While traveling, where you lay your head during the night could take up a significant portion from your spending budget. But don’t worry, there’s many options to locate affordable, safe and comfortable accommodation.
We find that traveling with children isn’t always taking the cheapest option and we’re looking to get the best value for our budget. We’re not so keen on roughing it as we used do, yet we still want to save some dough.
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
- Your size crew
- Your interests
Just remember that getting a 15% discount on an accommodation you don’t like isn’t the same as paying the full cost for a hotel you want. Therefore, our aim is to assist you in saving cash on accommodation and find the perfect place to stay.
As a family, we’ve switched the way we travel over time. When we travel for longer periods, we’d prefer apartments as they come with kitchens, separate bedrooms , and laundry facilities. Furthermore, we can share the cost with friends or other families. For shorter stays, we’re more than happy to stay in hotels or family-friendly hostels.
If you’re planning an extended trip across the world, try making more time in areas where you can save more and reduce your expectations in more expensive countries.
Here are 18 tips for scoring great lodging deals:
Location, location, location!
It doesn’t make sense to pick a budget hotel located far from everything , and you’ll need to spend extra on transportation. Consider hotels located in central areas that are close to airports, public transportation, and things to do like beaches, restaurants, and parks.
Stay more than one night
Many places offer better deals If you stay for two or more nights. In some cases, you can stay for four nights, and only pay for three.
Go to your hotel Sunday morning
Hotels tend to be less busy on Sundays, which means you’re likely to find a deal. Plus, if you stay on Sunday, you’ll 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 more affordable during the week than on weekends. Also, try to stay away from tourist crowds, and also save some cash by traveling midweek.
Off-season is the best-season
It’s no surprise that hotels are more affordable during the off-season. If you’re able to travel during shoulder seasons (between peak and off-peak), you can cut costs, avoid crowds and still have decent conditions.
Compare prices across different booking sites
Don’t just book through the first site you discover. Compare the prices on multiple websites to ensure that you’re getting the best price.
Join loyalty programs and sign up
Many resorts and hotels offer loyalty programs where members earn rewards or discount on future stays.
Book early or last-minute
Sometimes, making reservations earlier can get you a better deal or, in other instances staying up to the end of the day can get you a discount.
Do not be afraid to bargain
When booking directly through a hotel or vacation rental, don’t feel scared to request a better rate or extra features. There’s no way to know if they might just say yes!
Look for vacation rental deals
Vacation rentals, like apartments or homes, can be ideal for groups or families. In many cases, they are less expensive than booking multiple hotel rooms.
Benefit from rewards on credit cards
If you have a credit or debit card that offers travel rewards, you can utilize the rewards for your hotel and save even more money.
Check for hidden fees
Certain booking sites or hotels may charge extra for things like cleaning or resort fees Be sure to read the fine print before booking.
Check for discounts or offers
Many hotels and vacation rentals offer discounts or promotions on items such as military personnel, students as well as AAA members.
Check for hidden gems
Sometimes, the best bargains are found in smaller, independent hotels or vacation rentals that aren’t as popular.
Look for pet-friendly options
If you’re planning a trip with a furry friend Look for places that cater to pets. Some places offer discounts or special offers for pet owners.
Utilize social media
A lot of hotels and vacation rental properties have special deals or discounts that they promote on social media. So be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Consider a home-sitting arrangement or house-swapping
Housesitting, also known as home swapping, is the process of swapping houses with someone else and live in their home while they stay in yours. This is a fantastic option to save money on lodging while also enjoying your personal space.
Think about renting a campervan RV
If you’re traveling as a group of people renting a campervan or RV is a great method to save money on accommodations. In addition, you’ll have the chance to explore different places and even have your own transportation all in one!
Use a travel agent
Travel agents are often able to access discounts and deals that aren’t offered to the general public. They can also perform the research and comparison shopping for you.
Book a package deal
A hotel, flight and rental car together as a package deal could sometimes save you money on each of the components.
Look for hostels
Hostels are an affordable choice for solo travellers or groups. With the rise of boutique hostels, you can often find cozy, clean and secure options.
Try home-sharing platforms
Home-sharing services like Airbnb and Vrbo are able to provide cheaper and unique accommodation options, for example, staying in a room within a local’s home or renting a home for a large number of people.
In addition, here are some helpful tips to find cheap luggage:
Shop at discount retailers
Discount retailers such as T.J. Maxx, Ross, and Marshalls often carry a selection of luggage at reduced prices. Make sure to look these stores up before you buy from a traditional department store.
Find sales during off-season
Similar to accommodation, you can often find good deals on luggage during the off-season or end-of-season sales. This is particularly true for outdoor and travel gear stores.
Buy used or refurbished
Take a look at buying second-hand or used luggage. It’s a great way to save money on high-end brands. You could find gently used luggage in near perfect quality. Websites like Amazon and Ebay are good choices, as are also local classifieds and garage sales.
In the end, finding cheap accommodations and cheap luggage does not have to mean sacrificing the comfort or security. If you do a little research and imagination it is possible to find the perfect place to stay within your budget and incredible bargains on luggage for your next travels. By looking at prices, signing up for loyalty programs, making bookings in advance or last-minute, taking advantage of promotions and discounts, as well as trying alternative options like home-sharing platforms and vacation rentals, you can extend your budget and enjoy your travels to the highest degree.