Note: the following is not intended as professional travel advice. Always do your own research to stay up-to-date.
It would be nice to think overseas vacations happened by themselves, but the reality for those of us with a limited budget, is they don’t. That’s why, in this, our second article on budget travel, we’ll be exploring how to cut the cost of holiday accommodation. Read on to check out our fresh tips!
Purchase the package
Unless you’re looking at ultra-budget airlines, or planning to sleep in a tent, it can often be cheaper to purchase ‘package deal’ travel. Package deals are offered by airlines, accommodation providers, or travel agents, with most promising return airfares and accommodation for not a lot more than the cost of the flights themselves. Some package deals even throw in discounted tickets to popular entertainments as well. While a package deal will offer accommodation for a set number of days, there’s no reason why you need stay for the whole time. Instead, take the package, stay for part of the time (say your arrival and departure dates) and then go exploring to more exciting destinations!
Rental rewards
Accommodation is cheaper the further away you get from centre-city or top-tourist locations. So, although a rental car can, at first, seem like an extravagance, it takes you to the sort of budget accommodation that sits on the edge of town or even in a restful rural location. If you choose this option, research cheap or free-parking options when you head into town.
Super-saver!
Budget accommodation is often low-cost for a reason – and one of these is access to convenience shopping. Check out the location of your accommodation before you arrive, and if there are no supermarkets or restaurants within easy reach, stock up on dinner and breakfast supplies to take with you.
Get fit!
Accommodation prices go up according to their proximity to public transport hubs. If you’re fit enough to walk 2-3 blocks from the train station, and happy to carry or wheel your own luggage, you can expect to make big savings. What’s more, accommodation requiring a short walk to reach it, often means you’ll get a taste of everyday life when you arrive!
Home base
The longer you stay in one accommodation, the cheaper your nightly rate is likely to be (and if it’s not, try negotiating before you book). Staying put also means you’re not having to unpack and repack each day. So, instead of moving on daily to a new accommodation, stay in one place and explore exciting day trips from your home base!
Happy hostels
Gone are the days when hostels were only for backpackers. As well as offering low cost accommodation, often in the centre of the city, many hostels are senior and family friendly. Ask about private rooms, but also check out dorm options – many offer sleeping pods with their own private, curtained-off space with bedside light and phone charging facilities. If you go for a dorm option, book ahead to find lower rather than upper bunks, side by side beds (if you’re with a friend or your partner), and (if you know you’ll need the loo during the night) a bed close to the bathroom. Top tip; be sure to have your shower in the evening when the ablution block is less busy than it will be in the morning.
Filter
When searching for accommodation, always use a site’s filter facility. When you do, filter first for lowest cost/best reviews. This filter combo is likely to bring you the best results.
Worth the ride
When searching on sites such as Airbnb and Booking.com, make sure to look at the map option. This will allow you to see, not only the cost of accommodation, but its location. Once you spot affordable accommodations, check them out in relation to transport options. Affordable accommodation on a train or bus line, is worth its weight in gold!
Budget-savvy travellers find holiday accommodation affordable because they know how to make it work for them. Good luck in finding a room to suit you!