How can you save money on accommodation when you travel?
Updated: December 2025
Accommodation prices for hotels, hostels, and vacation rentals have gone up in recent years.
The Airbnb discount is no longer available, but I’ve found other ways to save money on accommodation.
These money saving tips are very simple to implement and they are all based on my experience.
My top tip for saving money on accommodation
Compare prices and find better rates
Whenever I search for accommodation I start with TripAdvisor.
It gives you a price comparison of all the leading booking sites.
It’s very easy to use, with photos, review, map search, and filters.
I found that sometimes the price you get when you click through to a booking site from TripAdvisor is lower than the price on that same site if you access it directly. I found those hidden discounts after making some tests in incognito mode. It’s worth checking each time you book.
Ways to save money on accommodation
Try guesthouses, B&Bs and Inns
Hotels are the default for many travellers, which is why they’re often the most expensive option.
In many countries, especially across Europe and Asia, small guesthouses and family-run B&Bs may offer better value with rooms that are often bigger than in hotels.
Serviced Apartments or Aparthotels
Serviced Apartments or Aparthotels have been my preference for a while now.
If you want hotel-like comfort but with more space and your own kitchen, this is a perfect solution.
Prices may be similar to hotels or slightly lower, but you get more value for your money.
When you have your own kitchen you don’t have to eat out three times a day. It saves me a lot of money on my trips (and I get to eat healthy as well).
Book your accommodation as early as you can
The earlier you book, the more likely you are to find a better price.
The best vacation rentals in popular destinations, that are highly rated and centrally located, are likely to be fully booked.
The only way to beat that is to get there first simply by booking early.
Start searching as soon as you know your travel dates.
Take advantage of long term discounts
Many vacation rental hosts, hotels, and hostels will give you a discount for staying long term.
Usually there’s a weekly discount and a monthly discount.
Each host sets their own percentage and you will see exactly how much you can save in the price breakdown once you add your dates.
Be flexible about your travel dates
You can search for accommodation without entering any dates at all at first.
This way you’ll be able to see a wider range of properties in the search results.
Once you’ve picked some places to stay that appeal to you, enter your dates to see if they’re available.
You’ll be able to see on each listing’s calendar the rate for each night, with weekends often priced higher than other nights.
If you can be flexible with your dates based on that information, you’ll be able to save more money on accommodation.
Avoid touristy areas
You can often find great properties outside the most popular touristy areas in any city.
Going a little bit outside the city centre can reduce the price considerably.
You can search as you move on the map. It’s a super useful function that will help you find cheaper areas.
Non-touristy areas are often quieter as well, so there’s the added benefit of better sleep.
All you have to do is make sure that the property has good public transport connections with the city centre (or convenient parking if you travel with a car). That’s the kind of information you can normally find in reviews. People would often mention how long it took them to reach the city centre.
Look for areas that are:
- One or two public transport stops from the centre (check travel times on Google Maps)
- Well-connected by metro, tram, or bus
- Lively enough to feel safe, but not packed with attractions
Final thoughts on how to save money on accommodation
Accommodation is usually the biggest slice of the travel budget pie.
There are ways to save on transport, food, and attractions, but places to stay can be costly.
I hope my ideas on how to find a save money on accommodation help you find a decent price or better rates on your next trip.
If you have more tips on how to save money on accommodation, share them in the comments below.