When and where you should travel to get the hottest room deals across the globe according to agoda.com, one of the largest online room booking platforms.
With more resources to plan a vacation than ever, it’s also easier to snag the best hotel room deals. But so many opinions can also make it difficult for travelers to pinpoint exactly when and where they should go. If you really want your money to go further, how will you know when is truly the best time?
Enter science. Or more specifically, the Travel Smart study: a trip-planning guide developed by agoda.com to help determine the best room deals worldwide. Pulling booking data from millions of guests who used the site in 2016, the study analyzed room prices across the globe. Room rates are also often a reflection of airfare rates, as they’re both dictated by travel seasons, so you can be sure you’ll save in every way!
“As one of the world’s largest online travel accommodation booking sites, we have a strong inventory of over 1.3m properties combined with unrivalled traveler insights and destination expertise. We want to ensure our guests book the perfect room for the best value all year round across Asia and beyond,” said John Brown, Chief Operating Officer of agoda.com.
So what did we learn from Agoda’s data? And how much can you actually save?
The cheapest time to book your Europe trip is at the beginning of the year.
Rooms in Amsterdam, Oslo and Berlin are more than 20% cheaper in January than any other time in the year. Visit Berlin in January, and you’ll save up to 70% more compared to prices in September. But this dip in prices is most likely because it’s freezing, so pack for the cold!
If you’re prepared to start your end of year holidays a little earlier, you’ll be able to find good deals in cities like Barcelona and Paris in November and December, despite the global average prices peaking at this time. Pay up to 22% less compared to the annual average in Barcelona to experience Christmas festivities like the Fira de Santa Llúcia and Fira de Sagrada Família. Just be wary in case businesses close for festivities, and do your research beforehand!
Destinations in Asia rank cheapest between June and November.
In Asia, rates are up to 16% cheaper on average in June and September in countries like Thailand, Japan, and Taiwan. Shopaholics should consider traveling to Hong Kong for the summer between June and September, as accommodations are up to 14% cheaper, although we recommend pushing it as late into September as possible to avoid the notoriously sweltering Hong Kong summer.
May and September are the most expensive periods for rooms across the globe, except some Asian destinations like Bangkok and Dubai
Across the globe, the most expensive month for rooms is May, when 88% of markets studied had higher-than-average room rates. This probably coincides with summer break, school holidays and university semester breaks.
While most destinations experience a peak in May, rooms in Hong Kong and Sydney are seen to be cheaper than average. And though September is considered peak season in many destinations, it’s a great time to travel to Dubai.
For a breakdown of the cheapest destinations by month, check out the guide below:
