Hostels Explained And How To Choose Them

For those who like to travel light, or if you need to do it on a budget, then staying in a hostel may be the way to go. Hostels are similar to a hotel or motel, only the rooms are generally communal in nature – sometimes not even separated by gender.

What Hostels Offer

Keep in mind that all hostels are not created equal. Some have everyone staying in the same dormitory-style room, while others separate patrons by their gender. A few hostels may have the same sort of individual rooms as hotels or motels do. You may even be able to find some hostels that will provide you with separate bathroom facilities–but the majority are operated communal style. If you choose a hostel that has communal sleeping arrangements, don’t be surprised if people are coming and going throughout the night.

Amenities

Most hostels offer modern conveniences, such as hot water, while others may tend to be a bit more rustic. Quite a few hostels offer Internet access as well as amenities like guided tours or day-trips. Some even organize a trip to the movies or the theatre. One of the most attractive things about a hostel, apart from the fact that they’re relatively inexpensive, is that due to their communal nature a hostel provides a perfect opportunity to meet people from all parts of the world, and all walks of life. Many young people choose to travel throughout Europe with nothing more than a backpack to hold their belongings. By staying in hostels, they generate memories that will last a lifetime.

Plan Ahead

Staying in a hostel is a unique experience. For those who travel through Europe especially, a hostel is regarded as an inexpensive place to stay. They are usually quite well maintained, although the structures themselves are usually very old. In order to find a nice hostel to stay in while you’re in Europe, you should plan ahead and do a background check on the hostel you are most interested in. By doing a little research you should be able to come up with a few choices in every city you plan to visit. Having a general idea of where to go when you’re in the city will help prevent wasting a lot of time looking for a place to stay after you arrive. If you’re going to be traveling with a group, make sure you can find a hostel that will have enough room for the entire group. If you intend to do a little sightseeing while you’re in a particular place, you’ll need to find out if the hostel you’ve chosen offers tours or can provide you with information about places to see or things to do.

Research

The best time to choose a hostel is before you leave for your trip. Unless you plan on winging it when you get there, figuring out an itinerary is a good idea, and so is booking room in a hostel ahead of time. Knowing which cities you’ll be visiting, and when, will allow you to do a little research and pick out a hostel to stay in. By deciding ahead of time, you won’t have to worry about securing a place to stay when you arrive at your destination. You can find out about what hostels are available and what services they have available by visiting HostelWorld.com If you know someone who has taken such a trip, and stayed in hostels along the way, they may be able to recommend a good place to stay.

Book Now

After you’ve decided on the cities you’re going to visit, know the times you’ll be there, and narrowed down a list of hostels to stay at, it’s time to book a place to stay. The information supplied in the above mentioned websites can be invaluable in deciding where to stay. Once all these decisions have been made you should book them now. In that way your valuable vacation time won’t be taken up by looking for a place to lay your head.

Further Reading:

Hostel computer security tip, 5 reasons to pick the botton bunk at hostels, I can afford hotels, should I still hostel?, The most remote hostel in the world

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-Photography by Mr. Bong @ The Bong House Hostel, Seoul, Korea