Study Reveals the Most Affordable Booking Comparison Sites for Travellers

Traveling the world is a thrilling experience, however, travelers can expect to pay an average of $2,415 more for a vacation this year.

For most,
finalizing flights and accommodation are top priorities, but the cost can put a dampener on vacation excitement. However, scouting out various hotel booking websites can
help save some cash.

Travel insurance comparison site
InsureMyTrip
examined relevant data to determine which hotel booking website offers travelers the most cost-effective choices.  

The study compares the prices of
50 hotels in 10 global tourist hotspots. Each city is assessed on its daily rates listed on Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com and directly through the hotel’s website. 

Overall, booking directly through the accommodation website offers the most cost-effective prices.
It’s lower in price on average in 249 instances. Expedia and Hotels.com are the least expensive in 234 and 230 instances respectively.

Booking.com is the least cost-effective option, offering a better deal than other websites in 129 instances.

In London,
hotels were cashing in on the King’s coronation, by hiking prices by as much as 120 percent and the study found the average price of a hotel room will set you back $680.
However, it’s the city where you could save the most money – if you do a bit of searching.

On Booking.com the average price of a hotel room is $751. However, booking through Expedia costs $630 on average, netting a saving of $121. Of
the 50 hotels analyzed in London, Expedia offers the best deal 88 percent of the time. 

With its iconic landmarks, beautiful boulevards, and world-famous cuisine, Paris is a must-see city for many travelers. However, the French capital is predicted to see the
highest
rise in hotel prices (10%) this year. Travelers can expect to spend on average $484 for a hotel room according to the findings.

On average, rooms booked through Booking.com cost $512. While hotels booked through Hotels.com and Expedia cost an average of $466. Booking on either of these two sites is more cost-effective
60 percent of the time.

After almost three years of strict quarantine protocols and border closures, inbound travelers can now experience the best of Macau. Dubbed the ‘Vegas of Asia’, it’s predicted the number
of international tourist arrivals is to
reach 1.7 billion this year. You can save yourself money by searching around for accommodation. A hotel room costs an average of $321, but this can vary depending
on the hotel booking site you use.

Booking directly is the most expensive, on average at $337, while Hotels.com and Expedia
offer better rates. On average, a hotel room booked through either of those sites costs $27.50 less, at $334.50. On Booking.com, the average price for a room is $320.80 and is the most cost-effective option 22 percent of the time.

In Singapore,
international visitor arrivals are
expected
to hit 14 million this year. It is known for its lush green spaces and impressive marina, but it can be costly to visit. On average, a hotel room
will set you back $300.

On Hotels.com and Expedia, the average price of a room is $308, but having a look at
other hotel booking websites can save you some cash. On Booking.com, the average price of a room is $297. Whereas, booking directly is the most cost-effective option 78 percent of the time. 

New York City
rounds out the top five cities where you can find the biggest bargain by searching various hotel booking sites. The Big Apple is one of the most popular tourist destinations
in the world and one of the most expensive
too.  

However, comparing prices can help save you some money. Booking through Hotels.com or Expedia can help you find the best bargain. Rooms booked through Expedia cost an average
of $431, compared to those on Booking.com, which cost an average of $449.

Sarah Webber, Director of Marketing at InsureMyTrip commented:

“Knowing you didn’t overpay can make a vacation that much better. As the cost of just about everything increases, we’re seeing travelers become savvier. The hope is this study will help
save travelers not only money, but time.”