While traveling, where you lay your head in the night can take up a significant portion from your spending budget. But worry not, there’s many options to locate budget-friendly, comfortable and safe accommodation.
For us, traveling with children doesn’t mean choosing the most expensive options We want to get the best value for our money. We’re not as keen on roughing it as we used to be, but we want to save some dough.
The place and the way you decide to stay depends on a few things like:
- Your budget
- Your destination
- Your style of travel and level of comfort
- The size of your crew
- Your interests
Remember that getting an offer of 15% off the room you don’t want isn’t as good 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 a place you’re happy with.
As our family, we’ve shifted the way we travel over the years. When we travel for longer periods, we prefer apartments because they have kitchens, separate bedrooms and laundry facilities. Furthermore, we can share the costs with other families or friends. But for short stays, we’re happy to stay in hostels or hotels that are family-friendly.
If you’re taking an extended trip around the globe, you should consider spending more time in places where you can save more and lowering your standards in countries that are more expensive.
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 all amenities and you need to pay more for transportation. Look for places in central locations near public transportation, airports and other things to do like restaurants, the beach, and parks.
Stay for more than one night
Some hotels provide better rates when you stay more than two nights. Sometimes you can even stay four nights and only pay for three nights.
Go to the hotel on Sunday
Hotels tend to be less busy on Sundays, so you may be able to find a deal. Plus, if you stay on a Sunday, you’ll stay clear of the check-in and check-out crowds on Fridays and Mondays.
Your weekdays can be your best friend
In certain cities, such as Las Vegas, hotels are more affordable on weekdays than weekends. Also, try to avoid tourist crowds, and also save some money by going during the week.
The off-season is the most enjoyable season
It’s no surprise that hotels are cheaper in the off-season. If you can travel in the shoulder season (between the peak season and off-peak) it is possible to cut costs as well as avoid crowds, and have decent weather.
Compare rates across various booking websites
Do not just book on the first website you find. Compare prices across multiple sites to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
Sign up for loyalty programs
A lot of vacation rental and hotels offer loyalty programs in which you can earn points and discounts for future stays.
Book early or last-minute
Sometimes, making reservations earlier can save you money and other times waiting to the end of the day could score you a discounted rate.
Do not be afraid of negotiating
If you are booking directly with a hotel or holiday rental, don’t be scared to request more value or amenities. There’s no way to know if they may just agree!
Look for vacation rental deals
Apartments, such as vacation rentals or houses, are a great option for groups or families. And many times, they can be less expensive than booking more hotel rooms.
Make use of rewards on credit cards
If you own a credit card that has travel rewards, utilize them to pay for lodging and save money.
Check for hidden fees
Some booking websites or hotels might charge additional fees for things like cleaning or resort fees, so be sure to be aware of the fine print before making your booking.
Find discounts or promotions
A lot of hotels and vacation rental properties offer discounts or promotions on items such as military personnel, students, or AAA members.
Check for hidden gems
Sometimes, the best bargains are found in smaller, independent hotels or holiday rentals that aren’t popular.
Find pet-friendly places
If you’re traveling with your pet consider looking for accommodations that are pet-friendly. These places may offer special deals or discounts for guests with pets.
Utilize social media
A lot of hotels and vacation rental properties have special deals or discounts that they promote via social media. So be sure to keep up with them via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Try a house-sitting or home-swapping
Home swapping or housesitting is the process of swapping houses with another person, allowing you to stay in their home while they reside in yours. This is a fantastic method to save on housing while being in your space.
You might want to consider renting a campervan, or an RV
If you’re traveling with your family or group, renting a campervan or RV could be the best option to save on accommodations. In addition, you’ll have the chance to visit different locations and even have your own transportation in one!
Use a travel agent
Travel agents are often able to access discounts and offers that aren’t available to the general public. They can also conduct the research and comparison shopping for you.
Book a package deal
A flight, hotel, and rental car together in a bundle deal can often save you cash on each component.
Look for hostels
Hostels can be a cost-effective alternative for solo travelers as well as groups. In addition, with the popularity of hostels that are boutique, you can often find safe, comfortable, and safe options.
Explore home-sharing platforms
Home-sharing platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo can offer more affordable and exclusive accommodation options like staying in a private space in a homeowner’s home or renting a complete house for a large group.
In addition, here are some tips to find cheap luggage:
Shop at discount retailers
Discount retailers like T.J. Maxx, Ross and Marshalls usually have a range of luggage at reduced prices. Make sure you go through these stores prior to purchasing from a traditional department store.
Check out sales that are off-season
Similar to accommodation You can usually find good deals on luggage during the off-season or end-of-season sales. This is especially true of retailers of travel and outdoor gear.
Buy used or refurbished
Take a look at buying second-hand or used luggage. It’s a great method to save on the top brands, and you could find gently used luggage that is in perfect quality. Websites like Amazon and Ebay offer a variety of options, and there are local classifieds as well as garage sales.
In the end, finding cheap lodging and discounted luggage doesn’t need to mean you sacrifice the comfort or security. With a little bit of research and imagination it is possible to find the perfect accommodation within your budget as well as amazing deals in luggage to take on your next travels. By looking at prices and signing up for loyalty programs, making reservations late or at the last minute and taking advantage of specials and discounts, as well as trying alternative options like home-sharing platforms and vacation rentals You can stretch your budget further and enjoy your trip to the fullest.