As one of the oldest and most historic cities in the United States, Boston attracts millions of visitors every year. From international tourists to domestic travelers, people flock to this New England gem to experience the rich culture, impressive architecture, and quintessential American history.
However, Boston’s world-class amenities and metropolitan amenities come with a price tag that can make travel expenses intimidating, especially when it comes to accommodations. The city’s hotels have a well-earned reputation for being pricey.
But don’t worry budget travelers! With some clever tips and resourcefulness, it’s entirely possible to score amazing deals on quality accommodations right in the heart of Boston. Here are my top strategies for finding cheap hotels and discounted rooms in this must-see city.
Look Outside of Downtown While it’s highly appealing to stay in the middle of all the action, the downtown Boston hotels are unsurprisingly the most expensive options. To maximize your budget, consider looking just outside the city center.
Places like Somerville, Cambridge, Revere, and Quincy all have a wide selection of affordable hotels, motels, and inns that are just a short drive or T ride away from all the top attractions. You can easily save $50-$100+ per night just by choosing accommodations a couple miles outside the downtown corridor.
For example, the Rodeway Inn just across the Mystic River in Chelsea offers clean, comfortable rooms for under $100 per night during peak season. At that rate, you can afford to take an Uber into the city whenever you need to without breaking the bank.
Embrace Weekly/Extended Stay While designed with long-term visitors in mind, extended stay hotels are an excellent choice for budget travelers too. Properties like Extended Stay America offer apartment-style suites with full kitchens, living areas, and amenities like laundry on site.
The key is that these suite-based hotels frequently offer steep discounts for weekly rates rather than nightly rates. A 5-7 night stay at Extended Stay America starts around $65 per night, while a single night could cost double that. Other chains with affordable extended stay rates in Boston include WoodSpring Suites, InTown Suites, and Candlewood Suites.
When you’re staying for several nights, the savings really add up with this accommodation style. You also get extra space and the ability to cook for yourself, which drops your total travel costs even lower.
Find Alternative Accommodations The rise of the sharing economy and hospitality services has opened up all sorts of affordable accommodation options beyond just hotels and motels. Using websites and apps like Airbnb, Vrbo, and even Couchsurfing, you can find rooms, apartments, and unique spaces for rent all across the Boston metro area.
For instance, a quick Airbnb search offers dozens of private rooms for rent in Boston starting at $50-$75 per night. For the cost of an average hotel, you could rent an entire apartment or house, which is great for groups and families.
House-sitting and pet-sitting are other alternative accommodation ideas where you can score free or extremely low-cost lodging in Boston in exchange for taking care of someone’s home and/or furry friends.
While these nontraditional accommodations may require a bit more research and vetting, they let you stretch your budget and perhaps even stay in trendy neighborhood away from the hotel districts.
Time It Right Like many major destinations, Boston hotel rates fluctuate significantly based on seasonality, local events, and conferences happening in the city. If your travel dates are at all flexible, you can capitalize on the cheapest rates.
In general, the most affordable times to visit Boston are in the winter months of January-March when temperatures are frigid and tourist numbers dwindle. You’ll find the best hotel deals during this period.
Early fall is another relatively low season that offers discounted rates compared to the peak summer and spring months when the city is most crowded with visitors. The window between late August and mid-October can be an affordable sweet spot.
Popular events like the Boston Marathon, Fourth of July celebrations, college graduations and move-in periods cause rates to surge, so avoid those busy stretches if you want to score cheap digs.
Hotel Discount Clubs and Memberships These days, most of the major hotel brands have free-to-join membership or rewards clubs that provide discounted rates, exclusive deals, and other perks just for being a member. Always check if the hotel you’re looking at offers discounts for:
- AAA/CAA members
- AARP members
- Military personnel
- Government employees
- Corporate rates
- Entertainment industry rates
Enrollment is usually fast and free, so it’s worth being part of a few different rewards programs to maximize your discount potential across multiple hotel groups. Additionally, travel clubs like Scott’s Cheap Flights often have exclusive hotel deal access for their subscribers.
The tips above should give budget-savvy travelers plenty of strategies for finding cheap hotels, discounts, and alternative accommodations all around the greater Boston area. With some flexibility and resourcefulness, it’s absolutely possible to experience this amazing city without draining your travel fund.