then you can get your hotel around ISTIKLAL STREET. I personally recommend Sultan Ahmet area because you would love roaming around streets of Istanbul and meeting local Turkish people and eating in local food restaurants

 

Istanbul Sultan Ahmet by beingatraveler
A street in Sultan Ahmet – Istanbul

You can book your Hotel/ Hostel through booking.com or agoda.com. I am personally using booking.com from last 6 years because they dont charge from your credit card before arrival and also their help in case of wrong charging or any dispute with Hotel is remarkable.



What Transport to be used:

Istanbul has a very well established Metro Trains and Bus system. Just buy ISTANBUL KART (Istanbul Metro card) and you can visit around Istanbul from Europe to Asian sides of Istanbul using this card. Never use Private Taxis as these are 10 times expensive. In case you are with family you should use APP Taxis like CAREEM which are much cheaper.

 

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Tram passing through a street in Sultan Ahmet

 

Day-1 | I S T A N B U L

 

Morning: Start exploring Turkey from the most iconic Sultan Ahmet Mosque which is also called Blue Mosque. I am not writing any history here. Just Go ! and Explore yourself 🙂

 

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Afternoon: Topkapi Palace/ Hagia Sofia

For Muslims, Topkapi palace is one of the best History Museum in the world. You would have a chance to see lot personal things of many Prophets and companions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) such as

  • Hair of Prophet Muhammad PBUH
  • Foot print of Prophet Muhammad PBUH
  • Sword of Prophet Muhammad PBUH (Azab)
  • Miraculous Stick of Prophet Musa (A.S)
  • Turban of Prophet Yousaf (A.S)
  • Dresses of Hazrat Imam Hussain R.A and Hazrat Fatima R.A

Don’t forget to visit the backside of Topkapi where you would see amazing scenic view of River Marmara

 

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Useful Info

Topkapi Palace Timings:   9:00 AM to 04:30 PM
Topkapi Entrance: 40 TL (Turkish Lira)
Hagia Sofia (Aya Sofia) Entrance: 40 TL
 

 

Evening  should be spent in Istiklal Street/ Taksim Square , one of the most happening and lively street in the world. You would love walking, shopping, eating and specially THE ISTIKLAL TRAM. I would always love to spend evening in Istiklal street.

 

 

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Day-2 | I S T A N B U L

 

Morning: Grand Bazaar

Grand Bazaar (constructed in 1455 AD) in Istanbul is one of the largest covered markets in the world with 04 Gates, 60 streets and 5,000 shops. In Turkish it is named as Kapalıçarşı, meaning ‘Covered Market’

Useful Info

Opening Times: Monday to Saturday  9:00 – 19:00 hrs
The Grand Bazaar is around 15 minutes walk from the Aya Sofya/Blue Mosque area.
 
 
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Afternoon: Spice Bazaar

I could not visit Spice bazar during my first visit to Istanbul. However lot of people recommend it and I would definitely visit spice bazar during my next visit.

 

Evening: Bosphorus Cruise and Dance Dinner

This is must to experience! You can book this tour through any tour operator in Istanbul however if you want it cheap, directly go to KABATASH PIER and book your tour from ticket window. It includes dinner, Turkish girls dance, Sufi Dance at bottom deck and then Turkish Belly dance at the Top Deck of cruise.

Useful Info

Timing: 7.30 PM to 10.30 PM

Dinner Cruise Ticket:  120 TL (You will get expensive rates if you book it through tour agents)

 

 

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Day-3 | I S T A N B U L

 

Morning: Buyuk Ada – Prince’s Island

Lets relax today and have a visit to famous Prince’s Island. You can take the Ferry from KABATASH PIER that will drop you at Buyuk Ada island. Don’t forget to taste delicious 5-Scoops ice cream there. You must know that no fuel car/ motorbike is allowed in Buyuk Ada. You can only roam around beautiful streets either renting a Horse Carriage or Riding on a bicycle. If you are young and have enough time then Cycling is recommended.

Useful Info

Ferry Fare (one side) = 7.5 TL
Bicycle Rent = 10 TL for one hour and 20 TL for full day
 

 

 

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Late Afternoon: Asian side of Istanbul

Take the Marmara Metro Train (which travel under the sea) from EMINONU station and travel from Europe to Asian side of Istanbul. You would love walking along Marmara and beautiful view of Bosphorus Bridge that is connecting Europe and Asia in air.

 

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(Standing at Asian side, lookiking towards Europian side)

 

 

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IMPORTANT! Everything related to your Kapadokya tour should be “pre-booked” from Istanbul.  Otherwise you will waste your time in managing things after arrival.

Travelling to Kapadokya

  1. BY AIR: If you have less time in turkey (and also you can afford it) then you should take flight from Istanbul to NEVSEHIR or KAYSERIA Airports (as Kapadokya has no airport). From there your hotel van will pick you and take you to Goreme town in Kapadokya
  2. BY BUS: If you are on budget travel then you should take a night bus from Istanbul main Bus station. As i was traveling solo so i chose this option.

Useful Info

Bus Starte at: 9:00 PM and reach at: 07:45 AM (Nevsehir Main Bus station)
Then further 1 hour travel to your hotel in  Goreme Caves Valley
Bus Fare: 65 TL
 
 

Where to stay in Kapadokya

Kapadokya is a valley of Fairy chimney having caves. Make sure you experience your stay in a Cave Hotel. However you should always pre-book your hotel before leaving for Kapadokya because you need their pickup service at Airport or Bus station which is 1 hour away from Goreme Valley of Kapadokya.

Day-4 | K A P A D O K Y A

Red Tour: After your arrival, you would be taken to Red tour which includes visiting ancient times  Cave City. The reason of calling this tour “Red” because chimney rocks gives reddish shades.

Useful Info

Tour Avg Booking Price: 100 ~ 120 TL
Tour Timings: 9.30 AM to 04:00 PM
 

 

 

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Day-5 | K A P A D O K Y A

Hot Air Baloon: Next day you will be picked early morning before sunrise and will taken for amazing Hot Air Baloon ride.

Useful Info

Balloon ride cost = 75 ~ 100 Euro
Pickup time from Hotel: 04:00 AM
Flight time: 1 hour (5:00 AM to 6:00 AM)
Drop off back to Hotel: 07:00 am
 

 

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Green Tour: After coming back from Hot Air balloon , you will be taken to Green Tour at 0930 hrs. This includes visiting under ground city and Ihlara Valley and Selime Cathedrale. This tour is called “Green” because you would see more greenery and trees in this tour as compared to Red Tour

Useful Info

 Green Tour Cost = 100 ~ 120 TL
Timing: 09:30 AM to 06:30 PM
 

 

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NOTE: Red and Green are the most famous tours in Kapadokya however it has another tour named as BLUE TOUR. If you are staying another day in Goreme valley then you must take this tour aswel

 

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Day-6 | F E T H I Y E

Getting there: You can travel from Kapadokya to Fethiye using Night Bus. These buses starts in the evening at center of Goreme Valley nearby all hotels and arrives at Fethiye in the early morning.

 

Useful Info

Bus Fare = 70 TL
Bus starts from Kapadokya : 07:00 PM and arrives Fethiye next day at 06:30 AM
 

 

Paragliding: Although Fethiye is a beach city but I recommend visiting this place to experience adventurous Para-gliding flight over an amazing landscape. You can book it from your Hotel reception. The tour includes Pick/ drop , Paragliding jump, official Pictures and Videos (they do not allow to take your personal camera)

 

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Useful Info

Price = 250 ~ 340 TL (depends on season to season)

Pickup time from Hotel: 04:30 PM

Arrival at Jump location: 05:45 PM

Total Para-gliding time: 30 ~ 40 min

Drop off back to your hotel: 07:30 PM

 

 

OPTIONAL Day: Visiting Saklikent Gorge

If you have an extra day or time other than para-gliding then you must visit this place. You have to walk through knee high cold rushing water stream and then you walk along the gorge.

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Useful Info

Getting there: Using local van from Fethiye bus stop to Saklikent

Van fare: 11 TL (one side)

Travel time: 1 hour (one side)

Entrance ticket for Saklikent = 6 TL

 

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Day-7 | P A M U K K A L E

 

Getting There: Take evening bus from Fethiye at 1800 hours and you will arrive Pamukkale at 10:30 PM in 55 TL. Make sure your next day tour is already booked which should cover visiting Hierapolis and Thermal Pools

Morning: Visit Hierapolis

Hierapolis (Holy City in Greek) ruins are UNESCO World Heritage site, adjacent to Pamukkale Thermal pools. You must read its details HERE before visiting.

 

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Afternoon: Visit Thermal Pools

Pamukkale, meaning “cotton castle” in Turkish, is a natural site having hot springs (natural hot water due to underground volcanic activity) and terraces of white colored carbonate minerals left by the flowing water. There are 17 hot water springs in which the temperature ranges from 35 °C (95 °F) to 100 °C (212 °F)

 

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Useful Info

Tour Cost = 100 TL (Includes Pick and Drop + Hierapolis and Thermal Pools entry tickets and a Guide)

Tour timing : 0930 AM to 4:00 PM

Shoes are not allowed while entering in Thermal Pools

(You can go to both places on your own too however it will waste lot of your time in managing transport etc)

 

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Getting There: You should book your travel from Pamukkale to Izmir through tour agent (within 40 ~ 50 TL). The van will pick you in the evening and will drop at your Izmir hotel in the night. Izmir is 4 hours away from Pamukkale.

Visiting Ephesus

Ephesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an ancient Greek city built in the 10th century BC, three kilometers southwest of present-day Selçuk in Izmir.

 

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Useful Info

Ephesus Tour cost = 100 ~ 120 TL

Tour Timing: 09:30 AM to 0:30 PM

OPTIONAL CITIES

You can always customise your tour and can include cities/places like Antalya, Konya, Bodrum etc

 

 

Turkey Travel Video Highlights

 

 

 

Plan your Tour with Ibrahim

 

If you want your customize tour then do contact my friend Ibrahim in Istanbul. He provides Travel, Tours and accommodation services throughout Turkey.

Ibrahim rocktown travel turkey beingatraveler bilalazam

Ibrahim Whatsapp: +905316548393

Email: sarikuzuibrahim@gmail.com

Note: Do not forget to mention my reference while contacting him so that he can give you special discount

 

Disclaimer: All images used in this blog are my personal and subject to copyright

 

PICTURES THAT WILL INSPIRE YOU TO TRAVEL SRI LANKA

 

I visited Sri lanka in July 2016 and found that this country has lot of Tourism potential as it has History, Culture, Strong religious following, Mountains, Beaches, Hikes and the cool monsoon weather. What i like most in Sri lanka was its untouched Natural Landscapes, the hospitable people and the Greenry all around.

Whenever i recommend people in my circle to visit Sri Lanka then they usually ask: What is there in Sri Lanka ? Is there any thing special? Is it really worth going?

Well ! to answer those friends and to inspire them to travel this beautiful yet very cheap part of the world,  i am sharing few of the best pictures taken during my Travelography in Sri Lanka

 

Sitting at Galle Fort Edge - beingatraveler.com - bilal azamSitting at Galle Fort Edge

Nuwara Eliya Tea Garden - beingatraveler.com - bilal azamPlucking Tea leaves in Nuwara Eliya Tea Mountains

Nuwara Eliya Tea GardensNuwara Eliya Tea Gardens

 

Lover's Leap Water Fall - Nuwara Eliya - beingatraveler.com - bilalazam
Lover’s Leap Water Fall – Nuwara Eliya
 
Sigiriya Lion rock Sri lanka - beingatraveler
Visiting Sigiriya Lion Rock – Sri Lanka
Sigiriya Lion Rock - At the Top - beingatraveler.com
Sigiriya Lion Rock – At the Top

 

Sigiriya Lion Rock Sri Lanka - Views beingatraveler.com
Sigiriya Lion Rock Sri Lanka – Views

 

Ramboda Water Fall - Nuwara Eliya - beingatraveler.com - bilal azam
Ramboda Water Fall – Nuwara Eliya
Moon Plains - Nuwara Eliya - beingatraveler.com - bilal azam
Walking at the top of Moon Plains – Nuwara Eliya
Gregory lake - Nuwara Eliya - beinga traveler.com
Gregory lake – Nuwara Eliya
Lover's Leap Water Fall - Nuwara Eliya - beingatraveler.com - bilalazam
Lover’s Leap Water Fall – Nuwara Eliya
Gregory lake - Nuwara Eliya - beinga traveler.com
Gregory Lake – Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya - beingatraveler.com - bilalazam
Early Morning Sun Rise – Nuwara Eliya
 
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HOW TO VISIT SIGIRIYA LION ROCK USING LOCAL TRANSPORT (BY BUS)

 

Traveling to new and exciting destinations is one of life’s greatest pleasures. It allows us to immerse ourselves in new cultures, try delicious food, and explore breathtaking landscapes. For those who have a thirst for adventure, Sri Lanka is a must-visit destination, and Sigiriya Lion Rock is an experience that should not be missed. I recently stumbled upon a nice blog that chronicled one traveler’s journey to the top of Sigiriya Lion Rock and was inspired to add it to my own bucket list.

As I delved into travel blogs, one particularly caught my attention, chronicling a thrilling journey with LYA tours through the enchanting islands of Hawaii. The traveler’s tales of exploring hidden waterfalls, partaking in traditional luaus, and snorkeling in crystal-clear waters sparked my imagination and deepened my desire to embark on a similar adventure. With LYA Tours as the guide, the promise of discovering Hawaii’s hidden gems and immersing oneself in the local culture becomes an irresistible call to add this tropical haven to the ever-growing list of must-visit destinations.

Visiting lesser-known destinations and uncovering hidden gems can truly enrich your travel experiences. If you too wish to explore hidden treasures of Sri Lanka that you won’t find on other websites, make sure to visit this page and embark on a journey of discovery. Sri Lanka, with its diverse landscapes, historical wonders, and warm hospitality, offers a plethora of opportunities for such discoveries. While popular attractions are worth a visit, it’s often the off-the-beaten-path places that leave the most lasting impressions. Whether it’s a secluded beach, a tranquil temple, or a charming village, these hidden treasures hold the potential to transform your trip into an extraordinary adventure.

Just like Shri Lanka, Connecticut is a state full of history, culture, and natural beauty. Connecticut may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of travel destinations, but it has a lot to offer, From the quaint coastal towns to the vibrant cities, there is something for everyone. You can learn more about all the amazing things Connecticut has to offer by visiting the website. If you’re planning a trip to Connecticut, be sure to explore the state’s rich history by visiting the Mark Twain House and Museum or the Mystic Seaport Museum. For outdoor enthusiasts, there are countless parks and trails to hike, bike, or kayak. And of course, no trip to Connecticut would be complete without trying some of the state’s famous seafood. 

Sigiriya Lion Rock: In July 2016 I traveled through Sri Lanka for one week, on my first ever Solo Backpack Adventure across the beautiful and untouched landscape. Of all the hikes and adventures, SIGIRIYA was highlight of my trip in Sri Lanka

History

Sigiriya (Lion Rock) is an ancient rock fortress located near the town of Dambulla in the Central Province, Sri Lanka. According to the ancient Sri Lankans, this site was selected by King Kasyapa (in 4th Century) for his new capital. He built his palace on the top of this rock and decorated its sides with colorful paintings.

He built a gateway in the form of an enormous LION. The name of this place is derived from this structure —Sīhāgiri, the Lion Rock. The capital and the royal palace was abandoned after the king’s death. It was used as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century.

Sigiriya today is a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site. It is one of the best preserved examples of ancient urban planning.

VISITING SIGIRIYA BY LOCAL TRANSPORT FROM KANDY (BY BUS)

Travel Time: 4 hrs. (one side)

What to wear: T-Shirt, Shorts, Hat

Things to take: A Backpack, Enough water for hydration, Camera




1. Leaving from Kandy

Visiting Sigiriya Lion Rock by bus is cheap and easy. In order to avoid hike during peak hot time, you must take the earliest possible bus from Kandy Bus station which is at 5:30am. I missed that early morning bus and then had to wait for 2 hours to catch the next bus at 7.30am so better to wake-up as early as possible to catch 5.30am bus

2. Bus Journey from Kandy to Sigiriya

The bus fare is 120 Rs (1.0 USD) and it takes almost 4 hrs from Kandy to drop you at Sigiriya Bus stop. Below image is the exact location where the bus will drop you.

Sigiriya Lion Rock - Bus Drop Off Point - beingatraveler.com
Sigiriya Lion Rock – Bus Drop Off Point

 

3. From Bus-stop to the Ticket-Booth

After getting off the bus you have to walk about 1.5km to the parking area and then take left and walk along the water channel

Sigiriya Lion Rock
Sigiriya Lion Rock – Water Channel

 

After almost 15 min walk you will reach at ticket booth

Sigiriya Lion Rock - Ticket Booth - beingatraveler
Sigiriya Lion Rock – Ticket Booth 

 



4. Purchasing Entry tickets to hike Sigiriya Lion Rock

The entrance ticket to hike Sigiriya rock is of 30 USD (4260 Rs) for adults and 15 USD for kids. However if you are from a SAARC country (i.e; Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Maldives) then you can get the 50% discount but it is not mentioned anywhere at the booth.

Sigiriya Lion Rock - Ticket Booth - beingatraveler.com
Sigiriya Lion Rock – Ticket Booth

 

Drama Scene:

I was not aware that Sigiriya has a “paid” hike so i reached there with only 3000 Rs in my pocket as i kept rest of my cash in Hostel Locker. If I wouldn’t from Pakistan, I could not have made this hike.I told the lady at counter that I have traveled about 4 hours all the way from Kandy and now have shortage of cash to purchase the ticket. The lady looked at my face and asked Are you Indian? . I said, No, Pakistani! Then she asked for the proof. Luckily I had my passport photocopy and original international license in my backpack at that time. After confirmation she told Sir! As you are from a SAARC country so you are allowed to enter by paying only half ticket. 🙂

Sigiriya Lion Rock Sri Lanka - Half Ticket for SAARC
Sigiriya Lion Rock Sri Lanka – Half Ticket for SAARC

 

5. Hiking Sigiriya Lion Rock

Going from Ticket booth to the top of the Lion rock takes almost 1 hour. It has straight path as well as rock constructed stairs which has almost 1200 steps. If one is hiking in the forest they usually prefer to buy 5.56 ammo online for safety.

Sigiriya Lion Rock - Hike - beingatraveler.com
Sigiriya Lion Rock – Going to the Top

 

Sigiriya Lion Rock - Beingatraveler - bilal azam
Sigiriya Lion Rock – HIking

As you ascend to the top you will see stunning views of greenry, cloudy sky, with high speed wind and a Bid Budha statue visible in the mid of the jungle.

Sigiriya Lion Rock Sri Lanka - Views beingatraveler.com
Sigiriya Lion Rock Sri Lanka – Views in the middle

 

After a hike of 30 min you will see the Mirror wall (which was used by King to see his reflection) and the paintings on the wall of the rock from the 4th century. It has a special spiral steel structure to climb and see those paintings.

Sigiriya Lion Rock - Mirror Wall and Paintings - beingatraveler.com
Sigiriya Lion Rock – Mirror Wall and Paintings

 

After climbing half of the rock, you will reach at that iconic LION PAWS which was the gateway to the King’s palace.

Sigiriya Lion Rock - Beingatraveler - bilal azam
Sigiriya Lion Rock

 

Climbing Lion Rock - beingatraveler bilal Azam
Climbing Lion Rock

Further going up through stair will take you at the top of the Lion Rock where once King Kasyapa had his Palace. All the way around 360 degrees you would love the stunning landscape. I had lot of photos at the top but here is my favorite one.

Sigiriya Lion Rock - At the Top - beingatraveler.com
Sigiriya Lion Rock – At the Top

 

6. Coming Back to Kandy

Coming back from Sigiriya to Kandy was not same. There was no direct bus as before and I had to exchange 2 buses. So come to the same bus stop where you were dropped in the morning. The bus comes every 30 min. The First bus will take you from Sigiriya to Dambulla Town Bus Stop in 40 minutes and will charge 40 Rupees (0.25 USD). From there you have to take a 2nd bus to Kandy which takes around 3 hrs to drop you at Kandy Bus station in 90 Rupees (0.60 USD)

WHY AIRBNB IS BETTER THAN STAYING IN HOTEL

7 REASONS WHY AIRBNB IS BETTER THAN STAYING IN HOTEL

While traveling abroad, one usually find Hotels with leisure facilities along with as cheap as possible rent but unfortunately both can’t go hand in hand. On the other hand there is a new way of staying abroad during your vacations or business trip i.e

“Staying at Local people own Homes”

Airbnb is a short name of “Air-bed and breakfast”. It is an online marketplace that enables people to list their personal homes/ apartments or Rooms on this website so that guests can find and rent vacation homes for a processing fee. The website has over 1,500,000 listings in 34,000 cities and 192 countries

I used to stay in Hotels during my earlier travels, but since when one of my friend introduced AIRBNB, I would always prefer to book my stay through AIRBNB instead of staying in Hotels.


Click here to get Free 20$ for your first stay through AIRBNB.    

being a traveler - beingatraveler.com


Here are the 7 reasons why i feel that AIRBNB is better than staying in Hotel

1. Feeling of a HOME

One of the best thing while staying through AIRBNB is that you get HOME feeling while staying away from home. The architecture, map and all the amenities gives you the relax and casual experience of a home. Be assure that you won’t get any housekeeping services like a hotel  

airbnb Beingatraveler.com

My Airbnb in Las Vegas

2. Free Extra facilities

You would get extra facilities while staying in someone’s home like if your Airbnb has Kitchen then you can make your own daily breakfast and meals which will be otherwise very costly if you eat from a Hotel or c café. Also if you are on a budget tour and traveling with minimum clothes then you must select an  Airbnb home which have Laundry facility so you can wash your clothes as required.

While i was Preparing Breakfast in my Airbnb

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3. You get inside culture of the city

Although with the success of Airbnb, people have also rent out their Hotel rooms, Hostels on Airbnb but I always prefer to live in someone house because it always situated away from touristy places. When you live in housing colonies of different cities then only you can get the closure look of their culture, how they live and how differently they live as compared with you.

4. You Make new friends abroad

This is my favorite one ! Right from booking your Airbnb space on internet you start making new friend and after arriving you develop a new relationships and new friends during your stay.

beingatraveler.com bilal azam

5. Locals can guide you better than tour operators

I booked through Airbnb for my parents 1st Holiday trip in Singapore. The Host was so helping that he not only helped to use local transport but also guided how they can see famous attractions by spending less. Sometimes locals also help you in buying cheap tickets because many attractions worldwide offer cheap rates for Locals and expensive for foreigners.  

6. Incredible and unique rentals

This is something that you can experience only through Airbnb. People with creative mind and having love with art have made some unique houses all over the world like Tree Houses, Abandoned Ship house, Boat House and you can find budget options like a camp on a roof

7. Meet other nationalities at Multi rooms AirBNB

Some hosts rent all of their rooms of house on Airbnb and thus running a full time business like a Hostel. So when after check-in, you get a warm welcome from other fellows of different countries. You make a group of friends and then explore the city along with them.