Accommodation is often the single biggest cost of a trip.
Whether you’re booking a weekend in Melbourne, a city break in Sydney or an overseas escape, finding cheap hotels that don’t compromise on location or quality saves you money and stress.
Below are 11 practical, tested tips to help you find cheap hotels in Australia and worldwide.
Plus, learn how to stack savings with our Luxury Escapes Promo Code on Deal Wombat.
1. Book flexible rates to protect your spend
Flexible, refundable bookings give you options.
If rates fall after you book, cancel and rebook at the lower price.
Many major sites and chains offer free cancellation up to 24–48 hours before check-in, which often beats a small additional saving on non‑refundable deals.
2. Use meta-search engines to compare prices
Meta-search tools compare dozens of booking sites at once.
Use Google Hotels, Trivago or Kayak to see price spreads between Booking.com, Agoda, Expedia and the hotel’s direct rate.
Confirm cancellation terms and any hidden fees before you finalise the cheapest option.
3. Bundle flights and hotels for lower total cost
Package deals can reduce overall spend.
Many OTAs like Expedia offer combined flight + hotel packages that undercut standalone pricing, especially for peak dates or popular Aussie or overseas routes.
Always compare the bundled price to separate flight plus hotel totals.
4. Join booking site loyalty programs for instant discounts
Signing up for programs like Expedia OneKey Rewards or Booking.com Genius unlocks member-only rates and periodic perks such as free breakfast or room upgrades, effectively turning mid-range bookings into cheap hotels with added value.
5. Book direct and join hotel loyalty programs
Chain loyalty programs (Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, Accor Live Limitless) often provide member rates, points and benefits for direct bookings.
Even if a third‑party fare looks cheaper, member perks and points can make a direct booking the better-value choice.
6. Check luxury package sites for cheap luxury hotels
Luxury travel packages sites such as Luxury Escapes bundle premium properties with extras and can deliver deep discounts.
For verified Luxury Escapes promo codes and current deals, check Deal Wombat’s Luxury Escapes promo code page to stack additional savings on premium stays.
To learn more about how Luxury Escapes deals work, check out our handy guide.
7. Use cashback sites and credit-card benefits
Cashback platforms and card offers are an easy way to shave a few percent off hotel spend.
Many cashback partners include major chains and online travel agencies, while premium credit cards sometimes add property credits, complimentary breakfast or late check-out.
8. Time your booking and be flexible with dates
Book early for busy periods and consider last‑minute options when you’re flexible.
Weekday stays and shoulder-season travel usually have lower nightly rates.
Use price alerts and revisit comparison engines to catch price drops and flash sales.
9. Search neighbourhoods outside the CBD
Cheap hotels often sit a short tram or train ride from city centres.
In Melbourne, cheap hotels near Flinders Street, Southbank or Richmond can offer better nightly rates without sacrificing convenience.
Balance commute time against nightly savings to find the best fit.
10. Look for mid-week or longer-stay discounts
Hotels frequently discount weekly or mid-week stays.
If your travel dates are flexible, shifting by a night or extending your stay can lower the average nightly cost.
Always compare nightly vs weekly rates before booking.
11. Use last-minute tools but prioritise flexibility
If you’re flexible, last-minute apps and comparison tools can surface heavily discounted rooms.
Conversely, if you find a cheaper rate after booking, use flexible cancellation policies to rebook and secure the lower price.
Quick checklist for finding cheap hotels
- Compare prices across aggregators and the hotel’s website.
- Prefer refundable rates unless travel plans are fixed.
- Join loyalty programs for ongoing discounts and perks.
- Use cashback and card offers to reduce effective cost.
- Check Deal Wombat for verified Luxury Escapes promo codes and other hotel savings!
FAQs - How to Find Cheap Hotels in Australia and Worldwide
What are the best ways to find cheap hotels in Melbourne?
Use meta-search engines, look outside the CBD for cheap hotels near Flinders Street or Southbank, join loyalty programs and check Deal Wombat for Luxury Escapes promo codes to reduce the cost of premium stays.
Are package deals cheaper than booking flights and hotels separately?
Often yes. Flight + hotel packages can be substantially cheaper than booking components separately. Always compare the bundled price to standalone totals and confirm inclusions.
How can I get upgrades or free breakfast at cheap hotels?
Join the hotel’s loyalty program, book direct and check credit card‑linked offers or curated hotel collections that include extras like breakfast and property credits.
Can cashback sites help me save on hotels in Australia?
Yes. Cashback sites like Shopback partner with major hotel chains and OTAs like Booking.com and Expedia and can return a percentage of your booking value, typically deposited after travel is completed. You can earn bonus cashback if you join Shopback via our link.
Is Luxury Escapes a good place to find cheap luxury hotels?
Yes. Luxury Escapes packages frequently bundle extras and deep discounts. Check Deal Wombat’s Luxury Escapes promo code page for verified codes and additional savings before booking.
Summary
There are plenty of ways you can save on hotels in Australia and worldwide, making travel more accessible and affordable.
The biggest savings can be found through package deal websites like Luxury Escapes or by making use of a cashback website like Shopback to book your travel through.
