How to Find Cheap Accommodation When Traveling

There are a lot of expenses that come with traveling, one of them being accommodation. Spending a handful of nights in a destination takes quite a bit out of your budget, especially if you're visiting somewhere expensive. On the bright side, though, you can still find some great deals on accommodation no matter where you go. It does take knowing some secret tips and tricks, which we'll teach you here. If you want to know how to find cheap accommodation when traveling, you've come to the right place. We've written this article to give you some great insight into the best ways to secure an inexpensive stay while you're away.

Check Multiple Accommodation Websites

Sticking to one accommodation website for your search will only leave you selling yourself short. If you're used to only using a site like Booking.com, try branching out and checking other options like Agoda, Trivago, Hotels.com, Airbnb, and Expedia. Remember, these booking sites are all competing with each other for your money, so they might be able to offer you a lower fee than their competitors. The property owner usually sets their own price, and then the booking website adds their own fee on top to make a profit, so whoever's fee is the lowest should be the one you go for.

Consider Booking Directly With the Property

Booking directly with the property can often offer fantastic value for money since no extra commission is added. Some hotels and guesthouses have websites where you can check the price and book through their systems. In certain cases, they may not have a website, but that doesn't mean they won't take a booking directly. If you can find their number on WhatsApp, drop them a text and tell them the dates. You're coming to see if they can offer a better deal than the one you've found on the booking website.

Stay Outside the Main Tourist Hubs

It's pretty well known by now that the main tourist hubs are more expensive to stay in wherever you visit. As a traveler, you've got to pay for convenience, and property owners know this, so they'll bump up the price if they think they can get away with it. Stay in places around a 20-minute walk or a short bus ride from the center. These places will be significantly cheaper, and you can often find higher quality hotels for a lower price, too, since fewer people want to stay away from the center.

If you're using a booking system like Booking.com, just click the distance feature and select the 2km or 3km option, and you'll then be able to see the available options.

Avoid Weekends and Stay Midweek

Weekend stays are almost always more expensive than midweek stays because people are off work. Unless, of course, there's an event happening at the destination, which tends to drive prices up, too.Plan your trip for midweek to give yourself the best chance to save money on accommodation. Sometimes, this can be unavoidable if you're traveling long-term. But, you can try to plan your itinerary to visit the big cities mid-week and lesser-known places on the weekends, which won't affect your budget as much.

Don’t Underestimate Hostels

Hostels may not be everyone's cup of tea, but there's no denying their value for money. Since they cater to backpackers who tend to have smaller budgets than luxury travelers, they're often cheaper to stay at than a hotel. There's a common misconception that hostels are just dorms, but this isn't true. Sure, dorms are the main room style, but many hostels also have private rooms that you can stay in. These are sometimes cheaper than dorms when you split the price between two people, which is fantastic for couples or two friends on the road. If you want to cut back on costs even more, then consider the dorms. Usually, rooms with more beds tend to be the cheapest because you're sharing with more people. However, the prices slowly start to increase with fewer beds in the rooms.

Spend Multiple Nights in One Property Rather Than One

Most accommodation providers will offer better deals the longer you stay. It works both ways; they don't have to try to get a sale for them nights and you get a deal for cheaper, so it's a win-win for both parties. While you'll especially find this is the case with guesthouses and B&Bs, many hotels have started to adopt this policy, too.

Travel During the Low-Season

The low season means less travelers, so property owners are getting less business than they would during the high season. Since their rooms are less occupied than normal, they'll be more inclined to offer lower prices for tourists who have made the trip. Just be mindful that the low season is the less busy season for a reason. Usually, it's due to weather conditions, which can seriously impact your trip, so do plenty of research before making concrete plans.

Sign up for a Travel Rewards Program

A few accommodation websites offer travel rewards programs that give loyal customers amazing deals when they sign up.

One of the most notable is Booking.com's Genius program. When you register, you'll get hotel discounts based on your Genius level, which is determined by the number of bookings you've made through the website. With Genius, users can also benefit from other fantastic perks like free room upgrades, breakfasts, and 10% off car rentals; what's not to love?

Book Cheap Accommodation for Your Trip Now!

Finding cheap accommodation for a trip isn't as hard as you think, and this guide proves that. By taking advantage of some of these tricks, you'll be on your way to saving big on your next hotel booking. These tips will come in particularly helpful when you travel to expensive places in Western Europe and the USA, which are notorious for their pricey accommodation. Remember to always book far in advance to get the most out of these pointers.