Online bookstores have sections on travel guides. Try Amazon or specialty travel book stores like the Globe Corner Bookstores. They have an amazing array of guide books for the traveler on a budget. The most important thing to keep in mind about published guidebooks is that once the information is printed, it is probably out of date. Although most of them are updated annually, you cannot take what is written as set in stone. Internet guides are preferable in this area because their information is updated sometimes on a daily basis so all the deals on offer are available when you see them.

The best guides seem to be the ones that give you specific information on either your choice of destination or the type of holiday you will be taking (family vacation, backpacking, students, seniors, etc). There are the well known guide books/web sites like The Lonely Planet that will give you information on just about every destination you can think of. Or you can contact the embassy of the place you want to visit or go to the library to find out more about your choice of destination.  Most web sites will also have links to travel deals that are from the site sponsors. Some of the deals look great but research them. Compare to other sites to get the best deal for you.

Some guides worth having a look at for the budget traveler are:

* ‘The World’s Cheapest Destinations’ by Tim Leffel

* ‘Europe on $70 a Day’ by Arthur Frommer

*  Any guidebook from the Lonely Planet ‘Shoestring’ series

*  Any guidebook from the ‘Cheap Eats and Sleeps’ series

If you are backpacking, getting a guide on hostels in the area you are traveling to is a good idea. There are many sites dedicated to finding hostels. You will be able to get prices and make bookings in advance.

Once you know where you are traveling you’ll be able to find a guide on just about anything. How to get there, where to sleep, where to eat, what to visit and how to travel around are all going to be available in a travel guide. And once you get to your destination go to the local tourist information stand and look at what other helpful guides are available.

This article is brought to you by: Stuart S. Travel – Your Online Travel Guru

www.stuartstravel.com

Three Lodging Tips for Traveling on a Budget:

Hotels:
A major consideration is that travel is about sightseeing, not where one stays. It’s important to have a clean room and bed, but as priorities lie, the experiences outside of the hotel are the ones to remember. One way to save money is to book a hotel that isn’t centered in the middle of major tourist areas, usually on the outskirts of town. Safety however is always a consideration; so don’t ever sacrifice this when trying to save money. Depending on the area, bus fare or even walking to tourist hot-spots can add even more to your savings. So leave the neon signs and under-the-pillow chocolates for the tycoons and moguls. The internet has many sites that cater to budget travelers. Make sure to check out www.hotels.com

Hostels:
Today’s hostels are no longer for youths only. The price range is $6-$20 a night, depending on the location. If you have never stayed at a hostel, you should know that you sleep in a dorm-like setting with 10-20 other people. Many hostels offer single-sex rooms and co-ed rooms…make sure to ask! Lockers are available for luggage and valuables, and typically there is a common area for food preparation or a cup of coffee, thus cutting back on the cost of eating out. There are also bathroom areas to shower and change. Hostels offer a wonderful opportunity for meeting fellow travelers. Make sure to ask them for money saving travel tips. Each hostel is different, so make sure to find out the rules of the establishment at check-in. Noise and lack of privacy are the drawbacks, but in the long run these are small prices to pay when trying to keep travel costs low.

Camping:
A third option is camping. Campsites typically have a water supply and bath and shower facilities. During the warm seasons, camping provides a great opportunity to experience the natural setting of your travel destination. Obvious drawbacks are possible wet or cold weather and rustic sleeping conditions. When circumstances allow, this is the cheapest option for the budget traveler.

Traveling should not only be a pastime for the rich and famous. When done on a budget it is available to one and all! Staying in places such as those listed above is not only a means of saving money. They can allow for a fuller travel experience. You will see things that are ordinarily off the beaten path and will meet a more diverse group of people. Often travelers are herded into trendy places instead of seeing the true beauty of their destination. Use these “traveling on a budget” tips to plan your next vacation.