When you’re on the road the place you rest your head during the night could take up a significant portion from your spending budget. But worry not, there’s plenty of ways to find affordable, safe and comfortable places to stay.
We find that traveling with children isn’t always taking the cheapest option – we want to get the most value for our money. We’re not so keen on roughing it as we used do, yet we want to save some dough.
What you do and where you decide to stay 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
Remember that getting an offer of 15% off the room you don’t want isn’t as good as paying the full cost for a hotel you want. So, our goal is to help you save money on accommodation and get the perfect place to stay.
As our family, we’ve shifted the way we travel over the years. For longer trips, we’d prefer apartments due to their kitchens, separate bedrooms and laundry facilities. Furthermore, we can share the cost with other families or friends. However, for shorter stays, we’re happy to stay in hostels or hotels that are family-friendly.
If you’re planning an extended trip across the world, try making more time in areas that will make your money go further and lower your standards in more costly countries.
Here are 18 tips for scoring great lodging deals:
Location, location, location!
It’s not sensible to choose a hotel that is cheap located far from everything and you have to shell out more money for transportation. Consider hotels located in central areas near public transportation, airports, and things to do, like restaurants, the beach, and parks.
Stay for more than one night
A lot of hotels offer discounts when you stay more than two nights. In some cases, you can stay for four nights, and only pay for three nights.
Stay at in the Hotel on Sunday
Hotels are less busy on Sundays, therefore you might be able 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 Monday and Friday.
The weekdays are the best days to be a part of your life.
In some cities, like Las Vegas, hotels are cheaper during the week than weekends. Also, try to avoid tourist crowds, and also save some 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 shoulder seasons (between high and low), you can reduce costs as well as avoid crowds, and enjoy a pleasant conditions.
Compare the prices of different booking sites
Don’t just book through the first site you discover. Compare prices across multiple sites to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
Make sure you sign up for loyalty programs
Many vacation rental and hotels offer loyalty programs where members earn rewards and discounts for future stays.
Book early or last-minute
Sometimes, booking early can get you a better deal or, in other instances, waiting till the very last moment could get you a discount.
Do not be afraid to bargain
If you are booking directly with a hotel or vacation rental, don’t feel afraid to ask for an improved rate or additional facilities. There’s no way to know if they might even say yes!
Look for vacation rental deals
Apartments, such as vacation rentals or homes, can be an ideal option for groups or families. And many times, they can be cheaper than booking multiple hotel rooms.
Benefit from rewards on credit cards
If you have a credit or debit card with travel rewards, make use of the rewards 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 read the fine print before booking.
Find discounts or promotions
A lot of hotels and vacation rental properties offer promotions or discounts on items such as military personnel, students and AAA members.
Check for hidden gems
Sometimes, the best deals can be found at smaller hotel chains, or in holiday rentals that aren’t popular.
Make sure you find pet-friendly accommodations
If you’re planning to travel with a pet Look for places that cater to pets. These establishments may offer discounts or special offers for guests who have pets.
Utilize social media
A lot of hotels and vacation rental properties offer special discounts or deals that they advertise on social media. Be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Try a house-sitting or home-swapping
Housesitting, also known as home swapping, is when you swap houses with another person which allows you to reside in their house while they live in yours. This can be a great way to save money on lodging while also enjoying your personal space.
Consider renting a campervan or RV
If you’re traveling with your group of people, renting a campervan or RV could be the best way to save money on accommodation. In addition, you’ll have the chance to explore different places and also have your own transportation all in one!
Use a travel agent
Travel agents often have access to discounts and deals that aren’t offered to the general public. Plus, they can conduct the research and comparison shopping for you.
Book a package deal
Booking a hotel, flight, and rental car together in a bundle deal can often save you money on each of the components.
Look for hostels
Hostels are an affordable choice for solo travellers or groups of travelers. With the popularity of hostels that are boutique, you can often find safe, comfortable, and safe alternatives.
Try home-sharing platforms
Home-sharing platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo can offer more affordable and exclusive accommodation options for example, staying in a room within a local’s home or renting a house for a large gathering.
For your convenience, Here are some suggestions 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 check these stores out before you buy at a department store that is more traditional.
Look for off-season sales
Just like with accommodation, you can often get great deals on luggage in the sale season’s off or at the end of the season. This is particularly true for retailers of travel and outdoor gear.
Buy refurbished or used
You should consider purchasing used or used luggage. This is a fantastic method to save on the top brands, and you might be able to locate lightly used luggage 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 cheap accommodations and cheap luggage does not necessarily mean that you have to sacrifice the comfort or security. If you do a little investigation and creativity you can locate the perfect accommodation within your budget and incredible discounts in luggage to take on your next trip. By comparison shopping, signing up for loyalty programs, making bookings early or last-minute, taking advantage of promotions and discounts, and exploring other options such as holiday rentals and home-sharing platforms You can extend your budget and enjoy your travels to the fullest.