If you’re traveling and you’re sleeping, the location you put your head in the night can take up a significant portion of the budget. But don’t worry, there’s plenty of ways to find secure, affordable and cozy accommodations.
For us, traveling with children isn’t always choosing the most expensive options – we want to get the best price for our budget. We’re not so keen on roughing it as we used have been, however we want to save some dough.
The place and the way you decide to stay depends on several factors, including:
- Your budget
- Your destination
- Your style of travel and level of comfort
- The size of your team
- Your interests are important to you
Be aware that obtaining an offer of 15% off a room you don’t really need isn’t as effective as paying full price for a place you do. Therefore, our aim is to assist you in saving money on accommodation and get a place you’re happy with.
As our family, we’ve shifted the way we travel throughout the years. When we travel for longer periods, we prefer apartments because they have kitchens, separate bedrooms and laundry facilities. Furthermore, we can share the cost of our trip with other families or friends. However, for shorter stays, we’re happy to stay in family-friendly hotels or hostels.
If you’re taking an extended journey around the world, try spending more time in places that will make your money go further and lower your standards 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 if it’s miles away from everything , and you’ll need to pay more for transportation. Find hotels in central locations near airports, public transportation and other things to do like restaurants, the beach, and parks.
Stay longer than one night
A lot of hotels offer discounts when you stay at least two nights. Sometimes you can even stay four nights and only pay for three.
Hit your hotel Sunday morning
Hotels are less busy on Sundays, which means you’re likely to get a bargain. Plus, if you stay on a Sunday, you’ll be able to avoid the crowds at check-in and checkout on Monday and Friday.
Weekdays are your friend
In certain cities, such as Las Vegas, hotels are less expensive during the week than on weekends. So, avoid the crowds and save some cash by traveling midweek.
The off-season is the most enjoyable season
It’s no surprise that hotels are cheaper during the off-season. If you can travel during the shoulder season (between the peak season and off-peak), you can cut costs while avoiding crowds and enjoy decent weather.
Compare prices across different booking websites
Do not book on the first site you come across. Compare prices across multiple sites to ensure that you’re getting the most value for money.
Join loyalty programs and sign up
A lot of vacation rental and hotels offer loyalty programs in which guests can accumulate points and discounts for future stays.
Book early or last-minute
Sometimes, making reservations earlier can offer a better price or, in other instances staying up until the last minute may result in a lower rate.
Do not be afraid of negotiating
When you book directly through a hotel or holiday rental, don’t be intimidated to ask for a better rate or extra amenities. You never know, they might even say yes!
Look for vacation rental deals
Vacation rentals, like apartments or homes, can be an ideal option for families or groups. They can be cheaper than booking several hotel rooms.
Benefit from rewards on credit cards
If you have a credit card that offers travel rewards, you can use these rewards to cover lodging and save more.
Check for hidden fees
Certain booking sites or hotels might charge additional fees for things like cleaning or resort fees Be certain to check the fine print prior to making a booking.
Find discounts or promotions
Many vacation and hotel accommodations offer promotions or discounts for students, military personnel, or AAA members.
Check for hidden gems
Sometimes, the best deals can be found at smaller, independent hotels or vacation rentals that aren’t as well-known.
Make sure you find pet-friendly accommodations
If you’re traveling with your pet, look for pet-friendly options. Some places offer discounts or special offers for pet owners.
Utilize social media
Many vacation and hotel accommodations offer special discounts or deals that they promote through social media. Make sure you follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
You can try a home-sitting job or a house-sitting
Home swapping or housesitting is the process of swapping houses with someone else, allowing you to live in their home while they stay in yours. This is a fantastic way to save money on accommodation while still having your own space.
Consider renting a campervan or RV
If you’re traveling with your group of people hiring a campervan, or RV could be an excellent method to save money on lodging. Additionally, you’ll be able to visit different locations and have your own transportation in one!
Use a travel agent
Travel agents are often able to access discounts and deals that aren’t offered to the general people. Additionally, they are able to perform the research and comparison shopping for you.
Book a package deal
Booking a hotel, flight and rental car together as a package deal could often save you cash on each component.
Look for hostels
Hostels are an affordable alternative for solo travelers as well as groups. In addition, with the popularity of hostels that are boutique it is possible to find comfortable, clean, and safe options.
Try home-sharing platforms
Home-sharing services like Airbnb and Vrbo provide more affordable and distinctive accommodation options, like staying in a private space in a homeowner’s home or renting a complete home for a large number of people.
In addition, Here are some suggestions to find cheap luggage:
Shop at discount retailers
Discount retailers like T.J. Maxx, Ross, and Marshalls usually have a range of luggage at discounted prices. Make sure you look these stores up before purchasing at a department store that is more traditional.
Find sales during off-season
Like with accommodations, you can often get good bargains on luggage during sale season’s off or at the end of the season. This is especially true of retailers of travel and outdoor gear.
Buy used or refurbished
Take a look at buying second-hand or used luggage. It’s a great method to save on the top brands, and you might be able to locate lightly used luggage in perfect quality. Websites such as Amazon and Ebay are good choices, as are there are local classifieds as well as garage sales.
In conclusion, finding cheap accommodation and discount luggage doesn’t need to mean you sacrifice the comfort or security. With a little bit of investigation and creativity it is possible to find the perfect accommodation within your budget as well as amazing discounts in luggage to take on your next travels. By comparison shopping by signing up to loyalty programs, booking early or last-minute and taking advantage of specials and discounts, or trying alternative options like home-sharing platforms and vacation rentals, you can extend your budget and enjoy your travels to the maximum.