Money for the Rest of Us

This is the third post of the series “15 Tips for Cheap Travel.” You can navigate the rest of the series by going to the 15 Tips for Cheap Travel Index.

The second biggest expense in traveling is usually the cost of lodging. I’ve listed some options below, but there are always new and creative ways to get shelter over your head. If you’ve heard of any be sure to list them in the comments.

Where to Look for Lodging

People You Know: Do you know anyone in the area? If you do, consider the option of staying with them. Offer to take them out to dinner, bring them a gift, or do something else to show your appreciation. But, also remember the non-monetary costs of staying with someone you know: Sometimes it’s hard to live with others. Especially if you are going to be staying in that location for a long time you may want to split your time between the friend and a hotel.

Hotels : Unlike airlines which usually offer the best price on their website, the best hotel prices can often be found on other websites. Inexpensive hotels can be found on aggregators like:

• Kayak Discount Hotels
• Cheaptickets
• Sidestep

And traditional travel agencies: Orbitz, Expedia, Travelocity, and Hotels.com

Hostels: If you’re traveling by yourself and you’re young (or old) hostels are one of the best places to stay. You get great rates and you can meet new people. These sites are two I’ve used that offer great searches (and user rankings) for finding the best hostels: Hostels.com and HostelWorld.com. One more tip for booking through these sites: if you find a hostel you like, go directly to the hostel’s website (or call the hostel) to avoid the (small) booking fee charged on these two sites.

Off the Beaten Path

• An option for lodging that has become increasingly popular because of the internet is “housing swaps.” You literally trade houses with another person/family during your vacation. To learn more about Housing Swaps check out these websites: HomeExchange.com and HomeXchangeVacation.com.
• The invaluable Craigslist lists a variety of vacation rental options.
• National Parks are always a great option for camping.
• And you can always rent an RV.

Consider all the costs: Another piece for comparison when looking for cheap hotels/lodging is how much “accessories” will cost you (or add to the value of your hotel). Some options for consideration:

• Tax: Different cities charge different amount for hotel taxes. If you can stay in a nearby city, consider the tax charges. For example, Washington, D.C. charges a 10% hotel tax. If you stay in nearby Virginia or Maryland (easily accessible by Metro) tax will only be 4-5%. (At $200/night for a 7 night vacation you’ll save nearly $70 on tax, and likely only spend $20 for Metro for a total savings of $50.)
• Location: Is the hotel located near where you will be visiting? Is it within walking distance? Driving distance? Near public transportation? Not only will traveling far to get to the sights of interest cost you money, but it will also cost you time. And if you don’t have a lot of time to spare, sometimes a few extra bucks a day will be worth it.
• Transportation: Will the hotel pick you up from and drop you off at the airport? Getting a hotel that will do this could save you a lot of money.
• Food: Some hotels include breakfast (or even dinner) with the price of the room. When comparing hotels see if any that you are considering offer free breakfast.
• Mini-bar/Microwave: I’m not advocating that you look for a mini-bar to spend a ridiculous amount on alcohol, but if there’s a mini-bar there’s often a fridge. When I’m traveling on a budget I’ll buy soda, yogurt, and other snacks to save on food costs. If there’s a microwave in the room it’s even better: You can save and heat up leftovers!
• Wireless: More and more hotels are offering wireless internet, but sometimes it’s at a price. If you know you’ll be needing internet access while away look for free internet access or call the hotel to find out how much they charge.
• Gym: Some people really enjoy exercising while their on vacation (others see vacation as an excuse to take a break from it). Look online for pictures of the workout room or find out if the hotel has a reciprocity deal with a nearby health club.

Remember when comparing hotels you consider the cost or savings per person. In the example I gave above in saving on taxes; if you are traveling with just two other people, the Metro costs for all 3 people would cancel out the taxes saved by staying in VA over DC.

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