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You’ll need to walk a good deal before you find somewhere safe. Look for the richer neighbourhoods which have less street crime. True, there’ll be better policing but it’s also an unexpected tactic so you’ll often get away with it.

The best thing is to find somewhere unobserved. The less attention from police, drunks and maniacs the better. Parks can be okay but attract late night drinkers – choose somewhere behind bushes.

Graveyards can a serene choice, especially if there is a locked gate. Most are easy to climb into and then you’re guarded from the outside.

Cardboard boxes can be found outside supermarkets and make a great mattress. Then with some newspapers to line your clothes you’ll have a warm sleep.

In Europe you’ll want to avoid the brightly-lit places at night as that’s where the drunks and the violence is to be found. You can however find all-night cafes and a sympathetic waiter might let you stare into your coffee until morning.

If you’re feeling lucky you might want to head to the bars and see who you meet. Getting drunk with strangers gives you a chance of a free bed somewhere with someone.

Some bus and train stations stay open 24 hours but many close for a few hours in the middle of the night to discourage bums like you from hanging out. Be careful as Murphy’s Law dictates that bus and train stations are usually situated in the dodgiest part of town. A better bet is the local airport for a safe sleep.

If you don’t mind compromising your dignity most major towns have a shelter for the homeless – some kind of Salvation Army deal. Just ask your nearest policeman.

Tom has been traveling non-stop since the age of 18 and co-founded Road Junky in 2004. Follow him @tomglaister

He’s the author of Hand to Mouth to India, an account of hitchhiking from England to India with no money and which will soon be rereleased by Road Junky Books.

Tales of a Road Junky featuring tales of breaking people out of jail in Delhi, selling fake Rolexes in Japan and other adventures in Israel and Brazil will be out later this year.

He also writes fiction for anyone who never really grew up and his latest novel is Bozo and the Storyteller – download the audio book for free or even buy a copy…

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