When you’re on the road, where you lay your head during the night could eat up a big chunk of the budget. However, don’t fret because there are many options to locate budget-friendly, comfortable and safe places to stay.
Traveling with children doesn’t mean going for the cheapest options – we want to get the most price for our budget. We’re not so keen on roughing it as we used to do, yet we still want to save some dough.
What you do and where you decide to live depends on several factors, including:
- Your budget
- Your destination
- Your style of travel and comfort level
- How big is your team
- Your interests
Just remember that getting an offer of 15% off an accommodation you don’t need isn’t as effective than paying full price for a place you do. So, our goal is to make it easier for you to save cash on accommodation and find a place you’re happy with.
As as a family, we’ve changed up our accommodation preferences throughout the years. In the case of longer travel, we’d prefer apartments as they come with kitchens, separate bedrooms , and laundry facilities. Additionally, we can share the cost with friends or other families. 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 taking a longer trip to places that will make your money go further and lower your standards in countries that are more expensive.
Here are 18 tips for scoring great lodging deals:
Location, location, location!
It doesn’t make sense to choose a hotel that is cheap located far from everything and you have to shell out more money for transportation. Find hotels in central areas near airports, public transportation and activities, like beaches, restaurants, and parks.
Stay for more than one night
Some hotels provide better rates if you stay for more than two nights. Sometimes you can even stay for four nights and pay for three nights.
Stay at your hotel Sunday morning
Hotels are less crowded on Sundays therefore you might be able to score a good deal. If you decide to stay on a Sunday, you’ll stay clear of the lines at check-ins and outs on Monday and Friday.
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. So, avoid tourist crowds, and also save some money by going during the week.
Off-season is when the best season is
It’s not a surprise that hotels are more affordable 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 the prices of different booking websites
Do not book on the first site you discover. Compare the prices on multiple websites to ensure you’re getting the best price.
Make sure you sign up for loyalty programs
Many resorts and hotels offer loyalty programs where guests can accumulate points or discounts for future stays.
Book early or last-minute
Sometimes, making reservations early will save you money, while other times waiting till the very last moment could get you a discount.
Do not be afraid to bargain
If you are booking directly with a hotel or vacation rental, don’t be intimidated to ask for a better rate or extra features. There’s no way to know if they might even say yes!
Look for vacation rental deals
Apartments, such as vacation rentals or homes, can be an ideal option for groups or families. They can be cheaper than booking multiple hotel rooms.
Benefit from credit card rewards
If you have a credit or debit card that has travel rewards, use them to pay for your hotel and save money.
Check for hidden fees
Hotels or booking sites might charge additional fees for things like resort or cleaning charges Be certain to read the fine print before making your booking.
Check for discounts or offers
Many vacation and hotel accommodations offer promotions or discounts on items such as military personnel, students, and AAA members.
Check for hidden gems
Sometimes, the best deals can be found at smaller hotels, independent establishments or vacation rentals that aren’t as popular.
Find pet-friendly places
If you’re traveling with a pet, look for pet-friendly options. These establishments 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 advertise through social media. Make sure you keep up with them via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
You can try a home-sitting job or a house-sitting
Housesitting, also known as home swapping, is when you swap houses with a different person, allowing you to live in their home while they live in yours. This can be a great method to save on accommodation while still being in your space.
You might want to consider renting a campervan, or an RV
If you’re traveling as a group of people, renting a campervan or RV could be an excellent option to save on accommodation. In addition, you’ll have the chance to explore different places 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. Plus, they can do the research and comparison shopping for you.
Book a package deal
A flight, hotel, and rental car together as a package deal can often save you money on each of the components.
Search for hostels
Hostels are a budget-friendly option for solo travelers or groups of travelers. With the rise of boutique hostels, you can often find comfortable, clean, and safe options.
Try home-sharing platforms
Home-sharing services like Airbnb and Vrbo are able to provide cheaper and unique accommodation options, such as staying in a private room in a home owned by a local or renting a whole house for a large group.
In addition, 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 for sale at a discount. Be sure to check these stores out before purchasing from a traditional department store.
Find sales during off-season
Like with accommodations, you can often get good bargains on luggage in 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 recycled luggage. This is a fantastic option to save money on the top brands, and you could find lightly used luggage in perfect quality. Websites such as Amazon and Ebay have good options and there are local classifieds as well as garage sales.
In the end, finding affordable accommodations and cheap luggage does not need to mean you sacrifice comfort and safety. With a little bit of research and creativity it is possible to find an ideal accommodation within your budget as well as amazing discounts on luggage for your next travels. By comparison shopping by signing up to loyalty programs, making reservations in advance or last-minute booking, taking advantage of sales and discounts, and looking at alternative options such as home-sharing platforms and vacation rentals You can stretch your budget further and enjoy your travels to the highest degree.