India has long been seen by travellers as a very affordable holiday destination, and while the prices of flights, food and hotels are much cheaper compared to Western standards, there are still more ways that you can save money on your accommodation, and be able to afford to stay in a 4 or 5 star hotel.
There are lots of discounts on hotels available, and even the very best hotels in India don’t want empty beds, so they will offer discounts on some of their most luxurious rooms and even suites to a few lucky travellers – but how do you get these discounts?
Travel During the Off Season
Because India can get very, very hot in the summer, many travellers prefer not to fly there in the summer months, and so the winter and spring months are much more popular. The tourist season lasts from October – May, and travelling outwith these dates can save you a lot of money on your accommodation. Remember, prices will peak during Indian holidays, such as Diwali and Christmas, so think about travelling at the end of April or in September to take advantage of deals on top hotels.
Book a Package Deal
While some people prefer to book their flights and accommodation separately, you can save a lot of money by booking a package deal to India and choose a combination flight and hotel deal that suits your budget. There are many of these packages available from several different vendors, and some travellers have reported saving as much as 30% on their package deal compared to booking their flights and hotels separately.
Shop Around for the Best Deal
Don’t settle for the very first package deal or discount that you find, as you can always find someone who can offer the same deal for less. If you want to stay in luxury 4 or 5 star accommodation, then go to third part booking websites, and the hotel’s websites to see if they are offering discounts if you book directly with them. If they have a newsletter, or offer email alerts to discounts or last-minute deals, sign up and get the news directly from the hotel as soon as it happens.
With its low cost of living, India is the perfect place to stretch your travel savings further and it’s definitely possible to enjoy 5-star luxury at a fraction of the cost, providing you do your homework online first!
Hayley Atkins guest writes for a number of blogs, specialising in Asian travel tips and practical information for expats.
