While traveling and you’re sleeping, the location you put your head in the night can eat up a big chunk of the budget. But don’t worry, there’s plenty of options for finding budget-friendly, comfortable and safe places to stay.
Traveling with kids doesn’t always mean 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 to have been, however we want to save some dough.
What you do and where you decide to stay will depend on a number of factors like:
- Your budget
- Your destination
- Your style of travel and comfort level
- The size of your team
- Your interests
Remember that getting an offer of 15% off the room you don’t want isn’t as good as paying the full cost for a room you really want. Therefore, our aim is to assist you in saving money on lodging and to get an accommodation that you are happy with.
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. Additionally, we can share the cost with other families or friends. But for short stays, we’re happy to stay in family-friendly hotels or hostels.
If you’re planning an extended journey around the world, try taking a longer trip to places 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 find a cheap hotel if it’s miles away from everything and you have to shell out more money for transportation. Consider hotels located in central locations near public transportation, airports and activities, like restaurants, the beach and parks.
Stay longer than one night
A lot of hotels offer discounts when you stay more than two nights. Sometimes you can even stay for four nights and pay for three nights.
Go to in the Hotel on Sunday
Hotels are less busy on Sundays, which means you’re likely to find a deal. If you decide to stay on a Sunday, you’ll be able to avoid the crowds at check-in and checkout on Fridays and Mondays.
The weekdays are the best days to be a part of your life.
In certain cities, such as Las Vegas, hotels are cheaper during the week than weekends. So, get away from the crowds and save money by going during the week.
Off-season is the best-season
It’s no surprise that hotels are cheaper during off-season. If you can travel during shoulder seasons (between the peak season and off-peak), you can cut costs as well as avoid crowds, and have decent weather.
Compare prices across different booking sites
Do not just book on the first site you come across. Compare prices across multiple sites 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 in which guests can accumulate points and discounts on future stays.
Book early or last-minute
Sometimes, booking early can save you money and other times, waiting to the end of the day could score you a discounted rate.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate
If you are booking directly through a hotel or vacation rental, don’t feel scared to request an improved rate or additional features. You never know, they may just agree!
Look for vacation rental deals
Rentals for vacation, such as apartments or homes, can be an ideal option for groups or families. In many cases, they can be cheaper than booking several hotel rooms.
Take advantage of rewards on credit cards
If you have a credit card with travel rewards, use these rewards to cover your hotel and save even more money.
Check for hidden fees
Certain booking sites or hotels may charge extra for things like resort or cleaning charges Be sure to check the fine print prior to booking.
Check for discounts or offers
Many vacation and hotel accommodations offer discounts or promotions on items such as students, military personnel, or AAA members.
Check for hidden gems
Sometimes, the best deals can be found at smaller, independent hotels or rental properties that aren’t as popular.
Make sure you find pet-friendly accommodations
If you’re planning to travel with your pet Look for places that cater to pets. These places may offer special deals or discounts for guests who have pets.
Utilize social media
Many vacation and hotel accommodations have special deals or discounts that they promote through social media. Be sure to keep up with them via 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 a different person, allowing you to stay in their home while they live in yours. It can be a wonderful way to save money on accommodation while still being in your space.
You might want to consider renting a campervan, or an RV
If you’re traveling with your group or family hiring a campervan, or RV can be an excellent option to save on accommodation. Plus, you’ll be able to travel around the world and even have the convenience of your own vehicle all in one!
Use a travel agent
Travel agents are often able to access discounts and offers 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
Booking a hotel, flight and rental car together in a bundle deal can occasionally save money on each individual component.
Search for hostels
Hostels are a budget-friendly option for solo travelers or groups of travelers. In addition, with the popularity of hostels that are boutique it is possible to find safe, comfortable, and safe alternatives.
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 space in a homeowner’s home or renting a whole house for a large gathering.
As a bonus here are some tips to help you find cheap luggage
Shop at discount retailers
Discount stores like 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 at a department store that is more traditional.
Look for off-season sales
Just like with accommodation You can usually get good bargains on luggage during the sale season’s off or at the end of the season. This is especially true of outdoor and travel gear stores.
Buy refurbished or used
Take a look at buying second-hand or refurbished luggage. It’s a great method to save on high-end brands. You may be able to find gently used luggage in near perfect quality. Websites such as Amazon and Ebay are good choices, as are as well as local classifieds and garage sales.
In conclusion, finding cheap lodging and discounted luggage doesn’t need to mean you sacrifice security and comfort. If you do a little investigation and creativity, you can find the perfect location to stay within your budget and incredible discounts regarding luggage and luggage options for the next trip. By looking at prices, signing up for loyalty programs, making reservations in advance or last-minute and taking advantage of specials and discounts, as well as looking at alternative options such as rental homes and home sharing platforms to increase your spending and enjoy your travels to the maximum.