If you want to travel on the cheap, the internet is your best friend.

Airlines, bus companies, rail lines, ferry companies, hotels and hostels - no matter what the travel supplier, they all offer their very best deals if you deal with them direct on the internet.

Travel agents are valuable sources of information, but they have to make a living - they don't charge you, so obviously their money comes from the supplier. When the supplier doesn't have to pay that commission, i.e. when they deal with you direct on the net, some of those savings can be passed on to you.

Almost everywhere, it's worth joining the Youth Hostels Association. This association runs hostels all over the world and despite their name, welcomes budget travellers of all ages. Most of their hostels have dormitory style accommodation, but many are now offering private rooms for couples or families as well. The hostels usually have communal kitchens, which means you can save money by cooking your own meals, while networking with other travellers.

In fact, food is one of the easiest places to economise. You can save a lot of money by buying food from the supermarket rather than eating in cafes and restaurants. Even if your accommodation doesn't have cooking facilities, there are plenty of things you can buy that don't need cooking: cheeses, ham and cold cuts, tomatoes and salad veggies, nuts, fresh fruit, yoghurts, crusty bread - all the makings of a great picnic! Pack some plastic plates, cups and cutlery so you can find yourself a sunny spot on a riverbank or a promenade, and watch the world go by while you eat.

Think carefully about your itinerary. Your two biggest costs on any holiday are transport and accommodation. The more places you visit, the more trips you'll make and the higher your transport costs. Also, you can often get a cheaper room rate if you stay 3 or more nights. So if you are on a tight budget, it may be wiser to be less ambitious and focus on a few key locations. In general, if you're planning to spend less than 3 days in any location, you won't do it justice anyway - so why not slow down and leave some places to visit on your NEXT holiday!

Generally, the slower you are willing to travel, the cheaper it will be: bus travel is generally the cheapest. But do bear in mind, that means you'll need more time for your trip. That means more meals, possibly more accommodation - and more time away from work, which may mean you lose income, too. Make sure you add up lost income as well as extra costs, when assessing which mode of travel is cheapest.

For instance, it may be cheaper to take an early bus from Spain to Geneva - but you'll arrive in the evening and will have to book into accommodation. If you go by overnight rail, you can sleep on the train and save yourself a night's accommodation cost.

If you are tempted by discount airlines in Europe, be alert for extra costs: the cheap airlines often fly out of airports a long way out of town. If you're not careful, the cost of fares to get to and from the airport could wipe out your savings.

Learn more about this author, Marisa Wright.
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