Guide To Hostels in Europe

Hostels are probably the most effective sort of lodging for backpacking/finances vacationers in Europe.

• They’re cheap.
• They’re situated in each European metropolis.
• They’re filled with different younger vacationers.
• They make it simple to fulfill different vacationers.
• There are loads of wonderful hostels since competitors between hostels has grown significantly over the previous 10-15 years.

Unfortunately, hostels are fairly unusual within the US, so many Americans are completely clueless about them and have loads of misconceptions (I do know I did). This full information to hostels in Europe will cowl every part from hostel fundamentals to ideas for selecting an awesome hostel.

Backpacking Through Europe? Check out our in-depth information to Travel Backpacks for tips about selecting your good bag. You may also need to learn our Europe Packing List for Men and Europe Packing List for Women.

Hostels 101: Everything You Need To Know

Curious about hostels? Keep studying.

So What Is A Hostel?

Hostels — typically known as “youth hostels” — are the bastions of finances vacationers. They are much like resorts apart from the rooms (dorms) are stuffed with sufficient bunk beds to deal with anyplace between 4-40 individuals. In a hostel, you solely lease the mattress so that you’ll be sharing the room with a bunch of fellow vacationers. Obviously, privateness is restricted, however the low price and thriving social scene greater than make-up for the negatives.

Many hostels even have female-only rooms however most rooms are unisex.

We recommend poking round Hostelworld to get a very good sense of what sorts of hostels are on the market.

How Much Do Hostels Cost?

A mattress in a hostel will price anyplace from $10+/night time (in Eastern Europe) to $40+/night time (in massive cities in Western Europe). The worth is dependent upon the dimensions of the room (the most affordable beds are within the rooms with the most individuals), the placement of the hostel, the facilities, the competitors from different hostels on the town, the stock left, and some different components.

I believe I often paid about $34/night time on common in Western Europe ($15/night time in Eastern Europe). Keep in thoughts that I often opted for the most affordable room out there.

For reference, a non-public room with 2 beds can price anyplace from about $60 to $120+/night time.

Reasons To Stay In A Hostel

Hosteling is one of the simplest ways to fulfill tons of fascinating individuals from all around the world. You’re surrounded by like-minded vacationers who all share the love of journey and a love for having enjoyable. It additionally makes assembly different vacationers tremendous simple — which is further nice for solo vacationers.

Hostels are additionally often situated within the coronary heart of the town, so that you’re near all of the motion.

And hostels are low cost — so you possibly can journey even longer.

Who Stays In Hostels?

There is a variety of people that keep at hostels.

Most hostel-goers are younger vacationers between 18-30 (some hostels solely permit friends between 18-35 years previous). But I’ve met a 70-year-old Australian who was touring for six months and I additionally see loads of households touring collectively.

Naturally, hostels entice a really worldwide crowd so that you’ll be surrounded by individuals from all around the world.

From my expertise, there are at all times numerous Australians and Kiwis who’re touring for 9+ months at a time. There are fairly a couple of Americans who come over for 2-3 weeks, or who’re learning overseas someplace in Europe. I’ve met a handful of South Africans and some French.

There may also often be a handful of people that reside within the hostel for a few months at a time — these are often college students doing short-term research for jobs.

Hostels are additionally fashionable for European bachelor/bachelorette occasion teams — which may actually get actually annoying since they have a tendency to get obnoxiously drunk. That’s why I often search for hostels that don’t permit these teams to guide (many will state this within the hostel guidelines).

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Features Of Good European Hostels

There are loads of nice hostels in Europe, and there are simply as many horrible ones. I’ve compiled an inventory of options that you need to be mindful when looking for a hostel.

24/7 Checkin/Reception

Every hostel has a check-in desk. This is the place you pay, get your key, and obtain all of the essential details about the hostel. Be positive to ask for a map. Some hostels don’t have 24/7 reception, and it often isn’t an enormous deal… till your practice/flight is late and also you attempt to examine in after reception closes. Then you’re caught in search of a brand new hostel.

TIP: The individuals on the entrance desk often have the most effective concept about what’s going on within the metropolis. They’ll be capable of advocate the most effective issues to do/see round city. It is useful to provide them an concept of what you’re involved in doing. Questions like “what are some cheap restaurants?” or “I’m looking for a fun nightclub, any recommendations?” are loads higher than “So… what things should I do here?” The level is: don’t anticipate them to plan your keep for you. Or you possibly can take a look at our Europe City Guides!

Dorm Rooms & Private Rooms

There are typically two kinds of rooms out there in hostels — normal dorm rooms and personal rooms.

Hostel dorm rooms are virtually universally stuffed with a number of squeaky bunk beds (I’ve even seen three-level bunks). Dorms can vary from small rooms with two bunk beds to massive rooms with 20+ bunks. From my expertise, the commonest rooms often have 4-6 bunks.

In normal, the most affordable rooms could have probably the most quantity of individuals so anticipate to pay extra if you’d like a room with fewer strangers (and snorers).

Most dorm rooms are unisex however loads of hostels supply female-only rooms.

Many hostels are actually beginning to supply personal rooms for individuals who need extra privateness however nonetheless need the hostel vibe. Most of the time personal rooms are meant for one or two individuals. However, we’ve seen loads of personal rooms for teams of 3-4 individuals (these are for households or pals touring collectively).

Security and Lockers

Each hostel has its personal model of safety. Some require a key/buzzer/secret knock to enter the constructing. Most hostels at the least require a key to enter the dorm rooms.

Most dorm rooms have lockers. These are often situated underneath the mattress however some rooms have cabinet-style lockers. You usually have to produce your personal lock. I simply lock up any valuables and go away my backpack on the mattress.  I’ve by no means had any issues with theft — moreover, nobody needs a bunch of soiled garments.

The hostel will most likely have a room for storing your baggage for if you first arrive (in case your room isn’t prepared) and if you’re trying out. These rooms can vary from a locked storage room monitored by CCTV to an open space on the ground with a pile of luggage.

Showers/Toilets

Hostel loos might be tremendous good or actually horrible. Each hostel has a distinct setup in terms of showers and bogs. Most of the time every room has its personal toilet. This means the room of 8 individuals might be sharing one small toilet.

Some have massive community-style loos with a couple of sinks and a number of personal bathe stalls.

Some showers require you to push a silly button each 30 seconds for the water to work and a few are operated by pulling on a sequence.

I’ve even stayed in a hostel the place you needed to stroll via the kitchen and thru the outside courtyard (not enjoyable within the winter) to get to the bathe.

The absolute worst is the bathe/toilet combo. I need to dance on the grave of the one that thought this was a good suggestion. Basically, there isn’t any separation between the bathe, rest room, and sink. The whole room will get moist and it is a ache within the ass making an attempt to dress when each inch of the room is roofed in water.

Lounge/Chill Out Room

The higher hostels have cozy lounge rooms the place individuals can go sit back and meet different vacationers. A variety of these rooms could have an enormous TV (often with satellite tv for pc channels), DVD participant with a bunch of DVDs, books, board video games, and massive couches (typically adorned with hungover Australians). This is a superb place to fulfill different individuals and trade journey tales. This can be the place you’ll discover all of the individuals with laptops/smartphones checking their twitterbook and facepage.

Some hostels even have cool rooftop bars/terraces that at all times entice individuals so it’s an awesome place to fulfill different vacationers.

Kitchen & Dining Room

A hostel with a pleasant kitchen is a godsend. I attempt to solely guide hostels with kitchens — even when it prices slightly extra — as a result of it can save you a lot cash by cooking your personal meals. Hostels with good kitchens are additionally rather more social, because it provides individuals an opportunity to essentially work together with one another.

TIP: A good way to make pals is to prepare a meal and have everybody chip in a couple of euros. I believe I met all my greatest journey pals within the kitchen.

The greatest kitchens have every part you’ll must prepare dinner a meal; stoves, ovens, microwaves, fridges, sinks, utensils, cups, plates, and just about the rest you may want. Don’t anticipate any kitchen to be tremendous clear as a result of they get loads of use, and the hostel workers often don’t take pleasure in cleansing kitchens.

Breakfast (Hopefully Free)

A variety of hostels have free breakfast. Don’t get too excited as a result of it’s often fairly meager — however it’s free, so no matter. Just about each breakfast consists of generic cornflakes, white or wheat bread (w/ jam, peanut butter, some yummy chocolate unfold, & butter), orange juice, milk (room temperature), tea, and low. If you’re fortunate, you’ll get a croissant. I’ve been to a couple hostels the place the breakfast isn’t free and it often prices loads for what you get.

Hostel Bar

If you desire a hostel with a vigorous social scene, then you definately’ll need to discover one with a bar. The beer costs at hostel bars are often fairly inexpensive and typically it’s the most effective deal on the town. And ingesting within the hostel is safer than wandering the streets drunk after an enormous night time out.

The bars do get a bit noisy, so that you may need to guide a hostel with out a bar when you’re a lightweight sleeper — or don’t take pleasure in drunk individuals.

The Hostel’s Vibe

Every hostel could have its personal persona so that you’ll need to learn the opinions to get a way of what sort of hostel it’s.

For instance, some hostels have a celebration ambiance (full with a bar) so it’s nice for assembly individuals however it most likely isn’t an awesome place for mild sleepers.

Other hostels really feel extra like a resort and typically there isn’t a lot of a neighborhood really feel so it’s not an awesome place to fulfill different vacationers.

And different hostels have a vigorous ambiance with out turning into a celebration.

Free WiFi/Computers

Free WiFi is just about normal in hostels however examine the opinions as a result of WiFi can typically be spotty in loads of hostels — particularly within the rooms.

A variety of hostels may also have computer systems with web entry however they often cost you to make use of them.

Washing Machines

If you’re a long-term traveler, a washer is a superb luxurious. Hand washing your smelly socks (and belief me, your socks will stink) is rarely enjoyable, so having a machine do all of the work is a miracle.

However, most hostels don’t have washing machines so don’t anticipate this.

Good Location

The hostel’s location can have a big impact in your hostel expertise. It is rather more handy when you’re situated close to the sights/bars/golf equipment/grocery shops/public transportation/McDonald’s.

That mentioned, you possibly can typically lower your expenses by staying in a hostel that’s situated exterior the town or at the least away from the town middle.

Fun Extras

Some hostels actually go above and past to verify their visitor have a good time. I’ve seen free group dinners, a free welcome drink, free strolling excursions and pub crawls, live shows, yoga, completely satisfied hours, and extra.

Boutique Hostels

The newest improvement within the finances lodging world is boutique hostels — which really feel extra like funky boutique resorts than a hostel. These hostels are typically slightly dearer than conventional hostels however they typically have higher-end facilities like nicer kitchens, exercise rooms, nicer beds/furnishings, and different extra.

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How To Find A Good Hostel In Europe

Thanks to the Internet, reserving a hostel is extremely simple. Sites like HostelWorld.com mean you can learn previous opinions of different vacationers so you possibly can decide the standard of the hostel earlier than you guide it.

I guide all most hostels via Hostelworld as a result of they are the biggest website and so they have probably the most hostel opinions/neighborhood base — and the location is tremendous simple to make use of. Simply enter your journey info and the location will provide you with an inventory of outcomes. Each hostel is rated by fellow vacationers, so that you’ll get a fairly good concept if the hostel is value reserving. You may see movies, footage, facilities, and instructions. You guide your reservation by paying 10% of the entire cost (by credit score/debit card), and then you definately pay the rest of the cost on to the hostel if you arrive. It’s tremendous simple.

Hostelworld can be good as a result of it means that you can filter your search outcomes primarily based on worth or ranking. I often take a look at the highest-rated hostels first after which discover one in my worth vary. But you possibly can at all times filter primarily based on worth alone when you’re on a strict finances.

By doing slightly homework, you’ll find some really wonderful hostels.

More Helpful Hostel Tips

• Write detailed directions on learn how to get to the hostel from the practice station/airport/wherever you’re coming from. Getting misplaced sucks and a few hostels might be powerful to seek out.
• Book hostels forward of time through the busy season — particularly in the summertime as a result of they’ll promote out.
• Bring earplugs and a sleeping masks. There is certain to be one one who snores tremendous loud if you’re in a room of 12 individuals. He might be the identical jerk who turns the lights on when returning to the room at 4 am. He’ll most likely brush his enamel and go away the water operating the complete time too. And I guess he hates puppies.
• Renting a towel from a hostel is loads higher than carrying your personal smelly moist towel round in your backpack. Not all hostels supply towels for lease so I recommend shopping for a particular quick-drying journey towel simply in case.
• I at all times prefer to guide hostels that solely permit individuals 18+. Large faculty teams typically lease hostels for college journeys. 50 center schoolers operating round isn’t remotely pleasurable. I additionally like hostels that don’t lease to bachelor/stag events as these teams typically get belligerently drunk.
• Read the hostel’s insurance policies. Some solely settle for money, some have a lockout interval (often between 11 am-4 pm) for cleansing, and a few also have a curfew.
• Some hostels cost for linens. I’ve by no means encountered this however I’ve needed to pay a refundable deposit on sheets.
• I’ve by no means met a entrance desk employee who didn’t converse English pretty nicely.
• Many hostels have pub crawls and the guides know the place to get the most affordable drinks. This is a good way to fulfill different vacationers.
• If you need to meet different vacationers then you definately may need to make effort to speak to different individuals.

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The Best Hostels By City

Here are a couple of of the most effective hostels within the most-visited cities in Europe: