Youth Hostels -Traveling on a Limited Budget

"The true traveler is without goal. It is the absence of goals which creates the ultimate traveler."

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A Youth Hostel in Galway, Ireland

For many people, traveling to Europe or elsewhere in the world, seems too expensive.  Something they will do “someday” when they can afford it.  But, if you have a limited budget, there are ways to go to those dream destinations without spending a fortune. 

When my sister graduated from college, she wanted to see the world, but she had very little money.  She had enough for the airfare, and not a lot more than that.  She bought a one-way ticket to Europe.  She gave the money for the return ticket to our mom, and told her she would send for it when ready to come home.  She packed the basics in a backpack, and took a sleeping bag, and she headed for Europe.  She was gone a little over 6 months.  She lived on very little money.  She hitchhiked (it was the early 70’s – not necessarily recommending that today), and she was able to occasionally make some money selling her drawings – she is a very good artist.  When she could afford it, she stayed in Youth Hostels.  When she was broke, she threw her sleeping bag down in a cemetery.   She said she knew no one would bother her there.  And when she was finally ready to come home, she wired mom for the money.  I have to say she is braver than I would have been, and I am not recommending that anyone do this today, it is a different world than when she did it.  But my point is, if you really want to go somewhere, then you should make it happen.

Youth Hostels are one way to go to another destination on a small budget.  Although they are called Youth Hostels, most of them will rent to anyone of any age.  They tend to get more young people, probably because the younger age groups have less money to spend and are more adventuresome.  But as us baby boomers age, they are finding more older people also staying at these hostels.  They are all over Europe, as well as many other areas of the world.  There are even quite a few of them here in the states.  In Europe you will find that there are probably more Europeans staying at the hostels than Americans.

A youth Hostel near Loch Ness, Scotland

A hostel is a cheap way to lodge safely with like-minded travelers around the world. Also called "Backpackers," hostels feature dormitory style rooms, often with bunks, and security, social life, showers, and food prep and storage areas. They are very community oriented lodgings, and you'll share everything but your bunk and a locker.  In fact, it's a little like summer camp without the counselors.

Expect to spend $8-$35 on a single bed. For your money, you'll get a bunk and shared bathroom. You will most likely be in a dorm room with other people, both male and female.  Some hostels are bare bones, and some are more luxurious. Some hostels have single rooms for rent, which may have its own bath and will cost up to $75. If it costs more than that, then it is not a hostel, it’s a B&B.  Most hostels come with some kind of breakfast, but don’t expect too much.  Quite often it is just a croissant and some juice.  Some have full breakfasts comparable to a B&B.

Dorm room in hostel in Athens

You will find that many hostels are housed in older buildings.  Some have a curfew by which you must be in or be locked out for the night, so pay attention.  Sometimes they will give you a key to get in the front door, but it is locked for security reasons.  Also, some places practice a custom of locking guests out in the middle of the day, ostensibly to clean.  This may mean that you can’t get into your room during those hours, or into the building at all.  When booking you should be aware of those rules.

My daughter stayed in a hostel in Edinburgh when she was 19 years old.  It had the rule that you had to be out of your dorm room by 10:00 AM and could not return until 4:00 PM.  She would have been fine with that, but she woke up one morning with a terrible cold, she felt miserable, but she knew she had to leave, so she did.  An hour after she left she fell and hurt her foot.  She could hardly walk, plus she had a fever and was really quite sick.  She just wanted to go to bed, but the hostel wouldn’t allow her in.  She had a really miserable day.  Most hostels don’t have that policy, and I would think twice before booking one that did.

Dorm room in Hostel -Copenhagen

Most hostels have a common area for socializing, even if it is just a picnic table in a courtyard.  Laundry facilities are often offered.  There are sometimes bars, tourist desks, and internet access.  Most hostels have linens and pillows, but some charge a fee for towels. 

What they don’t have is concierges, daily in-room maid service or bedspreads.  They seldom have in-room phones and tv’s, but often have tv’s, pay phones, games, vending machines and computers in common areas.  You should carry your own lock for your locker.  They are seldom spotless, but they are usually clean enough, without bed bugs, and basic places to stay.  You should bring flip-flops for the shower areas as they may not be the most hygienic areas.  Certainly they are better than throwing a sleeping bag down in the cemetery as my sister did many nights.

They are usually very social, some are party places where sleeping is not a priority.  You will always have someone who will come in late and flip on the bedroom lights, with no concern for who they wake up. 

Apache Hostel in Dublin, Ireland

Most places take reservations over the internet.  There are several different booking engines that you can use, and I will put some of those at the end of this post.  You can just show up, and if they have space you will get in, but during peak seasons it would be best to make the reservations a few days in advance, at least.  You will probably need a credit card to hold the reservation, but bear in mind that some places won’t take plastic at the desk.

Clerks may ask for a key deposit; get it back when you return the key. You may also be asked to leave your passport at the desk as a deposit, or a bigger cash deposit if you won't. Front doors are often locked at night, and you need to check in by whatever hour required or chance being on the street despite your prepaid reservation. Get the full curfew scoop when you make the reservation.

A hostel in Bingen, WA
on the Columbia River

Hostels usually take security as seriously as do hotels; in fact, it can be harder to sneak into a  hostel than a five star hotel. Lock your backpack and lock it in a locker, but don't overly worry about your personal safety. Follow some basic travel safety tips and you'll be fine.

Here are some websites where you can book a Youth Hostel.  Also, everyone should know about TripAdvisor.  You can go to their website and look at reviews for almost any place in the world that you are thinking about staying, and you will see reviews from people who have actually stayed there.  A good thing to check before booking!

www.hihostels.com    http://www.tfthostels.com   www.hostelworld.com
www.hostels.com      www.hosteltraveler.com      www.tripadvisor.com