Booking hostels for a "Backpack through Europe" stint?

Question

Hi. I plan to backpack through Europe, and I am always inspired by those who had successfully gone on those trips and returned home safely.

I would like to understand, do I personally book hostels in the individual cities/countries that I wish to explore, via websites?

Answer 1

You can book them through the major websites like HostelInternational, but try this:

if you find a hostel you like the look of, go to their website (will be listed on the major site) find their contact information and email them about dates, etc. That way, if you do make a reservation with them and something should happen like it gets lost or whatever, you have a copy of your email and their reply on the matter! Plus, you'll have a personal connection with the people running the establishment. It's *possible* that you may get a better rate than booking through a larger site.

Like the last poster said, you can always wait until you get there. I'm going over in November and I will make a reservation for certain nights - the night I get in and the night I leave, possibly a few of my excursions - I want to make sure I have a room in Alta before I get all the way up there!

It won't hurt to email your selected hostels and see what their current availability is for your travel dates - ask them if they expect to fill up more, etc. You don't have to reserve a date, but you'll have an idea of what kind of availability there is. Additionally, doesn't hurt to make sure they'll be running during the off season!

If you don't make your reservations ahead of time, make sure to carry a list of 2 or 3 places you have looked into in each city. That way, you'll have a backup plan.

I hope you have a wonderful trip! When are you going? Maybe I'll see you there! :)

Answer 2

Unless you go in July or August you do not need to book before going.
Take a good guide book, I think the Lonely Planet series are the best, they give you the names of the hostels, hotels and even campsites, what they cost and how good they are, and sights and museums with opening times and costs, places to eat, go out, shop and how to get to places and so on.

When you are traveling, talk with people who come from where you are going.
You can either phone the day before arriving in town or in the morning, or just show up and hope there is place. (Some people walk into hostels at 10 at night without bookings, that is leaving it late!)

You can use the sites of Hosteling International, to see where their hostels are and read up on them, but there are also independent hostels, some of them are better and cheaper.

You can also enter the name of the town in Google and add hostels.
Or go to the tourist office site for the town and see what is there.

If you do plan to travel in July and August it is wise to book early, but even then a lot of people just phone the day before, and change their plans if the hostels they want are fully booked.
In a town like Paris or London there are at least 10 hostels, half of them independent ones.

Word of mouth is still the best when traveling, I have seen the nicest towns, stayed in the best hostels and met the best people by just listening to other people who traveled the other way round.

Answer 3

I did it for five weeks on the book "Let's Go Europe". It lists hostels and everything else. Just deal with getting a room when you get off the train (get a eurorail pass). When you get off the train in each city, that way you'll be able to wing it and not be tied to a schedule.

Answer 4

You can book hostels online from different websites... the one I look hostels up on is http://www.hihostels.com/ Prices are in local currencies.. Good Luck and have fun!!

Answer 5

NO!! I went to Europe for a month and took $2000. and that i ran out of money. in case you do no longer choose to hold a brilliant form of money on you, make certain you have a debit or mastercard which will paintings out of the country. additionally, even nonetheless you think of you would be eating value effectively, in some international places ie: England, France, food is rather costly. i could deliver extra desirable than $2000.00, extra desirable to have extra desirable than much less! have a sturdy holiday