Sick and tired of shelling out a fortune every time you want to book a hotel?
Traveling is a blast, but the costs can really pile up if you don’t have a clue about nabbing those amazing hotel deals.
Honestly, snagging fantastic hotel deals isn’t just about saving money; it’s about keeping your wallet intact. With technology taking center stage, a slew of apartment and rental search engines together with search engines for cheap hotels have emerged.
In fact, according to research done by Eyefortravel, more than 40% of travelers these days opt for search engines when it comes to booking hotels. It’s a game-changer, really.
So I combed the web for what felt like endless hours and I’ve assembled a killer lineup of the 10 best search engines for booking cheap hotels today. You’ve also got your online travel agencies, the hotel’s own website, and the meta-search engines or aggregators that pool information from various sources.
Let’s jump right into it.
1. Google Hotels
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When it comes to finding cheap hotels online, Google Hotels is one of the most versatile search engines out there.
Yes, you can directly Google hotels by their names and see different rates from different websites. But if you go to Google.com/travel/hotels, that’s where the magic happens.
With its comprehensive and accurate results, you can be sure that the hotel you find will match your budget and needs. From low-cost motels in urban settings to luxury accommodations in popular vacation spots, Google Hotels makes it easy to browse through a variety of options at competitive prices.
What’s more, you can also apply filters such as distance from points of interest, amenities, room types, and star ratings to narrow down your choices.
But what really sets Google Hotels apart from other hotel booking sites is its intuitive search function. Using an advanced algorithm, it quickly sifts through all available hotels within your desired city of travel.
On the downside, you’ll experience high prices when using this search engine. In the same way, you’ll have a hard time viewing prices inclusive of taxes at first sight.
All in all, Still, with Google, you’ll find more lodgings.
2. Hotels.com
OTA
Hotels.com is one of the best search engines when it comes to finding great deals on hotels around the world.
The website offers some of the best rates available, and you can usually find a wide range of options for whatever budget you have in mind.
Plus, Hotels.com’s user-friendly interface makes booking your stay simple and stress-free. You can quickly compare prices between various hotel chains, star ratings, amenities, and locations so that you can make an informed decision about where you should book your room.
Furthermore, Hotels.com also rewards loyal customers with their loyalty program – offering up to 10% off future stays after collecting enough points from your previous reservations.
This best search engine for booking hotels has been away from the eyes for some time now and has only resurfaced due to the introduction of vacation rentals and apartments to searches done in the United States.
It’s important to note that Hotels.com has one of the most robust filters in the booking business ranging from accessibility, lots of lodging types, and decent prices. On the downside, if you are looking for cheap international hotels, you’ll be disappointed.
3. Expedia
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Looking for a great deal on hotel rooms?
Look no further than Expedia. When it comes to finding affordable accommodations, Expedia is one of the top search engines out there.
They’ve got a huge database of hotels, making it easy for you to find the best prices around.
Priceline lets you compare prices from different vendors so you can snag the absolute best deal. Plus, they’ve got this nifty feature where you can check out reviews and ratings from other travelers. I like to think of it as having a bunch of friends giving you advice on where to stay.
Now, let me lay it straight: Expedia isn’t confined to your computer. Nope, they’ve got this slick app that works like a charm on your Android.
So, picture this – you’re out and about, but you’re still in the know about your bookings. Stress? Nah, not needed. Your reservations are hanging out right there in your pocket, thanks to the handy Expedia app for Android search engines out there.
Here’s the kicker: when you’re browsing through hotel options on Expedia, they give you the full picture. Unlike some other sites, they show you the total cost right from the get-go. That means you won’t get any surprises when it comes time to pay – taxes and fees are all factored in upfront.
4. Tripadvisor
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Tripadvisor is a great tool for discovering amazing hotels at affordable prices.
Through its vast database of user reviews, like poor customer care, faulty Wi-Fi, and complaints about weird smells, this search engine now aggregates hotel prices.
Additionally, Tripadvisor offers up-to-date information on rates and availability from multiple sources, so you can be sure to find exactly what you are looking for.
With an intuitive interface, you can also access helpful tips from other travelers who have stayed at each hotel or resort. This allows you to make an informed decision when it comes time to book your stay.
It’s important to mention that I found this search engine particularly strong in London and Orlando, similarly, it’s the only search engine apart from Booking.com that gets more lodgings under $75. Having said that, this search engine offers average or better prices compared to the other search engines.
On the other hand, Expedia can present lower prices directly from a hotel’s own site, and compared to the rest of the search engines in this list, it usually finds the cheapest hotels.
On the downside, at times you may come across questionable user reviews. Also, Expedia’s filters rarely work even though they look pretty strong.
5. Booking.com
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Booking.com is an established and formidable player in the online travel market.
This best search engine for hotel deals offers you a robust search engine for finding cheap hotels around the world.
Its intuitive interface allows you to easily compare prices across different booking sites, making it easy to identify where you’ll get the best deal. Plus, its comprehensive rating system provides valuable insight into hotel quality, giving you more confidence when selecting your ideal accommodation.
From private villas to luxury resorts, Booking.com has something for everyone. With their ‘Price Match Guarantee, they make sure that you won’t find cheaper deals elsewhere so you can book with peace of mind.
So if you’re looking for low-cost accommodations without sacrificing quality or comfort, then Booking should be your go-to search engine.
Uniquely, it smokes all the other search engines when it comes to getting hotels under $200 and still remains one of the most honest search engines on the internet today. With Booking, you are sure that you will find real reviews.
This is because they ensure that you can only give a review if you booked through them and after your stay.
What stands out for me is the fact that it includes taxes from the start, so you won’t be surprised to see the total amount when it comes to paying.
6. Kayak
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Kayak is a powerful search engine for finding the best deals on hotels and flights.
With their intuitive interface, travelers can quickly browse millions of hotel options from around the world and instantly compare prices between different websites.
Kayak makes it easy to find the cheapest rates without having to manually check dozens of different sites. Plus, they provide helpful extras like price predictions and an adjustable cost to book.
If you’re looking for the best deals on hotels and flights, Kayak is an absolute must.
As an experienced traveler, I can personally attest to the power of this powerful search engine. With an intuitive interface and simple features, Kayak makes it a breeze to compare prices and find the most wallet-friendly option.
Plus, their helpful extras like the price prediction feature and adjustable cost to book make it the best deal.
Whether you’re booking a staycation or planning a trip around the world, Kayak is the perfect tool for finding a great deal on hotels. No more manual searches through dozens of websites – with Kayak, you can quickly browse millions of different hotels and compare prices in an instant.
And, unlike other search engines, Kayak won’t leave you feeling like you got ripped off.
7. Priceline
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Looking for the perfect tool to find the best hotels?
Look no further than Priceline. If you’re a smart traveler on the hunt for the best hotel search engine, this search engine has got you covered.
But that’s not all – Priceline is also your go-to for finding fantastic cruise deals today.
With Priceline, you’re in control of your budget, and the engine opens up a world of discounts from various places to stay. Imagine having access to over a million hotels
No matter what you’re willing to spend, the search engine helps you find the perfect spot that suits all your needs, without emptying your wallet. And here’s the cool part – you can save even more with Express Deals, getting extra discounts on top of already great prices.
Additionally, Priceline isn’t just about hotels. It’s also one of the best search engines for scoring amazing cruise deals today.
Whether you’re dreaming of sailing the Caribbean, exploring the Mediterranean, or embarking on any other cruise adventure, Priceline has you covered.
You should note that If you’re planning a trip within the United States, Priceline is your go-to. Sadly, it’s not as handy for finding hotels in Asia and South America. Nevertheless, Priceline is your trusty sidekick for nabbing budget-friendly hotel rooms anywhere in the world.
8. Agoda
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Agoda is a hotel booking website that offers highly competitive rates for budget and luxury hotels in destinations around the world.
The site is easy to navigate and use, allowing you to search for hotels by destination, price, ratings, reviews, and more.
In addition, Agoda provides discounts on many of their bookings when using various coupon codes available on the web. While they don’t always have the lowest prices available, they offer great value and convenience with quick check-in and checkout processes as well as helpful customer service agents.
With its excellent selection of properties in popular tourist spots and its convenient features, Agoda has become one of the go-to sites for travelers looking for a quality hotel stay at a good rate.
Not to mention, this best search engine for hotel deals, sometimes offers “Secret Deals” ranging from $10-$40 of an unknown hotel. You’ll only be able to see the hotel’s rating and its surroundings.
On the downside, this search engine has some terrible reviews on the Better Business Bureau’s website. This alone for me is enough to disqualify this site. On top of that, Agoda doesn’t include taxes and other fees until you reach the final booking page.
9. Trivago
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Touted as a hotel comparison website, Trivago is one of the most popular search engines for booking cheap hotels.
It offers users an extensive database of more than 1 million hotels from over 200 countries around the world.
With its wide range of services and features including price comparisons, user ratings, and special deals, it’s no wonder that Trivago continues to be highly sought-after by travelers searching for the best bang for their buck.
As with any online booking platform, there are always pros and cons when using Trivago. On the upside, you can find competitively priced accommodations that fit your budget and needs. Furthermore, Trivago enables you to easily compare prices across different providers such as Expedia.
After scouring the internet for hours and putting Trivago to the test, I can attest that it found the least hotels in this list except for Hotels.com and Expedia. On the other hand, this search engine also got some unbeatable deals straight from the hotels’ websites.
Also, Trivago can sometimes accumulate lower rates from an OTA than you could find if you searched alone.
What I find annoying most is the fact that this site doesn’t include taxes on their total list and you’ll only learn about it when you go over to the booking site.
10. HotelsCombined
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If you are seeking to book your holiday accommodation, HotelsCombined is an excellent choice.
Boasting over 1 million properties across more than 200 countries and territories around the world, it offers the most comprehensive selection of hotels on the web.
Its powerful search engine ensures you will quickly find the ideal hotel based on your budget and requirements – no matter how specific they may be. With hundreds of deals available each day, users can save up to 60% off standard room rates.
Plus, its PriceFinder feature lets you compare prices between multiple online travel agents to ensure you’re getting the very best value. For ultimate convenience, HotelsCombined also allows you to book instantly or pay later at select locations.
I think compared to other search engines, HotelsCombined has the best filters in the hotel booking business. This is because they are all either checkboxes, sliders, or fill-in text boxes.
Even though this site has some best filters and an overall best performance, its web crawling technique is in question. And for this reason, it offers fewer choices than many other competitors. Also, even though it offers an option to see prices inclusive of taxes and other fees, by selecting this option, you’ll get rid of many results.
Conclusion
When it comes to finding a hotel, there are many options available.
And depending on your needs and budget, you can select from the top search engines for booking cheap hotels like this list of the 10 best search engines for booking cheap hotels.
Each of these websites offers great deals and packages that suit travelers of all types and budgets.
With so many options available out there, it’s important to do your research and compare prices before making any decisions. Ultimately, no matter which website you choose, be sure to make the most of your vacation by exploring the best attractions each destination has to offer.
Did I leave out any other best search engines for booking hotels?
If so, please share in the comments below.
