Are you planning your next vacation but trying to stick to a budget? One of the easiest ways to save money on travel is by finding cheap hotels. But with so many booking websites and apps available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.

Thankfully, there are many ways to find the cheapest hotels for your next trip, whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure.

Finding cheap hotels for your next trip doesn’t have to be a challenge. By using the websites and strategies outlined in this guide, you can snag the best-discounted rooms and maximize your travel budget.

Use Google Search

To find cheap hotel rates, start by searching on Google for hotels in your desired location. Type in the city or area name followed by “hotels,” and Google will display the cheapest rates available from all major booking websites.

Next, click on the “View hotels” button to go to Google’s hotel searching hub, enter your dates, and narrow your search to find the perfect hotel.

When you find the best rate, book directly on the website or call the hotel to see if they can match it. You can also save by using discount rates like AAA or AARP, even if you’re not a member. AARP offers great travel benefits, including hotel and flight deals.

Use popular booking websites:

One of the best ways to find cheap hotels is by using popular booking websites like Trivago, Kayak, Agoda, and Booking.com. These sites allow you to search for hotels by location, date, and budget, and offer a wide range of options to choose from.

To use these websites, simply enter your destination and dates, and browse through the available options. You can filter results by price, location, and type of room, and read reviews from other travelers to help you make your decision.

Booking.com

Booking.com is one of the most popular booking websites in the world, with over 28 million listings. It allows you to search for hotels by location, date, and budget, and offers a wide range of options, from budget-friendly hostels to luxury resorts.

Add on car rentals and airfares to the list too. Based in Amsterdam they have one of the largest data bases for hotel deals and other room accomodations.

One of the best things about Booking.com is its “Genius Program,” which rewards loyal customers with discounts and perks. To become a Genius member, you’ll need to make at least two bookings on the site within two years.

Once you’re a member, you’ll be able to access exclusive deals and discounts. They also have excellent customer service and will refund money if you decide to cancel within the agreed time.

Trivago

Trivago is a popular hotel search engine that compares prices from over 400 booking websites. It allows you to search for hotels by location, date, and budget, making it easy to find the cheapest options. To get the best results, use the filters to sort by price, star rating, and guest rating.

Trivago also offers a Best Price Guarantee, which means that if you find a cheaper price on another website, Trivago will match it. This makes it a great option for travelers who want to save money without sacrificing quality.

Kayak

Kayak is another popular hotel search engine that compares prices from multiple websites, including Expedia, Booking.com, and Hotels.com. It allows you to filter results by price, star rating, and location, making it easy to find the best deals.

One of the best things about Kayak is its Price Forecast feature, which predicts whether prices will go up or down based on historical data. This can help you decide when to book your hotel and potentially save money.

Agoda

Agoda is a booking website that specializes in Asia-Pacific destinations but offers hotels around the world. It has a loyalty program called “Agoda Rewards,” which allows you to earn points for each booking you make. These points can then be used to save money on future bookings.

Agoda also offers a “Price Match Guarantee,” which means that if you find a cheaper price on another website, Agoda will match it. This makes it a great option for budget-conscious travelers who want to get the best deal possible.

HostelWorld

If you’re really looking to save money on accommodation, consider budget-friendly options like HostelWorld. This website specializes in hostels and budget hotels and has over 36,000 properties in 170 countries.

You may have to share a bathroom in many of these locations and some have dormitory style accomodations if this is within your comfort level.

Once on a trip to Hong Kong while backpacking I stayed in a dormitory style room on Nathan Road in Kowloon right across from Hong Kong on the Starr Ferry. If you dont mind a little inconvenience, you can be in the heart of the city very cheap.

On another occasion I took a room in the same area which was about 100 square feet! It had a fold out bed from the wall, a shower that drained into the middle of the floor, a sink and toilet.

I wouldnt reccomend this for anybody but a hearty traveler, but you can save your money and eat great. I was right down the street from the famous Peninsula Hotel and had breakfast there in the morning and ate very well with the money I saved.

You will also meet other adventerous travelers from all over the world and compare travel stories, this is the most fun part of traveling.

To use HostelWorld, simply search for your destination and dates, and browse through the available options. You can filter results by price, rating, and location, and read reviews from other travelers to help you make your decision.

Roomer

Roomer is a unique booking website that allows travelers to buy and sell hotel reservations. If you’ve booked a hotel but can no longer use it, you can list it on Roomer and try to sell it to someone else.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for a last-minute deal, you can search for rooms that other travelers are trying to sell. You can land deals up to 70% off during last minute price drops.

For complete details on how to sell your reservation, rooms or cancel. Roomer offers a guide to walk you through that difficult time when you have to cancel a reservation and possibly lose all your money or at the least a one night cancellation fee in most cases.

The free cancellation fee up to a few nights before your check in will cost you a little more but if your not absolutely certain, it may be the best choice.

To use Roomer, simply search for your destination and dates, and browse through the available options. You can filter results by price, location, and type of room, and read reviews from other travelers to help you make your decision.

They do charge a 15% fee if you sell your room but free if it doesnt sell. They will promote your room on social media, travel agents and also on Kayak.com.

Look for discounted rooms

Many booking websites and apps offer discounted rooms, especially for last-minute bookings. For example, Booking.com has a “Deals” section that highlights discounted rooms in popular destinations.

Kayak also has a “Deals” section that shows discounted rooms for upcoming weekends. A little known secret about all hotels is they will all negotiate prices, especially when they have high vacancy rates. Dont be embarrassed to ask for a deal!

You can also search for discounted rooms using Google. Simply type in your destination and the words “discounted rooms,” and you’ll see a list of websites that offer discounted rooms in your area.

Use cashback websites like Mr. Rebates

Another way to save money on hotels is by using cashback websites like Mr. Rebates. These websites give you cash back on your hotel bookings, which can add up over time.

To use Mr. Rebates, simply sign up for an account and search for hotels through the website. When you make a booking, you’ll earn cash back that you can redeem later.

Try last-minute booking apps like HotelTonight and Super!

If you’re a last-minute traveler or simply like to keep your options open, last-minute booking apps like HotelTonight and SnapTravel can help you find great deals on hotels.

HotelTonight allows you to book a hotel up to a week in advance and offers “GeoRates” that are only available in certain locations. Super! uses artificial intelligence to help you find the best deals based on your preferences and budget.

Book during off-peak seasons

Another way to find cheap hotels is by booking during off-peak seasons. This is when demand is low, and hotels may offer lower prices to attract guests. For example, if you’re planning a beach vacation, consider booking in the off-season when prices are lower.

Negotiate with hotels directly

If you’re comfortable negotiating, you can also try contacting hotels directly to ask for a discount. This is especially effective if you’re booking a large group or staying for an extended period of time.

You can also try to negotiate by using social media. Many hotels have social media accounts and may offer special deals or discounts to their followers. Many travelers shy away from just going up to the front desk and making an offer without the usual checking on rates. Hotels want to fill up as much as possible and are always willing to listen to your offer.

Remember to Purchase Travel Insurance

When traveling, it is important to have travel insurance to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as illness, injury, theft, or trip cancellations. Many travelers make sure to purchase travel insurance before embarking on any journey, as it provides comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong during the trip. Some of the preferred companies that offer excellent service and value for money include:

Check for package deals

Finally, check for package deals that include both flights and hotels. These deals can often save you money compared to booking flights and hotels separately. You can find package deals on popular travel booking websites like Expedia and Travelocity.

In conclusion, finding cheap hotels for your next trip doesn’t have to be difficult. By using popular booking websites, looking for discounted rooms, using cashback websites, trying last-minute booking apps, considering budget-friendly accommodation options.

By using travel hacking, booking during off-peak seasons, negotiating with hotels directly, and checking for package deals, you can save money on travel accommodation and have more to spend on other aspects of your trip.