While traveling and you’re sleeping, the location you put your head at night can eat up a big chunk of the budget. But worry not, there’s plenty of options for finding budget-friendly, comfortable and safe places to stay.
For us, traveling with children doesn’t mean taking the cheapest option – we want to get the best value for our budget. We’re not as keen on roughing it as much as we used to do, yet we want to save some dough.
The place and the way you decide to stay depends on a number of factors like:
- Your budget
- Your destination
- Your style of travel and level of comfort
- How big is your team
- Your interests
Remember that getting a 15% discount on an accommodation you don’t want isn’t as good than paying full price for a place you do. Therefore, our aim is to make it easier for you to save money on accommodation and get a place you’re happy with.
As as a family, we’ve changed up our accommodation preferences over the years. For longer trips, we’re more comfortable in 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 hostels or hotels that are family-friendly.
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 lowering your standards in more costly countries.
Here are 18 tips for scoring great lodging deals:
Location, location, location!
It’s not logical to find a cheap hotel if it’s miles away from everything and you have to spend extra on transportation. Look for places in central areas near public transportation, airports and other things to do like restaurants, the beach, and parks.
Stay for more than one night
Some hotels provide better rates if you stay for at least two nights. In some cases, you can stay for four nights, and only pay for three.
Hit in the Hotel on Sunday
Hotels tend to be less crowded on Sundays so you may be able to find a deal. If you decide to stay on a Sunday, you’ll be able to avoid the lines at check-ins and outs on Monday and Friday.
Your weekdays can be your best friend
In certain cities, such as Las Vegas, hotels are less expensive during the week than weekends. Therefore, you can stay away from the crowds and save some money by going during the week.
The off-season is the most enjoyable season
It’s not a surprise that hotels are cheaper during the off-season. If you’re able to travel in the shoulder season (between peak and off-peak), you can save money, avoid crowds and still enjoy a pleasant weather.
Compare prices across different booking sites
Do not book on the first site you come across. Compare prices across multiple sites to ensure you’re getting the best price.
Make sure you sign up for loyalty programs
A lot of vacation rental and hotels have loyalty programs through which guests can accumulate points and discounts on future stays.
Make reservations early or at the last minute
Sometimes, making reservations early will save you money or, in other instances, waiting until the last minute may score you a discounted rate.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate
If you are booking directly through a hotel or holiday rental, don’t be afraid to ask for more value or facilities. There’s no way to know if they might just say yes!
Look for vacation rental deals
Rentals for vacation, such as apartments or houses, are ideal for families or groups. In many cases, they can be less expensive than booking several hotel rooms.
Make use of credit card rewards
If you have a credit or debit card with travel rewards, use these rewards to cover your hotel and save money.
Check for hidden fees
Certain booking sites or hotels may charge extra for things like resort or cleaning charges So be sure to read the fine print before making a booking.
Look for promotions or discounts
Many vacation and hotel accommodations offer promotions or discounts for things like students, military personnel, and AAA members.
Check for hidden gems
Sometimes, the most affordable deals can be found at smaller hotels, independent establishments or holiday rentals that aren’t popular.
Find pet-friendly places
If you’re traveling with a pet consider looking for accommodations that are pet-friendly. These places may offer discounts or special offers for guests with pets.
Utilize social media
Many vacation and hotel accommodations offer discounts or special offers that 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 the process of swapping houses with another person and live in their home while they stay in yours. This can be a great option to save money on lodging while also enjoying your personal space.
Think about renting a campervan RV
If you’re traveling with a family or group, renting a campervan or RV can be an excellent way to save money on accommodation. Plus, you’ll be able to explore different places and have the convenience of your own vehicle all in one!
Use a travel agent
Travel agents often have access to discounts and offers that aren’t offered to the general public. Additionally, they are able to perform the research and comparison shopping for you.
Book a package deal
A flight, hotel, and rental car in a bundle deal can often save you money on each individual component.
Look for hostels
Hostels are a budget-friendly option for solo travelers or groups of travelers. With the popularity of hostels that are boutique it is possible to 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 group.
For your convenience, here are some helpful tips to find cheap luggage:
Shop at discount retailers
Discount retailers like T.J. Maxx, Ross, and Marshalls often carry a selection of luggage at reduced prices. Make sure to check these stores out before you buy from a traditional department store.
Look for off-season sales
Like with accommodations You can usually get great deals on luggage during off-season or end-of-season sales. This is particularly true for outdoor and travel gear stores.
Buy refurbished or used
Consider buying used or refurbished luggage. It’s a great method to save on the top brands, and you could find gently used luggage that is in excellent quality. Websites such as Amazon and Ebay have good options and as well as local classifieds and garage sales.
In the end, finding affordable accommodation and discount luggage doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to sacrifice comfort and safety. With a bit of research and imagination, you can find the perfect place to stay within your budget as well as amazing deals in luggage to take on your next travels. By looking at prices, signing up for loyalty programs, booking early or last-minute and taking advantage of specials and discounts, and looking at alternative options such as rental homes and home sharing platforms, you can extend your budget and enjoy your travels to the highest degree.