While traveling and you’re sleeping, the location you put your head in the night can eat up a big chunk of your budget. But worry not, there’s many options to locate budget-friendly, comfortable and safe accommodations.
For us, traveling with children isn’t always choosing the most expensive options and we’re looking to get the most price for our budget. We’re not as down for roughing it as we used be, but we still want to save some dough.
What you do and where you decide to stay depends on a number of factors like:
- Your budget
- Your destination
- Your style of travel and level of comfort
- Your size team
- Your interests
Remember that getting an offer of 15% off the room you don’t want isn’t as good than paying full price for a hotel you want. Our goal is to help you save money on accommodation and get the perfect place to stay.
As a family, we’ve switched the way we travel over time. When we travel for longer periods, we’d prefer apartments as they come with bedrooms that are separate from the kitchen, as well as laundry facilities. Plus, we can split the costs with friends or other families. For shorter stays, we’re happy to stay in hotels or family-friendly hostels.
If you’re taking an extended journey around the globe, consider spending more time in places where your money goes further and lower 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 in a location that is miles from everything , and you’ll need to pay more for transportation. Look for places in central areas near public transportation, airports, and things to do such as restaurants, the beach, 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.
Go to in the Hotel on Sunday
Hotels tend to be less busy on Sundays, so you may be able to score a good deal. Also, if you book on a Sunday, you’ll be able to avoid the crowds at check-in and checkout on Fridays and Mondays.
Your weekdays can be your best friend
In certain cities, such as Las Vegas, hotels are cheaper during the week than on weekends. Therefore, you can avoid tourist crowds, and also save cash by traveling midweek.
The off-season is the most enjoyable season
It’s no surprise that hotels tend to be more expensive during the off-season. If you can travel in the shoulder season (between the peak season and off-peak), you can save money, avoid crowds and still enjoy decent weather.
Compare the prices of different booking sites
Do not book on the first site you come across. Compare the prices on multiple websites to ensure you’re getting the most value for money.
Make sure you sign up for loyalty programs
A lot of 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 early will offer a better price and other times staying up till the very last moment can score you a discounted rate.
Do not be afraid to bargain
If you are booking directly with a hotel , or vacation rental, don’t feel intimidated to ask for more value or features. You never know, they may just agree!
Look for vacation rental deals
Rentals for vacation, such as apartments or homes, can be an ideal option for groups or families. And many times, they can be cheaper than booking several hotel rooms.
Make use of credit card rewards
If you have a credit card that has travel rewards, utilize these rewards to cover your hotel and save even more money.
Check for hidden fees
Some booking websites or hotels may charge extra fees for items like resort or cleaning charges So be certain to check the fine print prior to making a booking.
Find discounts or promotions
A lot of hotels and vacation rental properties offer specials or discounts on items such as students, military personnel, and AAA members.
Check for hidden gems
Sometimes, the best bargains can be found in smaller hotel chains, or in holiday rentals that aren’t well-known.
Look for pet-friendly options
If you’re planning to travel with your pet Look for places that cater to pets. These places may offer special deals or discounts for guests who have pets.
Utilize social media
Many vacation and hotel accommodations have special deals or discounts that they promote via social media. Be sure to be following them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Try a house-sitting or home-swapping
Housesitting, also known as home swapping, is the process of swapping houses with another person which allows you to reside in their house while they reside in yours. It can be a wonderful way to save money on accommodation while still having your own space.
Consider renting a campervan or RV
If you’re traveling with a group or family, renting a campervan or RV could be a great option to save on accommodations. In addition, you’ll have the chance to visit different locations and have your own transportation in one!
Use a travel agent
Travel agents can often access 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
Booking a hotel, flight, and rental car as a package deal can occasionally save money on each individual component.
Look for hostels
Hostels are a budget-friendly alternative for solo travelers as well as groups of travelers. In addition, with the popularity of hostels that are boutique, you can often find comfortable, clean, and safe options.
Explore home-sharing platforms
Home-sharing services like Airbnb and Vrbo can offer more affordable and unique accommodation options, for example, staying in a room in a home owned by a local or renting a complete house for a large gathering.
As a bonus here are some tips to help you find cheap luggage
Shop at discount retailers
Discount retailers such as T.J. Maxx, Ross, and Marshalls typically have a variety of luggage at discounted prices. Make sure you check these stores out before you buy from a traditional department store.
Find sales during off-season
Similar to accommodation It is not uncommon to get great deals on luggage during the off-season or end-of-season sales. This is especially true for outdoor and travel gear stores.
Buy refurbished or used
You should consider purchasing used or used luggage. This can be a great method to save on high-end brands. You might be able to locate gently used luggage that is in perfect condition. Websites such as Amazon and Ebay are good choices, as are as well as local classifieds and garage sales.
In the end, finding affordable accommodation and discount luggage doesn’t need to mean you sacrifice the comfort or security. With a little bit of research and creativity, you can find the perfect location to stay within your budget and incredible deals in luggage to take on your next trip. By comparison shopping, signing up for loyalty programs, making reservations early or last-minute, taking advantage of promotions and discounts, as well as looking at alternative options such as holiday rentals and home-sharing platforms to extend your budget and enjoy your travels to the maximum.