We are going to Budapest (AGAIN!) in April this year. And this time we are with a group of friends who actually share the same ideas we have and have the same attitude towards travel. And they also came up with the idea to rent an apartment for our stay.

Previously, I’ve ran some search on hostelbookers.com (where I usually book from), Booking.com (I’d need a credit card so this was a bust) and I also looked on some hotels’ websites. All in all, we found out that:

• 2 nights’ stay in a double room with private bathroom costs from 78 euros to 95 euros , depending on the location
• the closer to the Danube we want to stay (and closer to Vaci utca area) the more the price would hover around 100-120 euros / 2 nights / 2 persons

Then, my friend emailed me couple of ideas for apartments . 6 persons (3 double rooms) for 240 euros/night, cheapest option via venere.com. Sure enough I’ve heard enough bad stuff about them at work but I also heard good stuff. First option failed through but the second one, 260 euros / 4 nights / 6 persons was ok. Of course, Venere does require a credit card – which our friends have – but you have the option to pay cash (if the local host agrees).

As a result, we decided to stay 3 nights (and pay less in an apartment!) rather than 2 nights in a hostel private room.

As long as we have our own rooms, it’s not an issue of privacy. There’s nothing bad in sharing the kitchen and the living room.

So I got to thinking. When is it best to book a hostel/hotel room and when is an apartment a good choice?

From my own personal experience, I’d say that if you travel as a family of more than two (so if you have a child, for example), it’s best to look for an apartment. First of all, the shock is not as big on the child (especially if the child is of young age) and you can do things pretty much as you’d do them at home. You can cook when you want, plan your day exactly how you want not depending on anyone else.

Also, if two or more couples (or just friends) travel together, it’s much cheaper to share an apartment. Be careful though how you choose the group of friends . Talk things out BEFORE you travel. You don’t need to go everywhere together, but at least make sure everyone knows that!

Traveling as a couple seems to me more appropriate for hostels or hotels. With a bit of luck you can find decent places and not pay a fortune for them. 1 bedroom apartments, on the other hand, tend to fall in the expensive spectrum.

About the photo: it was taken in Rome in March 2012; we rented a double room in a 3-rooms apartment, with shared bathroom and kitchen. It was awesome and in a good location.