When you’re on the road the place you rest your head during the night could consume a large portion of your budget. But worry not, there’s plenty of options for finding budget-friendly, comfortable and safe accommodation.
Traveling with children isn’t always choosing the most expensive options and we’re looking to get the most value for our money. We’re not so keen on roughing it as much as we used to be, but we need to cut costs.
Where and how you choose to stay depends on a few things like:
- Your budget
- Your destination
- Your travel style and level of comfort
- The size of your team
- Your interests are important to you
Remember that getting a 15% discount on an accommodation you don’t want isn’t as good than paying full price for a place you do. So, our goal is to help you save cash on accommodation and find a place you’re happy with.
As our family, we’ve shifted around our accommodations over time. For longer trips, we’d prefer apartments because they have kitchens, separate bedrooms , and laundry facilities. Additionally, we can share the costs with friends or other families. However, for short stays, we’re happy to stay in family-friendly hotels or hostels.
If you’re planning to take an extended journey around the globe, consider taking a longer trip to places where your money goes further and lowering your standards in countries that are more expensive.
Here are 18 tips for scoring great lodging deals:
Location, location, location!
It’s not sensible to pick a budget hotel if it’s miles away from all amenities and you need to pay more for transportation. Consider hotels located in central areas that are close to airports, public transportation and activities, like beaches, restaurants, and parks.
Stay more than one night
Many places offer better deals if you stay for more than two nights. There are times when you can stay four nights and only pay for three nights.
Go to the hotel on Sunday
Hotels are less crowded on Sundays, so you may be able to score a good deal. If you decide to stay on a Sunday, you’ll be able to avoid the crowds at check-in and checkout on Monday and Friday.
Your weekdays can be your best friend
In some cities, like Las Vegas, hotels are cheaper on weekdays than weekends. So, stay away from the crowds and save some money by going during the week.
Off-season is the best-season
It’s not a surprise that hotels tend to be more expensive in the off-season. If you can travel during shoulder seasons (between the peak season and off-peak) you’ll reduce costs while avoiding crowds and enjoy decent weather.
Compare rates across various booking websites
Don’t just book through the first site you come across. Compare prices across multiple sites to ensure you’re getting the most value for money.
Make sure you sign up for loyalty programs
Many hotels and vacation rental companies offer loyalty programs in which guests can accumulate points or discount for future stays.
Make reservations early or at the last minute
Sometimes, making reservations early will offer a better price, while other times staying up until the last minute could get you a discount.
Do not be afraid to bargain
When booking directly with a hotel , or holiday rental, don’t be scared to request an improved rate or additional facilities. There’s no way to know if they may just agree!
Look for vacation rental deals
Apartments, such as vacation rentals or houses, are an ideal option for groups or families. They can be less expensive than booking several hotel rooms.
Take advantage of rewards on credit cards
If you own a credit card with travel rewards, use the rewards for your lodging and save even more money.
Check for hidden fees
Some booking websites or hotels may charge extra for things such as resort or cleaning fees So be sure to read the fine print before making your booking.
Look for promotions or discounts
Many hotels and vacation rentals offer discounts or promotions for military personnel, students as well as AAA members.
Check for hidden gems
Sometimes, the most affordable deals are found in smaller hotel chains, or in rental properties that aren’t as well-known.
Make sure you find pet-friendly accommodations
If you’re traveling with a pet consider looking for accommodations that are pet-friendly. These establishments may provide special discounts or deals for pet owners.
Utilize social media
A lot of hotels and vacation rental properties offer special discounts or deals that they promote via social media. So be sure to keep up with them via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Try a house-sitting or home-swapping
Housesitting, also known as home swapping, is when you swap houses with a different person, allowing you to reside in their house while they live in yours. This is a fantastic method to save on accommodation while still enjoying your personal space.
Consider renting a campervan or RV
If you’re traveling with a group or family hiring a campervan, or RV is the best method to save money on accommodations. Additionally, you’ll be able to visit different locations and also have your own transportation all in one!
Use a travel agent
Travel agents are often able to access discounts and deals which aren’t accessible to the general public. Plus, they can conduct the research and comparison shopping for you.
Book a package deal
A hotel, flight, and rental car as a package deal could sometimes save you cash on each component.
Search for hostels
Hostels are an affordable choice for solo travellers or groups of travelers. With the popularity of hostels that are boutique, you can often find comfortable, clean, and secure options.
Try home-sharing services
Home-sharing services like Airbnb and Vrbo provide more affordable 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.
For your convenience, Here are some suggestions to find cheap luggage:
Shop at discount retailers
Discount retailers such as T.J. Maxx, Ross and Marshalls typically have a variety of luggage for sale at a discount. Be sure to go through these stores before you buy from a traditional department store.
Find sales during off-season
Similar to accommodation You can usually find good deals on luggage in the sale season’s off or at the end of the season. This is especially true of the stores that sell travel and outdoor gear.
Buy used or refurbished
Take a look at buying second-hand or refurbished luggage. This can be a great method to save on high-end brands. You could find gently used luggage that is in perfect condition. Websites such as Amazon and Ebay are good choices, as are there are local classifieds as well as garage sales.
In the end, finding affordable lodging and discounted luggage doesn’t need to mean you sacrifice security and comfort. With a bit of research and imagination it is possible to find a great location to stay 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, making bookings late or at the last minute, taking advantage of promotions and discounts, or looking at alternative options such as holiday rentals and home-sharing platforms to increase your spending and enjoy your trip to the fullest.