5 tips on finding cheap accommodation in Lagos
No matter where you travel to, one thing is certain, you need a roof over your head each night. Accommodation is
one of the fixed costs on every traveler’s list, and no matter what
your lodging tastes may be, one thing everyone has in common is that no
one wants to pay a fortune for it.
Whether
you are traveling solo, as a couple, or as a family, and you are
traveling either short term or long term, with the unstable price of
fuel and airfare on the rise, you might want to save money on every
aspect of your trip to Lagos.
Squatting
Squatting
is a popular way of saving money on trips, especially if you are
travelling solo. The process simply involves living on a property owned
by someone else with or without their permission.
The most commonly done in Nigeria is
living on a property owned by someone else with permission. You connect
to a friend, relative or acquaintance who lives at your destination and
arrange to stay on their property or with them for the period of your
trip. Squatting without permission on the other hand implies staying on
someone’s property without their permission –uncompleted buildings,
abandoned houses and structures or even setting up camp on a location
owned by someone else without taking due permission. You would be
surprised how many people do it despite the fact that it might be
considered legal in Lagos. Basically, it costs you nothing at the end of
the day and totally cuts out lodging expenses.
Public Places
If
you are planning a one-day trip or have booked an early flight or bus
and do not see the need to pay for a hotel room, it makes more sense to
just sleep in the terminal. As long as you have purchased a ticket, look
relatively clean and your luggage is organized you probably won’t be
bothered by security.
Airports
and bus terminals in Lagos have bathrooms, and restaurants which are
usually open all night. All you need to do is pack earplugs, an
eye-mask, water, and something warm, then go early to the terminal so as
to stake out a good spot early, before others start looking. You also
need to secure your valuables to yourself.
Overnight Transportation
The
night bus is a popular mode of transportation here in Nigeria as the
fare is cheaper than flights, the journey is faster and you can cut out
hotel bills for one day.
While
sleeping on planes, buses, or even boats takes some getting used to, it
offers a chance to wake up refreshed and ready to explore your new
surroundings. Most importantly, it is a wonderful way to save some money
on accommodation costs.
Before
you go ahead with this choice, ensure you choose a seat with a lot of
legroom, secure your valuables and befriend a neighbor so they can wake
you before your stop.
Church Housing
Most
travelers do not consider this, but churches as well as monasteries in
Lagos offer accommodation to travelers either for free or at a token if
they make the request.
Accommodation
in these places are often very spartan, containing no more than a bed
and desk, with simple meals prepared by the the church staff. The lodges
are however very family-friendly and quiet although they usually have a
lot of rules and curfews. While many of these rooms start from N 3,000 a
night per person, most simply ask for donations or are free, making
them an amazing budget option too.
Local home stay
This usually works best if you are interested in learning more about the culture of people in Lagos.
With this arrangement, you get free accommodation
by staying with a local who gives you a free place to rest your head,
local information, and someone to hang out with. Usually this
arrangement is easier when you have an agent helping out with your
travel procedures or it is arranged by an organization or school,
however, there are a few websites who offer this service; including OLX.
To
get a place to stay, put up an ad on any of the e-commerce websites and
before long responses from locals willing to put you up will come your
way. Local homestay might be challenging, but it’s also very rewarding.
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