If you’re planning a motorcycle trip, accommodation is one of the more important things to think about before you go.

Whether you’re traveling domestically or abroad, the principle of planning your accommodation is simple: decide on a budget, do your research, and book in advance whenever you can. But what about the rest of it? We’ve compiled a checklist to get you started.

Camping vs Hotels

Motorcycle camping is a fantastic experience anywhere you go: you have the freedom to stop and put your tent up whenever you feel like it, you don’t depend on anyone, and most of the time, camping is either free or very cheap. However, there are some pointers to consider:

• wild camping vs organized camping. Decide whether you’re ready to head out on your own, or would you prefer to stay in a campsite with shower facilities and other comforts.
• availability. If you’re headed to a very touristy location (say, Moab), make sure campsites will have spaces; some will let you book a spot in advance.
• national park campsites will often be cheaper than KOA’s; on the other hand, they are usually more basic.
• research the area before you go. Are there bears, mountain lions, cougars? If so, educate yourself on the behavior of these animals, and stick to the rules of the campsite.
• if you plan to camp abroad, research the countries’ regulations on wild camping beforehand. Most countries allow camping just about anywhere, but make sure just in case. If unsure, camp in an organized campsite.

For more information and tips, check out our previous article on motorcycle camping!

Booking Hotels

If you decide to stick to hotel accommodation, here’s what you need to keep in mind:

• motorcycle safety. Always make sure your chosen motel/hotel has secure motorcycle parking.
• carry a motorcycle cover and a cable lock anyway: even if the hotel parking is secure, extra safety measures are usually a good idea!
• use Google, Trip Advisor or other review systems to see whether your chosen hotel is safe, clean, has WiFi and hot water, especially if you’re traveling abroad – hot water and internet aren’t always a given! Seeing what other people thought about a particular hotel always helps to make a decision.
• ask for a room on the first floor – lugging your motorcycle gear and luggage up endless flights of stairs at the end of a hard day’s ride just isn’t fun, trust us!

Finding Motorcycle Accommodation

You’ve decided on camping, hotels, or both, and you can’t wait to hit the road. But how do you find motorcycle accommodation as you go along?

• Use apps like iOverlander or MapsMe: you can instantly see nearest campsites, hotels and other accommodation options near you and get first-hand reviews of people who have recently stayed there.
• Use booking.com for cheapest hotel deals on the go, anywhere in the world.
• Planning to stay somewhere longer? See if you can get an AirBnB place: these are usually cheaper, cozier and more interesting than hotels!

Did we forget anything? Let us know in the comments below!

Photos: @rtwPaul