If you’re traveling and you’re sleeping, the location you put your head in the night can take up a significant portion from your spending budget. But worry not, there’s many options to locate secure, affordable and cozy accommodations.
Traveling with kids doesn’t always mean choosing the most expensive options – we want to get the most value for money. We’re not so keen on roughing it as we used do, yet we need to cut costs.
What you do and where you decide to stay depends on a few things like:
- Your budget
- Your destination
- Your style of travel and comfort level
- How big is your team
- Your interests are important to you
Just remember that getting a 15% discount on a room you don’t really want isn’t as good as paying full price for a hotel you want. Our goal is to help you save cash on accommodation and find the perfect place to stay.
As our family, we’ve shifted the way we travel throughout the years. When we travel for longer periods, we’d prefer apartments because they have kitchens, separate bedrooms , and laundry facilities. Plus, we can split the costs with friends or other families. But for short 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 where your money goes further and reduce your expectations in more costly countries.
Here are 18 tips for scoring great lodging deals:
Location, location, location!
It’s not sensible to find a cheap hotel if it’s miles away from everything and you have to shell out more money for transportation. Find hotels in central areas near airports, public transportation and other 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 pay for three nights.
Hit your hotel Sunday morning
Hotels tend to be less crowded on Sundays, which means you’re likely to find a deal. If you decide to stay on Sunday, you’ll avoid the lines at check-ins and outs on Fridays and Mondays.
Weekdays are your friend
In certain cities, such as Las Vegas, hotels are less expensive during the week than on weekends. Also, try to get away from the crowds and save money by going during the week.
Off-season is the best-season
It’s not a surprise that hotels are more affordable during off-season. If you’re able to travel during the shoulder season (between high and low), you can cut costs, avoid crowds and still have decent weather.
Compare prices across different booking websites
Do not book on the first site you come across. Compare prices across multiple sites to make sure you’re getting the most value for money.
Make sure you sign up for loyalty programs
Many resorts and hotels offer loyalty programs in which members earn rewards or discounts on your next stay.
Make reservations early or at the last minute
Sometimes, making reservations early will offer a better price or, in other instances staying up until the last minute could result in a lower rate.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate
If you are booking directly with a hotel , or vacation rental, don’t feel scared to request a better rate or extra facilities. You never know, they may just agree!
Look for vacation rental deals
Rentals for vacation, such as apartments or houses, are ideal for groups or families. And many times, they are less expensive than booking several hotel rooms.
Take advantage of credit card rewards
If you have a credit card that has travel rewards, use them to pay for your lodging and save even more money.
Check for hidden fees
Hotels or booking sites might charge additional fees for things like resort or cleaning charges Be certain to be aware of the fine print before making a booking.
Look for promotions or discounts
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 best bargains are found in smaller hotel chains, or in holiday rentals that aren’t well-known.
Look for pet-friendly options
If you’re planning a trip with your pet, look for pet-friendly options. Some places provide special discounts or deals for guests who have pets.
Utilize social media
Many vacation and hotel accommodations have special deals or discounts that they promote via social media. So be sure to 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 the process of swapping houses with another person, allowing you to stay in their home while they live in yours. This is a fantastic method to save on housing while having your own space.
You might want to consider renting a campervan, or an RV
If you’re traveling with your group of people hiring a campervan, or RV can be a great way to save money on accommodation. Plus, you’ll be able to travel around the world and also have your own transportation all in one!
Use a travel agent
Travel agents often have access to discounts and special offers which aren’t accessible to the general people. Additionally, they are able to conduct the research and comparison shopping for you.
Book a package deal
A hotel, flight, and rental car in a bundle deal can occasionally save cash on each component.
Look for hostels
Hostels are an affordable option for solo travelers or groups of travelers. And with the rise of boutique hostels, you can often find comfortable, clean, and safe options.
Explore home-sharing platforms
Home-sharing platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo can offer more affordable and distinctive accommodation options, such as staying in a private space in a homeowner’s home or renting a whole house for a large group.
As a bonus here are some helpful tips for finding cheap luggage:
Shop at discount retailers
Discount retailers such as T.J. Maxx, Ross, and Marshalls usually have a range of luggage for sale at a discount. Make sure you go through these stores before you buy from a traditional department store.
Find sales during off-season
Similar to accommodation You can usually get good bargains on luggage during the off-season or end-of-season sales. This is especially true for retailers of travel and outdoor gear.
Buy refurbished or used
Consider buying used or used luggage. It’s a great option to save money on high-end brands. You may be able to find lightly used luggage in excellent condition. Websites like Amazon and Ebay have good options and as well as local classifieds and garage sales.
In the end, finding cheap lodging and discounted luggage doesn’t have to mean sacrificing the comfort or security. If you do a little research and imagination it is possible to find a great accommodation within your budget and incredible deals in luggage to take on your next trip. By looking at prices by signing up to loyalty programs, making reservations early or last-minute and taking advantage of specials and discounts, and exploring other options such as rental homes and home sharing platforms to extend your budget and enjoy your trip to the maximum.