While traveling, where you lay your head in the night can take up a significant portion of your budget. However, don’t fret because there are many options to locate affordable, safe and comfortable places to stay.
For us, traveling with children isn’t always choosing the most expensive options – we want to get the most value for our money. We’re not so keen on roughing it as we used to be, but we still want to save some dough.
The place and the way you decide to stay depends on a number of factors like:
- Your budget
- Your destination
- Your style of travel and comfort level
- The size of your crew
- Your interests are important to you
Just remember that getting an offer of 15% off the room you don’t need isn’t as effective than paying full price for a room you really want. Therefore, our aim is to assist you in saving money on lodging and to get an accommodation that you are happy with.
As our family, we’ve shifted around our accommodations over time. In the case of longer travel, we prefer apartments due to their bedrooms that are separate from the kitchen, as well as laundry facilities. Plus, we can split the cost of our trip with other families or friends. For shorter stays, we’re happy to stay in hotels or family-friendly hostels.
If you’re planning an extended trip around the world, try taking a longer trip to places where your money goes further and lower your standards in more costly countries.
Here are 18 tips for scoring great lodging deals:
Location, location, location!
It doesn’t make sense to choose a hotel that is cheap if it’s miles away from everything and you have to spend extra on transportation. Consider hotels located in central areas near public transportation, airports and activities, like restaurants, the beach, and parks.
Stay for more than one night
A lot of hotels offer discounts when you stay more than two nights. Sometimes you can even stay for four nights and pay for three nights.
Go to your hotel Sunday morning
Hotels are less busy on Sundays, which means you’re likely to score a good deal. Also, if you book on a Sunday, you’ll stay clear of the check-in and check-out crowds on Monday and Friday.
Weekdays are your friend
In some cities, like Las Vegas, hotels are cheaper on weekdays than weekends. Also, try to stay away from all the tourists and spare some cash by traveling midweek.
Off-season is the best-season
It’s not a surprise that hotels are cheaper in the off-season. If you can travel in the shoulder season (between the peak season and off-peak), you can save money while avoiding crowds and enjoy decent weather.
Compare prices across different booking sites
Don’t just book through the first website you find. 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 have loyalty programs through which guests can accumulate points or discount on future stays.
Pre-book or book last-minute
Sometimes, booking early can offer a better price and other times waiting to the end of the day could result in a lower rate.
Do not be afraid of negotiating
If you are booking directly through a hotel or holiday rental, don’t be afraid to ask for more value or amenities. There’s no way to know if they might just say yes!
Look for vacation rental deals
Rentals for vacation, such as apartments or houses, are an ideal option for families or groups. In many cases, they are less expensive than booking several hotel rooms.
Make use of rewards on credit cards
If you have a credit or debit card with travel rewards, make use of the rewards for your lodging and save even more money.
Check for hidden fees
Certain booking sites or hotels may charge extra for things like cleaning or resort fees So be certain to be aware of the fine print before making your booking.
Find discounts or promotions
Many vacation and hotel accommodations offer specials or discounts on items such as military personnel, students as well as AAA members.
Check for hidden gems
Sometimes, the best deals are found in smaller, independent hotels or holiday rentals that aren’t popular.
Find pet-friendly places
If you’re traveling with your pet Look for places that cater to pets. These establishments may offer special deals or discounts for guests who have pets.
Utilize social media
Many hotels and vacation rentals offer special discounts or deals that they promote through social media. Make sure you keep up with them via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Try a house-sitting or home-swapping
Housesitting or home swapping is the process of swapping houses with a different person and stay in their home while they reside in yours. This can be a great method to save on lodging while also enjoying your personal space.
You might want to consider renting a campervan, or an RV
If you’re traveling with a family or group, renting a campervan or RV can be an excellent method to save money on accommodations. Plus, you’ll be able to travel around the world and even have the convenience of your own vehicle all in one!
Use a travel agent
Travel agents can often access discounts and deals that aren’t offered to the general people. They can also do the research and comparison shopping for you.
Book a package deal
A flight, hotel, and rental car together as a package deal could occasionally save money on each individual component.
Search for hostels
Hostels are an affordable option for solo travelers or groups. With the popularity of hostels that are boutique, you can often find safe, comfortable, and safe options.
Explore home-sharing platforms
Home-sharing platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo are able to provide cheaper and exclusive accommodation options like staying in a private room in a home owned by a local or renting a house for a large group.
As a bonus here are some tips to 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. Be sure to look these stores up before purchasing at a department store that is more traditional.
Look for off-season sales
Similar to accommodation, you can often get good bargains on luggage in the sale season’s off or at the end of the season. This is especially true of outdoor and travel gear stores.
Buy refurbished or used
Consider buying used or refurbished luggage. This is a fantastic way to save money on the top brands, and you may be able to find gently used luggage that is in perfect condition. Websites like Amazon and Ebay have good options and also local classifieds and garage sales.
In conclusion, finding cheap accommodations and cheap luggage does not need to mean you sacrifice security and comfort. With a bit of research and imagination it is possible to find a great place to stay within your budget and incredible discounts in luggage to take on your next trip. By comparison shopping by signing up to loyalty programs, booking in advance or last-minute, taking advantage of promotions and discounts, and exploring other options such as rental homes and home sharing platforms, you can stretch your budget further and enjoy your travels to the highest degree.