How To Find Cheap Accommodation While Traveling
Finding cheap travel accommodation is not difficult if you know what to do. In this guide, we share helpful tips on getting the best hotel room deals while traveling, cheaper ways to stay, and even advice on how you can stay abroad for free.
When on the road, there is one fixed expense that usually affects traveler's budget the most. Yes, we are talking about accommodation, assuming that you must spend every night somewhere. Even though everyone has a different budget for accommodation, for most travelers, cheaper usually means better.
The hunt for the best hotel rate is a never-ending story and can be overwhelming, which is supported by an endless number of booking sites and channels offering cheap accommodation and the cheapest hotel rates.
While traveling can be life-changing, it can also be very expensive. The big help in this search is online travel agencies, where you can compare a large number of contracted hotels, their prices, booking conditions, location, comfort, reviews, and much more.
To reduce the accommodation expenses, you must first take a step back and make sure that you know what to expect in each type of accommodation. Sometimes, you can find a place for free, but it usually requires a certain level of discomfort and extra time in searching.
Be honest with yourself; knowing where you feel comfortable is essential.
It is not that difficult to cut down expenses, but the service you receive back should meet your needs. Answer yourself few questions below to clarify what you are looking for and adjust your budget accordingly.
Lucie and I both have plenty of experiences with almost every type of accommodation, so hopefully, these tips from our own personal experience will help you find your cheap accommodation the next time you travel.
SEARCHING FOR CHEAP TRAVEL ACCOMMODATION
Looking for the best deals and searching for the best hotel room rates is a fairly straightforward process but requires some effort from your side.
There is not any definitive guide on finding cheap hotel rooms. We can only show you some ways and strategies we commonly use to spend on accommodation as little money as possible.
Another thing to consider is that accommodation is only a part of the whole travel experience. You need to put into the equation also things such as transportation, flight tickets, tours, etc.
For example, you can save $20 on accommodation if you arrive at the hotel a day earlier than you originally planned, but what if the price flight ticket won't remain the same and you spend $50 more on them?
As you can see, it's quite often hard to balance everything out.
Lastly, every destination requires a different strategy, and what works in Auckland won't work in Petra. Each destination is unique, and only gathering as much information about it as possible will allow you to find some nice deals.
And only by combining the most suitable approaches will allow you to find a way to spend less on accommodation on your travels.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT ACCOMMODATION
The purpose of your trip plays a vital role in choosing the perfect accommodation. Before you start doing your own research, you need to ask yourself a few basic questions. What type of traveler are you? What level of comfort do you expect? Or what is the purpose of your trip?
By answering these simple questions, you will get a rough idea of what to focus on during your research.
Keep in mind that searching for cheap accommodation doesn't equal searching for the worst accommodation - it is all about the balance.
TRAVEL
If you like spending quiet time in your room and prefer privacy after a whole day of explorations, it makes a lot of sense not to book the cheapest 8-bed dormitory where you will share a room space, bathroom, and kitchen with many people.
Also, consider what the purpose of your stay is. You definitely need to book a different room if you have some stuff to catch up with or your itinerary is packed or when you plan on enjoying a staycation when you will be present most of the time in the hotel.
When we travel, we usually want to explore as much as we can in that destination, so we don't care much how the room looks like. All we want is a visually clean bed, the best deal, a good and safe location, and a place where we can safely store our backpacks.
WORK
But sometimes we also need to have a rest and spend some time inside, and at that time our requirements are higher, and we expect that our expenses will inevitably increase. When we work on the road, we need a chair, table and a quiet environment, something that's not very common in the cheapest hostels.
While you have an option to sit in the common room, there are usually too many distractions keeping you off work. If you are on a business trip and planning to do some work in the hotel room, sometimes paying a bit more (for a room with a comfortable chair and desk and walls that are not paper-thin) is worth the investment.
LEISURE
It doesn't have to be work that will bound you to the hotel room. On some days, you just want to take a break from all the traveling and catch up on your favorite TV shows or read your favorite book.
Furthermore, bad weather can change your plans entirely, and sometimes you are forced to spend the day in the hotel. And believe us, staying in a cheap damp hostel in the Peruvian Andes is not as much fun as you would expect.
LENGTH OF YOUR STAY
So, long is the trip? When going on a two-week vacation, you might spend more money on accommodation because it is something you've been waiting for a whole year, and you don't want to waste your precious time by walking around, trying to save a few bucks and risk that the place might be sold out. All you want is to enjoy a hassle-free holiday.
The best advice is to search for early birds or non-refundable rates to secure the best price.
If backpacking long term, you probably travel on a strict budget and try to save as much as possible. In that case, there is a space for spending some time bargaining or experiencing new ways of accommodation such as Couchsurfing or House sitting.
Every travel style requires a different approach, and although it would be awesome to stay in amazing hotel rooms all the time, sometimes it's essential to make compromises.
BUDGET
Before you go, create a spreadsheet with the maximum amount you can or want to spend for every item, including accommodation, food, transport, and activities you want to experience. It is always better to calculate a little bit more because rates fluctuate according to season, availability, and demand.
Moreover, you often have unexpected expenses when traveling, as we had in Iceland's Westfjords when we had to visit a car shop to fix our flat tire. This sheet will give you an idea what is the maximum amount you want to spend per night and help you with orientation what type of accommodation you can consider.
Creating a perfect travel itinerary is quite easy, but you need to include all variables into the equation. And the travel budget plays an essential part in your entire adventure.
Keep in mind that you might have not enough for activities or eating out if you allocate too much money for accommodation (and vice-versa).
Personally, we don't mind staying in a more basic hotel room in order to be able to spend more money on activities and experiences. But that's us; some travelers value the hotel experience more than we do and are willing to spend more money on it.
By the way, don't forget to read our blog post on the best ways to save money for travel.
DESTINATION
The principle of direct proportion applies to tourism too. The more developed country you are traveling to, the more money you should be prepared to spend.
When you are in a situation that you don't have much to spare, why don't you focus on cheaper destinations, such as Southeast Asia first? This continent is beautiful to explore and still has a reputation as budget-friendly.
While you might be dreaming about visiting New York, it's a very expensive destination, and the cheapest hostel costs as a nice hotel in Hoi An in Vietnam. And we are only talking about accommodation, other services and activities are equally more expensive as well.
Seeing Uluru and Kata Tjuta is every traveler's dream, but it's really expensive just to get there, and unless you want to camp in temperatures exceeding 35 Celsius, be prepared that this will be a high-cost trip.
Unfortunately, not all places are equal, and choosing the right travel destination is essential.
Nowadays, there are so many options where to stay on the road that everyone can pick what suits best their preferences and budget as well. Sometimes, with some research or with the use of our advice, you can sleep in places even for free!
TYPES OF ACCOMMODATION
Hotels, hostels, B&Bs, are probably the most common types of accommodation that will first come to your mind when talking about traveling. It's good to know that you have more accommodation options, and some of them are even free.
While these alternatives are not definitely for everyone, and the majority will opt for the traditional resources, knowing all your options can broaden your horizons.
HOTELS, B&B, APARTMENTS
Now that we know what to expect from our next trip, we can dive into the various accommodation types.
When not looking for an interaction with others, or you only want to stay in a nicer place (some hotels can still be creepy although calling themselves by this name) with all the service it comes with, stay in a hotel.
Some hotels are cheap anyway, but when they are, it's better to keep your expectations low. Otherwise, there is a large selection of traditional hotels, boutique hotels, family hotels, Bed & Breakfasts, Apartments, etc., only waiting to be discovered by travelers.
Hotels need to meet strict standards, and we believe they offer the safest way to spend a night in your new travel destination.
To search for the best rates, we use Booking.com.
HOSTELS
Generally speaking, hostels offer accommodation aimed at low-budget travelers or backpackers. But do not imagine dirty and noisy places even though you can exceptionally still find some of those.
Hostels evolved into cozy places with shared well-equipped kitchens, where travelers can meet and share their stories from the road. You can pay for only a bed in shared dormitories or opt for a private room if dorms are not your thing.
When we travel as a couple on a budget, we sleep in hostels all the time but usually pay for a private room (often with a shared bathroom). It is a bit more expensive than what we would pay for two single beds in a dormitory, but it gives us privacy and more comfort.
We like to use Hostelworld to search for hostels when on the road.
AIRBNB
The concept of the shared economy in tourism got a new meaning with Airbnb. In an ideal world, people who have a spare room in their house or the entire place offer it through this platform, and you can book it for a significantly lower price than you would book a hotel room.
You can find beautiful apartments in the best zones in the city, plus you can pick the host's brain to get knowledge and tips about the destination.
Unfortunately, the original idea of Airbnb, where you would meet the host, is long gone. Not only you won't usually see the host at all, but the prices are often higher than in the hostels or hotels (without the advantages of hotels).
There are tons of reasons not to use Airbnb, and it's quite a shame what happened to this platform. If you are still using Airbnb, try at least to reserve the property where the hosts still reside so that you can spend some time with them.
COUCHSURFING
Are you ok with spending a night on someone's couch? If your answer is yes, go for it and try to find the host in the place of your interest.
Couchsurfing is a large community of same-minded people who like meeting new friends from abroad. It is a win-win situation for you.
You'll save for accommodation (even though a present, bottle of wine or buying groceries for dinner is a nice gesture), will meet new friends and they will show you the place from the local point of view. In a nutshell, you will save on accommodation while meeting new people and learning about their culture.
Once again, even Couchsurfing is not a perfect platform. The service is no longer free, and the introduction of monthly fees (or annual fees) created a barrier that can discourage many new users (or deter long term ones that have been part of the community for ages).
One important thing to consider is the safety of this accommodation type. While the platform uses a system of user reviews and you can see their references, you will be entering strangers' homes, and it's way riskier than a regular hotel experience.
Especially female solo travelers should choose the host carefully (and have a backup plan, meet the host at a neutral place in advance, or stay with female hosts only).
HOUSE SITTING AND PET SITTING
Looking after houses while their owners are away is another way to save money on accommodation while on the road.
Those popular alternatives are more suitable for long term travelers or digital nomads, though anyone can join the community of house sitters. When you plan to stay somewhere longer, register for a small fee on the websites focused on connecting people who need to leave their house or pets for a while and looking for those who can take care of their property or four-footed friend for a while.
This type of accommodation will give you a great opportunity to settle down for a while, restock, save money and get to know the place more intimately.
House sitting can be an ideal way to save on accommodation while working from abroad, just don't forget that you have some duties as well. Simply put, house sitting is not a free accommodation for nothing.
House sitting requires only a reasonable effort. There is basic maintenance of the property (and gardens) expected from your side.
Also, taking care of a pet plays a vital role in house sitting, so you should have experience taking care of animals (mostly dogs or cats, though there might be more unusual animal types as well).
WWOOFING
When you plan to stay longer in the country and want to know more about farming, sustainable agriculture, and local people, this is a notable project.
Wwoofing is popular, especially among young travelers visiting New Zealand or Canada, who can work and live on the farm while getting free food and accommodation for their job. Again, you'll gain valuable experience working on organic farms and getting to know local people and their everyday life better.
While only a fraction of travelers will ever experience wwoofing, it's a perfect alternative for young intrepid travelers without the money looking for free accommodation in a foreign country.
Remember that WWOOF is not the only platform you can use, and there are alternatives such as HelpX or Workaway.
Working on an organic farm as a volunteer might be exactly the experience you are looking for, but you should know that it's hard work. From our own experience in Martinborough, it’s a very hard work.
CAMPING
Are you seeking a closer connection with nature? We camped in Canada, Iceland, New Zealand, or Australia multiple times and absolutely loved it. Moreover, thanks to it, we were able to savor those not particularly budget-friendly countries without breaking the bank.
Use camping apps to find campgrounds (some of them are even free).
By camping, we could afford to explore Tayrona National Park, as we didn’t have to stay in one of the expensive resorts there.
Tent-camping is always an incredible experience, but renting a campervan or big RV is another option you can consider. While the rental fees are pretty steep, you will save a lot of money on accommodation, though it's good to know that free camping is not everywhere allowed, so you still need to pay some money for a campsite.
It's a very common thing that you are only allowed to stay in a designated campground, so be prepared for it when camping in Iceland or the Canadian Rockies.
Camping is not the only way to save some money on accommodation. For example, we spent an unforgettable year in New Zealand, and when we hiked (see the best hikes in New Zealand) there, we extensively used DOC huts in the mountains. When we calculated the cost later, we found out that one night cost us only $3 per person per night!
HOW TO GET THE BEST HOTEL DEALS
Finally, we are ready to share with you the best ways to find a cheap hotel room. Knowing how to get the best room rate is an essential skill of every traveler.
While some tips are very general and obvious, some might be new to you, and we hope you will find the next section helpful.
So what are the top tips for getting the best hotel room deal?
CONTACT HOTEL DIRECTLY
The easiest way how to get the best price is to contact the hotel directly via phone call or email. Hotels sell rooms for the best available rate you can find on their websites or on OTA's channels (the rate should be the same because of the rate parity in the contracts), but when you reach them directly, they might give you a discount.
It is still smarter to offer you a discount than pay commission to the third party vendor and get less anyway.
While contacting the hotel and reserving the room directly is the best way to find a cheap room, it's not as convenient as using third-party services. It takes a bit more time and effort from your side, so it's only up to you whether it's worth it or not.
As most hotels have some sort of loyalty programs, it's better to book through this channel to earn those sweet reward points.
WALK-IN
There were times and places, especially in Southeast Asia, when we mostly did not bother with reservations and usually looked for a place to stay on the spot. You could walk around, choose the accommodation you like the most, and bargain.
Nowadays, we use this strategy less and less as the convenience of online booking is far greater. Moreover, we usually read online reviews and check prices anyway (if available).
The walk-in approach is very dependent on our mood, time, and place. If you have time, then searching for accommodation upon your arrival can be fun and a distraction from non-personalized online reservations.
Sometimes hotels in remote areas do not have email or are not reservable online, so this is the only option how to discover them anyway.
We still used this approach a lot on Carretera Austral and in Patagonia in general and found plenty of nice 'hospedajes' that way.
Of course, make sure that there is no major event taking place in the city or you are not traveling in a tourist area in peak season. Two occasions come to my mind. We still vividly remember searching for budget accommodation in El Chalten in high season and walking around Antigua without a reservation during the Semana Santa even a few years later.
We must admit that both occasions were not our finest hours, and we ended up paying a lot more for a far worse level.
Funnily enough, these memories usually stick with you and make some great travel stories. Hey, remember that time we arrived in Antigua without a reservation and had to search for some affordable accommodation while walking for more than an hour through overcrowded streets carrying our heavy backpacks during their festival?
SIGN UP FOR A HOTEL LOYALTY PROGRAM
When loyal to one particular brand of hotel, you can collect reward points and then exchange them for free benefits. The benefits usually offer big hotel chains, Wyndham, Marriott, Choice Hotels, Best Western, and many more.
Among the free benefits can be anything. From free Wi-Fi, free items, discounts to access to some special programs, attractions, or events to free nights. In order to collect the points, you need to sign up for a hotel's loyalty program.
Needless to say, you can find even smaller local hostels offering some type of loyalty program. In one of the hostels in Leon, Nicaragua, we got a free night when we booked the shuttle to Honduras with them.
While this wasn't a typical loyalty program you would expect from a big chain hotel, it was a nice benefit.
USE THE BOOKING APPS
Booking apps offer discounts from time to time, and if you have notifications turned on, you can stay in the loop and receive some tips on them throughout the year.
Some last-minute discounts can often be available only through a mobile app, so if you haven't made the reservation yet, check the booking app 24 to 48 hours prior to your arrival to find some best mobile app deals.
The special rate is usually highlighted and says 'available on mobile only' and displays a countdown to the end of the offer.
SEARCH FOR SPECIAL OFFERS
Hotels usually offer early bird rates, last-minute deals, discounted non-refundable rates, or extended stays when you pay less when staying longer. If you can find a good deal, you will get more for your money.
To find last-minute hotel deals, you need to keep your dates as flexible as possible.
Furthermore, you need to search for the deals yourself, which requires extra time and effort from your side. You can always sign up for a newsletter to get the best travel deals and tips, and all those (more or less) awesome promos will go straight to your inbox.
Always read the conditions when booking a non-cancellation reservation. Be aware that something unexpected can happen, and you won't get your money back.
Special offers are usually available outside the peak season, but even Prague in winter is lovely.
STAY IN A NEW HOTEL
A recently opened hotels often offer good discounts to attract new customers, and you might find their opening deals very tempting. While this tip is quite useful, it's not often easy to find a new hotel in a city you've never been to and know nothing about.
You can search online for new hotels that will open in the near future in the city you want to visit. Or you can look for ads, as a newly opened hotel will spend quite some money on promotion and marketing.
Special opening hotel room rates are also a great way to spend a night in a nicer hotel for a reasonable price.
LONG TERM STAYS
Some hostels or hotels offer discounts when you stay with them for a prolonged period of time. These long term stays are beneficial for both parties and are quite common in hostels that offer weekly or monthly rates, though you can get long-term deals even in hotels.
To find the best long stay rates, contact the hotel directly to see what they can do for you.
In San Agustin, Colombia, I hurt my back after a horseback riding tour, and we had to extend our stay for another week. While this was an unexpected turn of events, it was nice to get a better deal by staying longer in the local guesthouse.
CHECK-IN LATE AT HOTEL
When it is getting late, you can get the best deal. It's the simple result of the fact that every hotel room costs the owner some money even when unoccupied. Unlike consumer goods, when they won't sell the room tonight, the hotel is losing money.
If you show up near the end of the day, you might get the best deal of the day. The hotel knows the exact occupancy and can easily estimate whether it will sell out its capacity or not.
Moreover, if the upgrades are still available, you can get even a better room for the same price. This happens a lot in better hotels as they aim to provide the best service resulting in a guest's satisfactory stay (and excellent review later).
Some vendors specialize in selling the hotel's last-minute unsold capacities for the bottom rates. The mobile apps also has a practical geo function when it shows you hotels in the surrounding.
RESERVE A ROOM IN THE OFFSEASON
Have you ever thought to travel during shoulder season? What about the offseason? When the busy season arrives, hotels increase prices because of exceeding demand. Hotels in the offseason don't have full occupancy, and you can get some nice deals on accommodation. You won’t find better travel tips than this one.
Also, look for rates in mid-weeks; Fridays and Saturdays tend to be the most expensive days in a week. Locals travel mostly on weekends and increase accommodation prices.
Low or shoulder seasons usually mean lower rates, but you should be well aware of the cons this time of the year brings. Traveling in the offseason in countries such as the Philippines can be a nuisance, as the weather is not afraid to put many obstacles in your way.
However, you can still find places such as El Nido that are relatively intact by the monsoon season, and the accommodation is not the only aspect that's cheaper, but flight tickets are on sale as well.
AVOID HOLIDAYS AND EVENTS
Try not to travel during national holidays, days such as New Year's Eve, or pro-longed periods such as Christmas. Watch out for local holidays; each country has different ones.
For example, in South America and Central America, the time around Easter is not very good for finding cheap rates, as locals travel a lot and accommodation is often being sold for higher prices. Prague Christmas Markets has become extremely popular in the past few years, but the city gets crowded, and if you are looking for a more quiet atmosphere, it's better to arrive another time.
Big events also increase prices in the cities, not only for accommodation though. Arriving in the city at the same time as Beyonce or Taylor Swift can cost you twice as much as on any other day.
BOOK A NON-REFUNDABLE ROOM
Non-refundable rooms are cheaper for a reason. While you can save a nice amount of money when reserving only non-refundable rooms, hotels have a very strict policy in this case, and if something goes in your way, you might end up with nothing.
The longer the booking window, the higher chances that something will come in your way and you will have to change your plans. While you can save quite some money on booking non-refundable rooms throughout your entire trip, it might be costly if you need to cancel your travel plans.
We usually book only non-refundable rooms when we are absolutely sure that we will arrive at the hotel on time, but the trick is that you can never be sure. As we usually have very flexible travel itineraries, we reserve non-refundable rooms only a day or two in advance.
GET A TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE
Before you go, you should consider getting trip cancellation insurance.
A good travel insurance can cover up your trip essentials and even help you cover your investment if your trip is not going to happen.
Without travel insurance, you have to be willing to lose the money when you book a room without a refundable or cancellable option.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
HOTEL, CAR, AND FLIGHT BUNDLES
Some third-party vendors offer hotel and flight bundles that can save you some money not only on accommodation but also on your flight or rental car. The biggest downside is the strict cancellation policies and fees, which can be costly in case you need to change your travel plans.
Before you purchase the package, always check whether the package is as favorable as the promo title claims. You can simply search for the hotel and flight separately and compare the final price with the bundle.
While the travel packages might save you money on multiple things, sometimes it's better to book the flight early and a hotel room late, therefore separately.
USE OVERNIGHT BUSES AND TRAINS
Sometimes, not staying at the hotel at all is also a solution. After our year-long trip around South America, we became experts on traveling by overnight buses.
It's not that we were new to the concept, but getting around the whole continent by bus definitely sharpens your skills and refines your routine.
The distances in the countries covering South America are great, and we often spent 10+ hours on the bus, a few times even a whole day, like we did when traveling from San Pedro de Atacama to Santiago. While this bus ride was quite extreme, there were tons of them that took anything from 8 to 16 hours.
The advantage of traveling at night is quite clear. You save money on accommodation and arrive fresh to your new destination after a night of good sleep.
Admittedly, the reality is often far-fetched from the truth, but after some time, you will get used to it and arrive somewhat rested.
While this technique is quite challenging, and we recommend it to long term travelers, it can be used even on shorter trips.
During one of our shorter trips to Malaysia, we took the jungle train that connects the towns near Taman Negara National Park and Perhentian Islands, and as a result, we had a whole extra day we could spend on the island while saving money on accommodation.
TIPS ON FINDING A CHEAP HOTEL ROOM
There are a lot of things to consider when reserving a room. Luckily, we know plenty of tips that will help you find cheap accommodation.
It's true, spending less on accommodation is every traveler's dream. So, what else is there to consider when booking a room except for the price?
PICK THE RIGHT LOCATION
Location is everything when you are looking for accommodation on your trip. Although city centers tend to be the most expensive, before you book a cheaper room in the suburb, think carefully, how much it will cost you to use public transport to visit all attractions or take a taxi when coming back late at night.
Sometimes, you will spend more on taxis than what was the asking price for a hotel room in the tourist center, therefore paying more for a hotel in a convenient location might be more economical than you would think.
It's a common mistake of new travelers who book the cheapest room in the city without even looking at the map first. As soon as they arrive in the city, they realize that the hotel they booked is nowhere near any major tourist attraction. Some big cities, such as Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, or Sao Paulo, are so huge that it's almost impossible to pick the correct location.
The least you can do when staying outside the city center is to find a hotel that is close to a bus/tram stop or subway/train station.
In Costa Rica, some of the nicest lodges are located in the middle of nowhere, and you should either have a rental car to get around or be prepared to pay a lot for taxis or shuttles.
Another important thing to consider is whether the amount of money you eventually save makes some sense.
For example, if you save five dollars on accommodation but then spend an hour sitting on a bus just to travel from your hotel to the tourist area, then we would argue it makes zero sense. In our opinion, one hour of your holiday time is more valuable than those five dollars you could save.
BOOK YOUR HOTEL ROOM EARLY
We have to say it once more to be perfectly clear. Book your hotel room as early as possible in top tourist destinations. Some destinations are notorious for being completely sold out during the peak season.
If you know that you will have a wedding in May and want to explore the Ring Road in Iceland, Yellowstone National Park in the U.S., or Icefields Parkway in Canada on your honeymoon in July, don't wait with your reservations.
The sooner you reserve your accommodation, the better rate you get. We included all these destinations for a reason, as they have one thing in common.
The best time to visit either of these places is by far in the summer. Harsh winters, short days, and closed services are not what most travelers are looking for, so they are forced to visit the locations at the same time when the weather conditions are the finest.
This creates a distorted market where the demand exceeds the supply and the prices for accommodation skyrocket. Hoping that you will get a last-minute deal in Banff in the peak season is foolish and a mistake to avoid.
There is no way around it; if you know the exact dates of your next trip, don't be afraid to reserve the room. As you are booking the room so far in advance, make sure it's a refundable room.
AVOID PAYING FOR EXTRAS
Before you make a reservation, don't forget to read the information on what's included in the final price and what's not. Sometimes, the property clearly states that some services are for an extra fee.
However, the description is quite often vague, and you will find out what's not included only after you arrive there.
There are some vital questions that you should ask the property every time you want to reserve a room. Is shuttle from the airport included? What about Wi-Fi, linen, and laundry? Is breakfast complimentary? What about city taxes?
While we believe that no one is fond of spending extra money on hidden fees, some fees are understandable. Simply put, there are circumstances where even basic things are not given. Free Wi-Fi, hot water, or even electricity on a remote island or high in the mountains is not a standard, and after seeing the location, we clearly understand why they charge some extra fees.
And to be honest, in Salar de Uyuni, we enjoyed the time off the grid and could focus on the stunning scenery and ourselves. But these are extreme cases.
However, some accommodations go much further and use practices we are not fond of, especially in places you wouldn't expect it. This is more than often a problem of hostels in big cities.
Do you need a clean towel? That would be two dollars. Would you like to store your things in the locker? Sure, that's three dollars. Oh, I see you haven't brought your own lock. You can rent ours for another two dollars. Soap is for another dollar, and so on.
The lists of these extra charges are quite ridiculous at times, and if you come unprepared (without luggage lock , soap, travel towel, etc.), you might end up paying a lot more than what's the asking price.
FREE AIRPORT SHUTTLE
When staying close to the airport, make sure they provide a free airport shuttle. Be aware that some hotels run shuttle service between the hotel and airport, but it's not free.
Make sure the hotel offers a free (24-hour) airport shuttle service; the word 'free' here is essential. Some hotels only provide airport shuttle service, which they usually try to cover up that's for an additional charge.
Also remember, that if the hotel doesn't specifically say it's a 24-hour service, the bus doesn't have to operate during some hours (usually overnight).
Read the description of services carefully. Sometimes you need to look at the reviews as the hotel's description might not be clear. If you are not sure, we would recommend contacting the hotel directly and ask them whether the service is complimentary or not.
Free airport shuttle in cities such as Sydney can save quite some money, as airport taxis are often pricey. Before you go, it's essential to communicate your flight details with the hotel, so they can arrange the shuttle for you. Also, some bigger hotels have a shuttle service that runs at certain intervals all day (usually every 30 minutes).
BOOK A ROOM WITH A SHARED BATHROOM
When you don't insist on your own bathroom, you can always ask for a private room with a shared bathroom to save some money.
A shared bathroom is like the epitome of backpacking, though it's not for everyone. As the name suggests, a shared bathroom is outside your room, usually somewhere in the hall, and can be used by other guests staying at the property. The lower room rate balances out this inconvenience, and the total amount you save is often noticeable.
Keep in mind that a shared bathroom might not always be the best idea, and there are times where it's worth paying extra.
Years ago, when we hiked the Annapurna Circuit, one of the fellow hikers got sick, and she had to use the shared bathroom all night, together with other guests. It's one of those travel experiences you really don't want to share with others. This is a very common thing in countries with a lack of access to clean water or lower sanitation standards, and it's not pleasant for all parties involved.
STAY IN DORMITORIES
If you are a solo traveler, then dormitories are the cheapest room types you can reserve when traveling. Dormitories usually range from small 4-bed to large 20-bed rooms (or more), depending on the hostel.
While the small dorm rooms can offer a relatively quiet and private experience, the large dormitories can often test your patience, especially if you are in need of good sleep. It's quite imperative to learn something about dorm room etiquette, though most of the rules usually require using your common sense.
Female solo travelers can often stay in female-only rooms, so make sure you book the correct type of dorm. At times, larger dormitories can have their own private bathroom (if you can say that). Are the dorm rooms always the best bang for your buck?
It's a bit more complicated when you are a couple, as often the price for two beds in a dormitory almost matches the rate for a room with a shared bathroom. So while staying in dorms makes a lot of sense for solo travelers, it's a different story for couples (or partners, pair of friends, etc.).
We often find out that by just paying a bit more, we can stay in a private room (with a shared bathroom), though it depends, once again, on the hostel's rate policy.
If the bunk bed costs $15 per person, and you can get the private room for $35-$45, then it's up to your preferences whether you want to spend those extra five to fifteen dollars on some privacy or a meal at the restaurant later.
RESERVE A ROOM WITH A KITCHEN
You can save a lot of money when renting an apartment or hotel room with a kitchenette and by cooking your own meal. When staying at one place for a longer period, a home-cooked meal is always cheaper than dining in restaurants every day.
Rooms with a kitchenette might be slightly more expensive, but it's worth it when you calculate altogether with food cost.
While exploring Tulum in Mexico, we decided to stay in a room with a kitchenette and visited the local market every day to buy some fresh groceries. Later, we prepared a delicious and healthy dinner ourselves without the need to eat out.
However, buying groceries and cooking meals require some time, and when you are on vacation, you should consider whether it's worth it or not.
READ REVIEWS
Search for reviews to find the best hotel's quality and price ratio before you hit that 'reserve' button. Use your rational thinking and disregard misleading reviews. We regularly skip the best and the worst reviews and try to form our own opinion.
Learn to filter the reviews. The 5-star reviews that only say "Best hotel ever!" won't tell you a lot about the quality; the same goes for 1-star reviews shouting "Worst stay ever. Never again!".
Focus on the things you value the most. Is it cleanliness, easy access to restaurants, or polite staff? Is the review rational or emotional? Reading and understanding online reviews requires some training, and even after, you might end up disappointed (or pleasantly surprised).
Some guests often complain about things just because they picked the wrong accommodation. The noise when staying in a party hostel or unbearable heat in a room without aircon on a tropical island is not a fault of the accommodation.
The most used review platform is Booking.com, Tripadvisor, or Google Reviews, where you can read about accommodation, restaurants, or activities and also make reservation straight away if something catches your eyes.
While reading reviews won't technically save you any money, it can drastically improve your overall experience, and you can avoid paying for poor services.
KNOW THE CANCELLATION POLICY
Being able to change or cancel your reservation is an essential part of the booking process. Unexpected events can change your travel plans in a snap. Many travelers often come to the conclusion that they will sort their reservations later, only to realize that there will be additional charges.
They don't realize that each hotel has its own strict cancellation policy, and while some places are very flexible and don't mind changing or even canceling your reservation for free, some are very strict. Many variables come into play (such as time of the year, occupancy, etc.), and you never know how strict the hotel will be about their cancellation fees or refunds.
Keep in mind that we are talking about refundable rooms. Non-refundable rooms, as the name suggests, remain non-refundable.
Our best advice is to reserve a room which offers a free cancelation if possible to avoid these costly fees.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
