When you’re on the road, where you lay your head in the night can take up a significant portion from your spending budget. But worry not, there’s plenty of options for finding budget-friendly, comfortable and safe accommodation.
For us, traveling with children isn’t always taking the cheapest option and we’re looking to get the best value for money. We’re not so keen on roughing it as we used to do, yet we would like to save money.
What you do and where you decide to live depends on a number of factors like:
- Your budget
- Your destination
- Your travel style and comfort level
- The size of your crew
- Your interests are important to you
Be aware that obtaining a 15% discount on an accommodation you don’t want isn’t as good as paying full price for a place you do. Therefore, our aim is to assist you in saving cash on accommodation and find the perfect place to stay.
As our family, we’ve shifted around our accommodations over time. In the case of longer travel, we prefer apartments as they come with kitchens, separate bedrooms and laundry facilities. Plus, we can split the costs with friends or other families. For short stays, we’re happy to stay in hotels or family-friendly hostels.
If you’re planning to take an extended trip around the globe, consider taking a longer trip to places where you can save more and reduce your expectations in countries that are more expensive.
Here are 18 tips for scoring great lodging deals:
Location, location, location!
It’s not logical to find a cheap hotel located far from everything and you have to spend extra on transportation. Consider hotels located in central locations near public transportation, airports and other things to do such as restaurants, the beach, and parks.
Stay more than one night
Many places offer better deals when you stay at least two nights. In some cases, you can stay four nights and only pay for three nights.
Stay at your hotel Sunday morning
Hotels are less crowded on Sundays, which means you’re likely to find a deal. Also, if you book on a Sunday, you’ll be able to avoid the lines at check-ins and outs on Monday and Friday.
The weekdays are the best days to be a part of your life.
In some cities, like Las Vegas, hotels are less expensive on weekdays than weekends. So, get away from the crowds and save money by going during the week.
Off-season is when the best season is
It’s not a surprise that hotels are cheaper in the off-season. If you can travel in the shoulder season (between peak and off-peak) it is possible to save money as well as avoid crowds, and enjoy a pleasant conditions.
Compare prices across different booking websites
Do not just book on the first website you find. Compare prices across multiple sites to ensure that you’re getting the best price.
Sign up for loyalty programs
Many hotels and vacation rental companies offer loyalty programs in which you can earn points or discounts on your next stay.
Pre-book or book last-minute
Sometimes, making reservations early will offer a better price or, in other instances waiting till the very last moment may score you a discounted rate.
Do not be afraid of negotiating
When you book directly through a hotel or vacation rental, don’t feel intimidated to ask for an improved rate or additional features. You never know, they might even say yes!
Look for vacation rental deals
Apartments, such as vacation rentals or homes, can be an ideal option for families or groups. They are less expensive than booking more hotel rooms.
Make use of rewards on credit cards
If you have a credit card that offers travel rewards, you can make use of these rewards to cover your hotel and save even more money.
Check for hidden fees
Some booking websites or hotels may charge extra for things like cleaning or resort fees Be sure to check the fine print prior to making a booking.
Find discounts or promotions
A lot of hotels and vacation rental properties offer discounts or promotions for military personnel, students as well as AAA members.
Check for hidden gems
Sometimes, the most affordable deals can be found at smaller, independent hotels or vacation rentals that aren’t as popular.
Find pet-friendly places
If you’re planning a trip with a pet, look for pet-friendly options. Some places offer discounts or special offers for guests with pets.
Utilize social media
A lot of hotels and vacation rental properties have special deals or discounts that they promote on social media. Be sure to keep up with them via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Try a house-sitting or home-swapping
Home swapping or housesitting is when you exchange houses with someone else which allows you to live in their home while they reside in yours. This can be a great option to save money on housing while having your own space.
You might want to consider renting a campervan, or an RV
If you’re traveling with your group of people hiring a campervan, or RV can be the best option to save on lodging. Additionally, you’ll be able to explore different places and have your own transportation in one!
Use a travel agent
Travel agents are often able to access discounts and offers that aren’t available to the general public. Additionally, they are able to perform the research and comparison shopping for you.
Book a package deal
Booking a hotel, flight and rental car as a package deal could sometimes save you cash on each component.
Find hostels
Hostels are an affordable alternative for solo travelers as well as groups of travelers. In addition, with the rise of boutique hostels it is possible to find comfortable, clean, and secure options.
Explore home-sharing platforms
Home-sharing services like Airbnb and Vrbo are able to provide cheaper and exclusive accommodation options like staying in a private space in a homeowner’s home or renting a home for a large number of people.
As a bonus here are some helpful tips to help you find cheap luggage
Shop at discount retailers
Discount stores like T.J. Maxx, Ross and Marshalls typically have a variety of luggage at reduced prices. Be sure to go through these stores before purchasing from a department store.
Check out sales that are off-season
Just like with accommodation You can usually get great deals on luggage during sale season’s off or at the end of the season. This is particularly true for retailers of travel and outdoor gear.
Buy used or refurbished
You should consider purchasing used or recycled luggage. This is a fantastic way to save money on high-end brands. You could find lightly used luggage in perfect condition. Websites like Amazon and Ebay are good choices, as are as well as local classifieds and garage sales.
In the end, finding cheap accommodation and discount luggage doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to sacrifice the comfort or security. With a little bit of research and imagination it is possible to find the perfect place to stay within your budget, and also get amazing deals regarding luggage and luggage options for the next travels. By comparison shopping and signing up for loyalty programs, making bookings late or at the last minute and taking advantage of specials and discounts, or exploring other options such as rental homes and home sharing platforms You can stretch your budget further and enjoy your travels to the highest degree.