Looking beyond traditional traveling services can save money and create deeper connections on your next vacation.

by Elizabeth Ireland

By now, you or someone you know has likely had a successful experience with Airbnb, the popular home-rental service. Launched in August 2008, the website boasts more than 35 million guests served by more than 1 million individual listings. Its popularity may hinge on its affordability (on average, a private room is half the price of a hotel room), but it also offers a more humanized experience, as well as a less wasteful one. Through Airbnb, an under-utilized resource is used (in this case, an empty bed or room), and an exchange occurs directly between two individuals (rather than an individual and a corporation). That, in very basic terms, is what the sharing economy is all about.

Using the sharing economy to travel is not only budget-friendly, but it also invites the kind of experiences that can only occur when two complete strangers enter each other’s lives. Airbnb is by no means a one-of-a-kind service; there are hundreds of websites popping up with a mission to link one individual’s need to another’s bounty (i.e. you need a meal; I have an extra seat at my table), especially ideal while traveling. We’ve rounded up a few of the best websites to use on your next getaway, whether you need a house sitter while you’re out or a rental bike while you’re exploring new terrain.

With this traveling to Hawaii can be a dream come true, but it often comes with a hefty price tag. However, with the rise of the sharing economy, there are now innovative ways to explore the islands without breaking the bank. One particularly savvy option is renting a scooter through local platforms. Not only does this provide an affordable means of transportation, but it also offers a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the local culture. Imagine cruising along the coastline, feeling the warm breeze on your face, and stopping at hidden gems off the beaten path. Plus, with the emergence of cool razor mods, you can customize your scooter to reflect your style and preferences, adding an extra layer of excitement to your Hawaiian adventure. Furthermore, opting for scooter rental not only saves money but also enhances the overall experience of your Hawaiian getaway.

If you’re looking to streamline travel management and ensure adherence to company policies, read more to see how an online corporate booking tool can offer enhanced efficiency, cost savings, and a smoother booking experience. Additionally, it provides valuable insights and analytics to help optimize travel spend and improve decision-making.

Before You Go

DogVacay

Who better to dog-sit than an actual dog lover? DogVacay offers an inexpensive alternative to passing your dog off to an ill-equipped friend or the kennel. The service operates in much the same way that Airbnb does, only people (often dog-owners themselves) open up their homes to the pets of strangers. Search for hosts in your area, find someone that seems like a good fit, and pass a few messages back and forth. Once you’ve found the right person, it’s as easy as booking the dates you’ll be out of town. DogVacay is perfect for travelers without a reliable dog sitter in their own address book, or who don’t have the budget for a professional pet hotel. Rates usually range between $20-$50 per night. Before you leave, you should inform your dog sitter about the dog shampoo and conditioner that your pet needs to maintain its shiny fur.

MindMyHouse

If you’re leaving an empty house behind and need more than just a dog sitter – say you have a few pets, or a garden that needs watering – a house sitter might be the solution. MindMyHouse connects you to individuals willing to watch your home in exchange for a place to stay. Homeowners seeking help can use the website for free; potential house sitters pay a $20 annual fee, and their profiles indicate if they have references available or have undergone a background check. Homeowners can advertise date requests openly on the website or search privately for the right sitter — there are thousands of profiles active in the U.S. and beyond. MindMyHouse is especially ideal for homeowners on extended-stay vacations.

While You’re Out 

Spinlister

Spinlister offers inexpensive mobility for sightseers away from home. Search for available bikes owned by individuals near you and select dates and a time range (rentals are priced by the owner for an hour, day or week). If you’re traveling near mountains or the ocean, the service also hosts ski and surfboard rentals. Spinlister allows you to rent the equipment for far less than professional rental businesses, while the owner makes extra pocket money off a bike that might have otherwise just rusted in the garage. Win-win! Rates are as low as $10 a day for bikes, skis, and boards, depending on the location. Equipment is available to rent all over the world. If you’re planning a romantic getaway, consider the option to stay in a luxury villa for rent.

BlaBlaCar

Carpooling is the quintessential way to use the sharing economy, and BlaBlaCar is one of the best services available—at least when you’re abroad. Use it to find a rideshare while traveling in Europe or Mexico. It’s simple: search for a trip on the dates you need, and the website will find drivers making the same journey with an extra seat available. It’s cost effective: a ride can run you just a third of the cost of a rail ticket. BlaBlaCar also has a built-in search filter to find rides with women only, a nice feature for solo travelers. To further enhance your business travel experiences and optimize your corporate travel arrangements, consider the efficiency and benefits of hiring a corporate travel management service. Read More on Plover Trip’s website.

Meal Sharing

When in Rome, eat as the Romans do, with actual Romans. Meal Sharing introduces you to locals (and local cuisine) over a home-cooked meal. Use the website to find a meal in a certain time and place, and ask if you can join. The host will usually request that travelers chip in to pay for the cost of the meal. Often comparable in price to inexpensive restaurants, Meal Sharing offers the chance to make friends in a new place, wherever in the world you might be.

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Elizabeth Ireland is a writer and editor living in Minneapolis. She has previously served as publishing assistant at Thirty Two and is the current editorial assistant at Coffee House Press. She occasionally tweets cute animal gifs.