If you’re planning a family vacation to Washington, D.C., you may be looking for ways to save money. One option to consider is staying just outside of the city. But be careful; that budget hotel may actually cost you more money if you don’t take all of your extra expenses into consideration.

When visiting a city, I generally prefer to stay in the city proper. This provides better access to the amenities, attractions, and urban environment I traveled to enjoy in the first place. However, in rare cases it’s just as convenient to stay a little farther out and still save money. In the DC metropolitan area, for example, you can find the following hotel deals online:

Hyatt Arlington – $89 per night
1325 Wilson Blvd Arlington, VA
Across the Potomac and well beyond walking distance of most major attractions

J.W. Marriott Washington D.C. – $269 per night
1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC
Two blocks from the White House

At first glance, the Hyatt Arlington seems like the best deal, especially when you factor in the $35 nightly valet charge at the J.W. Marriott that you may need to pay if you drive; the Hyatt Arlington’s daily parking fee starts at just $16 per night. However, if you choose to stay in Arlington, you will need to pay to take the Metro (or a cab) every time you want to get into the District. How much extra will that cost?

Your Metro expenses will vary depending on the number of people in your party (obviously) and the time of day and day of week you’re traveling (a little less obviously). Peak fares can be as much as double off-peak fares. If you plan to visit DC during the week and not on a national holiday, you should expect at least some of your fares will be about $5 per ride. You can save money by getting an unlimited daily pass for $9 per person. When traveling alone, $9 per day for Metro fare still puts you ahead if you spend the night in Arlington. Traveling with a family of four? Now you need to add an extra $36 per day, along with the added inconvenience of having to take the train every day.

Whenever you’re visiting a city and looking for ways to stretch your travel budget, it’s important to look closely at all your options. Consider hidden fees, extra transportation costs, and the convenience expense that often comes with less expensive lodging. You may still find that lower room rate is the best option for your family, but you also won’t be caught unaware by additional costs.

Hello, Cheap.

I have two passions in life.

Writing and traveling.

Unfortunately, Passion A has yet to produce the funds required to do Passion B in the manner to which I would like to become accustom.

Translation: I am too broke to travel the way I’d like to, but too stubborn to just stay my butt home.

As a result, I have had to learn how to travel on the cheap.  I firmly believe that money should not keep you from your passions.  Where there is a will, there is a way, and all that.

7 Ways To Save Money On A Hotel

1. Share a room. The easiest way to save money on a hotel is to split the bill.  Of course, this doesn’t work if you’re sharing a room with your spouse – so I highly recommend you convince them that traveling is stupid.  For your budget’s sake.

2.  The more, the merrier. The more people you shove in a room, the smaller your chunk of a bill is.  Don’t be afraid to cozy up to a girlfriend in a double bed.  Just be sure everyone brings pajamas.  See also: “you’re not too good to spend a night on the floor” and “that pull out couch represents one more person who can pay a share”.

3.  Name your own price on Priceline. I’ve saved hundreds of dollars by using the “name your own price” tool on Priceline.  Here’s an article on how to name your own price on Priceline without getting ripped off or sleeping in the slums.

4.  Eat the continental breakfast. Technically, this won’t save you money on your hotel bill, but it will take away from your overall travel expense.  And if you bring back a muffin for a midday snack, you receive the Official Cheap Traveler Ninja Gold Star.

5.  Book a hotel away from the tourist attractions, but on a bus line. If you’re staying in a city with great public transportation (like New York City), you can take advantage of drastically lower hotel rates by staying farther out from the “hot spots”.  Just make sure you’re saving more on your hotel than what you’ll pay for a subway pass or bus ticket.  Obviously.

6.  Get a credit card with hotel reward points. Visa and American Express (and others, I’m sure) offer membership rewards programs that allow you to use your points towards free hotel stays.  Now, I’m not suggesting you rack up credit card debt.  But if you have the financial discipline to do so, get a credit card that you use to pay bills, buy groceries, get gas, and pay it off in full each month – and save up for free travel bonuses.

7.  Join hotel rewards programs. Hotel rewards programs will also offer perks like free upgrades, reduced rates and, in some cases, free stays.  You’ll build up these points faster if you find a family of hotels that you like and stick with booking within that chain.

Do you find creative ways to stretch your travel budget?  What’s your top secret tip for saving money on a hotel?

Photo by psd on Flickr.