While traveling the place you rest your head in the night can eat up a big chunk from your spending budget. But don’t worry, there’s many options to locate affordable, safe and comfortable places to stay.
For us, traveling with children isn’t always taking the cheapest option – we want to get the best price for our money. We’re not so keen on roughing it as we used to do, yet we still want to save some dough.
The place and the way 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 team
- Your interests
Remember that getting a 15% discount on an accommodation you don’t need isn’t as effective as paying full price for a place you do. Our goal is to make it easier for you to save money on lodging and to get 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’d prefer apartments as they come with kitchens, separate bedrooms , and laundry facilities. Plus, we can split the costs with our friends or families. For shorter stays, we’re more than happy to stay in hostels or hotels that are family-friendly.
If you’re planning 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 more expensive countries.
Here are 18 tips for scoring great lodging deals:
Location, location, location!
It doesn’t make sense to find a cheap hotel in a location that is miles from all amenities and you need to spend extra on transportation. Consider hotels located in central locations near public transportation, airports and activities such as restaurants, the beach and parks.
Stay longer than one night
Some hotels provide better rates when you stay at least two nights. There are times when you can stay four nights and only pay for three.
Hit in the Hotel on Sunday
Hotels are less crowded on Sundays so you may be able to get a bargain. Plus, if you stay on Sunday, you’ll avoid the crowds at check-in and checkout on Fridays and Mondays.
The weekdays are the best days to be a part of your life.
In certain cities, such as Las Vegas, hotels are more affordable on weekdays than weekends. So, avoid the crowds and save some money by going during the week.
The off-season is the most enjoyable season
It’s not a surprise that hotels tend to be more expensive during off-season. If you’re able to travel during the shoulder season (between peak and off-peak) you’ll reduce costs while avoiding crowds and enjoy decent conditions.
Compare prices across different booking websites
Do not just book on the first website you find. Compare the prices on multiple websites to ensure that you’re getting the most value for money.
Make sure you sign up for loyalty programs
A lot of hotels and vacation rental companies have loyalty programs through which you can earn points or discounts for future stays.
Make reservations early or at the last minute
Sometimes, booking early can save you money or, in other instances, waiting till the very last moment could get you a discount.
Do not be afraid to bargain
When you book directly through a hotel or vacation rental, don’t be afraid to ask for an improved rate or additional features. There’s no way to know if they might just say yes!
Look for vacation rental deals
Vacation rentals, like apartments or houses, are ideal for groups or families. And many times, they are less expensive than booking multiple hotel rooms.
Take advantage of credit card rewards
If you have a credit card that offers travel rewards, you can make use of these rewards to cover your hotel 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 Be certain to read the fine print before making a booking.
Find discounts or promotions
Many vacation and hotel accommodations offer specials or discounts for things like students, military personnel, as well as AAA members.
Check for hidden gems
Sometimes, the best bargains are found in smaller hotel chains, or in vacation rentals that aren’t as popular.
Find pet-friendly places
If you’re planning to travel with a furry friend consider looking for accommodations that are pet-friendly. Some places provide special discounts or deals for guests with pets.
Utilize social media
Many hotels and vacation rentals offer discounts or special offers which they promote on social media. Make sure you be following them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Consider a home-sitting arrangement or house-swapping
Housesitting or home swapping is when you swap houses with another person, allowing you to live in their home while they stay in yours. This can be a great way to save money on housing while enjoying your personal space.
You might want to consider renting a campervan, or an RV
If you’re traveling with a family or group renting a campervan or RV is an excellent method to save money on accommodations. Additionally, you’ll be able to explore different places and have your own transportation in one!
Use a travel agent
Travel agents often have access to discounts and offers that aren’t offered to the general people. They can also conduct the research and comparison shopping for you.
Book a package deal
Booking a hotel, flight, and rental car together as a package deal could sometimes save you cash on each component.
Search for hostels
Hostels are an affordable alternative for solo travelers as well as groups. With the rise of boutique hostels there are often cozy, clean and safe alternatives.
Explore home-sharing platforms
Home-sharing services like Airbnb and Vrbo can offer more affordable and distinctive accommodation options, for example, staying in a space in a homeowner’s home or renting a complete home for a large number of people.
As a bonus Here are some suggestions 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 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
Like with accommodations You can usually get good bargains on luggage during seasonal sales or the off-season. This is especially true of retailers of travel and outdoor gear.
Buy used or refurbished
Take a look at buying second-hand or recycled luggage. This can be a great way to save money on the top brands, and you could find gently used luggage that is in excellent quality. Websites such as Amazon and Ebay offer a variety of options, and there are local classifieds as well as garage sales.
In the end, finding cheap accommodation and discount luggage doesn’t have to mean sacrificing comfort and safety. If you do a little investigation and creativity you can locate an ideal location to stay within your budget as well as amazing bargains in luggage to take on your next travels. By comparison shopping, signing up for loyalty programs, booking early or last-minute booking, taking advantage of sales 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 fullest.