If you’re traveling and you’re sleeping, the location you put your head at night can take up a significant portion of your budget. But worry not, there’s many options to locate affordable, safe and comfortable accommodation.
For us, traveling with children isn’t always going for the cheapest options and we’re looking to get the most value for money. We’re not as keen on roughing it as much as we used to be, but we still want to save some dough.
What you do and where you decide to live depends on a few things like:
- Your budget
- Your destination
- Your travel style and level of comfort
- Your size team
- Your interests are important to you
Be aware that obtaining 15% off the room you don’t want isn’t as good as paying full price for a place you do. Our goal is to help you save cash on accommodation and find a place you’re happy with.
As a family, we’ve switched the way we travel throughout the years. For longer trips, we prefer apartments because they have bedrooms that are separate from the kitchen, as well as laundry facilities. Additionally, we can share the costs with other families or friends. However, for short stays, we’re happy to stay in family-friendly hotels or hostels.
If you’re planning to take an extended trip around the globe, consider spending more time in places where your money goes further and lower your standards in more expensive countries.
Here are 18 tips for scoring great lodging deals:
Location, location, location!
It’s not logical to choose a hotel that is cheap if it’s miles away from everything , and you’ll need to shell out more money for transportation. Consider hotels located in central areas near public transportation, airports, and things to do such as restaurants, the beach, and parks.
Stay more than one night
Many places offer better deals when you stay at least two nights. In some cases, you can stay four nights and only pay for three nights.
Go to in the Hotel on Sunday
Hotels are less crowded on Sundays, therefore you might be able to score a good deal. Also, if you book on a Sunday, you’ll stay clear of 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 during the week than weekends. Therefore, you can stay away from the crowds and save cash by traveling midweek.
The off-season is the most enjoyable season
It’s no surprise that hotels tend to be more expensive during off-season. If you can travel during the shoulder season (between the peak season and off-peak), you can reduce costs while avoiding crowds and enjoy a pleasant conditions.
Compare the prices of different booking websites
Don’t just book through the first website you find. Compare the prices on multiple websites to ensure that you’re getting the best deal.
Sign up for loyalty programs
Many vacation rental and hotels have loyalty programs through which you can earn points and discounts on your next stay.
Book early or last-minute
Sometimes, booking early can save you money and other times, waiting until the last minute may result in a lower rate.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate
When booking directly with a hotel , or vacation rental, don’t be 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 houses, are an ideal option for families or groups. In many cases, they can be cheaper than booking more hotel rooms.
Benefit from rewards on credit cards
If you have a credit card that has travel rewards, utilize the rewards for your lodging and save money.
Check for hidden fees
Hotels or booking sites may charge extra fees for items like cleaning or resort fees, so 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 military personnel, students or AAA members.
Check for hidden gems
Sometimes, the best deals are found in 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 consider looking for accommodations that are pet-friendly. These places may provide special discounts or deals for guests with pets.
Utilize social media
Many hotels and vacation rentals offer special discounts or deals which they promote on social media. So 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 another person and live in their home while they live in yours. This is a fantastic method to save on housing while being in your space.
You might want to consider renting a campervan, or an RV
If you’re traveling with your family or group hiring a campervan, or RV can be the best way to save money on lodging. Additionally, you’ll be able to travel around the world and also have your own transportation in one!
Use a travel agent
Travel agents often have access to discounts and offers which aren’t accessible to the general public. Plus, they can perform the research and comparison shopping for you.
Book a package deal
Booking a hotel, flight and rental car as a package deal could often save you money on each individual component.
Look for hostels
Hostels are a budget-friendly alternative for solo travelers as well as groups of travelers. In addition, with the popularity of hostels that are boutique, you can often find cozy, clean and safe options.
Try home-sharing platforms
Home-sharing platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo are able to provide cheaper and unique accommodation options, like staying in a private room in a home owned by a local or renting a complete house for a large gathering.
As a bonus Here are some suggestions to find cheap luggage:
Shop at discount retailers
Discount stores like T.J. Maxx, Ross and Marshalls usually have a range of luggage at discounted prices. Be sure to go through these stores before you buy from a department store.
Find sales during off-season
Like with accommodations You can usually find good deals on luggage during off-season or end-of-season sales. This is particularly true for the stores that sell travel and outdoor gear.
Buy used or refurbished
You should consider purchasing used or used luggage. This is a fantastic way to save money on high-end brands. You could find gently used luggage in near perfect quality. Websites like Amazon and Ebay have good options and there are local classifieds as well as garage sales.
In the end, finding cheap lodging and discounted luggage doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to sacrifice security and comfort. With a bit of investigation and creativity you can locate an ideal place to stay within your budget and incredible bargains regarding luggage and luggage options for the next journey. By looking at prices and signing up for loyalty programs, booking early or last-minute booking, taking advantage of sales and discounts, as well as exploring other options such as holiday rentals and home-sharing platforms You can stretch your budget further and enjoy your trip to the fullest.