Many of us get nervous while booking a hotel as we don’t know if it will fit our budget. Hotel room prices go up during conferences, especially if it’s a huge conference! And your department’s covering your expenses which puts you in a difficult position. You don’t want to book a hotel that will cost too much. Now, I could say that based on my own experience and that of my postdoc friends, this really depends on your department’s budget. I heard from a friend that his PI booked business class plane tickets for him. I also hear some people doing airbnbs and one friend caught bedbugs from an airbnb! You also want to be in a safe neighborhood that is close to the events you will be attending.

So, here is my recipe:

1. If this is your first time, and you want to be safe, just pick a reasonable hotel and ask your PI/program manager if that is okay for you to book.
2. Open up a map and go over the hotel prices on a map that are closest to the conference.
3. Watch out when you’re booking an airbnb. Read the comments!
4. Last but not least, try to enjoy this whole process!

About the Author

Screen Name

Melis Sahinoz, MD

About Me

I am a postdoc working in Nephrology, also an international medical graduate (originally from Turkey). Recently finished my USMLE exams. My hobbies are fashion, playing the piano and playing tennis.