Finding accommodation

Any room in the inn? Or the campsite, hostel, hotel or motel, for that matter.

What sort of place?

Camping: Take a tent and you'll never be homeless. Campsites are usually cheap and easy to find.

Hostels: Basically cheap hotels which usually offer a mix of shared dorms and private rooms, usually frequented by young travellers. For popular destinations or months, book in advance.

Hotels and motels: Motels can often be better value than youth hostels, especially in the States, while hotels are better suited to romantic breaks and many offer special deals, especially out of season or mid-week.

Before you go:

There are so many great online resources for booking holiday accommodation now that it really never has been easier. Whether you want a self-catering villa or a hotel suite, you'll find it all. Try these sites:

Expedia Expedia is fantastic for popular city break destinations. Offering a range of prices and locations. Hotels only.
Lastminute Has a hotel search tool, where you can search by location or for a specific hotel. You can also search by proximity to the place you are visiting. Great for that impulsive trip.
LateRooms Lots of cheap hotel rooms in the UK.
Timeout Gives listings and reviews for hostels, hotels, camping and caravans, and self-catering apartments in the world's top 33 cities. From budget to blow-out, you're bound to find what you want there.
Placestostay Choose from over 28,000 Bed & Breakfasts, ski resorts, inns, and hotels worldwide - including many properties you can't find anywhere else. Easily search for availability based on your dates of travel, your lodging preferences, or your price range.
Couchsurfing We've never tried it, but couchsurfing is where you kip at a stranger's house.
Mates: You could also ask friends where they stayed, try newspaper travel supplement listings, your travel guide, or the country's tourism office.
Hostel associations: It would also be a good idea to join the a youth hostel association, then if you run out of money or can't find an affordable room, you could stay at a hostel.

When you get there:

If you haven't sorted anything out beforehand then try one or all of the following plans of action:

Head for the tourism office and ask for their list of recommended accommodation in the area.
If you arrive late, find the nearest hostel and stay there for your first night. You will meet other travellers who may be able to advise you of other places to stay, or you may like it so much you spend your whole time there. Plus it is much easier to see whether a place is suitable in daylight.
Check out hotel and motel deals. These can be as cheap as hostels and are often more comfortable.
Whenever possible, put your valuables in the hostel or hotel safe.
Look in the accommodation listings of your travel guide, find the area you want to be and pick a few in your price range. Find them and see if they have a vacancy. Make sure the prices are confirmed beforehand.
Head for the nearest internet cafe and do a search for accommodation in the area. Find something in your price range and see if they have a vacancy.
If all else fails you could always try sleeping in airports - it may be uncomfortable, but it's free.

Safety

Check your accommodation is safe to stay in. Look for:

Fire exits and protection: Does the hostel have clear and unobstructed fire exits, fire alarms and smoke detectors? Read our guide on hostel fire safety.
Room sizes: Make sure your dorm isn't overcrowded before booking, and check there is a clear escape route.
Possessions: While hostels are usually friendly it would be wise to padlock the zips on your backpack and sleep with your passport and money in your sleeping bag or in the hostel safe.
Where possible stay in smaller hotels and hostels: They tend to be friendlier, and should anything happen to you, it may be noticed that you have vanished.