While traveling and you’re sleeping, the location you put your head in the night can take up a significant portion from your spending budget. But worry not, there’s plenty of ways to find budget-friendly, comfortable and safe accommodation.
Traveling with children doesn’t mean taking the cheapest option We want to get the best price for our budget. We’re not as down for roughing it as we used have been, however we still would like to save money.
Where and how you choose to stay will depend on a few things like:
- Your budget
- Your destination
- Your style of travel and level of comfort
- How big is your team
- Your interests are important to you
Just remember that getting 15% off the room you don’t want isn’t as good than paying full price for a hotel you want. So, our goal is to make it easier for you to save money on lodging and to get the perfect place to stay.
As a family, we’ve switched the way we travel over the years. When we travel for longer periods, we’re more comfortable in apartments because they have bedrooms that are separate from the kitchen, as well as laundry facilities. Plus, we can split the costs with other families or friends. But for shorter stays, we’re happy to stay in family-friendly hotels or hostels.
If you’re taking an extended trip across the globe, consider spending more time in places where your money goes further and lowering your standards in more expensive countries.
Here are 18 tips for scoring great lodging deals:
Location, location, location!
It’s not sensible to find a cheap hotel if it’s miles away from all amenities and you need to pay more for transportation. Find hotels in central locations near airports, public transportation and activities such as restaurants, the beach, and parks.
Stay more than one night
Many places offer better deals if you stay for more than two nights. Sometimes you can even stay for four nights and pay for three nights.
Hit in the Hotel on Sunday
Hotels tend to be less crowded on Sundays therefore you might be able to get a bargain. If you decide to stay on Sunday, you’ll avoid the crowds at check-in and checkout on Fridays and Mondays.
Your weekdays can be your best friend
In some cities, like Las Vegas, hotels are cheaper during the week than weekends. So, avoid all the tourists and spare cash by traveling midweek.
Off-season is the best-season
It’s not a surprise that hotels are more affordable during off-season. If you can travel during the shoulder season (between peak and off-peak), you can reduce costs as well as avoid crowds, and have decent conditions.
Compare the prices of different booking websites
Do not just book on the first site you come across. Compare rates across multiple sites to ensure you’re getting the most value for money.
Join loyalty programs and sign up
Many hotels and vacation rental companies offer loyalty programs where guests can accumulate points or discount for future stays.
Pre-book or book last-minute
Sometimes, booking early can get you a better deal, while other times staying up till the very last moment may score you a discounted rate.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate
When you book directly with a hotel or holiday rental, don’t be afraid to ask for a better rate or extra features. You never know, they might just say yes!
Look for vacation rental deals
Rentals for vacation, such as apartments or homes, can be a great option for groups or families. They can be cheaper than booking several hotel rooms.
Take advantage of credit card rewards
If you have a credit card with travel rewards, utilize these rewards to cover your lodging and save even more money.
Check for hidden fees
Some booking websites or hotels may charge extra fees for items like resort or cleaning charges, so be sure to read the fine print before making your booking.
Look for promotions or discounts
Many vacation and hotel accommodations offer discounts or promotions on items such as military personnel, students as well as AAA members.
Check for hidden gems
Sometimes, the most affordable deals can be found in smaller hotel chains, or in holiday rentals that aren’t popular.
Look for pet-friendly options
If you’re planning a trip with a pet Look for places that cater to pets. These establishments may offer special deals or discounts for pet owners.
Utilize social media
Many hotels and vacation rentals offer special discounts or deals that they advertise via social media. Be sure to keep up with them via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
You can try a home-sitting job or a house-sitting
Home swapping or housesitting is when you exchange houses with another person and stay in their home while they reside in yours. It can be a wonderful method to save on accommodation while still having your own space.
Think about renting a campervan RV
If you’re traveling with a group or family hiring a campervan, or RV could be the best method to save money on accommodation. In addition, you’ll have the chance to travel around the world and even have your own transportation in one!
Use a travel agent
Travel agents often have access to discounts and deals that aren’t available to the general people. Additionally, they are able to conduct the research and comparison shopping for you.
Book a package deal
A hotel, flight, and rental vehicle together as a package deal can often save you money on each individual component.
Look for hostels
Hostels are an affordable option for solo travelers or groups of travelers. And with the rise of boutique hostels, you can often find cozy, clean and safe alternatives.
Try home-sharing platforms
Home-sharing platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo are able to provide cheaper and distinctive accommodation options, for example, staying in a room in a home owned by a local or renting a complete home for a large number of people.
For your convenience, Here are some suggestions for finding cheap luggage:
Shop at discount retailers
Discount retailers such as T.J. Maxx, Ross and Marshalls often carry a selection of luggage for sale at a discount. Make sure to look these stores up prior to purchasing from a traditional department store.
Check out sales that are off-season
Just like with accommodation, you can often get great deals on luggage during the seasonal sales or the off-season. This is especially true of outdoor and travel gear stores.
Buy refurbished or used
Consider buying used or used luggage. This can be a great option to save money on the top brands, and you may be able to find gently used luggage in near perfect quality. Websites like Amazon and Ebay are good choices, as are as well as local classifieds and garage sales.
In the end, finding affordable accommodation and discount luggage doesn’t need to mean you sacrifice the comfort or security. If you do a little research and creativity it is possible to find an ideal location to stay within your budget and incredible bargains on luggage for your next trip. By comparison shopping and signing up for loyalty programs, making reservations late or at the last minute and taking advantage of specials and discounts, as well as looking at alternative options such as home-sharing platforms and vacation rentals, you can extend your budget and enjoy your trip to the fullest.