How to Find Cheap Hotels

One of the most expensive line items in a travel budget is your lodging. Finding cheap hotels, or hostels, is critical to long-term traveling. Whether you are on a luxury trip, or saving pennies wherever possible, these tools will help you find the right place to stay. Note that they each have good mobile apps for scheduling on the go.

1. Hotels.com

Hotels.com is a great tool no matter what price you are looking to find. It has a wide range of options to match any budget and one of the best rewards programs. The program is as simple as stay ten nights, get one free. This can amount to huge savings if you are constantly traveling like us. Additionally, once you reach their silver and gold member levels you get premium perks at certain hotels. Sometimes this has been discount drinks at the hotel bar, a free dinner, or even free room upgrades. We reached the gold level after only a couple months of continuous travel.

2. Airbnb

Airbnb is another tool that provides a nice range of options. With this option you’ll be staying in people’s actual homes which can be fun. Another great perk is that many of the ‘superhosts’ have great tips on the best restaurants and venues in the area. This can be useful if you find it difficult to socialize with locals under normal circumstances, as you’ll automatically meet at least one local. Also, you can sometimes negotiate discounted rates if you plan to stay for a month or more, but this is subject to the owner.

Airbnb can be hit or miss, but we have been lucky with some great places that cost around the same as cheap hotels.

3. Hostelworld.com

Hostelworld is useful if you’re working with a lower budget. Usually you will spend a fraction of the cost at a hostel compared to a hotel or AirBNB. They have extensive listings on hostels all over the world with a good rating system. The rating system breaks down hostels by several categories like location, cleanliness, staff, facilities, atmosphere, security, and value for the money. While you usually sacrifice some amenities by staying in a hostel, you will make up for it in savings which means more travel! Plus, hostels provide a better atmosphere to meet other travelers.