While traveling, where you lay your head at night can take up a significant portion of your budget. However, don’t fret because there are plenty of ways to find budget-friendly, comfortable and safe accommodations.
Traveling with children isn’t always taking the cheapest option We want to get the most value for money. We’re not as keen on roughing it as much as we used to be, but we want to save some dough.
Where and how you choose to live depends on several factors, including:
- Your budget
- Your destination
- Your travel style and comfort level
- How big is your crew
- Your interests
Be aware that obtaining a 15% discount on a room you don’t really want isn’t as good as paying full price for a place you do. Our goal is to assist you in saving money on lodging and to get the perfect place to stay.
As as a family, we’ve changed around our accommodations throughout the years. For longer trips, we’d prefer apartments due to their kitchens, separate bedrooms and laundry facilities. Plus, we can split the cost of our trip with friends or other families. For short stays, we’re happy to stay in family-friendly hotels or hostels.
If you’re planning an extended journey around the globe, you should consider spending more time in places where you can save more and lowering your standards in more expensive countries.
Here are 18 tips for scoring great lodging deals:
Location, location, location!
It’s not sensible to choose a hotel that is cheap in a location that is miles from everything and you have to shell out more money for transportation. Find hotels in central locations near airports, public transportation and activities, like restaurants, the beach and parks.
Stay longer than one night
A lot of hotels offer discounts If you stay for more than two nights. Sometimes you can even stay four nights and only pay for three nights.
Hit in the Hotel on Sunday
Hotels tend to be less busy on Sundays, which means you’re likely to get a bargain. Also, if you book on Sunday, you’ll avoid the crowds at check-in and checkout on Fridays and Mondays.
Weekdays are your friend
In some cities, like Las Vegas, hotels are cheaper during the week than weekends. Also, try to get away from all the tourists and spare some money by travelling during the week.
The off-season is the most enjoyable season
It’s not a surprise that hotels are more affordable during off-season. If you’re able to travel during shoulder seasons (between peak and off-peak) you’ll save money as well as avoid crowds, and enjoy a pleasant conditions.
Compare prices across different booking sites
Don’t just book through the first site you discover. Compare rates across multiple sites to make sure you’re getting the best price.
Sign up for loyalty programs
A lot of resorts and hotels offer loyalty programs where guests can accumulate points or discount on future stays.
Book early or last-minute
Sometimes, making reservations early will get you a better deal, while other times staying up till the very last moment may score you a discounted rate.
Do not be afraid of negotiating
When you book directly with a hotel or vacation rental, don’t be scared to request a better rate or extra features. 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. They are less expensive than booking more hotel rooms.
Make use of rewards on credit cards
If you own a credit card with travel rewards, make use of the rewards for lodging and save money.
Check for hidden fees
Some booking websites or hotels may charge extra fees for items such as resort or cleaning fees Be sure to read the fine print before making your booking.
Find discounts or promotions
Many hotels and vacation rentals offer promotions or discounts for things like military personnel, students as well as AAA members.
Check for hidden gems
Sometimes, the best deals can be found in smaller hotel chains, or in vacation rentals that aren’t as popular.
Make sure you find pet-friendly accommodations
If you’re planning to travel with your pet, look for pet-friendly options. These establishments may provide special discounts or deals for pet owners.
Utilize social media
Many vacation and hotel accommodations offer special discounts or deals that they advertise on social media. Be sure to be following them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Consider a home-sitting arrangement or house-swapping
Housesitting or home swapping is when you swap houses with another person, allowing you to live in their home while they stay in yours. It can be a wonderful method to save on lodging while also having your own space.
Consider renting a campervan or RV
If you’re traveling as a group or family hiring a campervan, or RV can be the best method to save money on lodging. Plus, you’ll be able to travel around the world and have your own transportation all in one!
Use a travel agent
Travel agents often have access to discounts and offers that aren’t available to the general people. Plus, they can do the research and comparison shopping for you.
Book a package deal
Booking a flight, hotel, and rental car together as a package deal can sometimes save you money on each of the components.
Search for hostels
Hostels are a budget-friendly choice for solo travellers or groups of travelers. With the popularity of hostels that are boutique, you can often find cozy, clean and safe options.
Try home-sharing platforms
Home-sharing services like Airbnb and Vrbo provide more affordable and unique accommodation options, for example, staying in a room in a home owned by a local or renting a whole house for a large group.
For your convenience, 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 for sale at a discount. Make sure to look these stores up prior to purchasing from a department store.
Look for off-season sales
Similar to accommodation You can usually get good bargains on luggage in the sale season’s off or at the end of the season. This is especially true of outdoor and travel gear stores.
Buy used or refurbished
Consider buying 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 that is in perfect quality. Websites like Amazon and Ebay are good choices, as are also local classifieds and garage sales.
In the end, finding cheap accommodation and discount luggage doesn’t have to mean sacrificing the comfort or security. With a bit of research and creativity it is possible to find a great place to stay within your budget as well as amazing bargains in luggage to take on your next journey. By looking at prices, signing up for loyalty programs, making bookings in advance or last-minute and taking advantage of specials and discounts, and exploring other options such as rental homes and home sharing platforms to increase your spending and enjoy your trip to the maximum.