When you’re on the road and you’re sleeping, the location you put your head at night can take up a significant portion from your spending budget. But don’t worry, there’s plenty of ways to find budget-friendly, comfortable and safe accommodations.
Traveling with kids doesn’t always mean choosing the most expensive options – we want to get the most value for budget. We’re not as down for roughing it as we used have been, however we still want to save some dough.
What you do and where you decide to live depends on a few things like:
- Your budget
- Your destination
- Your style of travel and comfort level
- How big is your team
- Your interests
Remember that getting a 15% discount on the room you don’t want isn’t as good as paying the full cost for a room you really want. Therefore, our aim is to make it easier for you to save money on accommodation and get an accommodation that you are happy with.
As as a family, we’ve changed up our accommodation preferences over the years. For longer trips, we prefer apartments due to their kitchens, separate bedrooms , and laundry facilities. Additionally, we can share the costs with friends or other families. But for shorter stays, we’re happy to stay in hotels or family-friendly hostels.
If you’re taking an extended trip across the world, try 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 sensible to pick a budget hotel located far from everything and you have to shell out more money for transportation. Look for places in central locations near public transportation, airports and activities like 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.
Go to 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 a Sunday, you’ll stay clear of the check-in and check-out crowds on Monday and Friday.
The weekdays are the best days to be a part of your life.
In some cities, like Las Vegas, hotels are more affordable on weekdays than weekends. Therefore, you can get away from the crowds and save money by travelling during the week.
Off-season is when the best season is
It’s no surprise that hotels are cheaper during the off-season. If you’re able to travel during the shoulder season (between peak and off-peak), you can reduce costs as well as avoid crowds, and enjoy a pleasant conditions.
Compare the prices of different booking sites
Do not just book on the first site you discover. Compare rates across multiple sites to ensure you’re getting the best price.
Join loyalty programs and sign up
A lot of hotels and vacation rental companies offer loyalty programs in which guests can accumulate points and discounts for future stays.
Make reservations early or at the last minute
Sometimes, making reservations early will save you money or, in other instances waiting to the end of the day may result in a lower rate.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate
When you book directly with a hotel , or vacation rental, don’t feel afraid 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
Rentals for vacation, such as apartments or houses, are an ideal option for families or groups. They are less expensive than booking several hotel rooms.
Take advantage of rewards on credit cards
If you have a credit card with travel rewards, utilize them to pay for lodging and save even more money.
Check for hidden fees
Some booking websites or hotels may charge extra fees for items such as resort or cleaning fees So be certain to read the fine print before making a booking.
Look for promotions or discounts
A lot of hotels and vacation rental properties offer specials 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 in smaller, independent hotels or holiday rentals that aren’t well-known.
Look for pet-friendly options
If you’re planning a trip with a furry friend consider looking for accommodations that are pet-friendly. These places may provide special discounts or deals for guests with pets.
Utilize social media
Many vacation and hotel accommodations offer special discounts or deals which they promote on social media. Be sure to be following them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Try a house-sitting or home-swapping
Housesitting or home swapping is the process of swapping houses with someone else, allowing you to live in their home while they reside in yours. This is a fantastic 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 as a family or group hiring a campervan, or RV can be a great method to save money on accommodations. Additionally, you’ll be able to travel around the world and have your own transportation in one!
Use a travel agent
Travel agents can often access discounts and special offers that aren’t offered to the general people. 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 often save you cash on each component.
Look for hostels
Hostels are an affordable choice for solo travellers or groups of travelers. With the rise of boutique hostels there are often cozy, clean and secure options.
Explore home-sharing platforms
Home-sharing platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo are able to provide cheaper 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.
As a bonus here are some tips to find cheap luggage:
Shop at discount retailers
Discount stores like T.J. Maxx, Ross, and Marshalls usually have a range of luggage at reduced prices. Make sure to check these stores out before you buy from a department store.
Find sales during off-season
Just like with accommodation You can usually find good deals on luggage during seasonal sales or the off-season. This is especially true of outdoor and travel gear stores.
Buy refurbished or used
Consider buying used or recycled luggage. This can be a great way to save money on top-quality brands and you might be able to locate gently used luggage that is in perfect 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 affordable accommodations and cheap luggage does not necessarily mean that you have to sacrifice comfort and safety. With a little bit of investigation and creativity it is possible to find an ideal location to stay within your budget and incredible discounts in luggage to take on your next trip. By comparison shopping, signing up for loyalty programs, making reservations late or at the last minute booking, taking advantage of sales and discounts, or looking at alternative options such as holiday rentals and home-sharing platforms You can stretch your budget further and enjoy your travels to the highest degree.