Hotels can really make or break your upcoming trip to Europe. Europe has different standards for hotels than the U.S., and often the star levels can vary in accuracy. For example, if a three-star is your usual choice in the U.S., you may be surprised at some of the 3-stars in Europe. While some may exceed your three-star expectations, others will fall way below that bar. Whatever your expectations are, it is important to know your budget and realize that it is actually quite easy to stay within that budget while staying in a nice hotel or bed and breakfast. Here are some money-saving tips that will save you money without landing you in a flea motel:
- Use Priceline. Many travelers do not realize that the same money-saving website also works in many areas in Europe. While it is a bit more limited, it is worth a look to see if you can save some money on that next hotel by bidding. One tip is to be wary of 3-stars on Priceline in Europe. To avoid a possible disappointment, check out all of the three-stars before you bid. There may be one dud that you won't want to end up with, if this is the case, go ahead and jump up a star level. As a general rule of thumb, four-star hotels in Europe seem to match 3.5 stars in the U.S. For tips on bidding, click here.
-Use Booking.com. Especially if you are traveling alone, Booking.com can save you a lot of money. Why? Because Booking.com allows you to book a room for just one person for a lower price. While Booking.com does not allow you to bid, it does allow you to see the total price, including taxes, so there are no surprises later in the booking process. Booking.com is also good if you are not traveling alone. This website has a plethora of hotels who use its services, including bed and breakfasts, so you are sure to find a stay exactly where you want to be. A tip to remember is that you can narrow your search- for example: if you want to stay in a castle, you can mark the "castle" box and voila!
-Check out Hotels.com. This site is similar to Booking.com. While Booking is usually preferred, sometimes you can get a lower price on Hotels.com. Checking both sites can often save you a wad of cash.
-Hostelworld.com- This site allows you to book in hostels and bed and breakfasts. A hostel can usually save you money, but it is a good idea to check other means before you check into hostels as often they can run just as high as some of the great hotel deals. Hostels sometimes have the dorm-room setup in which you purchase a bed for the night in a room with others. Other times you may even get your own private room, but share a bathroom.
-Bedandbreakfastworld.com- The same people who made Hostel World realized how many people specifically look for bed and breakfasts, so they came up with this sister site. It is relatively new, but worth a gander. If you stay in a bed and breakfast, you can expect that warm hospitality and usually a home-cooked breakfast. It will feel less like a hotel and more like staying with a rich relative.
-Ibis- Ibis is a line of affordable hotels, similar to Holiday Inn. While the great prices may make this chain seem scary, it is actually surprisingly nice. I have yet to stay in a dirty or unkempt Ibis. Usually they provide great locations, near airports or attractions for convenience. You can expect to pay as low as 29 euro per night here. It is a great way to stick to your budget as you travel around.
-Sleep on the train- If you have a long train ride during your Europe trip, why not save on hotel costs, take a night train, and just sleep there? While you probably won't get a shower in the morning, they do have restrooms and some private rooms do include a shower. The prices will vary depending on the type of accommodation you purchase, whether you want a private room, bunk bed, or just a regular seat.
Whatever you choose to do in Europe, these hotel money-saving tips will surely save you some money to use on other parts of your trip. It is a good idea to check reviews of a hotel on TripAdvisor if you have any doubts. Just be sure to go into your trip with an open mind and a sense of adventure to have the most memorable experience that you can look back on for years to come.
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