Fortunately, there are plenty of tips and website resources these days online to help you find safe, practical and value for money accommodation. Staying in hotels can be expensive unless you catch it at the right time. Traveling with kids is not always about finding the cheapest deals, but getting the BEST VALUE for your money! Not many people like to rough it as much as they use too before pre-kids. Of course, how you travel and spend your money is totally up to you, but we all need a place to sleep at night and we may as well get the best accommodation deal as possible.
Think Location
Ensure the exact location is known before booking your accommodation. There is no point finding cheap hotel accommodation if it is miles out of town and you have to pay extra for transportation costs and the time to get to the sightseeing areas. Stay in a central area close to public transport, airports, local attractions, food outlets, the beach, the park, and the ability to get out and walk to most things.
Stay More Than 1 Night In Your Accommodation
Numerous accommodation providers offer their best deals when you stay more than one night. Often when you check in on a weekday rather on a Friday or weekend for over 4 nights, you will be surprised the difference it could make, especially in the off-season. Keeping in mind, avoiding the peak Friday and Saturday night periods is a strategic way to find cheap hotel accommodation so avoid the big cities over a weekend if possible. Many people are stunned by how much the prices for accommodation can rise on the weekend – some places triple.
Travel In The Off-peak Season
Are hotels cheaper in different seasons? Of course! If you can, travelling during the off-peak season is the best way to save money on flights and accommodation, not to mention avoiding the large crowds which makes sightseeing easier. Since there is not a big demand for accommodation during the off-peak season, accommodation costs will be lower, the weather will still be favourable.
Stay In Apartments Or Suites And Share The Costs
Apartments and rental homes on Airbnb are a great way to cut costs. They are usually cheaper and more practical than a hotel and you can find great accommodation located at the heart of the cities. If you’re traveling with other family members or another couple why not get an apartment big enough and share the cost? Some apartments with three bedrooms can help by reducing your per-night rates and works out much cheaper than two separate hotel rooms, especially considering we had a full kitchen to self-cater on meals. Eating out with a big group can be pricey compared to cooking at the apartment.
Consider A Hostel
Don’t think of hostels as just dorm rooms for backpackers. Many hostels offer private and family rooms so they can be one of the best cheap alternatives to hotels. Major cities tend to have several hostels located at the heart of the city which allows easy access to public transport and tourist sites. A private or family room is typically cheaper than a hotel room and they generally have cheap and free services such as wi-fi, a laundry, luggage storage, fully-equipped kitchen facilities, and local tours. Hostels can also be a fantastic way of meeting fellow travellers as well as one of the best ways to save money.
