If you’re traveling and you’re sleeping, the location you put your head at night can take up a significant portion of your budget. However, don’t fret because there are plenty of options for finding secure, affordable and cozy accommodation.
For us, traveling with children isn’t always going for the cheapest options – we want to get the best value for budget. We’re not as keen on roughing it as we used be, but we still want to save some dough.
What you do and where you decide to live depends on a few things like:
- Your budget
- Your destination
- Your style of travel and level of comfort
- How big is your crew
- Your interests are important to you
Be aware that obtaining 15% off the room you don’t want isn’t as good as paying the full cost for a hotel you want. Our goal is to help you save money on accommodation and get the perfect place to stay.
As as a family, we’ve changed the way we travel over time. For longer trips, we prefer apartments because they have kitchens, separate bedrooms , and laundry facilities. Furthermore, we can share the cost of our trip with friends or other families. However, for shorter stays, we’re happy to stay in family-friendly hotels or hostels.
If you’re planning to take an extended journey around the globe, you should consider spending more time in places that will make your money go further and lowering your standards in more expensive countries.
Here are 18 tips for scoring great lodging deals:
Location, location, location!
It’s not sensible to find a cheap hotel 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 other things to do such as beaches, restaurants, and parks.
Stay for more than one night
Some hotels provide better rates If you stay for at least two nights. There are times when you can stay for four nights and pay for three.
Hit in the Hotel on Sunday
Hotels are less crowded on Sundays, therefore you might be able to score a good deal. Plus, if you stay on a Sunday, you’ll be able to avoid 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 less expensive during the week than on weekends. So, avoid tourist crowds, and also save some money by going during the week.
The off-season is the most enjoyable season
It’s not a surprise that hotels are more affordable in the off-season. If you’re able to travel during the shoulder season (between the peak season and off-peak) you’ll reduce costs as well as avoid crowds, and enjoy a pleasant weather.
Compare rates across various booking sites
Don’t just book through the first website you find. Compare the prices on multiple websites to ensure that you’re getting the best deal.
Join loyalty programs and sign up
A lot of hotels and vacation rental companies have loyalty programs through which guests can accumulate points or discounts on your next stay.
Make reservations early or at the last minute
Sometimes, making reservations early will offer a better price and other times waiting till the very last moment could get you a discount.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate
When you book directly with a hotel or vacation rental, don’t feel scared to request more value or facilities. There’s no way to know if they may just agree!
Look for vacation rental deals
Vacation rentals, like apartments or houses, are an ideal option for families or groups. And many times, they can be cheaper than booking more hotel rooms.
Take advantage of credit card rewards
If you have a credit or debit card that offers travel rewards, you can use the rewards for lodging and save even more money.
Check for hidden fees
Certain booking sites or hotels may charge extra fees for items like resort or cleaning charges, so be certain to read the fine print before making your booking.
Look for promotions or discounts
A lot of hotels and vacation rental properties offer specials or discounts on items such as military personnel, students as well as AAA members.
Check for hidden gems
Sometimes, the best bargains are found in smaller, independent hotels or rental properties that aren’t as popular.
Make sure you find pet-friendly accommodations
If you’re planning a trip with a furry friend Look for places that cater to pets. These places may offer special deals or discounts for pet owners.
Utilize social media
A lot of hotels and vacation rental properties have special deals or discounts 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
Home swapping or housesitting is the process of swapping houses with someone else which allows you to reside in their house while they live in yours. This can be a great method to save on lodging while also enjoying your personal space.
Think about renting a campervan RV
If you’re traveling with your group of people renting a campervan or RV could be the best option to save on accommodations. 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 often have access to discounts and deals that aren’t available to the general public. Plus, they can perform the research and comparison shopping for you.
Book a package deal
A flight, hotel, and rental car together as a package deal could often save you cash on each component.
Search for hostels
Hostels are a budget-friendly choice for solo travellers or groups of travelers. And with the popularity of hostels that are boutique there are often cozy, clean and secure options.
Try home-sharing services
Home-sharing platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo can offer more affordable and exclusive accommodation options such as staying in a private room in a home owned by a local or renting a whole home for a large number of people.
In addition, here are some helpful 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 at discounted prices. Make sure you look these stores up prior to purchasing at a department store that is more traditional.
Find sales during off-season
Like with accommodations You can usually get great deals on luggage in the sale season’s off or at the end of the season. This is especially true of retailers of travel and outdoor gear.
Buy refurbished or used
Consider buying used or recycled luggage. This is a fantastic option to save money on high-end brands. You could find lightly used luggage in perfect condition. Websites such as Amazon and Ebay have good options and as well as local classifieds and garage sales.
In the end, finding cheap accommodations and cheap luggage does not necessarily mean that you have to sacrifice comfort and safety. With a little bit of research and creativity, you can find an ideal accommodation within your budget, and also get amazing bargains in luggage to take on your next journey. By comparison shopping, signing up for loyalty programs, making reservations in advance or last-minute and taking advantage of specials and discounts, as well as exploring other options such as holiday rentals and home-sharing platforms You can extend your budget and enjoy your trip to the highest degree.