Beginner’s Guide to European Hostels
If you’re like most Americans, the idea of a hostel is akin to a Grecian monastery – a completely foreign system for living. There are only a few hostels in America, mostly in the largest cities, and even those often cater to Europeans rather than Americans. Some, like Hosteling International Las Vegas, don’t even allow those with American passports to stay. This may seem financially inviable to us, but that it because we do not understand that Hostels are not a business, but a culture.
In Europe, Hostels are the way to go if you’re young. Whereas a decent two star hotel room with two single beds can cost upwards of $100 in Paris, a youth hostel, with two comfortable and relatively clean beds, can cost each traveler less than $20. For many, Hostels make European trips feasible.
You’ll remember that I wrote earlier that Hostels are a culture. That is right, and even though they are privately owned businesses, they follow these rules to ensure that Hostels remain a place for young, budget minded and social travelers to congregate. These rules ensure that only certain people can stay at a hostel, and while they may vary from hostel to hostel, I listed the ones I found to be most common below.
Like the Vegas hostel, many hostels only allow those with Foreign passports to stay. Some are less restrictive, only requiring that you not be from the region, and other will waive the requirement for those with student ID’s.
Most hostels have an age requirement. You must be under 26 or under 30 (or look young enough) to get a bed.
You are never allowed to share a bed. You can pay for two beds, then sleep in one (if your roommates don’t care). Hostels are not meant for couples, don’t expect to get any privacy.
Don’t expect much in the way of service. Some hostels won’t even provide you with clean linens or bedsheets. Remember, this is budget travel at its most base level.
Don’t let the restrictions worry you – if you’re a young traveler, no hostel will ever reject you. But if you’re a businessperson in your mid 40’s looking to save a few bucks, you’re probably better off looking elsewhere.
Hostels are primarily meant for the independent traveler. That does not mean that you can’t stay in one if you come in a group, but expect to be surrounded by many independent travelers. That can be a boon – many travelers stay in hostels because it is so easy to meet people. This goes back to the idea of “Hostel Culture” I spoke about earlier. Hostels can be seen as a network connected independent travelers wherever they might go in Europe, and are one huge reason why Europe is seen as a ideal place for single travelers to go. In a Hostel, independent travelers are welcome!
Some of you may still be asking – so how do Hostels work? The basic rule for all hostels is that they provide travelers with a communal living setting. Often, you will get a bed in a dorm room with up to 10 other individuals, many of whom are traveling alone. Sometimes, you get to choose was bed you want, other times, the bed is assigned to you, depends on the hostel. Sometimes, the bed can be nothing more than a piece of foam on a wooden board – be sure to check in advance! Rooms can be co-ed or mixed. The bathrooms will sometimes be in the dorm, or in the hallways, and rarely, if even, co-ed. Bring your own soap, as most hostels do not provide basic toiletries, though bathroom facilities are usually clean.
You may be getting the impression that a European Hostel is nothing more than a room full of beds. But that is not the case. Before I was only describing the meager individual facilities, but remember, Hostels are for communal living! The vast majority of hostels include spacious common rooms, often with computers, a television, and a large dining area. Another thing most hostels include is a large kitchen – these are budget travelers, remember, and what cheaper way to eat than by cooking your own food. It’s common to see complete strangers sharing a meal of spaghetti or noodles in the common areas. This is where you can meet people from all around the world, travelers just like you, with a small pocketbook but large ambitions to see and do as much as they can. Many hostels organize events for their guests, such as pub-crawls, happy hours, or a house BBQ. These events can be great ways to meet people, and to enjoy the culture of Hostels.
Alas, let me end with three important tips for enjoying a great stay at a hostel.
RESEARCH – make sure to read reviews and learn as much as you can about the Hostel you plan to stay at. Many hostels are decrepit, but many are also great. The only way you’ll know the different is if you read up first.
PLAN – book in advance to get the best rate. There are a wide array of discount cards you can use to save some money on your stay, these are generally only worth it if you plan on staying in a lot of Hostels over the course of a year.
RELAX! – You can enjoy privacy at home. Did you come to Europe to sit around in your hotel room watching tv? NO! You can to meet people and enjoy life, and you can only do that by staying at a Hostel and enjoying a truly European experience!
