If you’re 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 options for finding secure, affordable and cozy accommodation.
Traveling with children doesn’t mean choosing the most expensive options – we want to get the most price for our dollars. We’re not as keen on roughing it as we used to be, but we still want to save some dough.
Where and how you choose to stay will depend on a number of factors like:
- Your budget
- Your destination
- Your style of travel and level of comfort
- Your size team
- Your interests
Be aware that obtaining an offer of 15% off a room you don’t really want isn’t as good as paying full price for a place you do. Our goal is to make it easier for you to save money on lodging and to get the perfect place to stay.
As our family, we’ve shifted the way we travel over time. In the case of longer travel, we’d prefer apartments due to their kitchens, separate bedrooms and laundry facilities. Additionally, we can share the cost of our trip with other families or friends. But for shorter stays, we’re happy to stay in family-friendly hotels or hostels.
If you’re taking an extended trip across the world, try taking a longer trip to places that will make your money go further 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 find a cheap hotel located far from everything , and you’ll need to shell out more money for transportation. Find hotels in central areas that are close to public transportation, airports and activities like beaches, restaurants, 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 four nights and only pay for three.
Stay at your hotel Sunday morning
Hotels are less crowded on Sundays, therefore you might be able to score a good deal. Also, if you book on a Sunday, you’ll stay clear of the crowds at check-in and checkout on Monday and Friday.
Your weekdays can be your best friend
In some cities, like Las Vegas, hotels are cheaper during the week than weekends. Therefore, you can avoid all the tourists and spare some money by travelling during the week.
Off-season is the best-season
It’s not a surprise that hotels are more affordable during the off-season. If you can travel during the shoulder season (between peak and off-peak), you can reduce costs while avoiding crowds and have decent weather.
Compare the prices of different booking websites
Do not book on the first site you discover. Compare the prices on multiple websites to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
Join loyalty programs and sign up
Many hotels and vacation rental companies have loyalty programs through which guests can accumulate points or discount for future stays.
Pre-book or book last-minute
Sometimes, making reservations earlier can save you money and other times waiting until the last minute could get you a discount.
Do not be afraid of negotiating
When booking directly with a hotel or holiday rental, don’t be intimidated to ask for more value or facilities. You never know, they might even say yes!
Look for vacation rental deals
Apartments, such as vacation rentals or houses, are a great option for families or groups. They are less expensive than booking more hotel rooms.
Take advantage of credit card rewards
If you have a credit or debit card that offers travel rewards, you can use the rewards for your lodging and save even more money.
Check for hidden fees
Hotels or booking sites may charge extra for things like resort or cleaning charges So be certain to check the fine print prior to making a booking.
Find discounts or promotions
A lot of hotels and vacation rental properties offer specials or discounts for things like military personnel, students, and AAA members.
Check for hidden gems
Sometimes, the best bargains can be found in smaller hotel chains, or in holiday rentals that aren’t well-known.
Make sure you find pet-friendly accommodations
If you’re traveling with a pet consider looking for accommodations that are pet-friendly. These establishments may provide special discounts or deals for guests who have pets.
Utilize social media
Many hotels and vacation rentals offer discounts or special offers which they promote through social media. Make sure you be following them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Consider a home-sitting arrangement or house-swapping
Housesitting or home swapping is when you exchange houses with a different person which allows you to live in their home while they reside in yours. It can be a wonderful way to save money on housing while enjoying your personal space.
Think about renting a campervan RV
If you’re traveling with a family or group, renting a campervan or RV could be the best method to save money on accommodations. In addition, you’ll have the chance to explore different places and even have your own transportation in one!
Use a travel agent
Travel agents are often able to access discounts and deals which aren’t accessible to the general people. They can also conduct the research and comparison shopping for you.
Book a package deal
A hotel, flight, and rental car as a package deal could often save you money on each of the components.
Look for hostels
Hostels are an affordable alternative for solo travelers as well as groups. In addition, with the rise of boutique hostels there are often safe, comfortable, and safe alternatives.
Try home-sharing platforms
Home-sharing platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo provide more affordable and unique accommodation options, such as staying in a private 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 such as T.J. Maxx, Ross, and Marshalls often carry a selection of luggage at reduced prices. Be sure to look these stores up before you buy from a department store.
Find sales during off-season
Similar to accommodation It is not uncommon to get good bargains on luggage during the sale season’s off or at the end of the season. This is particularly true for the stores that sell travel and outdoor gear.
Buy refurbished or used
Consider buying used or refurbished 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 like Amazon and Ebay have good options and there are local classifieds as well as garage sales.
In the end, finding affordable lodging and discounted luggage doesn’t have to mean sacrificing comfort and safety. If you do a little research and imagination, you can find an ideal location to stay within your budget, and also get amazing discounts in luggage to take on your next travels. By comparison shopping by signing up to loyalty programs, making bookings in advance or last-minute, taking advantage of promotions and discounts, or exploring other options such as holiday rentals and home-sharing platforms to increase your spending and enjoy your trip to the maximum.