How Much Does It Cost To Stay In A Bed & Breakfast? [Comparison Guide]

Bed And Breakfasts
Written By Taz Zaidi

The Cost Of Staying In A B&B

A B&B stay is a unique, worthwhile experience.

But if you’ve never stayed in a bed and breakfast, it’s normal to wonder how much they cost and how their rates compare to other lodging options. I’ve stayed in B&Bs around the world and wrote this short guide to answer common questions regarding B&B costs.

In this guide, we’ll cover how much it costs to stay in a bed and breakfast.

After comparing bed and breakfast prices to other lodging options (hotels, Airbnbs, guest houses and hostels), I’ll cover how to find deals and discounts on B&Bs in your destination. If you’re brand new to bed and breakfasts and simply want to learn what they are and how they work, read our Complete B&B Guide.

*Agoda.com is one of the best places to find and book a bed and breakfast. To see today’s deals on B&Bs in your particular destination, click here.

B&B Prices Versus Other Lodging Options

As a lodging category, bed and breakfasts are certainly not considered “cheap” or “budget accommodation”, as their nightly rates typically include a home-cooked breakfast and a local host who is readily accessible.

Before we compare B&Bs to hotels, Airbnbs, guest houses and hostels, here’s a summary of their main differences. In most destinations, hotels and Airbnb rentals typically sell at a wider price range and offer more amenities than the local B&Bs. Meanwhile, the local guest houses and hostels typically cost less than local B&Bs, but they also provide fewer amenities.

Bed And Breakfast Prices vs. Hotel Prices

Hotels are easily the most popular lodging option.

Hotel guests can expect a standard check-in process, basic amenities and checkout hours (sometime from 9 am to 12 pm). Hotel rooms can range from compact studios to luxury suites, and from jungle bungalows to urban high-rises. For more on hotels, click here.

Within a destination, B&B rooms will typically cost more than budget hotel rooms, but less than luxury hotel rooms. For example, you can often find hotel rooms listed at $1,000+ per night, but you typically won’t see luxury B&B rooms above $500 per night. A key reason for this price differential on the higher end is that large hotels are more capable of offering facilities of “great scale” (on-site golf course, rooftop bar, in-house fine dining, etc.). To read our complete B&Bs vs. Hotels comparison guide (in price, safety, atmosphere and amenities), click here.

*To see today’s deals on B&Bs in your particular destination, click here.

Bed And Breakfast Prices vs. Airbnb Prices

Airbnb.com is a marketplace where local hosts list their place(s) for rent, then guests can find and book those places. Airbnb listings can range from a single bed in a shared room to private mansions and islands. Airbnb offers perhaps the widest range of lodging options online (including B&Bs). However, when someone says they’re “renting an Airbnb”, it usually refers to a private or shared apartment or house rental. If you’re curious to learn all about Airbnb, click here.

On the high end, Airbnb rentals typically cost much more than B&Bs. In many destinations, you’ll find Airbnb listings for $1,000+ per night, while luxury B&Bs rarely surpass $500/night. One key reason for this price differential is that high end Airbnbs tend to offer a greater level of privacy and luxury than high end B&Bs. For example, in a coastal area, a high end B&B stay might be a cottage or cabin rental, while a high end Airbnb could be a fully private mansion.

However, Airbnb rentals can also cost much less than a typical B&B. This type of Airbnb listing often offers less privacy and luxury than the local B&Bs do. As an example, you could find a couch in someone’s home listed for $10 per night on Airbnb, but even budget B&B rooms typically cost at least $30/night on the low end. For a complete B&B vs. Airbnb comparison (price, safety, atmosphere and amenities), click here.

*To see today’s deals on B&Bs in your particular destination, click here.

Bed And Breakfast Prices vs. Guest House Prices

A guest house (also spelled “guesthouse”) is a type of accommodation where guests stay inside the home of a local resident. Generally, guest houses cost less and operate less formally than hotels do. To learn more about guest houses, click here. To see the 8 types of guest houses (with 5 examples of each), click here.

Of the various types of travel accommodation, guest houses are most similar to bed and breakfasts. Two major differences being - B&B guests expect to have complimentary breakfast included in the nightly rate (while many guest houses don’t offer breakfast at all) and B&B hosts are typically more “service-oriented”. Aside from these differences, these two lodging types tend to be very similar in layout and function. Many booking sites (such as Agoda.com) actually include them together under the same search filter.

*To see today’s deals on B&Bs in your particular destination, click here.

Bed And Breakfast Prices vs. Hostel Prices

A hostel is a type of budget accommodation that offers (mostly) dorm beds. Typically, hostel guests share a bathroom, common areas and a kitchen. Hostel properties can vary widely in style and size. To learn all about, click here. For the 10 types of hostels (with 5 examples of each), click here.

Hostel beds are usually the cheapest lodging option in a given destination (as they provide the lowest level of privacy and fewest features). However, the price of a hostel bed can near the price of local B&B rooms if that hostel focuses on service and amenities (fewer beds per room, a superb breakfast, great atmosphere, etc.). Private hostel rooms can also rival or surpass the price of local B&B rooms (if they focus on service).

*To see today’s deals on B&Bs in your particular destination, click here.

What Is The Average Price Per Night Of A Bed And Breakfast Stay?

The cost of a B&B room will depend on factors such as seasonality, availability, destination and B&B type. Below are some rough numbers - to provide a feel for what you can expect a bed and breakfast room to cost per night, based on research and experience booking B&Bs around the world. These rates assume breakfast is included in the nightly rate and that the property is located in the USA (prices vary based on destination). When considering a B&B outside the US, scale prices based on the travel costs in that particular destination.

Solo Traveler (1 person)

Lower Range: Expect to pay ~$30 to $50 per night (few or no features).

Upper Range: Expect to pay ~$100+ per night (many features/amenities).

Average Rate: Expect to pay around $60 to $90 per night, if traveling solo.

Couple (2 people)

Lower Range: Expect to pay ~$40 to $70 per night (few or no features).

Upper Range: Expect to pay ~$200+ per night (many features/amenities).

Average Rate: Expect to pay around $90 to $140 per night for two people.

Small Family (4-5 people)

Lower Range: Expect to pay ~$80 to $110 per night (few or no features).

Upper Range: Expect to pay ~$300+ per night (many features/amenities).

Average Rate: Expect to pay around $130 to $180 per night for a family.

*Nightly rates may be much higher if the stay includes luxury features/activities (such as a massage package or horseback riding).
*B&B rooms are often too small to host large groups (6+ people). Expect to book multiple rooms if you're traveling as a large group.
*Some B&Bs may prohibit children, to foster a calmer/mature atmosphere at the property.

How To Find Deals And Discounts On Bed And Breakfasts

Agoda’s Deals page displays deals and discounts on B&Bs (and other types of accommodation) in many destinations around the world. For our step-by-step guide on how to find and book a bed and breakfast, follow our B&B Booking Guide. Most B&B stays are short (1-3 nights). However, it’s common for hosts to offer weekly or monthly rates to attract longer stays (such as urban B&Bs competing with extended stay hotels, and B&Bs that offer holiday packages).

Conclusion

Hopefully you found this guide helpful.

We covered how B&B rates compare to other major lodging options, average price ranges to expect based on your group size, plus how to possibly find deals on B&B stays in any destination. To learn more about bed and breakfasts, explore our other guides below.

Enjoy your travels!

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Taz Zaidi [Author]
Taz Zaidi [Author]

Taz Zaidi is an American travel writer and the founder/creator of TRVLGUIDES.com. Connect with him on Instagram (@tazzaidi) or on his personal website, at tazzaidi.com.

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Taz Zaidi
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