United States, 2023-Jun-21 — /Travel PR News/ — Traveling the world is a thrilling experience, however, travelers can expect to pay an average of $2,415 more for a vacation this year.
For most, finalizing flights and accommodation are top priorities, but the cost can put a dampener on vacation excitement. However, scouting out various hotel booking websites can help save some cash.
Travel insurance comparison site InsureMyTrip examined relevant data to determine which hotel booking website offers travelers the most cost-effective choices.
The study compares the prices of 50 hotels in 10 American tourist hotspots. Each city is assessed on its daily rates listed on Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com and directly through the hotel’s website.
Overall, booking accommodation through Expedia offers the most cost-effective prices. It is the most cost-effective booking site in 294 instances. Hotels.com and Booking.com are the least expensive in 291 and 285 instances respectively. Booking directly through the hotel’s website is the least cost-effective option, offering a better deal in only 247 instances.
Los Angeles, known as the entertainment capital of the world, is one of the most expensive cities to live in the United States. According to the study, it also has the most expensive hotel accommodation. The average cost of a hotel room could set you back $509. But there is also the greatest potential for savings if you do a bit of searching.
Booking directly through the hotel’s website is the most expensive option, with an average price of $536. However, booking through Hotels.com costs $491 on average, netting a saving of $45. Of the 50 hotels analyzed in Los Angeles, Hotels.com offers the best deal 56 percent of the time.
With its wealth of museums and waterfront parks, Boston is a must-see historic city in the U.S. However, the city has seen a massive hike in the cost of hotels. One study found the average price of a hotel has increased 189 percent since 2019. According to the findings, travelers can expect to spend an average of $482 for a hotel room.
On average, rooms booked directly through the hotel website cost $500. While hotels booked through Booking.com cost an average of $474, netting a saving of $26. Accommodation booked through Booking.com is the most cost-effective option 66 percent of the time.
Orlando is home to some of the best theme parks in the world, drawing in millions of vacationers each year. In fact, more than 75 million people visited the state in 2022, the majority of whom were domestic travelers. You can save yourself money by searching around for accommodation. A hotel room costs an average of $241, but this can vary depending on the hotel booking site you use.
Booking directly is the most expensive, with an average cost of $253. On average, a hotel room booked through Hotels.com or Booking.com costs $237 and $239 respectively. However, Expedia offers the best rates 72 percent of the time, with an average price of $234.
New York City is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and one of the most expensive too. However, comparing prices can help save you some money.
Booking through Hotels.com or Expedia can help you find the best bargain. Rooms booked through Expedia or Hotels.com cost an average of $431. Booking through either of these sites is the most cost-effective option 58 percent of the time. Booking directly through the hotel website costs an average of $18 more, with an average price of $449.
Rounding out the top five cities where you can find the best bargain is the Windy City – Chicago. It has been named the best big city to visit in the United States five years in a row and offers a wealth of cultural attractions, food, and public transport. On average, a hotel room will set you back $352.
Booking directly through the hotel is the most expensive option, with rooms costing an average of $363. While Hotels.com and Expedia offer a more affordable rate of $349, booking through Booking.com is the most cost-effective, with an average price of $348. Booking accommodation through Booking.com offers an average savings of $15 and is the most cost-effective option 66 percent of the time.
Sarah Webber, Director of Marketing at InsureMyTrip commented:
“With costs rising throughout the travel industry, it’s important travelers save money any way they can. This study can not only save travelers money, but also time by knowing which websites to check out first. Knowing you didn’t overpay for a vacation makes traveling that much less stressful.”
To view the full study, click here.