Discovering the cheapest time to book hotels can unlock substantial savings for travelers. Finding the perfect hotel at the right price can significantly impact your travel budget. In many cases, accommodation costs can surpass even your transportation expenses, making it crucial to save wherever possible. One effective strategy is to book your hotel at the most opportune moment. Hotel rates are highly dynamic, influenced by supply, demand, seasonality, and even the time of day.
This means the price you see today for a hotel room can vary dramatically tomorrow, even if your check-in date remains unchanged. So, when is the cheapest time to book a hotel? Let’s dive into the details and uncover the secrets to scoring the best deals on your next stay.
Last-minute Hotel Bookings
If you’re thinking about booking a hotel at the last minute, it can be a great way to save money on your trip. Hotels prefer to fill their empty rooms at a discount rather than leave them vacant, so you can often find significant discounts on rooms booked just a day or two in advance. Here’s what you should know about last-minute hotel bookings:
Pros
- Cheaper rates: The biggest advantage of last-minute bookings is the opportunity to grab a great deal on a hotel room. Hotels are more likely to discount unsold rooms as the stay date approaches.
- More flexibility: If your travel plans are flexible, last-minute bookings can give you more freedom to choose travel dates. You can also take advantage of spontaneous trips as they come up.
Cons
- Limited choices: With last-minute bookings, you might have fewer hotel options, especially in popular destinations during peak seasons. The best rooms and locations might already be booked.
- Less control: With a last-minute booking, you may have less control over your room type. You might end up with a hotel farther from your desired location or one with fewer amenities.
- Potential for stress: Last-minute bookings can add some stress to your trip, particularly if you’re concerned about finding a good hotel or traveling during a busy period.
Booking Hotels During the Shoulder Seasons
Booking hotels during shoulder seasons can be ideal for travelers who want to balance their costs and experience. Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons to help you decide if it’s the right time for your trip:
Advantages of Booking Hotels During Shoulder Seasons
- Cost Savings: One of the most enormous benefits is the potential for significant savings on accommodation. Hotels often offer discounted rates during these less busy periods so that you can secure better deals than peak season prices.
- Fewer Crowds: Popular tourist destinations can be crowded during peak seasons. In shoulder seasons, you can enjoy a more relaxed and intimate travel experience, with shorter lines at attractions and a less congested atmosphere.
- Pleasant Weather: Many destinations offer comfortable temperatures during shoulder seasons. You can avoid the extreme summer or cold winter heat, making outdoor activities more enjoyable.
Things to Consider When Booking During Shoulder Seasons
- Unpredictable Weather: While generally pleasant, shoulder season weather can be less predictable than during peak seasons. Be prepared for a broader range of conditions and pack accordingly. Research average temperatures and precipitation for your destination.
- Reduced Hours of Operation: During shoulder seasons, some businesses, restaurants, and attractions may have reduced hours or be closed altogether. To avoid disappointment, research in advance and plan your itinerary accordingly.
- Limited Seasonal Events: Certain seasonal events and tours may not be available during shoulder seasons. If there are specific activities you’re interested in, check ahead to ensure they’ll be available during your travel dates.
Booking Hotels During the Weekdays
Here’s what you need to know about booking hotels during weekdays:
Pros
- For hotels, weekdays are generally cheaper than weekends. Business travelers tend to stay during the week, while leisure travelers often come on weekends. With less weekday demand, hotels are more likely to offer discounts to fill their rooms.
- You’re more likely to find the room type or hotel you want on a weekday, especially in popular destinations that fill up quickly on weekends.
- Hotels can be busier and noisier on weekends, especially with families and leisure travelers. Weekdays offer a potentially calmer and more peaceful stay.
Cons
- If you have a fixed work schedule, weekdays may be less flexible for travel than weekends.
- Some hotel amenities or services, such as business centers or concierge services, may have limited hours or be closed on weekends.
Websites to Find the Best Deals for Hotel Prices
Some websites are known for finding good deals and can be a good starting point for your search. Here are a few options to consider:
Hotel Booking Aggregators: These websites search various travel booking sites and hotels for the best prices. They don’t hold inventory but direct you to the booking site with the best deal. Some popular aggregators include:
- Kayak (https://www.kayak.com/stays)
- Skyscanner (https://www.skyscanner.com/hotels)
- Google Hotels (https://www.google.com/travel/hotels)
- Trivago (https://www.trivago.com)
Online Travel Agencies (OTAs): These websites allow you to book hotels directly through their platform. They often negotiate discounted rates with hotels and may offer additional perks like loyalty points or travel coupons. Some well-known OTAs include:
- Expedia (https://www.expedia.com)
- Booking.com (https://www.booking.com)
- Priceline (https://www.priceline.com/hotels)
- Travelocity (https://www.travelocity.com)
Hotel Brand Websites: Many hotel chains offer special rates or packages on their websites that you might not find on other platforms. These deals can sometimes be very competitive.
10 Additional Tips for Finding Cheap Hotels
- Negotiate your rate: While not common in all places, especially in the US, attempt to negotiate a lower rate, particularly if the hotel doesn’t seem fully booked. This can work well in smaller hotels, family-run establishments, or during the off-season. Be polite and friendly, and explain why you’d like a discount (e.g., extended stay, cash payment).
- Consider alternative accommodation: Hotels aren’t the only game in town. Explore options like hostels, vacation rentals (through platforms like Airbnb or Vrbo), guesthouses, or bed and breakfasts. These can be significantly cheaper, especially in popular tourist spots.
- Look for hidden fees: Beware of hidden fees that can inflate the advertised price. These include resort fees, city taxes, parking charges, and internet access fees. Factor these in when comparing hotel rates.
- Consider location: You might find cheaper hotels near the city center or major attractions. This can be a good option if you’re on a tight budget and don’t mind using public transportation or walking a bit more.
- Take advantage of free cancellation policies: Many hotels and booking sites offer free cancellation policies until a specific date. Use this to your advantage to book a few hotels with good cancellation policies and then search for better deals closer to your trip date.
- Travel with a group: If you’re comfortable sharing a room with friends or family, you can split the cost of a hotel room, making it cheaper per person.
- Use credit card rewards: Some credit cards offer travel rewards programs that allow you to earn points or miles redeemable for hotel stays. Consider using such cards for hotel bookings to maximize your points and save money.
- Bid on opaque hotels: Websites like Priceline offer deals where you can bid on a hotel room in a specific area without knowing the exact hotel name beforehand. This can be a gamble, but you can sometimes score very cheap rates.
- Search for all-inclusive deals: All-inclusive resorts can be a good option, especially for beach vacations. These packages often bundle your accommodation, meals, drinks, and sometimes activities into one price, potentially saving you money compared to booking everything separately.
- Be open to new destinations: Popular tourist destinations are more expensive. Consider exploring lesser-known destinations that might offer more affordable hotel options while still providing a unique travel experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Booking in advance usually offers better rates, especially during peak seasons or for popular destinations. However, last-minute deals may be available during low-demand periods.
Utilize price comparison websites, sign up for hotel newsletters for exclusive offers, and consider loyalty programs for discounts and perks.
Generally, Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to offer lower prices due to fewer bookings and promotional offers.
