A little creativity can yield cheaper sleep options in Europe

Those of us who are always up for a quick getaway are often pretty savvy when it comes to saving a penny or two on transportation costs. But how to save big on the other major travel expense, that of overnight stays?

Aside from the usual hostels and AirBnBs, a variety of inexpensive and original options are out there.

TrustedHousesitters: Many pet-lovers find that a long, short, urban or countryside getaway is only enhanced by the companionship of a well-behaved dog or affectionate kitty. Such people form the backbone of TrustedHousesitters, a company that helps pet owners find someone to look after their beloved animal friends in exchange for the use of their home or apartment while they’re away. Now in its 16th year and counting some 280,000 members, the network creates a win-win situation for both parties: pet owners have the peace of mind that comes with knowing their animals are in the environment to which they’re accustomed, and pet lovers can discover a new city or town in exchange for performing a job they love doing anyway.

Would-be network members chose between Pet Parents, those looking for care for their animals; Sitter membership, those wishing to care for homes and pets; or a combined membership, in which they both offer and take advantage of pet care services. Once signed up and verified, members can tap into opportunities that come with headings such as “Spacious city apartment looking for a sitter for an active German Shepherd.” The least expensive, basic membership plan costs would-be pet sitters 119 euros per year plus a 10-euro fee per sit. Online: trustedhousesitters.com

Naturefriends Houses: After a full day, hikers, bikers and other lovers of the great outdoors often want for nothing more than a no-frills spot to lay their weary heads. Naturefriends Houses, a network of lodging and dining facilities around the world, offers a wide array of accommodations, from self-catering huts to rustic riverside or high-mountain dormitory-style lodgings. Once settled in, travelers might be offered the chance to opt in for a simple dinner, whatever the host is preparing that particular evening. The night’s entertainment might be sitting around a crackling bonfire, sharing tips about the area’s best hiking trails or swimming holes. Family- and eco-friendly and open to all, annual membership in Germany’s Naturfreunde network costs 84 euros for single travelers and 126 euros for families. While membership supports the program’s mission, it’s not a prerequisite to spending a night in one of their places. Members do pay quite a bit less for their overnight stays. The cost of an overnight stay at the Naturfreundehaus Bethof in Vorderweidenthal, in the Palatinate Forest, starts at 30 euros, including breakfast, for network members. Online: naturfreunde.de

ADFC-DACHGEBER: The Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrrad-Club (ADFC), or German Cycling Association, supports the interests of cyclists, including those who use the sport as a form of recreation, as well as those who commute to work by bike each day. AFDC members can enjoy group rides, assistance with route planning and having their bike coded so the police have a better chance of recovering it in the event of theft.

Those planning a cycling tour of several days’ duration might wish to look into the ADFC-DACHGEBER, a private, non-commercial project closely affiliated with the ADFC. ADFC-DACHGEBER members are both hosts and guests. Some 3,700 registered participants from throughout Germany appear in an online directory. Each member has the right to contact any other member and arrange for a one-night stay, free of charge, as he or she tours the area by bike. In exchange, a member must be prepared to provide the same hospitality to a fellow (but not necessarily the same) cyclist. In such a relationship based on trust and mutual interest, it’s not uncommon for lasting bonds between host and guest to be formed. Annual membership for non-ADFC members costs 15 euros; those in ADFC pay just 10 euros. Online: dachgeber.info

Monasteries: Traveling to Spain, France or Italy and looking for digs that are both friendly and inexpensive? Check out the website monasteries.com, which brings monasteries, convents and other religion-affiliated accomodations into one central database. Of course, not all lodgings suit all comers. Some might have curfews, or might be exclusively for men or women. The upsides to such a stay might be spending the night in a culturally significant landmark, sampling beer or cheese made on site, or simply learning from a brother or sister about a whole other way of life.

For example, a one-night stay at the Monjas Trinitarias del Toboso in Toledo, Spain, starts at just 40.25 euros per night. Guests sing the praises of the warmth and hospitality of the tiny community of nuns who run the place. Online: trinitariasdeltoboso.com