Compare the total price (with taxes and fees) on all booking sites and the hotel's own website, check the cancellation rules, and book where it is cheapest. In our test of 15 hotels, 13 were cheaper on another site than on Booking.com, by 5 to 43 %.
Two people can book the same room for the same nights and pay very different amounts, just because they used a different website. This guide shows eight steps to find the lowest price, in the order that saves the most time.
1. Compare the total price, not the nightly price
A price of 100 euros per night can become 143 euros once taxes and fees are added. Booking sites show this differently: some include everything, some add "+ taxes and fees" or a city tax at the end. Always compare the total for your whole stay. Our price comparison does this for you.
2. Compare more than one site
No site is cheapest every time. In our test, the cheapest offer came from a different site depending on the hotel:
| Hotel | Booking.com | Cheapest found | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Hotel West Hollywood | 2,922 € | trivago, 1,653 € | 43 % |
| Tremont Hotel, New York | 697 € | Agoda, about 486 € | 30 % |
| Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 | 333 € | Vio.com, 258 € | 23 % |
| NH Collection Barcelona | about 651 € | hotel website, 523 € | 20 % |
| Novotel Paris Tour Eiffel | 644 € | Pilot, 554 € | 14 % |
Three nights in December 2026, two guests, total price including taxes, checked by hand in October 2026. Prices change, so use these as examples, not as a promise.
3. Check the hotel's own website
Hotels often give their own guests a lower price or a member rate, because they save the commission. In our test the hotel website was the cheapest option for the NH Collection in Barcelona (20 % below Booking.com). At two more hotels, a free membership gave 10 to 15 % off. See book direct or on a booking site.
4. Look at the cancellation rules
The cheapest offer is often a non-refundable rate. A flexible rate can cost 5 to 15 % more. If your plans are not fixed, a free-cancellation rate is worth the difference. Read free cancellation explained.
Tip: Book a free-cancellation rate early, then check the price again a few days before you travel. If it dropped, cancel and book again.
5. Check the room, not just the hotel
Cheaper offers sometimes show a smaller room or a rate without breakfast. Compare the room type, the beds and what is included before you decide.
6. Do not expect a trick with your country
Many people try a VPN or another country to get a lower price. We measured hundreds of hotels from several countries: once taxes are counted the same way, the price is practically the same in every country. Read the full result in does your country change hotel prices?
7. Check unknown sites before you pay
Smaller sites can be much cheaper, and most are legitimate travel companies. Check a few things first, see are cheap booking sites safe?
8. Book, then keep the confirmation
Pay by credit card if you can, and keep the confirmation email. Take a screenshot of the price and the conditions.
Questions
Which booking site is cheapest? None is cheapest every time. In our test, small sites such as Vio.com, Pilot and Agoda, and the hotel's own website, beat Booking.com most often.
How much can I save? In our test of 15 hotels, savings ranged from 5 % to 43 %. For two hotels all sites asked the same price.
Is it worth comparing for a short stay? Yes, it takes seconds with a comparison site. The euro amount is smaller for a single night, but the percentage is similar.
Do I need an account? Our comparison is free and needs only a free sign-in.