The In's and Out's of Hostels
Okay now for the need-to-know on hostels. Here you will learn all about hostels, what to expect and how to book a bed.
Hostels provide a sociable accommodation where traveller's and backpackers can rent a bed. Most hostels are a larger dormitory style room with bunk beds and a shared washroom. Some hostels have private rooms at a higher price. Most of them also have communal rooms with pool tables, lounge, kitchen, bars, and TV rooms.
Hostels have single sex rooms (just male or just female) or co-ed rooms (both genders). Some hostels have both. Hostel rooms usually consist of dorm rooms of 2,3,4,6,8 beds or larger rooms of 10+ beds (smaller rooms are generally more expensive). Dorm rooms usually are bunk-bed style. Private rooms are also available at an additional cost.
Hostels are generally cheaper and more sociable. Costing around $10 to $35 per person/ per night for a dorm style room or $40 to $75 for a single or double private room. Some have long term residents whom they employ as house-keeping and desk clerks in exchange for free accommodation or a stipend.
Hostels provide a sociable accommodation where traveller's and backpackers can rent a bed. Most hostels are a larger dormitory style room with bunk beds and a shared washroom. Some hostels have private rooms at a higher price. Most of them also have communal rooms with pool tables, lounge, kitchen, bars, and TV rooms.
Hostels have single sex rooms (just male or just female) or co-ed rooms (both genders). Some hostels have both. Hostel rooms usually consist of dorm rooms of 2,3,4,6,8 beds or larger rooms of 10+ beds (smaller rooms are generally more expensive). Dorm rooms usually are bunk-bed style. Private rooms are also available at an additional cost.
Hostels are generally cheaper and more sociable. Costing around $10 to $35 per person/ per night for a dorm style room or $40 to $75 for a single or double private room. Some have long term residents whom they employ as house-keeping and desk clerks in exchange for free accommodation or a stipend.
However, there are a few con's associated with hostels. There tend to be a lot of people which means a lot of noise and not a lot of privacy (unless you have your own private room). Also they may not all be very clean - they try their best. From our experience, they are clean enough. Most hostels you have to provide your sheets or they have sleeping sheet rentals. I suggest you bring your own silk sleeping bag liner.
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Reservations
Reservations can be made by phone or on-line - although most are done by online booking. To make online reservations or to check out prices for beds and rooms please scroll to the bottom of page or under LINKS page to our Hostel Search engines. There are numerous amount of sites to make online booking such as HostelBookers. They offer prices in most currencies and information on the hostels such as curfews. There can also be discounts found on reserving hostels rooms. Information on this can be found under our Traveling on a Budget page at the very bottom.
Where to leave my Luggage
Most hostels have lockers in your room, through the front desk or for an additional fee. This allows only you to have access to your luggage or you can ask the desk clerks if they will store it for you. Additionally, if you arrive early to your hostels some hostels will hold your bag and give you a luggage tag so that you you can explore and not have to lug around your heavy bag.
Most people leave there backpack either on on under their bed while they are out and about if there are no lockers or storage available. However there are very few occasions of theft in hostels, so for that reason we suggest that all valuables (such as credit cards, money, ID (passports), cameras, etc.) be kept in your money belt or in your day pack.
Most people leave there backpack either on on under their bed while they are out and about if there are no lockers or storage available. However there are very few occasions of theft in hostels, so for that reason we suggest that all valuables (such as credit cards, money, ID (passports), cameras, etc.) be kept in your money belt or in your day pack.
Services and Amenities
Here are examples of what some, but not all, hostels may offer:
-Discounted meals
-In-house Bar/ or restaurant
-TV and DVD players
-Travel reading libraries and free book exchanges
-Key or key card for your rooms (Usually deposit required)
-Sheet, Blanket and Towel rentals (or deposit)
-Shuttle buses
-Continental breakfast
-Coin laundry facility
-Internet room or wireless internet (Some time free or for a fee)
-Pay phone access
-Arcade room (Pool or Foosball tables)
-Booking of tours, day trips and etc. (Some offer free walking tours)
-Many have a coupon board for food, tours and rental coupons
-Hot showers (Some times for a small fee or token system
-Discounted meals
-In-house Bar/ or restaurant
-TV and DVD players
-Travel reading libraries and free book exchanges
-Key or key card for your rooms (Usually deposit required)
-Sheet, Blanket and Towel rentals (or deposit)
-Shuttle buses
-Continental breakfast
-Coin laundry facility
-Internet room or wireless internet (Some time free or for a fee)
-Pay phone access
-Arcade room (Pool or Foosball tables)
-Booking of tours, day trips and etc. (Some offer free walking tours)
-Many have a coupon board for food, tours and rental coupons
-Hot showers (Some times for a small fee or token system
Types Of Hostels
There are generally two types of hostels, one is geared more towards students or parents with children (Hosteling International HI/IYHF) and independent hostels.
Hosteling International (HI/IYHF)
HI Youth Hostels cater more towards school-aged children and parents with thier children. This does not mean its is strictly for youth. HI is a membership association. How ever you do not need a membership to stay at there hostels. However if you will be staying at them for more then 6 day i suggest you get a member ship to save on paying a supplement. HI hoestels generaly very clean, safe, quite, well run and great for families. However They have very strict curfews and often with "Lock Out" period. Meaning that guest are required to be out of the hostel at that time.
Camping Hostels
Camping hostels are generally a lot cheaper. Some have just as many services and amenities as regular hostels. This is for the more wild and adventurist backpackers. They are very fun and some times have bomb fires and singalongs. Camping hostels are usually more on the outskirts of larger cities or in the country side. Most camp sites closer to the cities or on the outskirts provide transportation such as shuttle bus (Free or at a fee) or flat rate taxis.
Independent Hostels
Independent hostels are owned and operated by individuals or small groups (Unlike HI). Generally independent hostels are less restrictive as later or no curfews. However there are pro's and con's associated with them.
Pro's:
-Later or no curfews
-No or shorter "Lock out" periods
-Usually where you want them (In city/close to the action)
-Usually cheaper
-Most have room keys
-Great place to meet people
Con's:
-Not always the cleanest
-Some times loud and very busy (Not great for families)
-No curfews meanw you could get get woken up by a loud traveler arriving late at night
Hosteling International (HI/IYHF)
HI Youth Hostels cater more towards school-aged children and parents with thier children. This does not mean its is strictly for youth. HI is a membership association. How ever you do not need a membership to stay at there hostels. However if you will be staying at them for more then 6 day i suggest you get a member ship to save on paying a supplement. HI hoestels generaly very clean, safe, quite, well run and great for families. However They have very strict curfews and often with "Lock Out" period. Meaning that guest are required to be out of the hostel at that time.
Camping Hostels
Camping hostels are generally a lot cheaper. Some have just as many services and amenities as regular hostels. This is for the more wild and adventurist backpackers. They are very fun and some times have bomb fires and singalongs. Camping hostels are usually more on the outskirts of larger cities or in the country side. Most camp sites closer to the cities or on the outskirts provide transportation such as shuttle bus (Free or at a fee) or flat rate taxis.
Independent Hostels
Independent hostels are owned and operated by individuals or small groups (Unlike HI). Generally independent hostels are less restrictive as later or no curfews. However there are pro's and con's associated with them.
Pro's:
-Later or no curfews
-No or shorter "Lock out" periods
-Usually where you want them (In city/close to the action)
-Usually cheaper
-Most have room keys
-Great place to meet people
Con's:
-Not always the cleanest
-Some times loud and very busy (Not great for families)
-No curfews meanw you could get get woken up by a loud traveler arriving late at night