We’re all for hostels and affordable accommodation. Still, sometimes it’s just nice to pamper yourself with additional perks… especially when you can book them at lower rates!
Here’s exactly how to find a cheap hotel room (psst: some hacks and platforms can be proper game-changers for your next trip—and wallet).
7 tricks on how to find a cheap hotel when travelling
… from a strategic initial research to secret deals you didn’t know existed!
1. Start with a comparison site
Most of these platforms have a filter—along the lines of ‘lowest price’—to find cheap hotels in your destination:
- Google Travel
- Booking.com
- Hotels.com
- TripAdvisor
- Expedia
- Skyscanner (it’s not just for flights!)
- Agoda
Another trick? Use them as search engines and then contact the actual hotel: sometimes, it can be cheaper to book the room directly with them!
2. Get rewards for committing to one platform or chain
Many companies offer you some kind of discount, reward, and even a free night if you use them regularly. So, if you travel often, it might make sense to stick to one booking platform. For example:
- With Hotels.com Rewards, you earn a free night after ten one-night stays
- Booking.com’s Genius, Expedia Rewards, and Agoda’s PointMAX all have additional perks for members
- One of our partners, Bidroom, helps you save up to 25% more on hotels compared to other platforms. And you can get more bonuses and upgrades, too!
Alternatively, many hotel chains will offer you exclusive deals and perks:
3. Use an online coupon code or discount
Try your luck on websites like Groupon. You can also download the free Honey extension: it’ll automatically scan the web for relevant coupon codes and add them to your online cart.
4. Snatch a last minute deal….
Spontaneous trip? Change of plans? Here’s how to find cheap hotels last minute.
You see, when they aren’t likely to sell all their rooms, many facilities lower their rates. So, you might find a cheap hotel room on platforms like HotelTonight.
6. Use someone’s non-refundable booking to find a cheap hotel room
It happens: someone’s plans changed but they couldn’t get a refund. Smart travellers log this on platforms like Roomer.
You can then buy their booking at a reduced rate. A win-win for both parties!
7. Sign-up for alerts and updates
If you already have a few specific places and dates in mind, try Hopper, one of the best travel apps. It’ll notify you as soon as there’s a price drop!
Final considerations on how to get cheap hotels for your travels
Also, keep in mind that:
- Longer stays can reduce your nightly rate, especially when booking directly with that hotel
- Many guides on how to get cheap hotel rates recommend another strategy: booking multiple rooms ahead of time to get early-bird offers and then using their free cancellation once you’ve made up your mind. We don’t think that’s the most ethical move, though! It might penalise small independent facilities
- Sometimes, a slightly more expensive hotel room can work out cheaper for you overall. Yes, we’re serious! For example, if it includes breakfast and luggage storage, you won’t have to pay for them separately elsewhere
- Some hotels or booking platforms might offer additional discounts for specific categories, like students
- Check your credit card: some of them include hotel rewards, too
Basically, when you rely on these tricks, you can enjoy the perks of a premium hotel stay without breaking the bank.
Was our guide on how to find a cheap hotel useful for you? At TravelSisters, we’re an app and community making travel easier, safer, and more fun for women.
Join the sisterhood, and discover even more tricks in our guide on how to travel on a budget.