When you’re on the road and you’re sleeping, the location you put your head during the night could take up a significant portion of the budget. But don’t worry, there’s plenty of ways to find secure, affordable and cozy places to stay.
For us, traveling with kids doesn’t always mean going for the cheapest options and we’re looking to get the most price for our dollars. We’re not so keen on roughing it as we used have been, however we would like to save money.
The place and the way you decide to stay depends on a number of factors like:
- Your budget
- Your destination
- Your travel style and comfort level
- How big is your team
- Your interests
Remember that getting an offer of 15% off the room you don’t want isn’t as good than paying full price for a room you really want. Therefore, our aim is to help you save cash on accommodation and find an accommodation that you are happy with.
As a family, we’ve switched up our accommodation preferences over time. For longer trips, we’d prefer apartments as they come with kitchens, separate bedrooms and laundry facilities. Additionally, we can share the cost of our trip with other families or friends. For short stays, we’re happy to stay in hostels or hotels that are family-friendly.
If you’re taking an extended trip around the globe, you should consider making more time in areas that will make your money go further and reduce your expectations in more costly countries.
Here are 18 tips for scoring great lodging deals:
Location, location, location!
It’s not sensible to find a cheap hotel located far from everything , and you’ll need to spend extra on transportation. Look for places in central areas near airports, public transportation and activities such as restaurants, the beach, and parks.
Stay for more than one night
Many places offer better deals if you stay for more than two nights. There are times when you can stay for four nights and pay for three.
Hit your hotel Sunday morning
Hotels tend to be less crowded on Sundays, which means you’re likely to get a bargain. Also, if you book on a Sunday, you’ll stay clear of the lines at check-ins and outs on Fridays and Mondays.
Your weekdays can be your best friend
In some cities, like Las Vegas, hotels are more affordable during the week than on weekends. Therefore, you can get away from all the tourists and spare cash by traveling midweek.
Off-season is when the best season is
It’s not a surprise that hotels are cheaper in the off-season. If you’re able to travel in the shoulder season (between the peak season and off-peak), you can cut costs, avoid crowds and still enjoy decent weather.
Compare prices across different booking websites
Do not book on the first website you find. Compare the prices on multiple websites to ensure that you’re getting the best price.
Make sure you sign up for loyalty programs
Many hotels and vacation rental companies offer loyalty programs where members earn rewards or discounts for future stays.
Book early or last-minute
Sometimes, making reservations earlier can save you money or, in other instances staying up until the last minute can score you a discounted rate.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate
When you book directly through a hotel or vacation rental, don’t be intimidated to ask for more value or facilities. You never know, they might even say yes!
Look for vacation rental deals
Vacation rentals, like apartments or houses, are a great option for families or groups. And many times, they can be less expensive than booking multiple hotel rooms.
Benefit from rewards on credit cards
If you have a credit card that has travel rewards, utilize them to pay for your lodging and save even more money.
Check for hidden fees
Hotels or booking sites may charge extra fees for items such as resort or cleaning fees So be sure to read the fine print before making your booking.
Find discounts or promotions
A lot of hotels and vacation rental properties offer promotions or discounts for things like military personnel, students, and AAA members.
Check for hidden gems
Sometimes, the best deals are found in smaller hotel chains, or in holiday rentals that aren’t popular.
Find pet-friendly places
If you’re traveling with a furry friend Look for places that cater to pets. These places may provide special discounts or deals for pet owners.
Utilize social media
Many hotels and vacation rentals offer special discounts or deals that they advertise on social media. Be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
You can try a home-sitting job or a house-sitting
Housesitting or home swapping is when you swap houses with a different person, allowing you to live in their home while they reside in yours. This is a fantastic option to save money on lodging while also 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 could be an excellent method to save money on accommodation. In addition, you’ll have the chance to travel around the world and also have your own transportation all in one!
Use a travel agent
Travel agents are often able to access discounts and offers which aren’t accessible to the general people. Plus, they can perform the research and comparison shopping for you.
Book a package deal
A flight, hotel, and rental car as a package deal could sometimes save you cash on each component.
Search for hostels
Hostels are a budget-friendly option for solo travelers or groups. With the rise of boutique hostels, you can often find cozy, clean and safe alternatives.
Explore home-sharing platforms
Home-sharing platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo can offer more affordable and distinctive accommodation options, for example, staying in a room within a local’s home or renting a house for a large gathering.
As a bonus here are some helpful tips for finding cheap luggage:
Shop at discount retailers
Discount retailers like T.J. Maxx, Ross, and Marshalls typically have a variety of luggage for sale at a discount. Make sure to check these stores out before purchasing from a department store.
Check out sales that are off-season
Just like with accommodation It is not uncommon to get great deals on luggage in the off-season or end-of-season sales. This is especially true for outdoor and travel gear stores.
Buy used or refurbished
You should consider purchasing used or used luggage. It’s a great method to save on the top brands, and you could find gently used luggage in near excellent quality. Websites such as Amazon and Ebay offer a variety of options, and there are local classifieds as well as garage sales.
In the end, finding affordable accommodation and discount luggage doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to sacrifice comfort and safety. With a bit of research and imagination it is possible to find the perfect place to stay within your budget and incredible deals on luggage for your next travels. By comparison shopping, signing up for loyalty programs, booking early or last-minute, taking advantage of promotions and discounts, or exploring other options such as home-sharing platforms and vacation rentals You can increase your spending and enjoy your trip to the highest degree.