I’ve had my fair share of “interesting” hotel accommodations. There was the time baboons entered the room unexpectedly, when I pretended to be a rock star in Miami, what I did when I had a five-star lobby to myself and when I was the only person staying at the hotel.  And while hotels are easy to book, somewhat predictable and generally comfortable, renting an apartment is a worthwhile endeavor you seek out on your next adventure – where ever it may be. And for that, I use Craigslist.

How to Find a Room on Craiglist

I’ve used Craigslist twice to book rooms in Amsterdam (2005) and Paris (2008) and have found success on both occasions. Simply put, Craigslist is an online classified ad listing service. You can find jobs, furniture and housing on Craigslist, amongst a variety of other products and services.

But to find housing for your next vacation, follow these steps:

1. Visit the main homepage of Craigslist
2. Choose the continent, country and metro area you would like to visit
3. Scan the “housing” header and click on “vacation rentals” (if the page is written in a different language, you can select English in the right-hand margin)
4. Browse your listings and send the lister an email if you’re interested
5. Repeat daily as new listings are posted everyday

Why Book with Craigslist

I really enjoy booking with Craigslist for a number of reasons. In no particular order…

Location, Location, Location

The photos you’re seeing in this post were taken during my trip to Amsterdam. My apartment was located a short train ride from the city-centre, in quiet, residential district. It was convenient, had great public transport access and peaceful.

Conversely, while traveling in Paris, I found an apartment two blocks away from the Louvre. It was in the middle of the city, adjacent to a metro stop and had a great view of the hustle and bustle of Paris on a busy day.

Whether you prefer something off-the-beaten path, or in the heart of the action, Craigslist generally has something for everyone.

Amenities You’ll Appreciate

As the saying goes, there’s no place like home. But if you find yourself an apartment, it’ll feel like you’re going home every night! Depending on where you’re renting, you can expect a full kitchen, bedroom and if you’re lucky, washers and dryers for your laundry! You can go grocery shopping, cook your own meals and relax on a sofa or bed to call your own.

Great Value

To be clear, you’ll find rooms on Craigslist catering to all budgets. But depending on the season you visit and how long you stay, you can find some deals that hotels can’t beat! My studio apartment in a prime location in Paris cost less than $100/night! Hotels in the area were charging double that!

Meet Locals/ Like Like Locals

Chances are, your apartment owner will meet you upon arrival and show you around. They’re great at sharing information about the local area, where to go, what to avoid and how else they can make your stay more comfortable. You’ll learn some of the local culture and if you’re lucky, make a few friends or two.

Tips to Verify the Authenticity of Your Booking

The first time I thought about using Craigslist to book my room I was a bit apprehensive. What if the posting is a fake? What if they take my money and run? What if? What if? What if? In both instances, every worry was for naught. But to help ease your concerns, here’s a few tips to (hopefully) prevent you falling victim to an online scam.

Ask Lots of Questions

When you make your initial contact to the owner, ask lots of questions about the apartment, area transportation and other basic needs. Are the answers well written? Descriptive? Do they offer additional insight that would be helpful? If the owner truly cares about your business, they’ll be as thorough and prompt with helping you out. Also, get a phone number.

Friend Them on Facebook

Find out their real name and friend them on Facebook (or at the very least, stalk them in a not-so-creepy way). I was renting from a college student in Paris and discovered his schedule, routine, interests and habits. I saw him as a more, real person than just a mysterious email on a screen.

Your owner may not want to friend you, and that’s okay too, but if they do, you’ll at least be able to build the relationship ahead of time.

Be a (Small) Pest

Once you’ve made your booking. Continue conversing with your owner. Confirm travel plans, confirm how payment should be made, confirm answers to some of your questions. Spread these emails out over several weeks so that you’re not forgotten. Call a few days prior to your meet-up date to (a) confirm they gave you a real phone number and (b) confirm plans.

Pay Upon Arrival

Never send money in advance, just in case. Most arrangements require cash on arrival. Only pay once you’ve received your key and inspected your accommodation. Be sure you have a copy of your emails that clearly states what you’ll be paying for and for how long.

Have a Backup Plan

On the rare occasion that you arrive in the country only to find that you’ve been duped, always know of a few hotels in the area that you could make a reservation with. That will save you from having to search for hotels on site.

Try it Once

Our gut instinct often tells us that booking in such an informal way is risky and can’t be trusted. And while there’s a kernel of truth to that, the reality is that the majority of the world is not made up of con artists. The majority of the world is full of people like you and me. People, like in Amsterdam, who have a daughter in school overseas that rent out her place to make a little extra money on the side.

After your first success you’ll be hooked and seek out Craigslist for every trip you take thereafter. Hotels serve their purpose, but it’s fun to stay like a local too – and Craigslist is a great place to start.

Have you ever booked a hotel on Craigslist? What was the experience like? Share by commenting.

I’ll see you out there…!

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