When you’re on the road the place you rest your head in the night can consume a large portion of your budget. However, don’t fret because there are many options to locate budget-friendly, comfortable and safe accommodations.
Traveling with children isn’t always going for the cheapest options – we want to get the most value for dollars. We’re not as down for roughing it as we used do, yet we still would like to save money.
What you do and where you decide to live depends on a number of factors like:
- Your budget
- Your destination
- Your style of travel and comfort level
- How big is your crew
- Your interests are important to you
Just remember that getting an offer of 15% off a room you don’t really like isn’t the same as paying full price for a hotel you want. Our goal is to assist you in saving money on accommodation and get the perfect place to stay.
As a family, we’ve switched the way we travel throughout the years. When we travel for longer periods, we’d prefer apartments as they come with kitchens, separate bedrooms , and laundry facilities. Furthermore, we can share the costs with other families or friends. However, for short stays, we’re happy to stay in hotels or family-friendly hostels.
If you’re planning to take an extended trip across the world, try spending more time in places that will make your money go further and lowering 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 choose a hotel that is cheap if it’s miles away from all amenities and you need to shell out more money for transportation. Consider hotels located in central areas near airports, public transportation and activities such as beaches, restaurants, and parks.
Stay more than one night
Some hotels provide better rates when you stay at least two nights. Sometimes you can even stay for four nights, and only pay for three nights.
Go to the hotel on Sunday
Hotels are less busy on Sundays, which means you’re likely to find a deal. Also, if you book on a Sunday, you’ll be able to avoid the lines at check-ins and outs on Fridays and Mondays.
Your weekdays can be your best friend
In certain cities, such as Las Vegas, hotels are cheaper on weekdays than weekends. Therefore, you can get away from the crowds and save some money by travelling during the week.
Off-season is the best-season
It’s no surprise that hotels tend to be more expensive during off-season. If you can travel in the shoulder season (between the peak season and off-peak), you can reduce costs as well as avoid crowds, and enjoy a pleasant conditions.
Compare prices across different booking sites
Don’t just book through the first website you find. Compare prices across multiple sites to ensure you’re getting the best price.
Join loyalty programs and sign up
A lot of vacation rental and hotels offer loyalty programs where members earn rewards and discounts for future stays.
Make reservations early or at the last minute
Sometimes, booking early can offer a better price and other times, waiting until the last minute may get you a discount.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate
When booking directly through a hotel or holiday rental, don’t be afraid to ask for more value or facilities. There’s no way to know if they may just agree!
Look for vacation rental deals
Rentals for vacation, such as apartments or houses, are ideal for groups or families. In many cases, they can be less expensive than booking multiple hotel rooms.
Make use of credit card rewards
If you have a credit card that has travel rewards, utilize them to pay for lodging and save money.
Check for hidden fees
Certain booking sites or hotels may charge extra fees for items like cleaning or resort fees Be sure to check the fine print prior to making a booking.
Check for discounts or offers
Many vacation and hotel accommodations offer promotions or discounts on items such as military personnel, students and AAA members.
Check for hidden gems
Sometimes, the best bargains are found in smaller hotels, independent establishments or vacation rentals that aren’t as popular.
Find pet-friendly places
If you’re traveling with a pet consider looking for accommodations that are pet-friendly. Some places offer discounts or special offers for guests with pets.
Utilize social media
A lot of hotels and vacation rental properties offer discounts or special offers that they promote through social media. Make sure you be following them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Consider a home-sitting arrangement or house-swapping
Home swapping or housesitting is the process of swapping houses with a different person which allows you to live in their home while they stay in yours. This can be a great option to save money on housing while enjoying your personal space.
Consider renting a campervan or RV
If you’re traveling with your family or group hiring a campervan, or RV could be a great method to save money on lodging. In addition, you’ll have the chance to visit different locations and even have your own transportation all in one!
Use a travel agent
Travel agents can often access discounts and offers that aren’t available to the general people. Plus, they can conduct the research and comparison shopping for you.
Book a package deal
Booking a hotel, flight and rental vehicle together as a package deal can occasionally save money on each of the components.
Search for hostels
Hostels can be a cost-effective alternative for solo travelers as well as groups. In addition, with the rise of boutique hostels there are often comfortable, clean, and secure options.
Try home-sharing services
Home-sharing platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo provide more affordable and distinctive accommodation options, like staying in a private space in a homeowner’s home or renting a complete home for a large number of people.
As a bonus here are some 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. Make sure to look these stores up prior to purchasing from a department store.
Find sales during off-season
Similar to accommodation It is not uncommon to get great deals on luggage in the seasonal sales or the off-season. This is particularly true for outdoor and travel gear stores.
Buy refurbished or used
You should consider purchasing used or recycled luggage. This can be a great way to save money on the top brands, and you might be able to locate lightly used luggage in perfect quality. Websites like Amazon and Ebay are good choices, as are as well as local classifieds and garage sales.
In the end, finding affordable accommodations and cheap luggage does not have to mean sacrificing security and comfort. With a bit of research and imagination you can locate a great accommodation within your budget as well as amazing discounts in luggage to take on your next travels. By comparison shopping by signing up to loyalty programs, making bookings in advance or last-minute, taking advantage of promotions and discounts, or looking at alternative options such as holiday rentals and home-sharing platforms to stretch your budget further and enjoy your travels to the fullest.