How can I save money on hotels and accommodation?
To help lower your hotel expenses, you can compare total prices across several booking websites, avoid traveling on peak days, and look for rooms just outside of town. Having a room with a kitchen or a laundry facility can also help reduce some of your other expenses. Check taxes, cleaning fees, resort fees and cancellation policies before making your final selection. Remember that a moderately priced room in a great location might end up costing you far less than a cheap room when you take transportation costs into consideration.
Ways to spend less on accommodation
Compare the final prices of rooms, not just the base price per night. Additional costs such as taxes, cleaning fees, resort fees, parking, or credit card processing fees may affect the final cost significantly. Compare the same dates and room type on the property's website, online travel agencies, and locally owned accommodations (when applicable).
The location will affect the true price you'll pay for a room. It's possible that the room will be cheaper if it's not close to the center, but daily transport will eat into your budget. Check out how much the local bus, train or tram costs, and what times they run. You might even decide a walkable district with supermarkets and cheaper eateries is more convenient than staying in a touristy part of town.
Look for facilities that lower other costs
- A kitchen can save money on eating out.
- Free breakfast can substitute for a single paid meal.
- If there is laundry access available, maybe you can bring less clothing.
- Having free transit, or a nearby station, can lower local fares.
- Free Wi-Fi means you won't have to pay for mobile data.
Don't just consider hotels: look at hostels, guesthouses, homestays and private rooms too. A shared room will usually be the cheapest. A private room in a guesthouse may be cheaper than a whole hotel.
Sometimes, traveling during the shoulder season and staying multiple nights may help in bringing down the rate. You can enquire about a weekly discount but be sure to read the conditions carefully. Before confirming a booking, look at the reviews, security provisions, check-in time and the cancellation policy even if the rate is on the lower side.