Travel accommodation occupies one of the biggest slices of the budget of each trip. So it only makes sense to find ways to save money, and today I'll give you 14 easy ideas you can use right now to save money on accommodation. Check them out and make good use of them!
Your choice of travel accommodation will always depend on several factors, such as:
- Budget for the trip.
- Destination.
- Travel style and comfort levels.
- Number of companions.
- Interests.
If you are taking a long trip to several destinations, then consider spending more on accommodation and staying in better units in cheaper destinations or staying in cheaper units, like hostels, in the most expensive destinations. Whatever the case, take note of these 14 ideas for saving on accommodation!
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Table of Contents
- 1. Think about the location
- 2. Stay more than one night
- 3. Check-in on Sundays
- 4. Aim for the middle of the week
- 5. Travel outside the high season
- 6. Consider staying in a hostel
- 7. Stay in a nearby city, but outside the city center
- 8. Choose the free cancellation option
- 9. Check the dining options
- 10. Evaluate the accommodation facilities
- 11. Search on social networks
- 12. Sign up to receive newsletters
- 13. Delete cookies and computer history
- 14. Book in advance
- Conclusion
1. Think about the location
It doesn't make sense to find cheap accommodation in a hotel that is very far from the city, if you have to spend a lot of money on transport to the places you want to visit. Do the math and see the scenario that pays off most and spends the least money.
2. Stay more than one night
If you have the possibility, stay more than one night, as prices tend to fall the following nights. If your itinerary allows it, staying multiple nights is one of the easiest ways to save money on accommodation.
3. Check-in on Sundays
Weekends are the days of the week when people travel the most and Sunday is the day when fewer people check-in, since after that the return to normal life begins. So, take the opportunity to do the opposite and start your holiday on Sunday and, with that, get more affordable accommodation prices.
4. Aim for the middle of the week
The same is true for stays in the middle of the week: you will be able to find cheaper prices if you compare with the accommodations at the end of the week or Saturday. In some cases, prices can have a very significant reduction, around 50% discount, in some cases.
5. Travel outside the high season
Hotels are cheaper at different times of the year, so one of the ideas to save money on accommodation is precisely to travel during those times, the Low Season. Best of all, you will not only have cheaper prices for accommodation, but also for other important services when traveling, such as airline tickets or tickets to attractions.
6. Consider staying in a hostel
Staying in a hostel is already a frequent feature in many countries in Europe and Asia, where the existing network is vast and of high quality.
Thus, you will be able to stay in the city center, or very close, and save money on the payment of the stay. In addition, staying in a hostel is an excellent way to meet other people and, who knows, make new friends.
7. Stay in a nearby city, but outside the city center
If you can't find cheap hotels in the city center, staying a bit outside the city can help you save money on the cost of hotels and apartments. But that depends both on the distance to the places you want to visit, as well as on the travel costs.
8. Choose the free cancellation option
By choosing this option, you gain greater flexibility at several levels: guarantee your stay in a location of your choice, free of charge; you have more time to look for another pleasant and more accessible place; you can expect special promotions that will allow you to make a better deal.
9. Check the dining options
Do a quick search on the price of the catering in the places you will visit, in order to see if it pays to eat in the cafes or restaurants in the city or in the hotel itself.
10. Evaluate the accommodation facilities
There are several amenities that are important today, when choosing the place to stay, namely: wifi, free transportation to and from the airport, free breakfast, cable TV and 24 hour reception. All of these resources will influence your decision, especially at a time when you are trying to save money.
11. Search on social networks
Do your homework and search on social networks for the hotels where you are thinking of staying, to get opinions and feedback from former guests, but also to get to know the accommodation unit better and be aware of any promotions.
12. Sign up to receive newsletters
If you already have a spam filled inbox, you may not want to add more email. But if you could sign up via email on your favorite booking sites and the most popular hotel chains, as this is a good way to keep up with promotions, offers and vouchers special and exclusive for subscribers.
13. Delete cookies and computer history
When searching for cheap accommodation deals, use a different browser or do an anonymous search. Otherwise, the sites such as Booking.com or Tripadvisor will store your search data and may use that information to generate dynamic pricing, which may not always be in your favour!
14. Book in advance
Many hotels offer special promotions if you book weeks or even months in advance. This way, in addition to getting good prices, your accommodation is guaranteed.
2 comments
Since going the airbnb route we were able to explore more remote places without having to pay an obscene amount for accommodation. Having two kids and a dog means we need our own apartment along with all the appliances required so it just makes more sense for us. We’ve stayed in countless locations in Spain and Portugal and with a single mishap everything was just like we hoped. Looking for reviews either on social networks or online is also key, especially if you’re planning a longer stay.
The older I got, the more I traveled and I noticed on thing you mentioned.. Spending more time SAVES you money. I never thought it would be that way but it is true. I try to now make my trips be a minimum of 3 days. I plan ahead so if the price is right, I can enjoy my time more whilst traveling. I also never stay in a city. This has saved me so much hassle and money over the years. I don’t need to be right in all the action. I don’t mind driving 10+ min to get to the city.