Finding an affordable hotel can be challenging and a big barrier to travel for many people. Fortunately, there are many tips and websites that can help you book budget places stay. Knowing where to look for cheap hotels is half the battle! Once you know, you’re more likely to find someplace to stay that’s in budget and get out on the road.
Let’s take a look at some of the best budget hotel websites out there so you can start your travel planning!
Disclosure: Some of the links below may be affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase.
The Best Websites for Finding Budget Hotels
Looking in the right places for cheap hotel rooms or alternate accommodations can help make your trip budget friendly. Here are some of my favorite websites to book through.
1. Booking.com
My favorite site for finding budget hotels is Booking.com. It offers a wide variety of accommodations from hotels to hostels to some apartments, but it has great features for sorting by location, type of accommodation, customer review ratings, etc.
One of my favorite features is that many of the accommodations offer free cancellation up until 24 hours before which allows me to remain fairly flexible on my itinerary, while still having someplace great to stay.
Another awesome feature for the frequent traveler is the ability to reach one of their “Genius” levels. These levels give you additional discounts if you travel often, as well as other perks like free upgrade and free breakfast!
| Pros of Booking.com | Cons of Booking.com |
|---|---|
| – Huge hotel selection – Free cancellation on many options – Advanced sorting features – Detailed customer reviews – Discounts for frequent travelers | – Limited hostels listed – Vacation rentals blend into hotel listings – Difficult to make a decision – Not all listings offer free cancellation |
Pro Tip: Download the mobile Booking.com app! Some hotels offer mobile only prices that are cheaper than you’ll find online!
2. Hostelworld.com
Hostels have gotten a bad rep due to a movie called “Hostel”, but realistically they are fairly safe, clean, well priced, social, and perhaps my favorite – centrally located.
If you’re new to staying in hostels, there’s a couple things you should know. Hostels are well-known within the backpacker community as a budget accommodation choice. As such, the average age may be much lower than you find in other kinds of accommodation. Additionally, many hostels offer shared rooms, called dorm rooms, that feature multiple sets of bunk beds and shared bathrooms. Make sure you read up on what you are booking before you book on Hostelworld.com.
Not quite sure what you’re getting into when staying at a hostel? Check out: What is a Hostel?
| Pros of Hostelworld | Cons of Hostelworld |
|---|---|
| – Budget-friendly place to stay – Social atmosphere & activities – Reception desks typically helpful – Typically central locations for cheap | – Shared rooms and bathrooms – Noise levels vary – Limited services (like housekeeping) – Few to no hostels in some areas |
3. AirBnB or VRBO
AirBnB and VRBO are both popular vacation rental sites. They allow individuals to rent out their houses, apartment, or a part of their house at a price point of their choosing. This means travelers can rent space for just one person, or rent a whole house or villa if they’re traveling in a group.
Vacation rental sites are especially good if you’re looking for unique accommodations (igloo or treehouse anyone?), longer term rentals, or a large group of travelers. Some properties allow you to book instantly while others are dependent on the owners of the listing getting back to you after they screen your profile.
As with any hotel website, carefully read the descriptions and watch out for any additional charges like cleaning fees, security deposits, extra people fees, and service charges. It’s not unusual for these extra fees to add up to more than the cost of the rental unit itself!
| Pros of Vacation Rentals | Cons of Vacation Rentals |
|---|---|
| – Unique accommodations – Great for long term rentals – More local experience – Great for larger groups – Helps locals vs. hotel corporations | – Lack of pricing transparency – Numerous extra charges – No onsite reception desk or concierge – No daily housekeeping – Steep cancellation or change fees |
4. Agoda
Depending where you are traveling, finding an affordable hotel may require checking different hotel booking sites. For example, Agoda is best known in Asia and offers a huge selection of affordable hotels and rentals.
It does operate in other parts of the world, so definitely give it a scan when looking for cheap hotels. I’ve had a lot of success with it on my Asian trips with more listings than other accommodation booking sites and great prices. There are instances where the taxes and service charges have bumped up the total cost a decent amount, so make sure to view the final price before deciding.
| Pros of Agoda | Cons of Agoda |
|---|---|
| – Affordable hotel prices – Watch for coupons and discounts – Best for Asian travel | – Few listings in some areas – Confirmation emails can be slow – Hidden taxes and service charges |
5. Couchsurfing.com
Want to travel and meet locals? Or in some cases, want to travel but don’t have the funds? Couchsurfing is a hospitality exchange where you create a profile, type in the city and check out locals willing to offer up their couch, extra room, floor, whatever they may have, and, it’s free!
Just to be clear, the intent of Couchsurfing is not simply for a free place to stay when traveling. It is meant to be a cultural exchange where ideally you will meet and spend time with your host to learn more about them and their city and culture.
As it can take time – days or weeks – for hosts to respond, this option is best used a couple of weeks in advance. I’m sure it’s on your mind so check out: Is Couchsurfing safe?
| Pros of Couchsurfing | Cons of Couchsurfing |
|---|---|
| – Local experience – Free accommodation – Social traveling – Reviews of seasoned hosts | – Safety concerns – Longer booking timeframes needed – Not as flexible – May not hear back from host |
Other Budget Travel Accommodation Options
There’s no shortage of accommodations out there, but finding an affordable hotel can be tricky. This is particularly true if you’re booking in the busy season, traveling to a city for an event, like a festival, or headed to a big city in an expensive country.
Search Hotel Aggregator Websites
If you still can’t find an affordable place to stay on your trip, you can try searching other sites. There are dozens of hotel aggregator websites that will run searches across dozens, if not hundreds or thousands, of websites to help you find the availability and prices for your travel dates. Some of my favorites include Kayak, Hotels.com, Expedia, Priceline, and Hotwire.
Visit Hotel Brand Websites
Are you a frequent traveler? If so, it’s quite possible you have a favorite hotel brand website. Maybe you’re loyal to Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, IGH Hotels and Resorts, or one of the other huge chains of hotels. Best case scenario, you may have status or built up some points. If this is the case, you may be able to book a hotel for free.
Sign Up for a Hotel Chain Credit Card
While I am not a huge believer in relying on credit cards for travel, if you really are in need of a free place to stay or a free night in a hotel, many hotel credit cards offer it as a signup bonus. Some even offer a certain number of nights free per year or help you rack up points faster to help you pay for future hotel nights with points.
Tips for Finding Cheap Hotels
Knowing where to search for budget-friendly hotels is half the battle, but there’s more to it than just using a website… you need to know how to search for the best results!
Here are some tips to help you find the best hotel rates online.
Compare Prices
When you’re looking for a great deal on a hotel room, you’ll want to check multiple booking websites. They often have slightly different rates and you want to find the best deals on hotels. Try the websites above to compare prices from multiple booking websites.
Keep in mind that not only prices can vary depending on the website you book through. Sometimes the hidden fees, cancellation policies, etc. can be different, so it’s important to compare more than just hotel prices before making a decision.
Book in Advance
Booking your hotel in advance will often save you money. This is especially true if you’re traveling during peak tourist season, holidays, or for a special event.
Hotels tend to offer lower rates to guests who book ahead of time so that they can better predict their occupancy and plan their operations accordingly. Booking early can also help you secure the room you want, as popular hotels can fill up quickly during peak season.
Consider Hotel Location
Location can be a major factor in the price of a hotel room. Hotels in popular tourist areas or city centers tend to be more expensive, while hotels located slightly outside of these areas may be more affordable.
If you’re looking to save money on a hotel, you may want to check hotels slightly further away. Just be sure that the hotel is still located within a reasonable distance from the attractions or activities you want to visit. Otherwise you may spend too much time and money commuting, which defeats the purpose of staying further away to save money.
Travel during Off-season
If your travel dates are flexible, consider traveling during the low season to save money on your hotel stay. Lower hotel rates are typically available during the off-season.
This of course depends on the location and type of hotel. For example, beachfront hotels may have lower rates in the winter months when it’s too cold for swimming.
Join Hotel Loyalty Programs
Many hotels, like Marriott, Hilton, IGH, etc. have loyalty programs that offer discounts, rewards, or other perks to members. These programs are often free to join and can help you save money on future stays.
Some hotel loyalty programs also offer exclusive promotions or discounts that are not available to non-members. For example, if you join the Marriott Bonvoy program, you typically get free internet during your stay. This can run $15+ per day otherwise!
Negotiate with the Hotel
If you’re booking directly with a hotel, you can try negotiating for a better rate. Hotels are most likely offer a discount if you’re booking a long stay, traveling during the low season, or booking multiple rooms.
You can also ask if they have any special deals or promotions available that you can take advantage of. Ultimately, they want you to book there versus their competition – if you can afford it.
Check for Hidden Fees
Before booking a hotel, make sure to read the fine print and check for any hidden fees. These could be resort fees, amenity fees – like Wi-Fi or breakfast, or parking fees, that aren’t included in the initial price.
Always check what’s included in the price before booking. You don’t want to be caught off guard with unexpected fees that can significantly increase the cost of your hotel stay.
Free Cancellation
One of my favorite ways to help find cheap hotels is to book something quickly that offers free cancellation policies, and then keep searching! This secures a budget room for travel while giving me the ability to keep my eyes open for other deals.
Another reason free cancellation policies can be an important factor to consider when booking a hotel is if your travel plans are subject to change. This way you won’t lose your entire hotel cost if your plan change.
Always make sure to pay close attention to your hotel’s policies. Some hotels offer free cancellation up to a certain time before check-in, while other hotels may have more restrictive policies or may require you to pay a fee to cancel or modify your reservation.
It’s a good idea to keep a record of the cancellation policy and any confirmation emails, in case you need to dispute any charges later on. By choosing a hotel with a flexible cancellation policy, you’ll have more flexibility and control over your travel plans and budget.
Want More Money Saving Tips for Travel?
Travel can be expensive. Besides finding a cheap hotel, you’ll have many other expenses that you don’t have full control over. Here are some other posts to help you plan a budget-friendly trip:
- 44 Pro Tips to Save Money While Traveling
- Quick Start Guide to Save Money to Travel
- Budgeting 101: Learn How to Create a Budget in Just 5 Simple Steps
- The True Cost of Travel: How much does it cost to travel the world?
Whatever your choice may be for finding someplace cheap to stay – safe travels!
See more budget travel recommendations on the Travel Resources page.
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Comments 2
I like how you said how searching in the correct areas for inexpensive hotel rooms or other lodging options might help you travel on a budget. Next month, my husband and I want to take our kids on a vacation, so I wanted to be sure we understood how to select a suitable and reasonably priced hotel for everyone. Once I start looking for one that we can stay in during our vacation, I’ll keep these suggestions in mind!
Author
Glad you found some value in the information. Hopefully you’ll find an inexpensive hotel for your vacation that fits your needs!