If you’re traveling and you’re sleeping, the location you put your head at night can take up a significant portion of the budget. But don’t worry, there’s plenty of options for finding secure, affordable and cozy accommodations.
Traveling with children isn’t always going for the cheapest options – we want to get the best price for our budget. We’re not so keen on roughing it as much as we used to do, yet we still need to cut costs.
Where and how you choose to stay will depend on a number of factors like:
- Your budget
- Your destination
- Your travel style and comfort level
- The size of your team
- Your interests
Be aware that obtaining an offer of 15% off an accommodation you don’t want isn’t as good than paying full price for a hotel you want. Our goal is to make it easier for you to save cash on accommodation and find an accommodation that you are happy with.
As as a family, we’ve changed up our accommodation preferences over the years. When we travel for longer periods, we prefer apartments due to their kitchens, separate bedrooms , and laundry facilities. Furthermore, we can share the cost of our trip with other families or friends. For short stays, we’re happy to stay in hotels or family-friendly hostels.
If you’re planning to take an extended trip across 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 find a cheap hotel if it’s miles away from all amenities and you need to shell out more money for transportation. Look for places in central areas near airports, public transportation, and things to do 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.
Go to the hotel on Sunday
Hotels are less crowded 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 check-in and check-out crowds on Monday and Friday.
The weekdays are the best days to be a part of your life.
In certain cities, such as Las Vegas, hotels are cheaper during the week than weekends. Therefore, you can avoid all the tourists and spare money by travelling during the week.
Off-season is the best-season
It’s no surprise that hotels tend to be more expensive in the off-season. If you’re able to travel during the shoulder season (between high and low), you can reduce costs as well as avoid crowds, and enjoy decent weather.
Compare prices across different booking websites
Do not just book on the first website you find. Compare the prices on multiple websites to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
Join loyalty programs and sign up
A lot of hotels and vacation rental companies offer loyalty programs where you can earn points or discount on future stays.
Make reservations early or at the last minute
Sometimes, booking early can offer a better price and other times staying up until the last minute may score you a discounted rate.
Do not be afraid of negotiating
If you are booking directly with a hotel , or vacation rental, don’t feel intimidated to ask for an improved rate or additional facilities. There’s no way to know if they might even say yes!
Look for vacation rental deals
Apartments, such as vacation rentals or homes, can be ideal for groups or families. In many cases, they are less expensive than booking multiple hotel rooms.
Take advantage of credit card rewards
If you have a credit or debit card that offers travel rewards, you can use them to pay for your lodging and save even more money.
Check for hidden fees
Hotels or booking sites may charge extra fees for items like resort or cleaning charges, so be certain to be aware of the fine print before booking.
Find discounts or promotions
Many hotels and vacation rentals offer discounts or promotions for things like military personnel, students, and AAA members.
Check for hidden gems
Sometimes, the best deals can be found at smaller hotels, independent establishments or rental properties that aren’t as well-known.
Find pet-friendly places
If you’re planning to travel with a furry friend consider looking for accommodations that are pet-friendly. These establishments may provide special discounts or deals for guests who have pets.
Utilize social media
A lot of hotels and vacation rental properties offer discounts or special offers that they advertise through social media. Be sure to keep up with them via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Consider a home-sitting arrangement or house-swapping
Housesitting or home swapping is the process of swapping houses with someone else which allows you to stay in their home while they stay in yours. This can be a great method to save on accommodation while still being in your space.
You might want to consider renting a campervan, or an RV
If you’re traveling with a family or group hiring a campervan, or RV can be the best way to save money on lodging. Plus, you’ll be able to travel around the world and even have your own transportation in one!
Use a travel agent
Travel agents are often able to access discounts and deals that aren’t offered to the general public. They can also perform the research and comparison shopping for you.
Book a package deal
Booking a hotel, flight, and rental car as a package deal could sometimes save you cash on each component.
Look for hostels
Hostels can be a cost-effective choice for solo travellers or groups of travelers. And with the rise of boutique hostels, you can often find comfortable, clean, and secure options.
Try home-sharing services
Home-sharing platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo provide more affordable and exclusive accommodation options for example, staying in a room in a home owned by a local or renting a whole home for a large number of people.
As a bonus here are some helpful tips to help you find cheap luggage
Shop at discount retailers
Discount retailers like T.J. Maxx, Ross, and Marshalls usually have a range of luggage for sale at a discount. Make sure to check these stores out prior to purchasing from a traditional department store.
Check out sales that are off-season
Similar to accommodation You can usually get great deals on luggage during the seasonal sales or the off-season. This is particularly true for retailers of travel and outdoor gear.
Buy refurbished or used
You should consider purchasing used or used luggage. It’s a great way to save money on top-quality brands and you might be able to locate gently used luggage that is in excellent quality. Websites such as Amazon and Ebay are good choices, as are also local classifieds and garage sales.
In the end, finding cheap accommodations and cheap luggage does not need to mean you sacrifice the comfort or security. With a little bit of research and creativity it is possible to find the perfect accommodation within your budget and incredible discounts on luggage for 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, as well as trying alternative options like home-sharing platforms and vacation rentals to extend your budget and enjoy your travels to the maximum.