If you’re traveling and you’re sleeping, the location you put your head during the night could take up a significant portion of the budget. But don’t worry, there’s many options to locate budget-friendly, comfortable and safe accommodations.
For us, traveling with children isn’t always choosing the most expensive options – we want to get the most price for our budget. We’re not as down for roughing it as we used do, yet we still would like to save money.
The place and the way you decide to live depends on a few things like:
- Your budget
- Your destination
- Your style of travel and comfort level
- The size of your team
- Your interests
Just remember that getting 15% off a room you don’t really want isn’t as good as paying full price for a room you really want. Our goal is to assist you in saving money on lodging and to get a place you’re happy with.
As a family, we’ve switched the way we travel over time. In the case of longer travel, we’d prefer apartments because they have bedrooms that are separate from the kitchen, as well as laundry facilities. Plus, we can split the cost with friends or other families. But for shorter 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 taking a longer trip to places where you can save more and reduce your expectations in more expensive countries.
Here are 18 tips for scoring great lodging deals:
Location, location, location!
It’s not logical to choose a hotel that is cheap if it’s miles away from everything and you have to pay more for transportation. Look for places in central areas near public transportation, airports and activities, like restaurants, the beach and parks.
Stay longer than one night
Many places offer better deals when you stay two or more nights. There are times when you can stay four nights and only pay for three nights.
Hit your hotel Sunday morning
Hotels are less crowded on Sundays, therefore you might be able to score a good deal. Plus, if you stay on a Sunday, you’ll stay clear of the crowds at check-in and checkout on Monday and Friday.
Weekdays are your friend
In certain cities, such as Las Vegas, hotels are cheaper during the week than on weekends. Therefore, you can avoid tourist crowds, and also save some cash by traveling midweek.
The off-season is the most enjoyable season
It’s no surprise that hotels tend to be more expensive in the off-season. If you’re able to travel during the shoulder season (between the peak season and off-peak) you’ll reduce costs, avoid crowds and still enjoy decent conditions.
Compare prices across different booking sites
Don’t just book through the first site you come across. Compare the prices on multiple websites to ensure that you’re getting the best deal.
Join loyalty programs and sign up
A lot of resorts and hotels have loyalty programs through which members earn rewards and discounts on future stays.
Pre-book or book last-minute
Sometimes, making reservations early will offer a better price, while other times, waiting until the last minute may result in a lower rate.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate
When you book directly through a hotel or holiday rental, don’t be intimidated to ask for a better rate or extra facilities. There’s no way to know if they might just say yes!
Look for vacation rental deals
Vacation rentals, like apartments or houses, are ideal for families or groups. They are less expensive than booking several hotel rooms.
Make use of credit card rewards
If you own a credit card that has travel rewards, make use of these rewards to cover lodging and save more.
Check for hidden fees
Some booking websites or hotels may charge extra for things such as resort or cleaning fees So be certain to be aware of the fine print before booking.
Look for promotions or discounts
Many hotels and vacation rentals offer discounts or promotions on items such as military personnel, students, and AAA members.
Check for hidden gems
Sometimes, the best bargains are found in smaller hotel chains, or in vacation rentals that aren’t as popular.
Find pet-friendly places
If you’re planning to travel with your pet, look for pet-friendly options. Some places offer special deals or discounts for pet owners.
Utilize social media
Many vacation and hotel accommodations have special deals or discounts that they promote via social media. Make sure you be following them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Try a house-sitting or home-swapping
Housesitting, also known as home swapping, is when you exchange houses with someone else, allowing you to reside in their house while they stay in yours. It can be a wonderful way to save money on housing while having your own space.
Think about renting a campervan RV
If you’re traveling with your group of people hiring a campervan, or RV can be the best option to save on accommodation. Plus, you’ll be able to visit different locations and also have your own transportation in one!
Use a travel agent
Travel agents can often access discounts and special offers which aren’t accessible to the general public. They can also do the research and comparison shopping for you.
Book a package deal
A hotel, flight and rental car as a package deal could sometimes save you money on each individual component.
Look for hostels
Hostels are an affordable option for solo travelers or groups of travelers. In addition, with the rise of boutique hostels it is possible to find comfortable, clean, and secure options.
Try home-sharing platforms
Home-sharing platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo provide more affordable and exclusive accommodation options like staying in a private space in a homeowner’s home or renting a whole house for a large gathering.
In addition, here are some helpful tips to find cheap luggage:
Shop at discount retailers
Discount retailers such as T.J. Maxx, Ross and Marshalls usually have a range of luggage for sale at a discount. Make sure to go through these stores prior to purchasing at a department store that is more traditional.
Look for off-season sales
Just like with accommodation, you can often find good deals on luggage during the off-season or end-of-season sales. This is especially true for the stores that sell travel and outdoor gear.
Buy used or refurbished
You should consider purchasing used or recycled luggage. This can be a great way to save money on the top brands, and you may be able to find lightly used luggage in excellent quality. Websites such as Amazon and Ebay offer a variety of options, and also local classifieds and garage sales.
In the end, finding cheap lodging and discounted luggage doesn’t need to mean you sacrifice comfort and safety. If you do a little research and imagination it is possible to find a great place to stay within your budget as well as amazing discounts regarding luggage and luggage options for the next travels. By comparing prices by signing up to loyalty programs, making bookings early or last-minute booking, taking advantage of sales and discounts, or looking at alternative options such as home-sharing platforms and vacation rentals to extend your budget and enjoy your travels to the highest degree.