Europe has always been a prime travel destination, with millions of international tourists visiting every year. As such, it pays to be a wise traveller by trying to get ahead of the stiff competition for European lodgings. Finding great hotel deals in Europe can be challenging, but with some tips and advice from travel experts, you can increase your chances of spotting a lodging deal and enjoy great travel savings.

Planning is always crucial.

All travel experts agree that planning your travel itinerary, destinations, and lodging prospects is always important in making your trip successful. A well-planned and exciting trip doesn’t always involve securing reservations in the most expensive hotels, but rather, finding the best options for you and your companions, wherever your destination is. One good strategy when planning for lodging is to look for traveller inns near the attractions you want to visit, or opt for smaller lodgings like hostels, pensions or agritourismos that can fit or even stretch your budget.

Look for discounts in smaller European hotel booking websites.

When eyeing a major hotel that offers full services, take advantage of the rates, packages, and special offers posted in hotel booking websites. They are pretty easy to spot, since there are now many of these websites, such as Travelocity, HotelRooms.com, and Orbitz. However, also consider looking at smaller booking company websites, especially those that specialize in European hotels, such as Accommodation and Holiday.com, Venere, Eurhotel, and Eurocheapo. If you prefer reading reviews aside from finding great hotel deals in Europe, Eurocheapo also has some hotel reviews from its editors.

But what if you’re looking for smaller hotels with more personalized services? Travel experts say it is still possible to find some on booking websites. However, they also say that your best bet would be to go straight to the websites of these hotels and make direct inquiries. Some of these small hotels don’t get themselves listed in booking websites to save on operating costs, and by making direct inquiries, you may be given the chance to negotiate for a lodging deal.

Consider non-hotel lodging options.

While doing your research on finding great hotel deals in Europe, you’ll most likely come across several options for budget lodgings. Many international tourists have an impression that travelling to Europe is very expensive, primarily because of pricey hotels and larger inns. However, some frequent travellers to Europe suggest going beyond these conventional and costly options not only to save on lodgings, but also to add a bit of authenticity and uniqueness to your European travel experience. These include small inns, European pension houses, and even small vacation houses or apartments. Apartments and vacation houses are getting more popular for a longer stay, for they allow tourists to save on food by giving them the option to cook for themselves instead of dining out all the time.