This the best time to book a hotel in Europe, according to travel insiders

With summer in Europe fast approaching, it’s only natural that we’re starting to dream of sunny days roaming the streets of Italy in our summer dresses, with straw bags in tow.

However, when it comes to booking accommodation, the general consensus seems to be this: the earlier you book, the cheaper your rates.

While this may hold true in some instances, it turns out that the best time to book a hotel in Europe is actually at the very last minute. Yes, booking your stay right before your trip could actually save you and your family as much as 30% off your entire hotel stay – a pretty sweet deal, in our books.

According to Conde Nast Traveler, this nifty insider tip is derived from data studies conducted by SAP Concur, a travel and technology consulting firm. According to their 2017 hotel data across Europe, Middle East, and Africa, the lowest median hotel rates were between 0 to 3 days prior to a trip.

So how ‘last minute’ is last minute?

According to Chris Baker, managing director at the firm, travelers should book their accommodation within 7 days of your stay, which has the best odds of scoring below-average room rates.

If you really, truly want to cut it close, the cheapest rates in European hotels are actually found on same-night stays – which granted, aren’t always ideal for families traveling. But hey, if spontaneity is your vibe when traveling, be our guest.

Baker also suggests that booking within the cancellation period (which typically falls between 24 to 48 hours prior to your trip), might make you score better deals.

P.S. We hope this was as gratifying a travel discovery to you as it was to us. Happy travels!

Sarah Khan

Photo: Unsplash 

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