If you’re traveling, where you lay your head at night can take up a significant portion from your spending budget. But worry not, there’s plenty of ways to find affordable, safe and comfortable places to stay.
Traveling with children isn’t always choosing the most expensive options We want to get the most value for our money. We’re not as down for roughing it as we used do, yet we want to save some dough.
What you do and where you decide to stay will depend on a number of factors like:
- Your budget
- Your destination
- Your style of travel and comfort level
- The size of your team
- Your interests are important to you
Just remember that getting a 15% discount on the room you don’t like isn’t the same than paying full price for a place you do. Therefore, our aim is to make it easier for you to save cash on accommodation and find the perfect place to stay.
As as a family, we’ve changed the way we travel throughout the years. In the case of longer travel, we prefer apartments due to their kitchens, separate bedrooms , and laundry facilities. Furthermore, we can share the cost with friends or other families. However, 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, you should consider spending more time in places that will make your money go further and lowering your standards in countries that are more expensive.
Here are 18 tips for scoring great lodging deals:
Location, location, location!
It doesn’t make sense to pick a budget hotel located far from everything and you have to shell out more money for transportation. Find hotels in central areas near public transportation, airports and other things to do like beaches, restaurants, and parks.
Stay more than one night
Some hotels provide better rates when you stay more than two nights. Sometimes you can even stay for four nights, and only pay for three.
Stay at the hotel on Sunday
Hotels tend to be less busy on Sundays, which means you’re likely to find a deal. Also, if you book on a Sunday, you’ll be able to avoid the lines at check-ins and outs on Monday and Friday.
Weekdays are your friend
In certain cities, such as Las Vegas, hotels are less expensive during the week than weekends. Therefore, you can avoid all the tourists and spare money by travelling during the week.
Off-season is when the best season is
It’s not a surprise that hotels are cheaper during off-season. If you’re able to travel in the shoulder season (between the peak season and off-peak) you’ll reduce costs as well as avoid crowds, and have decent conditions.
Compare the prices of different booking websites
Don’t just book through the first website you find. Compare the prices on multiple websites to ensure you’re getting the best price.
Join loyalty programs and sign up
Many resorts and hotels offer loyalty programs in which guests can accumulate points or discounts for future stays.
Pre-book or book last-minute
Sometimes, making reservations earlier can save you money and other times waiting until the last minute can result in a lower rate.
Do not be afraid of negotiating
When booking directly with a hotel , or vacation rental, don’t feel intimidated to ask for a better rate or extra features. You never know, they might just say yes!
Look for vacation rental deals
Rentals for vacation, such as apartments or houses, are a great option for families or groups. In many cases, they can be cheaper than booking multiple hotel rooms.
Make use of rewards on credit cards
If you have a credit or debit card that offers travel rewards, you can use these rewards to cover your hotel and save money.
Check for hidden fees
Some booking websites or hotels might charge additional fees for things like cleaning or resort fees Be sure to read the fine print before making your booking.
Find discounts or promotions
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 most affordable deals can be found at smaller hotels, independent establishments or vacation rentals that aren’t as popular.
Find pet-friendly places
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 guests who have pets.
Utilize social media
Many vacation and hotel accommodations offer discounts or special offers that they advertise on social media. Make sure you keep up with them via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
You can try a home-sitting job or a house-sitting
Housesitting, also known as home swapping, is when you swap houses with a different person and live in their home while they live in yours. It can be a wonderful method to save on accommodation while still being in your space.
Think about renting a campervan RV
If you’re traveling with your group of people hiring a campervan, or RV can be a great method to save money on accommodations. Additionally, you’ll be able to visit different locations and even have the convenience of your own vehicle all in one!
Use a travel agent
Travel agents often have access to discounts and offers that aren’t available to the general public. They can also perform the research and comparison shopping for you.
Book a package deal
A hotel, flight and rental car as a package deal could sometimes save you money on each of the components.
Find hostels
Hostels are an affordable option for solo travelers or groups of travelers. In addition, with the rise of boutique hostels there are often comfortable, clean, and safe alternatives.
Try home-sharing services
Home-sharing platforms 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 complete house for a large group.
For your convenience, here are some helpful tips for finding cheap luggage:
Shop at discount retailers
Discount retailers such as T.J. Maxx, Ross and Marshalls often carry a selection of luggage at reduced prices. Make sure you go through these stores before you buy at a department store that is more traditional.
Find sales during off-season
Just like with accommodation You can usually get good bargains on luggage in the off-season or end-of-season sales. This is especially true of outdoor and travel gear stores.
Buy refurbished or used
Consider buying used or refurbished luggage. This is a fantastic option to save money on high-end brands. You may be able to find lightly used luggage in perfect quality. Websites such as Amazon and Ebay are good choices, as are there are local classifieds as well as garage sales.
In the end, finding cheap accommodation and discount luggage doesn’t have to mean sacrificing the comfort or security. With a little bit of research and imagination it is possible to find the perfect place to stay within your budget as well as amazing deals in luggage to take on your next journey. By looking at prices, signing up for loyalty programs, booking in advance or last-minute booking, taking advantage of sales and discounts, or exploring other options such as rental homes and home sharing platforms, you can increase your spending and enjoy your trip to the fullest.