How to save money on holiday accommodation

Cheaper accommodation for when you're travelling

There are almost as many different kinds of accommodation as there are travellers. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages and the best option for you will depend on the area in which you are staying and the kind of experience you are after.

Let's start with hotels. Hotels are generally the most expensive of all the different types of places to stay, although obviously there can be a wide range in prices between the cheapest and the most expensive. If you are travelling from place to place, then you will probably be more interested in the things outside of your hotel, than inside. This means that there is little point splashing out on the posh hotel with the swanky rooms, the gym, the pool and the sauna, as you probably won't be around much to make use of them. It's far better to go for a simple no-fills hotel with clean and adequate rooms.

If you do decide to stay in hotel, then make sure you book it in advance. If you just turn up at a hotel and ask for a room for that night, then you will almost certainly be charged their most expensive rate. By booking in advance, you can secure a cheaper rate, and this can be even cheaper still if you are also willing to pay for your room in advance. A good place to look for cheap room rates is a website like www.hotels.com. Here, you can compare prices and get an idea of what is good value, and also make a discounted booking.

Renting a self-catering villa or apartment can be a good way to save money, especially if you are travelling in a large group. Not only can it work out very reasonable per person per night, but by having your own kitchen, you will also be able to save money on your food costs (more about food in a bit). However, a drawback with renting such accommodation is that it tends to be only available for whole weeks, or perhaps for a long weekend in low-season if you're lucky. This doesn't suit every traveller. Also, villas and apartments in popular locations tend to get booked up well in advance, so you will need to be organised if you choose this option.

However, the cheapest of all indoor accommodation has to be the youth hostel. Long gone are the days when "youth hostel" was synonymous with lumpy beds and cold showers. If you stay in a youth hostel today, especially in a city or town, you are more likely to check in to an efficient, clean and welcoming place, which offers exceptional value for money. For the lone traveller, hostels are also a fantastic place to meet other travellers and find out about things to do in the local area, as well as the local night life. Hostels are quite flexible and you can stay for as many days as you like. Many hostels also provide a good value breakfast, but there are usually also kitchens where you can prepare your own meals too, if you want (saving even more money).

Hostels do have some disadvantages though. Some people don't like sharing rooms with strangers and it can be a bit noisy at night, with people coming and going at different time. Although overall, for most people the advantages of staying in a hostel usually far outweigh any possible problems that you might encounter.

Nevertheless, there is still one final option, and this one is the ultimate in budget accommodation. Yes, you've guessed it, the cheapest of the cheap is, of course, camping. If you're staying in a scenic location such as the mountains, then camping just can't be beaten. Not only will it save you money, but it will get you that much closer to nature and make your trip even more rewarding by turning it into a real outdoor adventure. Camping also means that you can cater for yourself, helping you to save money on food too.

Another good thing about campsites is that you normally don't need to book in advance. You can just turn up, pitch your tent, and away you go.

Camping's not for everyone, and a bit of rain can dampen some people's spirits, but I'd encourage everyone to give it a go at least once before discounting it as an option.

When considering what kind of accommodation you will stay in on your travels, bear in mind that there's no need to limit yourself to just one kind of accommodation. I'm a big fan of the travel writer Bill Bryson's approach, where he mixes up staying some nights in hostels, and other nights in hotels. If you mix it up it bit, you can save money some nights by staying in hostels or camping, and then splash out on a nice hotel once in a while, when you will really appreciate it.