|
A Pirate’s Guide to Hostels - Jon Crowl CEO
Wherever in the world you’re going, chances are there’s a hostel there
for you to stay at. Hostels are designed for budget travelers,
and especially for youth adventuring around the world. If you’re
planning a trip and trying to keep costs low, staying in hostels is one
of the best ways to cut costs. Plus, you get the opportunity to
meet travelers such as yourself!
The Deal
A hostel is a room with a set of single-person beds. There’s
nothing fancy about them – in fact, hostels provide only the basics,
but this is how they keep costs so low. The number of beds in a
room varies from hostel to hostel, and some hostels have multiple rooms
with varying numbers of beds per room. Some hostels have separate
rooms to accommodate families, but these are not a common find. A
typical night’s stay in a hostel in Europe will run anywhere from
$12-25 USD a night. In other countries, particularly those where
the economies are down, the costs can be even cheaper, sometimes
costing less than five dollars for a night’s stay. Bathrooms and
showers are communal—but bring your own soap and towels. Don’t be
mislead by the term “Youth Hostels,” as these hostels host all types of
customers, from the college-aged to senior citizens! The only
place age is an issue is in Bavaria, where some hostels require you be
no older than 26 years of age.
The Rules
The rules of hostels depends on the specific hostel you are staying
at. Some have curfews. All prohibit smoking, drugs, or
alcohol on the premises. Pets are also prohibited, and you must
show that you are of legal age to stay at the hostel (if you are over
18 years of age you will have no trouble in any country).
Meals are also
available at some hostels. Some offer two
meals, a morning an evening meal, but most will offer a breakfast
either for free or for a small charge. There are also kitchens
available in most hostels to cook food, but be wary that any food left
unattended is liable to be eaten by a fellow traveler.
Stealing of any nature, food or otherwise, is rare, but always a
concern. The chances are you could stay at a number of hostels
and not have anything stolen from you. However, since there is no
guarantee, most hostels offer to take your valuables (passports, visas,
travelers checks, etc.) and lock them in a safe or store them away
someplace until you are ready to leave.
In some cases, hostels will ask for you to help out with the
cleaning. This is usually minimal work and never anything gross,
often as simple as taking out the trash or sweeping the floor in a
room.
The Trick
An important thing to remember about hostels is that they fill
up—fast. It is wise to book your stay in advance. If you
arrive in the evening wanting a bed, you run the risk of being turned
away and having to seek out a place to stay at night.
Additionally, if you don’t book in advance, be sure to arrive at your
hostel early in the morning to guarantee a spot. Many hostels
close over the noon and afternoon hours, and by the time you are able
to find out if they have room for you or not, it may be quickly
approaching dark.
What to Bring With
As mentioned before, you will want to bring soap and towels along with
you, and any shower or hygienic essentials. You will also want to
bring a sleep sheet—you can try to bring a sleeping bag, but some
hostels will not allow you to use a sleeping bag on their cots because
of the risk of bugs living in the lining of your sleeping bag. A
sleep sheet—the equivalent of two sheets sewn together like a sleeping
bag—is much smaller and easy to carry with you. They are easy to
make, or can often be rented from the hostel front desk.
Things to Consider
Most hostels are relatively clean, healthy environments. But
there are bad eggs. Read customer reviews of the hostels you are
considering staying in to make the best choice, and if you get to a
hostel and feel it’s teeming with microbes that are waiting to infest
you, don’t be afraid to leave. In fact, don’t be afraid to leave
for any reason that makes you uncomfortable. There are more
places to stay at. Finally, when you stay at a hostel, consider
its location. Do you want to be right in the heart of downtown,
experiencing all the city has to offer, or do you want to be stuck in
the ‘burbs surrounded by low-income housing and nothing to do?
Remember, you’re there on vacation, there for adventure. Choose a
location that caters to your needs and wants.
Hostels are a
great way to stretch your buck. They are great for
travelers, and great for encouraging adventure. In fact, staying
in a hostel can be an adventure itself. For more on hostels,
their locations, and their rates, visit our home page and explore your
options. We make it easy to get yourself started on an
international adventure! - Jon
Crowl - CEO
More articles
|
|
