While many of us might stick to hotels, glamping sites, and other kinds of professional accommodation, it is not uncommon, at all, for people to find some hosts along the way.

If you have some friends that are willing to put you up during a road trip or a backpacking trip, it’s important to show your gratitude to them. Even if you’re only staying for a night and heading out early in the morning, here are a few ideas of how you can say thanks.

Saying Thanks To Your Travel Hosts

Be a good guest

The very first thing that you can do is endeavor to be as good a guest as possible. Of course, this doesn’t mean denying yourself if you need something like help in your room or the Wi-Fi code. But try to not be too demanding, be aware of the space that you’re taking, be courteous and do what you can to clean up after yourself. That’s most of what you need to be a good guest.

Send them something after the trip is done

If you’re going to be on your foot for the vast majority of the trip, you might not have much time to think about how to show gratitude to your hosts along the way. However, when you’re back home, you should take care to remember them and send something, even if it’s as simple as a flower delivery. Show your gratitude, that you’re thinking of them, and give them something thoughtful, even if it isn’t too fancy or expensive.

Give them a souvenir from the trip

If you have the opportunity, you can always take the time to thank them by getting them a souvenir from your trip. If you pass by any parts that are remotely popular amongst tourists, then you will find souvenir stores easily. However, getting good souvenirs can also mean taking the time to see what you can find organically from local artisans or even the environment (providing it’s not damaging to take from it.)

Write your gratitude

If you want to make it clear precisely how much you appreciate the time and effort that went into putting you up, then what better way than to write a letter to your hosts? It’s easy to send an email or social media message, but a written letter, especially along with a postcard of somewhere you have visited along the way, can feel much more genuine and thoughtful.

Offer the same kindness

Of course, if you find that your hosts are traveling in your area or might be coming to your region at some point in the future, then you should (if possible) return the favor. Of course, if you don’t have space to host anyone, it can be difficult. However, if you can put up a guest room, then let them know that it’s available for them.

It doesn’t matter where you are in the world and where you were when you were hosted. It’s important to take the time out just to say thanks.