Cutting Costs on Accommodations , But Not the Fun

Worried you won’t be able to afford your trip? Cut some corners in the lodging department with these tips.

• Stay in B&Bs. I can’t emphasize enough how wonderful the bed-and-breakfast experience is. Not only do B&Bs usually cost half as much as staying in a hotel in the same area, but you also frequently get a friendly insider perspective from the folks running these places.
• Check out self-catering accommodations. By renting an apartment or house (called self-catering accommodations in this guide) for a week or more, you can save money overall on accommodations (especially if you’re traveling with a group) and on food because you can prepare your own meals in the kitchen.
• Get out of town. In many places, hotels just outside the most popular areas can be a great bargain. You may be able to find a great deal just a short cab, bus, car ride, or walk away. And as an extra bonus, hotels that are off the beaten path may even offer free parking.
• Ask if your kids can stay in your room with you. Although many accommodations in Ireland charge by the head, some allow kids to stay for free. Even if you have to pay $10 or $15 for a rollaway bed, in the long run you’ll save hundreds by not booking two rooms. The ins and outs of tipping Some restaurants include a service charge (tip) of 10 percent to 15 percent in their bill, while others leave the tip up to you. The service charge is different from the VAT (13.5 percent in the Republic of Ireland and 17.5 percent in Northern Ireland), which is always included. Many restaurants note their service charge policies on the menu; if you can’t figure out whether the service charge has been included, just ask. If no service charge has been added, tip up to 15 percent. If a service charge has been added, but it is less than 15 percent, it is customary to leave a tip that rounds the charge up to 15 percent. Bartenders do not expect a tip for dispensing drinks.
• Share a bathroom. Rooms without a private bathroom are always cheaper.
• Skip the fantabulous views. Rooms with great views are the most expensive rooms in any hotel, but you probably won’t be hanging out in your room all day, so why pay the price?
• Never make a phone call from a hotel. The marked-up fees that hotels charge are scandalous. Walk to the nearest coinor card-operated phone for calls in and out of the country, or rent a cellphone.