When you’re on the road and you’re sleeping, the location you put your head during the night could eat up a big chunk of the budget. But don’t worry, there’s many options to locate budget-friendly, comfortable and safe accommodation.
Traveling with children isn’t always choosing the most expensive options and we’re looking to get the best price for our money. We’re not as keen on roughing it as we used to be, but we still need to cut costs.
Where and how you choose to live depends on a number of factors like:
- Your budget
- Your destination
- Your style of travel and level of comfort
- Your size crew
- Your interests
Remember that getting an offer of 15% off the room you don’t like isn’t the same as paying full price for a place you do. So, our goal is to assist you in saving cash on accommodation and find an accommodation that you are happy with.
As a family, we’ve switched up our accommodation preferences throughout the years. For longer trips, we’d prefer apartments due to their kitchens, separate bedrooms , and laundry facilities. Additionally, we can share the cost with other families or friends. However, for shorter stays, we’re more than happy to stay in hotels or family-friendly hostels.
If you’re taking an extended trip across the world, try making more time in areas where your money goes further and lower your standards 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 all amenities and you need to pay more for transportation. Look for places in central locations near airports, public transportation and activities, like restaurants, the beach, and parks.
Stay more than one night
A lot of hotels offer discounts if you stay for more than two nights. In some cases, you can stay for four nights and pay for three.
Go to the hotel on Sunday
Hotels are less crowded on Sundays, therefore you might be able to find a deal. Plus, if you stay on Sunday, you’ll avoid the check-in and check-out crowds on Fridays and Mondays.
The weekdays are the best days to be a part of your life.
In some cities, like Las Vegas, hotels are more affordable on weekdays than weekends. Therefore, you can get away from all the tourists and spare some money by travelling during the week.
Off-season is the best-season
It’s no surprise that hotels are more affordable during the off-season. If you can travel during shoulder seasons (between high and low) you’ll reduce costs as well as avoid crowds, and have decent weather.
Compare rates across various booking sites
Do not book on the first website you find. Compare prices across multiple sites to ensure you’re getting the best price.
Sign up for loyalty programs
A lot of hotels and vacation rental companies have loyalty programs through which guests can accumulate points and discounts on future stays.
Make reservations early or at the last minute
Sometimes, booking early can get you a better deal, while other times staying up to the end of the day could get you a discount.
Do not be afraid to bargain
When booking directly through a hotel or vacation rental, don’t feel afraid to ask for more value or amenities. There’s no way to know if they may just agree!
Look for vacation rental deals
Rentals for vacation, such as apartments or houses, are ideal for groups or families. In many cases, they can be less expensive than booking more hotel rooms.
Make use of rewards on credit cards
If you own a credit card that has travel rewards, make use of the rewards for your lodging and save money.
Check for hidden fees
Certain booking sites or hotels might charge additional fees for things like cleaning or resort fees, so 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 students, military personnel, or AAA members.
Check for hidden gems
Sometimes, the most affordable deals can be found in smaller, independent hotels or holiday rentals that aren’t popular.
Look for pet-friendly options
If you’re traveling with a pet, look for pet-friendly options. These places may offer discounts or special offers for pet owners.
Utilize social media
A lot of hotels and vacation rental properties have special deals or discounts which they promote on social media. So be sure to be following them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Try a house-sitting or home-swapping
Home swapping or housesitting is the process of swapping houses with someone else, allowing you to stay in their home while they reside in yours. It can be a wonderful method to save on housing while having your own space.
Think about renting a campervan RV
If you’re traveling as a group or family hiring a campervan, or RV could be the best method to save money on accommodation. Plus, you’ll be able to travel around the world and have your own transportation in one!
Use a travel agent
Travel agents can often access discounts and deals that aren’t available to the general public. Additionally, they are able to conduct the research and comparison shopping for you.
Book a package deal
A hotel, flight, and rental car together in a bundle deal can occasionally save money on each individual component.
Find hostels
Hostels can be a cost-effective choice for solo travellers or groups of travelers. In addition, with the rise of boutique hostels, you can often find comfortable, clean, and safe alternatives.
Try home-sharing services
Home-sharing platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo are able to provide cheaper and unique accommodation options, for example, staying in a room in a home owned by a local or renting a complete house for a large group.
In addition, Here are some suggestions to help you find 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 you go through these stores before purchasing at a department store that is more traditional.
Look for off-season sales
Similar to accommodation, you can often get great deals on luggage during the off-season or end-of-season sales. This is especially true of outdoor and travel gear stores.
Buy refurbished or used
Consider buying used or refurbished luggage. It’s a great way to save money on high-end brands. You may be able to find lightly used luggage in perfect condition. Websites such as Amazon and Ebay have good options and as well as local classifieds and garage sales.
In the end, finding cheap accommodation and discount luggage doesn’t need to mean you sacrifice security and comfort. If you do a little research and creativity you can locate an ideal place to stay within your budget as well as amazing deals on luggage for your next trip. By looking at prices, signing up for loyalty programs, making bookings late or at the last minute booking, taking advantage of sales and discounts, and looking at alternative options such as rental homes and home sharing platforms to stretch your budget further and enjoy your travels to the highest degree.