If you’ve decided you will be more comfortable on your holiday with hotel reservations in hand, then you’re going to have some decisions to make.  How are you going to get those reservations?  Let’s look at the options.

You could use a travel agent.  If you’re planning a trip to an exotic location, this might be your best bet.  Travel agents know the hotels and lodging in the areas of their expertise, and they can give you good guidance and advice.

You could use one of the big internet booking agencies.  Those can help you get pretty good deals.  It’s worthwhile to check two or three of them to see how they rate different hotels, so you’ll get what you want.  Whenever you’re looking at hotels and bed-and-breakfasts on the internet, remember, any place can look good with some creative photography.

We recommend avoiding the companies that don’t tell you the name of the hotel until after you make your reservation.  Also remember that when hotels are tied to booking agencies, they lose a cut to that agency.  You might be just as well off booking directly with the hotel.

It pays to find a good guidebook.  If you like their philosophy, you will probably like the hotels they recommend.  You can call the hotel directly.  Chances are you will be able to talk to someone who speaks English.  You can contact almost all of them over the internet these days, either by e-mail or by contacting them through their own website.

If you e-mail the hotel directly, tell them the number of rooms you want and how many people per room.  They will need to know the date of your arrival and the date of your departure… so the number of nights you will be staying.

Remember that in most places in the world, dates are written with the day/month/year, not with the month/day/year as it is in the U.S.  To avoid confusion on any continent, we write the month out rather than using numbers.

Once you hear back from them, if they have a room at the price you want, accept the reservation.  You may have to send your credit card number.  We’re reluctant to send our credit card number in e-mail.  You can call and give them your credit card number.

If you have used the hotel’s own site to contact them, make sure it is a secure site before you send your credit card number to them that way.

Be sure to read the hotel cancellation policies carefully before you make a reservation.

If you make hotel reservations with one of the big travel booking sites or with the hotel itself, beware of non-refundable reservations.

When you make your hotel reservations, you will receive a confirmation by e-mail.  Print it, and take it with you.  Don’t delete the original e-mail until you have completed your trip, and you know you have been billed correctly.

If your travel dates are firm, you’ll find that to get into the most popular and best value hotels, it’s worthwhile to make those hotel reservations ahead.

Of course, if you were looking for NSW Central Coast accommodation, then you could be pretty confident about your booking if you use a reputable booking agent.

There are endless little budget travel tips that can save you a little money here and there.  None of them will save you tons of money, but all those little bits can add up to an affordable trip.

If you’re visiting a big city, hotels tend to be expensive the closer in you stay to the city centre.  Even the budget hotels might strain your budget.  Consider staying in a suburb or the next small town over.  Take a 15-20 minute bus or train ride into the city.  Hotels and restaurants will be cheaper, and it may even be a cuter area to stay in.

Home swaps are becoming more popular as a way to save while on holiday.  They’re good for families or small groups travelling together to share the expense.

As an even more frugal alternative to a hotel, if you’re young and adventurous, you might even want to give “couch surfing” a try.  It’s a system where you register, then are referred to strangers who are willing to let you sleep on their couch.  Sign up to host or be a couch surfer with an organisation like Couch Surfing.  They will connect you with others who are interested in letting you flop on their sofa.  You can also sign up to host travellers yourself.

There are house swaps and couches to flop on all over the world.  You have to be willing to give up a little of your privacy, but you can save a lot of money…. and make new friends while you’re saving.

Consider booking a fly/drive bundle or hotels bundled with flights.  You might be an independent traveller who likes to find your own accommodations, but you might find you can save a bundle with that bundle.

If you want to go to a play or the opera look for half-off, same day sales booths.  Many cities have these.  In London and New York where everyone wants to see a play, these booths can save you a bunch.  The only downside is you might not be able to see the latest plays.  You may have to stand in a long line, and you might have to pay cash.

Are there any budget travel tips when you’re renting a car?  Get the smallest car that you and your group can fit in.  Car companies love to say they can “upgrade” you for only a little more…. but why do you want to pay more if you don’t need the space.  Bigger cars take more gas… gas is expensive. (And, the driver in our team reminds me, they’re harder to park.)

Don’t get the “gas package” where you can return the rental car empty… you’ll never get it to empty….  You’ll be too afraid of running out of gas on your way back to the airport, so you’ll lose money on that half tank that’s left.  Just fill it up near the airport and save money.

Think about your budget… and the environment when you leave for your holiday.  Your house can save you money if you unplug all those appliances that say in “ready mode” and suck electricity while you’re gone.  Unplugging them saves the environment too.  Lower the hot water heater temperature to “vacation”.  Make sure the heater or the air-conditioner are at money saving settings.  The house doesn’t need to be heated or cooled as much while you’re gone.

All these little budget travel tips could add up to more travel time… so watch all those little things carefully.