How to save money on hotel reservations: the best time to book a room

By Tetiana PavlichenkoDec 26, 2023 08:24 AMBudget trips
Share:
How to save money on hotel reservations: the best time to book a room
Proper travel planning can help reduce your accommodation costs. Source: Image Freepik

Among all the expenses of traveling, the biggest part is travel and accommodation. And you'll often have to spend even more on a hotel than on a flight, so it's worth considering how to save money on hotel reservations while planning your trip.

The most obvious way is to determine the best time to book a hotel to catch the moment of greatest benefit. Hotel and vacation rental prices are dynamic and depend on demand, season, etc. During your planning, you may notice that the cost of the same hotel room may differ on different days, even if you choose it for the same date. So, when should you book a hotel to save money? Here are some tips for thrifty travelers.

When to book a room for a bargain?

 

How to save money on hotel reservations: the best time to book a room
During peak periods, demand for hotels increases several times over. Source: Image Drazen Zigic/Freepik

Just like with booking airline tickets, there is no exact date or specific day when you are guaranteed to get the best price on accommodations. To determine the best time to book a hotel cheaply, you should first look at statistics.

Usually, the lowest room rates appear 15 days before the arrival date. Yes, in the case of hotels, earlier booking is not always the most favorable. You can often get better deals at the last minute. The platform NerdWallet in 2022 conducted a study analyzing over 2,500 hotel room prices for 2019-2021. According to their results, travelers who booked rooms 15 days before arrival were able to save approximately 13% compared to those who made a reservation 4 months in advance.

However, keep in mind that this is an average of the best time to save money on a hotel, and peak travel periods, such as holiday time, were not taken into account to determine this. For these periods, you should book a hotel well in advance, because the demand increases many times, and if you wait until the last minute, you run the risk of being left with nothing.

You should also take into account the destination you are traveling to. According to research by travel platform Hopper, a 15-day window is a good benchmark for big business cities like Chicago or New York. But for popular tropical destinations like Hawaii or Caribbean resorts, it won't be accurate enough to consider it the best and most favorable time to book a hotel on that basis. For these popular destinations according to Hopper, better deals on accommodations appear about 2-3 months before the trip.

What are the risks of booking late?

The first thing that can disrupt your plans is if there may not be any rooms available at your chosen hotel. If you are planning to travel to a popular destination or during a busy period, you may find that there is no vacant room in other hotels.

To minimize this risk of being left with nothing, book a room at a hotel that offers free cancellation. Then, if you see that a better offer has become available, you can take advantage of that free cancellation. Just keep track of the rates regularly: that way you won't miss the best time to book a hotel to save money. But be careful and familiarize yourself with all the cancellation policies. Double check the fine print before you reserve a room so you don't miss out on the possible presence of cancellation penalties or restrictions. This method of finding the best time for an inexpensive hotel reservation takes some effort, but it is really effective.

How do you choose the best day and time to rent a room?

How to save money on hotel reservations: the best time to book a room
Monitor hotel prices for several weeks for favorable hotel reservations. Source: Image Freepik

That a certain time of day or day of the week can affect the cost of a reservation is mostly a myth. Between one day and the next, the difference in room rates will be negligible. In order to choose the best time to book a room and save money, you should take a complete picture 2 weeks or 2-3 months before arrival, depending on where you are going. This way you will be able to determine the approximate boundaries in which room rates fluctuate and choose the right rate.

Top Articles
Smartphone with eSIM logo surrounded by travel essentials like flowers, map, camera, and sunglasses

Where to Buy eSIM at the Best Price: A Full Review of Tariffs and Options

Aug 8, 2025 10:54 AM
Person in tropical shirt looking at a docked cruise ship

Internet on a Cruise: How to Avoid Huge Bills for Connectivity

Aug 6, 2025 09:14 AM

No More SIM Swaps: The eSIM Travel Solution You’ll Actually Use

Aug 4, 2025 16:51 PM

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM
More News
Modern hotel room with cozy design

Exploring Istanbul: New Lodging Opens in Historic Karaköy

Sep 17, 2025 23:51 PM
Ryanair passengers boarding at airport

Ryanair Passenger Convicted After Onboard Assault

Sep 17, 2025 21:34 PM

Passengers Can Bring Pets on Select Australian Flights

Sep 17, 2025 20:27 PM

Temporary Rail Changes May Affect North Wales Coastal Travel

Sep 17, 2025 20:13 PM
Wizz Air aircraft wing flying above clouds

Direct Air Link from Varna to Milan Bergamo Returns

Sep 17, 2025 19:56 PM
Modern hotel room with twin beds and warm lighting

New Lodging Opens Near Disneyland Paris for 2026 Visitors

Sep 17, 2025 19:49 PM
Swiss International Air Lines planes at Zurich Airport terminal

Zurich Airport Tests Driverless Buses, Paving the Way for Faster Internal Travel

Sep 16, 2025 22:26 PM
Railway signal light along rural tracks

Essential Rail Upgrades Bring Travel Disruptions

Sep 16, 2025 21:49 PM
Model walking runway in flowing red gown

Global Cities Open Their Doors: Travelers Gain Insider Access to Art, Fashion, and Film

Sep 16, 2025 20:33 PM

Roadworks to Affect Access to Rotterdam The Hague Airport in September and October

Sep 16, 2025 19:24 PM

Manchester Airport Expands Flights to Unusual Global Destinations

Sep 16, 2025 18:47 PM
Chef plating gourmet seafood dish

From Pasta to Pastries: Interactive Cooking Experiences Worldwide

Sep 16, 2025 12:31 PM
Commercial airplane flying against clear sky

Daily Flights to Vilnius and Fresh Routes from Tallinn This Winter

Sep 15, 2025 22:27 PM
KLM aircraft landing during winter schedule expansion

KLM Expands Winter Flight Network with 161 Global Destinations

Sep 15, 2025 21:41 PM
Passengers waiting in line at an airport boarding gate

Air Canada Maintains Flights and Expense Support for Travelers

Sep 15, 2025 20:34 PM

Avanti West Coast Increases Train Services Across Key UK Routes

Sep 15, 2025 19:29 PM

Bodrum Adds Coastal Stays for Future Visitors

Sep 15, 2025 18:43 PM
Workers repairing railway tracks during maintenance

East Midlands Rail Works to Affect Weekend Travel Plans

Sep 15, 2025 17:36 PM
Scenic view of St Vincent coastline with small islands and turquoise waters

Caribbean Trips Expand Beyond Popular Destinations

Sep 14, 2025 21:25 PM
Airplane flying against cloudy sky

Norwegian Expands Direct Flights from UK to Scandinavia for Summer 2026

Sep 14, 2025 01:38 AM
Modern hotel room with twin beds and minimal decor

Waldorf Astoria Has Opened in Costa Rica Near Key Natural Attractions

Sep 13, 2025 23:46 PM
Tokyo Disneyland entrance decorated for holiday season

Tokyo Disneyland to Introduce New Holiday Parade This Winter

Sep 13, 2025 20:29 PM

Icelandair Introduces Year-Round Flights Between Edinburgh and Reykjavik

Sep 13, 2025 19:33 PM

Reduced SAS Fares Support Travel Amid Storm Disruptions in Northern Sweden

Sep 13, 2025 18:44 PM
Railway signals glowing red at sunset

Temporary Train Changes in Sicily Could Impact Tourist Plans

Sep 13, 2025 01:27 AM
AirAsia airplane wing and logo above the clouds

New Direct Air Connections Open Between Malaysia and Pontianak

Sep 13, 2025 00:31 AM