Youth Hostels – the Key to Fun Budget Travel in Germany

On a tight budget? Intimidated by expensive hotels? You can extend – and enjoy – your next trip to Germany by resting your head at youth hostels, or Jugendherberge. An inexpensive alternative to pricey accommodations, hostels can add a fun new dimension to your next vacation. Here’s the lowdown on hostelling:

What’s In A Name? The term “youth hostel” can be misleading – most of Germany’s hostels do not have an age limit. The term Jugendherberg refers to a pastoral inn that is safe for young people, but today’s youth hostels have extended their definition to include cheap, clean accommodations for travelers of all ages.

The Three Cs: Hostelling in Germany is known for its cleanliness, convenience, and – best of all, cheap prices. Dormitory-style accommodations can be found in almost every German city and village starting from around $10 per night. You might think that the low price means ugly, infested rooms and dirty linens, but German hostels maintain pristine – albeit sometimes Spartan – quarters. Conveniently and centrally located, German youth hostels have access to local transportation and their knowledgeable staff can point you towards interesting travel destinations.

Friends With Benefits: Since you’ll be staying with travelers from all over the world, a youth hostel is a great place to meet your fellow tourists – or even vacationing natives. Youth hostels in Germany usually offer dormitory-style accommodations in addition to single rooms to fit your social style. You might find a travel buddy along the way!

Things To Remember: The hostelling lifestyle is known to be friendly and frugal, so remember to expect the unexpected. Some hostels are linked together in a membership network that gives discounts to members; others require pre-reservation for individual rooms and groups. A bit of simple planning can make sure that you’ll get accommodations, while still enjoying the spontaneity that hostel travel can provide. There are tradeoffs to forsaking hotels – some hostels have curfews and amenities can vary widely from hostel to hostel. Be prepared to provide your own toiletries and towels. Most hostels charge for linens, so it might be a good idea to purchase a set of German sheets on the cheap when you arrive to make sure you’re comfortable in bed.

All it takes is an open mind and a bit of research and the world of German hostels – and inexpensive, convenient travel – will be yours for the taking. Gute Reise!