Hold the trip shape constant
Compare the same number of nights, travelers and room type. Include arrival and departure times so that a cheap option does not quietly remove half a sightseeing day. A late-night arrival and early-morning departure may need different transfers from a daytime trip.
Use final totals for each date set, not a calendar's lowest nightly teaser. A property can have one inexpensive night followed by several higher ones. Keep the cancellation terms equivalent or note the difference explicitly.
Look for the reason behind demand
Business-oriented districts can behave differently from leisure destinations. Conferences, concerts, sports events and holidays can affect both weekdays and weekends. Check the city's official event listings for the dates under consideration.
Do not assume a higher price means a better time to visit. It may reflect an event you do not intend to attend. Conversely, the event could be the reason the trip is worthwhile, in which case paying more is a conscious choice rather than a planning error.
Check what opens on your chosen days
Museums, markets and small restaurants may have weekly closing days. A midweek saving can be disappointing if the attraction you want is shut during most of the visit. Confirm directly with the venue before booking.
Weekend transport may also differ because of maintenance. MTA's planned-service information is one example of why the normal network map is not enough. Check the operator in your destination and account for any extra transfer or longer journey.
Compare the complete difference
Put accommodation, long-distance travel and airport transfers beside each other. Add only meaningful differences in food or activities. If one option requires taking more leave from work, note that separately rather than assigning an arbitrary cash value.
Choose the dates that balance cost with the experience you want. A small saving is not necessarily worth losing the only open day of a museum or arriving too late to enjoy the first evening. The useful question is which complete stay offers better value for your plans, not which weekday has a reputation for bargains.
