It's a good idea to always book your first night's accommodation before you leave. When you arrive at your destination, you might be jet lagged, tired, and feeling a bit culture shocked. Knowing you've got a place to go and get yourself together can make all the difference between a great start and wanting to head back on the first return flight.

Camping

Camping is one of the cheapest ways to keep your holiday within budget. Campsites usually have great showers, toilets, and shops so you don’t have to slum it. Tourist boards in the UK and abroad can put you in touch with a good campsite, but book ahead to ensure there will be a place for you.

Youth Hostels

Hostels are a great place to stay if you’re on a budget and you’d like to meet like-minded travellers or holiday makers. There are lots of youth hostels in Scotland and all around the world.  Some are affiliated to a national youth hostel association and others are independently run.

Youth hostels are open to all, but you can get discounts if you are a Youth Hostelling Association member. Hostels run by Youth Hostelling Associations will generally be reputable and of a good quality, but doors might close early and they do not have the same ‘party’ reputation as backpacker hostels. It’s worth remembering you can get a free annual membership to the Scottish Youth Hostel Association with your Young Scot card. Independent hostels can be a mixed bag as they are not regulated. Watch out for unclean, over-packed dorm rooms and additional costs for lockers, using the shower etc. The best thing to do is to check out other customer reviews and ratings on the hostel booking websites before you book.

Hostel prices will change dependant on the time of year and the size of your group. If you are in a big group you can often get a dormitory room for you and your friends. If you are alone or in a small group it is often cheapest to get a room in a mixed dorm, which you would share with other hostel guests. Many hostels also provide bed linen, have kitchens you can use, and often a shop or cafe if you don't want to fend for yourself.

B&Bs

A bed and breakfast is usually just that: a place that gives you a bed, and breakfast the next morning. You will get your own room but not all rooms are necessarily en suite. Breakfast ranges from a full, hot breakfast to a continental style of toast or pastries and coffee or tea.

Breakfast is usually served in a common room and it's often served earlier than the weary traveller might like - again, check before you turn your alarm off for a proper lie in!

Hotels

Hotels tend to be the most expensive, as they can offer a huge range of extra facilities from pools and spas to room service and restaurants. With hotels, you usually have to book ahead although you might have some luck just showing up, depending on where you are and what time of year it is.

What you pay will vary dramatically depending on the hotel, city, and season so check before you book. It's worth checking out last minute deals on the website as you might find a price lower than the one quoted on the hotel website.

As with anything else, ask about or read reviews on sites such as TripAdvisor  before you book. Finally, if you're going abroad, be aware that some cities charge a hotel room tax on top of the standard rate.

Couch Surfing

Another accommodation option could be couch surfing.  CouchSurfing is an international non-profit network that connects travellers with locals in over 230 countries across the world. The ‘surfing’ bit is where you host a traveller, or stay with a local as a guest in their home. As a guest you do not pay, but you may want to honour this hospitality by offering a weary traveller a space on your sofa another time. CouchSurfing’s mission is to bring people together for cultural exchange, and you might find your host will also offer you a tour of the local area, or a chance to sample to local cuisine.

Remember when CouchSurfing you will be staying in another person’s house. Think about your personal safety and don’t go into the exchange naively. Remember to check out the safety tips on the Couch Surfing website, and read a sofa providers profile and reviews before you land on their doorstep.