Airbnb is generally cheaper than hotels. The space is larger, with a full kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, living room and balconies. Even better, there are fewer rules. Airbnb is designed to be a home away from home. If you are a chef, for instance, Airbnb is the best choice since you can cook your meals, unlike staying in a hotel.
However, Airbnb may generally be cheaper than hotels, but it does not mean that it is cheap. The good news is there are strategies to save money on your next Airbnb rental.
Therefore, here are seven tips for finding budget-friendly Airbnb options in the United Kingdom.
7 tips for finding budget-friendly Airbnb options in the United Kingdom
Consider the location
One of the best things about living in an Airbnb rental is that you will live like a local in the neighbourhood. This is why you should always consider the location before you make any booking. Prices vary from location to location. Since you are on a budget, you should consider places that are close to your preferred location.
For instance, do an online search for ‘best neighbourhoods [city]’ to find the premium Airbnb in a neighbourhood. Then, search for Airbnb listings just outside your desirable location. It may require you to do a lot of walking but the price discount on the rental will be worth the effort.
Book in advance for Airbnb deals
Booking in advance can save you a lot of money. You are more likely to find a great deal if you try booking at least three months in advance. This is because many Airbnb owners will be shopping for customers and likely do not know what they are doing with pricing. This means that the best deals are made during this period.
Watch out for a week or month discount
Many Airbnb hosts would prefer having one guest for a week and even up to a month than having several guests within the same period. Hence, they offer discounts to see whether they would attract their preferred guests.
Some Airbnb offers 10-20 per cent discounts for a week, while monthly discounts can be as high as 60 per cent. If you can extend your visit, go for these discounts and save a lot of money.
Look for new listings
New listings are looking for guests and will offer discounts which can even be extended depending on how long you are willing to stay. You can easily identify new listings by the ‘New’ logo within the search results.
Use as few filters as possible
One great thing about online search engines is the filters, which help you narrow down your search to specifics. However, too much filter will only get you more confused. Many Airbnb hosts in your filters may not have the amenities you are selecting, which can be disappointing.
Therefore, limit your filters to the basics – dates, number of guests, type of place (such as bedroom or entire home) and price. By not selecting additional filters, you may encounter some hosts who are being contacted less because they are not reaching guests who have additional filters. This will put you in a great position to negotiate for a discount.
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Read the reviews
Always read the reviews. Note what the reviews say about a place and its host. They go hand in hand. You will likely find that the host has other properties listed for rentals. Check those out too.
Additionally, while poor reviews can put a potential guest off, they are great places to get a discount. For a poor review, you may find that the reviewer may have a problem with the host, not the property, or vice versa. This may not be a deal breaker for you. Hence, you should see it as an opportunity to contact the host and negotiate a price for a stay.
In other words, reading reviews is very important, especially if you are looking for a place that fits your limited budget. Some poor reviews may turn out to be a blessing in disguise.
Check the last page of search results
When you type in Airbnb listings on search engines, you will see plenty of results. The first page usually means those listings are optimised and will likely be in high demand among potential guests.
On the other hand, the last page is hardly visited. This usually implies the Airbnb host will have fewer customers, meaning they will be eager to accept a booking. Hence, you can maximise this chance by not just making a booking but getting a discount.
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