If you’re traveling, where you lay your head at night can consume a large portion of your budget. But don’t worry, there’s many options to locate secure, affordable and cozy places to stay.
Traveling with children isn’t always choosing the most expensive options – we want to get the best value for our money. We’re not as keen on roughing it as we used to do, yet we need to cut costs.
Where and how you choose to stay depends on a few things like:
- Your budget
- Your destination
- Your travel style and comfort level
- The size of your crew
- Your interests are important to you
Remember that getting an offer of 15% off the room you don’t need isn’t as effective as paying full price for a hotel you want. Therefore, our aim is to make it easier for you to save money on lodging and to get the perfect place to stay.
As a family, we’ve switched around our accommodations over time. For longer trips, we’re more comfortable in apartments due to their bedrooms that are separate from the kitchen, as well as laundry facilities. Additionally, we can share the costs with our friends or families. For shorter stays, we’re happy to stay in hotels or family-friendly 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’s not logical to pick a budget hotel if it’s miles away from everything , and you’ll need to pay more for transportation. Find hotels in central locations near public transportation, airports, and things to do such as beaches, restaurants, and parks.
Stay longer than one night
Many places offer better deals If you stay for at least two nights. In some cases, you can stay for four nights and pay for three nights.
Stay at the hotel on Sunday
Hotels are less crowded on Sundays so you may be able to get a bargain. Also, if you book on a Sunday, you’ll be able to avoid the crowds at check-in and checkout on Fridays and Mondays.
Weekdays are your friend
In certain cities, such as Las Vegas, hotels are cheaper during the week than weekends. Therefore, you can get away from tourist crowds, and also save some cash by traveling midweek.
Off-season is the best-season
It’s no surprise that hotels tend to be more expensive during off-season. If you can travel during shoulder seasons (between peak and off-peak) you’ll cut costs as well as avoid crowds, and enjoy decent conditions.
Compare the prices of different booking websites
Don’t just book through the first site you come across. Compare rates across multiple sites to make sure you’re getting the most value for money.
Sign up for loyalty programs
Many hotels and vacation rental companies offer loyalty programs where guests can accumulate points or discounts on future stays.
Pre-book or book last-minute
Sometimes, booking early can save you money or, in other instances, waiting to the end of the day can score you a discounted rate.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate
When booking directly through a hotel or vacation rental, don’t feel intimidated to ask for an improved rate or additional features. There’s no way to know if they might even say yes!
Look for vacation rental deals
Apartments, such as vacation rentals or houses, are a great option for groups or families. In many cases, they can be less expensive than booking multiple hotel rooms.
Make use of credit card rewards
If you have a credit card that has travel rewards, make use of the rewards for your hotel and save even more money.
Check for hidden fees
Hotels or booking sites may charge extra for things like resort or cleaning charges, so be sure to be aware of the fine print before making a booking.
Look for promotions or discounts
A lot of hotels and vacation rental properties offer specials or discounts for military personnel, students as well as AAA members.
Check for hidden gems
Sometimes, the most affordable deals can be found at smaller hotel chains, or in rental properties that aren’t as well-known.
Look for pet-friendly options
If you’re planning a trip with a furry friend, look for pet-friendly options. These places may offer discounts or special offers for guests with pets.
Utilize social media
A lot of hotels and vacation rental properties offer discounts or special offers that they advertise through social media. Make sure you be following them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Consider a home-sitting arrangement or house-swapping
Home swapping or housesitting is when you swap houses with a different person and live in their home while they reside in yours. This is a fantastic option to save money on lodging while also having your own space.
Think about renting a campervan RV
If you’re traveling with your group or family renting a campervan or RV can be a great method to save money on accommodation. Plus, you’ll be able to travel around the world and 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. Plus, they can do the research and comparison shopping for you.
Book a package deal
Booking a hotel, flight and rental vehicle together as a package deal can often save you money on each individual component.
Search for hostels
Hostels are an affordable choice for solo travellers or groups. With the popularity of hostels that are boutique, you can often find cozy, clean and safe options.
Try home-sharing services
Home-sharing services like Airbnb and Vrbo provide more affordable and unique accommodation options, such as 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 such as T.J. Maxx, Ross and Marshalls usually have a range of luggage for sale at a discount. Make sure you check these stores out before you buy at a department store that is more traditional.
Find sales during off-season
Just like with accommodation It is not uncommon to get good bargains on luggage during the off-season or end-of-season sales. This is especially true of outdoor and travel gear stores.
Buy refurbished or used
Take a look at buying second-hand or used luggage. This is a fantastic method to save on high-end brands. You might be able to locate gently used luggage in near perfect condition. Websites like Amazon and Ebay are good choices, as are there are local classifieds as well as garage sales.
In conclusion, finding cheap accommodation and discount luggage doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to sacrifice security and comfort. With a little bit of research and creativity it is possible to find a great location to stay within your budget and incredible bargains regarding luggage and luggage options for the next travels. By comparison shopping by signing up to loyalty programs, booking late or at the last minute booking, taking advantage of sales and discounts, and looking at alternative options such as rental homes and home sharing platforms to increase your spending and enjoy your travels to the maximum.