How to Find a Cheap Hotel

1. Get a travel guide for your destination. Publishers like Rough Guide, Let's Go and Lonely Planet usually write travel books targeted to younger (read: poorer) travelers and include lists of cheap places to stay.
2. Check out Hostelling International online. They run affordable, comfortable hostels worldwide.
3. See if there is a YWCA or YMCA at your destination that provides beds for travelers.
4. Some schools offer accomodations to their alumni, such as the Harvard Club, the worldwide network of Sacred Heart schools etc. Check to see if your college does the same.
5. Try discount travel sites like orbitz, travelocity etc.
6. Subscribe to weekly travel discount online mailing lists such as Sherman's or Travelzoo.
7. Read Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel.
8. Google "cheap hotels [name of destination]".
9. Look at travel blogs and travel wikis.