While traveling, where you lay your head in the night can eat up a big chunk of your budget. But don’t worry, there’s many options to locate secure, affordable and cozy accommodation.
Traveling with kids doesn’t always mean taking the cheapest option – we want to get the best price for our budget. We’re not as keen on roughing it as we used do, yet we need to cut costs.
Where and how you choose to live depends on a few things like:
- Your budget
- Your destination
- Your travel style and level of comfort
- The size of your crew
- Your interests are important to you
Just remember that getting a 15% discount on a room you don’t really like isn’t the same than paying full price for a place you do. Our goal is to make it easier for you to save money on accommodation and get the perfect place to stay.
As a family, we’ve switched the way we travel over the years. When we travel for longer periods, we prefer apartments as they come with bedrooms that are separate from the kitchen, as well as laundry facilities. Furthermore, we can share the costs with friends or other families. But for shorter stays, we’re happy to stay in hostels or hotels that are family-friendly.
If you’re taking an extended trip across the globe, consider spending more time in places that will make your money go further and lowering your standards in more costly countries.
Here are 18 tips for scoring great lodging deals:
Location, location, location!
It’s not logical to find a cheap hotel if it’s miles away from everything , and you’ll need to shell out more money for transportation. Consider hotels located in central areas that are close to airports, public transportation and other things to do such as restaurants, the beach, and parks.
Stay more than one night
A lot of hotels offer discounts If you stay for two or more 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, so you may be able to get a bargain. Plus, if you stay on Sunday, you’ll avoid the check-in and check-out crowds on Monday and Friday.
Weekdays are your friend
In certain cities, such as Las Vegas, hotels are cheaper during the week than on weekends. Also, try to avoid the crowds and save some cash by traveling midweek.
Off-season is when the best season is
It’s no surprise that hotels tend to be more expensive during off-season. If you can travel in the shoulder season (between peak and off-peak), you can save money while avoiding crowds and enjoy a pleasant weather.
Compare the prices of different booking websites
Do not book on the first website you find. Compare rates across multiple sites to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
Sign up for loyalty programs
A lot of hotels and vacation rental companies offer loyalty programs in which members earn rewards and discounts for future stays.
Pre-book or book last-minute
Sometimes, booking early can offer a better price or, in other instances, waiting till the very last moment may score you a discounted rate.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate
When you book directly through a hotel or holiday rental, don’t be intimidated to ask for an improved rate or additional amenities. There’s no way to know if they might even say yes!
Look for vacation rental deals
Apartments, such as vacation rentals or houses, are an ideal option for families or groups. In many cases, they can be less expensive than booking multiple hotel rooms.
Benefit from rewards on credit cards
If you own a credit card that has travel rewards, use them to pay for your lodging and save more.
Check for hidden fees
Hotels or booking sites may charge extra fees for items like resort or cleaning charges So be sure to read the fine print before making a booking.
Look for promotions or discounts
Many vacation and hotel accommodations offer promotions or discounts for military personnel, students and AAA members.
Check for hidden gems
Sometimes, the most affordable deals can be found in smaller hotel chains, or in vacation rentals that aren’t as popular.
Make sure you find pet-friendly accommodations
If you’re planning a trip with your pet consider looking for accommodations that are pet-friendly. These places may provide special discounts or deals for guests with pets.
Utilize social media
A lot of hotels and vacation rental properties have special deals or discounts that they promote through social media. Be sure to be following them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
You can try a home-sitting job or a house-sitting
Housesitting, also known as home swapping, is when you exchange houses with someone else which allows you to live in their home while they live in yours. This is a fantastic method to save on housing while enjoying your personal space.
Consider renting a campervan or RV
If you’re traveling with a group of people renting a campervan or RV can be the best method to save money on lodging. Plus, 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 special offers which aren’t accessible to the general people. Plus, they can do the research and comparison shopping for you.
Book a package deal
Booking a flight, hotel, and rental car as a package deal could often save you cash on each component.
Search for hostels
Hostels are a budget-friendly option for solo travelers or groups of travelers. In addition, with the popularity of hostels that are boutique it is possible to find cozy, clean and safe options.
Try home-sharing services
Home-sharing platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo are able to provide cheaper and exclusive accommodation options such as staying in a private room in a home owned by a local or renting a house for a large gathering.
In addition, here are some helpful tips for finding 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. Be sure to look these stores up prior to purchasing at a department store that is more traditional.
Look for off-season sales
Similar to accommodation You can usually get great deals on luggage during the sale season’s off or at the end of the season. This is particularly true for outdoor and travel gear stores.
Buy refurbished or used
You should consider purchasing used or used luggage. This can be a great way to save money on high-end brands. You could find gently used luggage in near perfect condition. Websites like Amazon and Ebay are good choices, as are there are local classifieds as well as garage sales.
In conclusion, finding cheap accommodation and discount luggage doesn’t have to mean sacrificing comfort and safety. If you do a little investigation and creativity it is possible to find an ideal location to stay within your budget as well as amazing discounts on luggage for your next journey. By comparison shopping by signing up to loyalty programs, making reservations early or last-minute, taking advantage of promotions and discounts, and trying alternative options like home-sharing platforms and vacation rentals You can extend your budget and enjoy your travels to the maximum.