If you’re traveling and you’re sleeping, the location you put your head at night can eat up a big chunk of the budget. But don’t worry, there’s plenty of ways to find affordable, safe and comfortable accommodations.
For us, traveling with children doesn’t mean choosing the most expensive options We want to get the most price for our budget. We’re not so keen on roughing it as much as we used to be, but we still need to cut costs.
The place and the way you decide to live depends on several factors, including:
- Your budget
- Your destination
- Your travel style and level of comfort
- Your size crew
- Your interests
Just remember that getting a 15% discount on an accommodation you don’t like isn’t the same as paying the full cost for a place you do. Our goal is to help you save money on lodging and to get the perfect place to stay.
As our family, we’ve shifted around our accommodations over the years. For longer trips, we prefer apartments because they have kitchens, separate bedrooms and laundry facilities. Furthermore, we can share the cost of our trip with other families or friends. But for shorter stays, we’re happy to stay in hotels or family-friendly hostels.
If you’re planning an extended trip across the globe, you should consider 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’s not logical to choose a hotel that is cheap located far from everything , and you’ll need to pay more for transportation. Find hotels in central locations near airports, public transportation and activities like restaurants, the beach and parks.
Stay more than one night
Many places offer better deals If you stay for at least two nights. In some cases, you can stay for four nights and pay for three.
Go to your hotel Sunday morning
Hotels are less crowded on Sundays therefore you might be able to get a bargain. Plus, if you stay on a Sunday, you’ll be able to avoid the check-in and check-out crowds on Monday and Friday.
Your weekdays can be your best friend
In certain cities, such as Las Vegas, hotels are cheaper on weekdays than weekends. So, stay away from all the tourists and spare cash by traveling midweek.
Off-season is the best-season
It’s no surprise that hotels tend to be more expensive during off-season. If you can travel during shoulder seasons (between high and low), you can reduce costs while avoiding crowds and enjoy decent weather.
Compare rates across various booking websites
Don’t just book through the first site you discover. Compare the prices on multiple websites to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
Join loyalty programs and sign up
A lot of hotels and vacation rental companies offer loyalty programs in which you can earn points or discount on future stays.
Book early or last-minute
Sometimes, making reservations early will offer a better price and other times staying up until the last minute can get you a discount.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate
When you book directly with a hotel , or holiday rental, don’t be scared to request more value or features. There’s no way to know if they might just say yes!
Look for vacation rental deals
Apartments, such as vacation rentals or houses, are an ideal option for families or groups. In many cases, they are less expensive than booking several hotel rooms.
Make use of credit card rewards
If you have a credit card with travel rewards, make use of them to pay for lodging and save money.
Check for hidden fees
Hotels or booking sites may charge extra for things like cleaning or resort fees So be sure to check the fine print prior to making your booking.
Look for promotions or discounts
A lot of hotels and vacation rental properties offer discounts or promotions for things like students, military personnel, 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 well-known.
Look for pet-friendly options
If you’re planning to travel with a pet, look for pet-friendly options. These places may offer special deals or discounts for guests who have pets.
Utilize social media
Many vacation and hotel accommodations offer discounts or special offers which they promote via social media. Be sure to be following them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Consider a home-sitting arrangement or house-swapping
Housesitting, also known as home swapping, is when you exchange houses with a different person which allows you to stay in their home while they live in yours. This is a fantastic way to save money on lodging while also enjoying your personal space.
Think about renting a campervan RV
If you’re traveling with your group of people renting a campervan or RV can be the best method to save money on lodging. Additionally, you’ll be able to travel around the world and even 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 public. Plus, they can perform the research and comparison shopping for you.
Book a package deal
A flight, hotel, and rental car as a package deal can occasionally save money on each individual component.
Look for hostels
Hostels can be a cost-effective choice for solo travellers or groups of travelers. And with the rise of boutique hostels there are often cozy, clean and safe alternatives.
Try home-sharing platforms
Home-sharing services like Airbnb and Vrbo can offer more affordable and exclusive accommodation options like staying in a private room within a local’s home or renting a complete house for a large group.
For your convenience, here are some helpful tips to find cheap luggage:
Shop at discount retailers
Discount stores 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 before purchasing from a department store.
Check out sales that are off-season
Just like with accommodation, you can often get great deals on luggage during the sale season’s off or at the end of the season. This is particularly true for retailers of travel and outdoor gear.
Buy used or refurbished
You should consider purchasing used or recycled luggage. This is a fantastic option to save money on the top brands, and you might be able to locate gently used luggage in near perfect condition. Websites such as Amazon and Ebay are good choices, as are there are local classifieds as well as garage sales.
In conclusion, finding cheap lodging and discounted luggage doesn’t need to mean you sacrifice comfort and safety. With a little bit of research and creativity you can locate the perfect place to stay within your budget and incredible deals on luggage for your next travels. By comparison shopping by signing up to loyalty programs, booking late or at the last minute and taking advantage of specials and discounts, and trying alternative options like rental homes and home sharing platforms, you can extend your budget and enjoy your travels to the maximum.