Finding the cheapest accommodations when travelling for business is an important task to focus on. You may not realise how much a night in a hotel can eat into your profits.
How to book the cheapest accommodations?
The search for the cheapest accommodations can be tricky and frustrating, but with these tips, you’ll be able to find the accommodations that also satisfy your business travel needs.
Use internet resources to compare the costs of lodging options.
Use online tools to compare prices of different accommodations. If the stay location is known, compare the rates of other places to stay in the vicinity. This approach determines which option provides the best value for money.
If unsure on where to stay, consider TripAdvisor or Booking.com as websites to go check. These websites provide reviews from previous guests and a list of available rooms at various hotels in a destination city or town. There is also Google Maps Search nearby hotels on the map for extra help when deciding where to stay.
Online tools like Kayak or Skyscanner are sometimes used to compare the prices of accommodations. These websites list the rates for each property and provide pictures of the rooms.
Look for discounts and special deals for business travellers.
Hotels listed on online booking platforms like Expedia and Booking.com often offer deals and savings. If you’re staying in a city where there will be other business visitors at the same time, look online for any special deals available in the area. During events like trade fairs or conferences, hotels often provide room rate discounts for participants.
Check out all other options available in the destination, such as hostels and bed-and-breakfast establishments. Many hostels offer rooms with bathrooms and necessary facilities at more affordable prices than regular hotel rooms. Opting for bed and breakfasts could also be a cost-saving alternative.
When visiting a city with airports in proximity like London, it’s a good idea to choose accommodation near one to avoid long commutes.
Certain hotels provide reduced rates or exclusive offers for travellers during longer stays. If no such offer is available, ask about the offer before booking the room.
Make sure there are good transport links nearby so it is easy to get around town or between different locations during your stay. This includes public transport and taxi services if needed.
When planning to reserve a hotel room, look into the facilities. Find out if amenities like swimming pools, fitness centres or dining options are available. Also, consider whether they provide any extras like breakfast or Wi-Fi access.
Consider staying in a serviced apartment or vacation rental.
This is especially good if multiple people are travelling together. If the stay will last more than one night, it is a good option because the apartments often have kitchens where one can cook instead of going out all the time (which can get expensive).
Serviced apartments are another excellent option for business travellers who don’t mind being away from the city centre—especially if colleagues are staying at the exact location. Serviced apartments tend to have all the facilities expected from an apartment (kitchen, bathroom, etc.) but also include additional services like cleaning and laundry services that one can save money on when eating out or having someone come over.
Check out budget hotels in the area you will be visiting.
Research your options in advance. Check local listings.
Check out local websites like Craigslist or Airbnb. They have listings for affordable rooms worldwide — especially in Europe and Asia. The accommodation prices may not be as low as what’s offered online, but sometimes, some deals might be worth checking out in person.
Find a balance between price and location/amenities.
It’s not worth searching for budget lodging if it’s located far from the intended destination. If there’s hardly any transportation or driving is a lengthy hassle, the cost savings might not outweigh the inconvenience.
Travelers often stress about overspending on lodging as they fear it might limit their budget for travel expenses. It makes sense. Remember that one will likely spend more money getting around than on overnight accommodation. If staying within walking distance of the business location or public transportation, money can be saved on taxis and public transport.
Consider at hostels/guesthouses.
If travelling with colleagues, consider looking for a cheap place to stay in a shared dormitory or guest house. Find places like this online or in local papers.
Try using Airbnb instead of booking a hotel room. Airbnb is an app that lets people rent out their homes or apartments as short-term rentals. One might discover offers by not booking directly with a hotel. If planning on staying at a place for more than one night, exploring this alternative is advisable before locking in payment for several nights at a hotel room.
Use rewards points/memberships to get discounts.
Many credit cards offer points and membership benefits for hotel use. Review the terms and conditions of the card first before booking. Some cards give points or membership benefits at certain hotels or chains, and some require minimum spending before redeeming them for free stays. But there is an eligible card with good reward options; it’s worth looking into.
If you belong to any rewards programs or frequent flyer programs, please check if any discounts are available for hotels around where you’re travelling.
Even if no or few loyalty points, purchase additional points using a rewards credit card and redeem them at the hotel where you want to stay.
Ask around for recommendations.
Ask colleagues who have previously travelled for recommendations on where to stay to get the cheapest accommodations. If you happen to come across someone who has stayed at that hotel before, they could provide you with insights into their stay.
Ask friends and family members. If friends or acquaintances live close to the workplace or a hangout spot, consider reaching out to see if they know of any nearby accommodation offers. Alternatively, ask if they’d be willing to host you.
Ask them to recommend cheap hotels or hostels nearby, so there is less to pay for transportation (for example: from the airport or train station into the city centre).
If not, perhaps they are acquainted with someone who can help and speak highly of you in their connections.
Try searching in a different currency.
If you’re travelling abroad using a local currency, search for the cheapest accommodations using that currency as well. Changing the currency on your room booking can make a big difference in price. Look into booking with a local partner who will offer accommodations even lower cost.
Book early and book late.
Book accommodation well in advance of a business trip. During peak travel seasons and known festivals, hotels tend to get booked up fast. If you procrastinate and delay booking, securing a room at a rate might be challenging.
If travelling during the slow season (such as winter), many rooms are often available at discounted rates. In this instance, book the accommodation a bit “late” to get last-minute deals.
If you are flexible on where you’re going and when you check back regularly – sometimes travel, companies will release last-minute deals or special offers to fill empty seats and rooms that haven’t been booked yet.
Conclusion
Many of these suggestions to find the cheapest accommodations might seem like common sense, but they’re precisely the common sense we sometimes forget to practice. You can use these techniques on the road to get a good room in a great area at an unbeatable price.
Since you’ll be living and working in a different area for your trip, there’s no better time to research and discover the best places in town.