Hotels vs. Airbnbs: Which Is the Cheaper Option for You?

Have you ever stayed in an Airbnb? Or are you more of a hotel kind of person? For many travelers, this decision comes down to the money they’re willing to spend, and with both options varying in price depending on the city, it can be hard to know which one will end up costing you less. Luckily, there are tools you can use to calculate the cheapest option for any given trip, so let’s take a look at hotels vs. Airbnbs and see how you can find the cheaper option while traveling!

Conflicting opinions-Hotels vs. Airbnbs

Hotels cost more than Airbnbs. It’s one of those truisms you hear constantly, especially from people who are trying to sell you on an Airbnb. But as with so many things in life, there’s a lot more gray area than meets the eye when it comes to comparing these two types of accommodations.

Online reviews are meaningless

A hotel or vacation rental company will be able to get online reviews anywhere online, giving them an unfair advantage over a local business that doesn’t have such easy access to internet marketing or SEO services. When it comes down to it, you need to decide if loyalty is something you are willing to pay more for.

One night stays are a rip-off

Although hotels are more expensive than Airbnb stays on a per-night basis, those one-night stays can add up quickly; after all, it’s tough to get out of town for a day or two without making it an overnight trip—meaning you’re probably planning at least two nights in a hotel, which is when hotel costs start to add up.

Price reflects quality

There’s a saying in hospitality: You get what you pay for. Some travelers take it to heart and aim to stay in hotels that cost as little as possible, but if you plan your vacation right, quality and cost are not mutually exclusive factors.

Freebies and discounts reduce the cost even more

Hotels and Airbnb offer a lot of great perks, but it’s always worth looking around to see if you can score a deal with one of their competitors. There are plenty of travel discount sites (like Groupon and Travelzoo) that will help you get discounts on hotel rooms and/or Airbnb stays, depending on where you’re going.

Use hotel points, if you have them

If you have hotel points and can redeem them for a free stay, that’s a great way to save money! If you don’t have hotel points but have an Airbnb account, it can be really helpful to collect Airbnb rewards points so you can save money on future trips.  Just make sure to use your rewards before they expire! Most other hotels also offer reward programs so be sure to check if you qualify.

Not all hotels are expensive

If you live in a big city, hotels can be expensive. And Airbnb is often more expensive if you’re staying in a touristy area. But, it’s not always that simple! There are plenty of things to consider when comparing Airbnb and hotel prices so here we go…