This Is How to Save Money and Get a Good Night’s Rest While Traveling

We all know the comfort of waking up after a great night’s rest in your favorite hotel. You get out of bed, take a shower and head down to the continental breakfast for some eggs and coffee. When you return to your room later in the day, you’re restocked with refreshments and your bed is made, welcoming you to another night of great rest. However, while all of this is great, you’re still left with a hefty bill of a couple hundred dollars (or more). For a one-time thing this may be okay, but for frequent travelers, the price tag of staying in a hotel can become a major burden just to get some decent sleep.

Many people are under the impression that if they don’t book a hotel, they won’t sleep okay. This isn’t necessarily true, as there are plenty of other options on finding good places to stay while traveling while also saving money. If you’re looking for other alternatives 

Airbnb

Airbnb is probably the most obvious answer, but many people don’t utilize it as casually as they have the opportunity to. If you’re a frequent traveler or would like to spice up your accommodation plans, Airbnb is a great option.

Many Airbnbs are in a home or are their own unit, giving you all you need to sleep well. They also tend to be cheaper in some cities in the US (and even worldwide) than a hotel room would be with some giving you more or unique amenities as well. The only downside to renting an Airbnb is the work beforehand. With most big-name hotels, you know what qualities and amenities you can expect. With Airbnb, you may need to research your options beforehand to ensure you’re choosing the best option for your travels (and your snoozes).

Hostels

Hear us out on this one — hostels are great, especially when traveling internationally. Like Airbnbs, you need to do your research beforehand on the best hostel options for your location. There are a ton of different types of hostels, so make sure you’re choosing the best one for yourself. Hostels are also extremely cheap for a one-night stay.

For some, a downside to hostels would be that there could be other travelers staying with you. For others, this can be a benefit, as it gives a social environment to engage in. You can meet new people, hear stories, and cure boredom during your downtime. Other people in hostels can also give you great local tips for the best places to eat, things to do, and spots to see.

If you’d rather stick to hotels and avoid the unnecessary work and safety concerns of booking an Airbnb or a hostel, there are still plenty of ways to save money. Here are some more of the best money-saving hotel tips:

• Get a travel credit card to rack up reward points.
• Use the hotel coupon books at rest stops along the highway to find deals.
• Negotiate your room rate.
• Compare prices on travel sites like Expedia or Kayak.
• Search for the best last-minute deals.
• Search for hotels outside of the busiest areas.

In the end, trust your gut more than anything. If you think you’ve found a great deal that may seem too good to be true, try looking somewhere else. The last thing you want is to book a hotel room, Airbnb, or hostel that doesn’t meet your needs. You risk not only not getting some decent rest, but also a safe and clean environment. You always want a cozy place to unwind after a long day of activities, so be smart!

Photo by Roberto Nickson from Pexels