While traveling and you’re sleeping, the location you put your head during the night could eat up a big chunk from your spending budget. However, don’t fret because there are plenty of ways to find budget-friendly, comfortable and safe accommodation.
Traveling with kids doesn’t always mean taking the cheapest option – we want to get the best value for our dollars. We’re not as keen on roughing it as we used to have been, however we want to save some dough.
What you do and where you decide to stay will depend on several factors, including:
- Your budget
- Your destination
- Your travel style and comfort level
- Your size team
- Your interests
Remember that getting 15% off the room you don’t need isn’t as effective as paying full price for a place you do. Our goal is to assist you in saving cash on accommodation and find an accommodation that you are happy with.
As a family, we’ve switched around our accommodations over the years. When we travel for longer periods, we prefer apartments as they come with kitchens, separate bedrooms and laundry facilities. Additionally, we can share the cost of our trip with other families or friends. For shorter stays, we’re more than happy to stay in hotels or family-friendly hostels.
If you’re planning to take an extended journey around the globe, consider spending more time in places that will make your money go further and lowering 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 all amenities and you need to shell out more money for transportation. Find hotels in central areas near public transportation, airports and other things to do, like restaurants, the beach and parks.
Stay more than one night
A lot of hotels offer discounts If you stay for more than two nights. There are times when you can stay for four nights, and only pay for three.
Go to the hotel on Sunday
Hotels tend to be less crowded on Sundays, so you may be able to get a bargain. Also, if you book on a Sunday, you’ll stay clear of the crowds at check-in and checkout on Fridays and Mondays.
Your weekdays can be your best friend
In certain cities, such as Las Vegas, hotels are cheaper during the week than weekends. Also, try to avoid all the tourists and spare some cash by traveling midweek.
Off-season is when the best season is
It’s no surprise that hotels are cheaper during off-season. If you can travel in the shoulder season (between high and low), you can reduce costs as well as avoid crowds, and enjoy decent weather.
Compare the prices of different booking sites
Do not book on the first site you come across. Compare prices across multiple sites to ensure that you’re getting the best deal.
Join loyalty programs and sign up
Many resorts and hotels offer loyalty programs where members earn rewards or discounts for future stays.
Book early or last-minute
Sometimes, making reservations early will offer a better price and other times, waiting till the very last moment can result in a lower rate.
Do not be afraid to bargain
If you are booking directly with a hotel , or holiday rental, don’t be intimidated to ask for a better rate or extra amenities. You never know, 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. They are less expensive than booking multiple hotel rooms.
Take advantage of rewards on credit cards
If you have a credit or debit card with travel rewards, utilize them to pay for lodging and save more.
Check for hidden fees
Certain booking sites or hotels may charge extra fees for items such as resort or cleaning fees Be sure to read the fine print before making a booking.
Look for promotions or discounts
Many vacation and hotel accommodations offer promotions or discounts on items such as military personnel, students as well as AAA members.
Check for hidden gems
Sometimes, the best deals can be found at smaller hotels, independent establishments or holiday rentals that aren’t popular.
Look for pet-friendly options
If you’re planning to travel with a pet consider looking for accommodations that are pet-friendly. These establishments may offer special deals or discounts for guests with pets.
Utilize social media
A lot of hotels and vacation rental properties have special deals or discounts which they promote through social media. Be sure to be following them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Try a house-sitting or home-swapping
Housesitting or home swapping is when you exchange houses with a different person which allows you to stay in their home while they live in yours. This can be a great method to save on housing while enjoying your personal 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 is a great option to save on accommodation. In addition, you’ll have the chance 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 which aren’t accessible to the general people. They can also conduct the research and comparison shopping for you.
Book a package deal
A hotel, flight, and rental car together as a package deal could often save you money on each individual component.
Find hostels
Hostels can be a cost-effective option for solo travelers or groups of travelers. With the popularity of hostels that are boutique there are often comfortable, clean, and secure options.
Try home-sharing platforms
Home-sharing services like Airbnb and Vrbo provide more affordable and unique accommodation options, like staying in a private space in a homeowner’s home or renting a whole house for a large gathering.
For your convenience, here are some helpful tips to help you 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. Make sure you look these stores up prior to purchasing from a department store.
Find sales during off-season
Just like with accommodation, you can often find good deals on luggage during the off-season or end-of-season sales. This is especially true of retailers of travel and outdoor gear.
Buy refurbished or used
You should consider purchasing used or used luggage. This is a fantastic option to save money on top-quality brands and you may be able to find lightly used luggage in excellent quality. Websites like 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 have to mean sacrificing the comfort or security. With a bit of research and creativity you can locate a great place to stay within your budget as well as amazing discounts in luggage to take on your next journey. By comparison shopping by signing up to loyalty programs, booking late or at the last minute and taking advantage of specials and discounts, and exploring other options such as home-sharing platforms and vacation rentals You can extend your budget and enjoy your trip to the maximum.