Things You'll Need:
- A guidebook to your destination
- A computer and Internet access
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Step 1
Research budget hotel options at your destination. Budget hotels can sometimes be harder to find than big, name brand hotels. Start on one of the big travel search websites. If this doesn’t turn anything up, use a general internet search engine to search “budget hotel” and your destination. Guidebooks that are geared towards budget travelers may also provide valuable budget hotel information.
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Step 2
Read about the city’s neighborhoods. Make sure that you book a room in a safe area. Staying in an unsafe neighborhood can not only be dangerous, but the worry caused by such a location can put a damper on your trip.
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Step 3
Look for a budget hotel in a central location, near major city sights. Find out how close the hotel is to public transportation.
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Step 4
Find photos of your hotel, both interior and exterior, and, if possible, neighborhood photos.
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Step 5
Research the hotel’s policies and amenities. Is there a bathroom in your room, or is it a shared facility down the hall? Do they offer late night check-in? Do they require you to check out unusually early? Is breakfast or Internet access included in the price? What forms of payment do they accept?
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Step 6
Shop around for prices. You can sometimes find a room cheaper depending on which website you book it through. For example, a budget hotel’s website may offer only it’s standard rate; a travel search website may offer a discounted rate. Don’t forget that you will probably pay a booking fee on the search website.
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Step 7
Book your room as soon as you find it. Budget hotels are often family run and usually don’t have a large number of rooms. If you like it, claim it.
