This is the major way travellers are saving money in 2019

Listen up, budget travellers: We’ve got a tip for you.

This year is all about travelling smart. Gone are the days of spending unnecessary amounts of money and stressing out about your budget the entire trip.

Right from the booking process, you can ease up the pressure on your wallet and allow more flexibility on your trip to spend money on the experiences that feed your soul.

And the major travel trend in 2019 that helps with that is saving money by staying outside the city centre.

Research commissioned by Booking.com shares that 45% of surveyed respondents plan to save their travel funds by booking accommodation outside the pricier centres of the destinations they are visiting. The respondents consisted of adult Canadians who have taken in the trip in the last 12 months and/or plan to take a trip in the next 12 months.

Booking outside the city centre comes with a number of advantages. Not only is it easier on the budget, but transit routes allow for an easy commute as well — compare the price of booking in New York City from Times Square to Brooklyn, only a 20-minute Subway ride away.

Budget aside, booking outside the tourist hotspots will allow you a more quiet, authentic experience. Staying away from the masses of other visitors typically means smaller crowds, and an opportunity to experience how the locals live. Find the neighbourhood coffee shop, get to know your neighbours, and come home after a day of sightseeing to a place that truly feels like home — this is what travelling in 2019 is all about.

Staying off the beaten path does not mean sacrificing on quality, either. In fact, many times it means just the opposite.

Here are some examples of tourist hotspots with desirable Booking.com accommodation options outside of the city centre, that will guarantee a fantastic trip.

Amsterdam, the Netherlands

B&B Het van Haarlem. (Booking.com)

Where to stay: Haarlem, 30 km from Amsterdam city centre

The B&B Het Hart van Haarlem is an elegant bed and breakfast in the historic center of Haarlem, within walking distance from De Hallen and Frans Halsmuseum. Guests can relax in the sun terrace overlooking the garden before strolling around the picturesque streets of this charming city.

Barcelona, Spain

Destino Sitges. (Booking.com)

Where to stay: Sitges, 40 km from Barcelona city centre.

Destino Sitges offers modern apartments with elegant furnishings. Guests can relax in the private balcony of their accommodation and prepare their dinner in the fully equipped kitchen, after a fun day at the beach.

Mexico City, Mexico

Casa Moctezuma. (Booking.com)

Where to stay: Coyoacan, 13 km from Mexico City centre.

Offering garden views and complimentary bikes, Casa Moctezuma is located in the Coyoacan district of Mexico City, near the Frida Kahlo House Museum. Guests can prepare their own meals at the fully equipped kitchen before relaxing with their favourite book on the property’s spacious terrace.

Monetary, USA

Treehouse. (Booking.com)

Where to stay: Monterey, instead of Los Angeles or San Diego (a one hour flight away)

This Treehouse is located in Monterey, an off-the-beaten-path option to enjoy California outside of Los Angeles or San Diego. The Treehouse is located nearby the Colton Hall Museum and Presidio of Monterey Museum, as well as Monterey Bay Aquarium, in an area where cycling can be enjoyed. This holiday home has two bedrooms, a satellite TV, and a kitchen with a dishwasher and a microwave.

Plougasnou, France

La maison du port. (Booking.com)

Where to stay: Plougasnou, instead of Paris (a one hour flight away)

La maison du port is located in Plougasnou and offers barbecue facilities, a garden and a terrace. The property is located directly on the harbour. Stay here to enjoy a more rural experience in France outside of the pricier Paris.