If you’re traveling and you’re sleeping, the location you put your head during the night could take up a significant portion of the budget. But don’t worry, there’s plenty of ways to find budget-friendly, comfortable and safe accommodations.
We find that traveling with children isn’t always choosing the most expensive options – we want to get the most price for our money. We’re not as down for roughing it as we used do, yet 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 travel style and level of comfort
- The size of your team
- Your interests are important to you
Just remember that getting an offer of 15% off the room you don’t like isn’t the same than paying full price for a room you really want. So, our goal is to assist you in saving cash on accommodation and find an accommodation that you are happy with.
As our family, we’ve shifted up our accommodation preferences over time. When we travel for longer periods, we prefer apartments as they come with bedrooms that are separate from the kitchen, as well as laundry facilities. Additionally, we can share the cost with our friends or families. But for shorter stays, we’re more than happy to stay in hostels or hotels that are family-friendly.
If you’re planning an extended trip across the world, try spending more time in places where you can save more 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 find a cheap hotel located far from everything , and you’ll need to pay more for transportation. Find hotels in central locations near airports, public transportation and activities like beaches, restaurants, and parks.
Stay for more than one night
A lot of hotels offer discounts If you stay for more than two nights. In some cases, you can stay for four nights, and only pay for three nights.
Stay at the hotel on Sunday
Hotels tend to be less busy 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 lines at check-ins and outs on Fridays and Mondays.
The weekdays are the best days to be a part of your life.
In some cities, like Las Vegas, hotels are cheaper on weekdays than weekends. Also, try to avoid the crowds and save some money by going during the week.
Off-season is the best-season
It’s no surprise that hotels are cheaper in the off-season. If you can travel during shoulder seasons (between the peak season and off-peak) you’ll cut costs while avoiding crowds and have decent weather.
Compare rates across various booking sites
Do not just book on the first website you find. Compare rates across multiple sites to ensure that you’re getting the best price.
Join loyalty programs and sign up
A lot of vacation rental and hotels offer loyalty programs in which members earn rewards and discounts for future stays.
Make reservations early or at the last minute
Sometimes, making reservations earlier can offer a better price or, in other instances waiting till the very last moment may result in a lower rate.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate
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
Vacation rentals, like apartments or houses, are ideal for groups or families. And many times, they are less expensive than booking more hotel rooms.
Take advantage of rewards on credit cards
If you have a credit or debit card with travel rewards, use the rewards for your hotel and save money.
Check for hidden fees
Certain booking sites or hotels may charge extra for things like cleaning or resort fees Be sure to check the fine print prior to making your booking.
Find discounts or promotions
Many vacation and hotel accommodations offer discounts or promotions on items such as students, military personnel, and AAA members.
Check for hidden gems
Sometimes, the most affordable deals can be found at smaller, independent hotels or vacation rentals that aren’t as well-known.
Look for pet-friendly options
If you’re planning a trip with a furry friend Look for places that cater to pets. These establishments may provide special discounts or deals for pet owners.
Utilize social media
Many vacation and hotel accommodations offer special discounts or deals that they advertise via social media. So be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Consider a home-sitting arrangement or house-swapping
Housesitting or home swapping is when you exchange houses with a different person which allows you to stay in their home while they stay in yours. This can be a great option to save money on housing while enjoying your personal space.
Consider renting a campervan or RV
If you’re traveling with your group of people renting a campervan or RV is a great method to save money on accommodation. In addition, you’ll have the chance to explore different places and also have your own transportation in one!
Use a travel agent
Travel agents can often access discounts and offers that aren’t available to the general public. Plus, they can conduct the research and comparison shopping for you.
Book a package deal
Booking a flight, hotel, and rental car together as a package deal could often save you money on each of the components.
Search for hostels
Hostels are a budget-friendly choice for solo travellers or groups of travelers. In addition, with the popularity of hostels that are boutique it is possible to find cozy, clean and safe options.
Explore home-sharing platforms
Home-sharing services like Airbnb and Vrbo are able to provide cheaper and exclusive accommodation options for example, staying in a room in a home owned by a local or renting a complete house for a large group.
For your convenience, here are some tips to help you find cheap luggage
Shop at discount retailers
Discount retailers such as T.J. Maxx, Ross, and Marshalls often carry a selection of luggage for sale at a discount. Make sure to look these stores up before you buy at a department store that is more traditional.
Check out sales that are off-season
Just like with accommodation It is not uncommon to find good deals on luggage during seasonal sales or the off-season. This is especially true for the stores that sell travel and outdoor gear.
Buy used or refurbished
You should consider purchasing used or recycled luggage. It’s a great method to save on top-quality brands and you might be able to locate gently used luggage that is in perfect quality. Websites such as Amazon and Ebay offer a variety of options, and also local classifieds and garage sales.
In the end, finding affordable accommodations and cheap luggage does not need to mean you sacrifice comfort and safety. With a bit of research and imagination, you can find a great accommodation within your budget as well as amazing discounts regarding luggage and luggage options for the next travels. By comparison shopping by signing up to loyalty programs, making bookings in advance or last-minute and taking advantage of specials and discounts, as well as looking at alternative options such as holiday rentals and home-sharing platforms You can extend your budget and enjoy your travels to the fullest.