When one thinks about the concept of cheap travel it often conjures up nightmares of unreliable tour packages and cowboy hoteliers. For the unwary, nightmares can indeed become reality, but for the smarter traveller this really needn’t be the case.

The truth of the matter is that with a little forward planning, you’ll find that less can indeed be more in the world of cheap travel and an extra few bucks in your pocket can mean an extra week or two on tour.

The no.1 rule for cheap travel is to do your homework and plan ahead. The biggest costs incurred to the traveller will probably be those of transport and accommodation, and here is where the biggest savings can be made. Booking ahead with budget airlines can save you huge amounts, and be sure to check which days around your time of travel are the cheapest – airlines can adjust prices due to demand and those willing to be flexible with their schedule can reap the rewards.

Accommodation prices can be subject to huge variation too and your first consideration here should always be with who you buy from. Hostelbookers.com has some of the best options for those after cheap travel and doesn’t charge booking fees. Using the service also means you can compare many hostel prices quickly.

Remember that hostels and hotels can change their advertised prices at any time so be a clever shopper and get in early, especially for peak season accommodation. Conversely prices may drop at the last minute, but consider that price drops like this usually only happen out of season.  The rule of thumb here is to grab a good price when you see it.

For the budget diehard the challenge doesn’t end at home and once on foreign soil you’ll find you can soon get abreast of local secrets if you ask around – secrets that can have a real cash value. Don’t be afraid to pick the brains of other travellers and you’ll soon discover the best places to eat and drink – at a price your credit card will thank you for!

Cheap travel needn’t hamper your trip, rather the advantage can be yours. There’s fun in the opportunities that living to a budget creates and who knows, pay to be lazy and you might just miss out on half the fun!