After successfully hunting for affordable flights, the equally crucial part of your travel budget comes into play: accommodation. You don’t have to sleep rough or sacrifice comfort to save money. There are proven tips for securing quality lodging at a fraction of the cost.
1. The Key to Success: Flexibility and Location
Just like with flights, flexibility is your superpower when booking hotels.
- Off-Season Dates: The biggest discounts are found outside of peak tourist season, holidays, and major events. If possible, travel on weekdays, when demand for accommodation drops.
- Beyond the Centre: Hotels in the absolute city centre are always the most expensive. Consider staying in peripheral districts with good public transport links. The savings on lodging will easily outweigh the cost of a public transport ticket.
- Widen Your Search: Don’t focus only on hotels. Apartments, guesthouses, private rentals, or even hostels often offer better value for money.
2. Accommodation Types That Save You Money
The foundation for cheap accommodation is knowing what you are looking for and where to start:
| Accommodation Type | Ideal For | Why It’s Cheap |
| Guesthouse/Penzión | Couples, families looking for a homely atmosphere. | Lower operating costs, fewer services than a full hotel. |
| Hostel | Solo travelers, young people, groups of friends. | Shared rooms and facilities. |
| Apartment | Longer stays, families, groups. | The option to cook your own meals significantly cuts food expenses. |
3. How to Secure the Best Price
There are many platforms online. Learn to use them to your advantage:
- Aggregators and Comparison Sites: Start your search on major comparison websites that gather offers from across the market. This gives you an overview of the lowest prices and availability.
- Direct Booking: Once you find an ideal hotel or guesthouse, contact them directly. Sometimes, the hotel will offer you a better price or additional benefits (like free breakfast) to compensate for the commission they would have to pay to the booking platform.
- Watch out for Hidden Fees: When looking at cheap deals, always check if the price includes the city tax and breakfast. Sometimes, a slightly more expensive hotel with breakfast included is cheaper overall than a “cheap” room where you have to pay extra for everything.
4. Examples of Savings (Based on a broad “cheap hotels” search)
While availability depends on the region, with a little searching, you can find great deals:
- Simple guesthouses and apartments with ratings of 4 or higher can often be found for as little as €37 to €40 per night. These often include free Wi-Fi and parking.
- Hotels with their own amenities (such as an indoor pool or hot tub) can be discovered outside of peak season for as low as €45 per night—a price that is often paid in a capital city for a basic room without any extra services.
By applying these tips, you can significantly reduce your accommodation costs and free up more money for experiences in your destination!
