Photo credit Taiga Ishii and Mark Billante
Are hostels for everyone?
For travellers on a tight budget, hostels offer an incredibly affordable accommodation option when travelling around Europe. But movies like Hostel have generated a social stigma around this type of hotel stay... So, after all said and done, what are the advantages of staying in hostels? And are they really for everyone?
Through personal experience, I have found hostels to be quite a comfortable and interesting choice for accommodation. Here are a few of the things I have enjoyed about staying in hostels in the past:
- They are cheap. Really, it’s impossible to stress this enough.
- They offer great opportunities to meet fellow travellers. If you are travelling alone or with friends but are looking to meet up with other people who are hopping around the world, the common spaces provided in hostels provide a great place for making new connections.
- They are the perfect place from which to explore a new city. When you travel to discover new places, you don’t need a luxurious room - you just need a perfectly located room from which you will be able to easily access local attractions. And hostels are perfect for that.
- Usually, hostels give out free maps of the city which also makes your exploring much simpler and cheaper!
- Some hostels are set in truly unique buildings such as castles, medieval manor houses, or even former prisons which make for a really unique travel experience.
- Other hostels offer cool experiences like an in-house bar, barbecue lunches, entertainment nights and loads more. So you will never run out of things to do and of opportunities to meet new people
While staying in hostels offer these and many other advantages, they are not for everyone. If you are someone who values great comfort and privacy above everything else, then maybe a hotel will be more suited for your travels. But if you are someone who loves to meet new people, who'd want advice from locals and fellow travellers on the best spots in town, and who is really looking for cheap accommodation close to local attractions and/or major transportation hubs then give hostels a try and I promise you won’t be disappointed!
Similar blog posts
From the UK's most popular travel bloggers
Chic hostels that might surprise you
23rd February 2021 by Andy
Searching for fabulous hostels can be a bit of a hit and miss affair. You want a great location, clean and spacious rooms and onsite facilities that make your backpacking experience comfortable. But, is it too much to ask for a little style to be thrown in without blowing the budget? Absolutely not! We’ve found these 'chic' hostels that combine all your needs with ultra-cool surroundings.The Gallery HostelPorto, Portugal: Perfect for art fanatics, The Gallery Hostel is located smack bang in...
Best hostels in Europe
22nd February 2021 by Andy
For travellers on a tight budget, hostels offer an incredibly affordable accommodation option when travelling around Europe. And even though most hostels can satisfy a basic traveller’s needs, if you’re looking for a top-quality experience then you need to check out this list of the 5 best hostels in Europe!Soul Kitchen St. Petersburg, Russia: Named the best hostel in Europe in the 2013 Hoscars, this small hostel is perfectly located in one of the most beautiful areas of Saint...
Europe’s cheapest cities for 2017 travel
19th January 2021 by John
The Europe Backpacker Index ranks 56 of Europe’s most popular cities from cheapest to most expensive.We’ve teamed up with Price of Travel again to bring you an infographic, highlighting the top 10 cities where your travel budget will stretch for miles in 2017.The Backpacker Index is based on thorough research and calculated on one night accommodation in the cheapest hostel, two public transport rides per day, one paid attraction per day, three budget meals per day and three local beers or...
Asia’s cheapest cities for 2017 travel
19th January 2021 by John
Are you thinking of jetting off for an exotic holiday to Asia this year? We’ve got some fantastic news for you and your travel budget!The Backpacker Index ranks 31 of Asia’s most popular cities from cheapest to most expensive and the 2017 results are in.We’ve teamed up with Price of Travel again to bring you an infographic, highlighting the top 10 cheapest cities in Asia.The Backpacker Index is based on thorough research and calculated on the following information:One night accommodation...
A closer look at New York
18th February 2021 by Andy
Known as the City That Never Sleeps, New York City is a must-see for any world traveller. The most populous city in the United States with over 8 million inhabitants, NYC is one of the world’s most influential and important cities as it is one of the global centres of finance, politics, communications, arts, and culture.With an international influence such as this, as a traveller you will find that there is an infinite amount of sights to explore, restaurants to try, art galleries to visit,...
The Scoop: Rome
28th June 2023 by Andy
Rome serves up history, fine art and food like nowhere else in the world. Italy’s capital city is famed for its historic city centre, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its inhabitants live and breathe La Dolce Vita and to top it off, The Eternal City is regarded as one of the fashion capitals of the world.Unrivalled rich history has seen Rome become a top destination for visitors with an average of 7-10 million per year. Dating back to 753 B.C., it’s history spans more than 2000 years...
Guide to: UK Hotel Breaks
27th June 2023 by John
Never overlook the UK as an alternative to heading abroad when you need to get away. Whether you’re living it up in London, relaxing in the Cotswolds or dipping your toe in coastal waters of Cornwall, there are loads of useful tips you can use to help slash the cost of your bill. Here we run through the key steps for bagging a great bargain, plus clever ways to save from special rates and haggling to university stays, riverboats or even sleeping in the trees! Do your research to...
The Scoop: Alicante
28th June 2023 by Andy
Alicante is a vibrant tourist hotspot on the Costa Blanca and a historic Mediterranean port. With mild winter temperatures, hot summers and little rain, it’s the buzzing beach culture that attracts thousands of visitors all year round.The nightlife in Alicante is legendary, with clubs, discos, bars and restaurants open until the wee hours every weekend. But, it’s the palm tree-lined promenade with marble floor tiles that extends from the Port of Alicante to the Gran Via that captures...