Hostels : FAQ

[Kim]

Q: Do I need to make reservations for hostels?

This all depends on when you are going. If you are going in the fall or winter or even early spring and are planning on staying in dorm beds, you should be fine.

If you are planning on travelling during high season (esp. July and August) reservations are always a good idea. The more time you can make the reservations ahead of time means the better chance you will get to stay in the hostel you want to stay in and the type of room you would prefer.

Definately make reservations if:

• You want a cheap private room, especially in a hostel. Private rooms are always booked way in advance. This goes for singles, doubles and triples as well as any sort of specialty room, like a family room.
  
  
• You only have a small amount of time in a certain city. Who wants to wander around looking for a place to stay?
  
  
• If there is an event or festival happening in the city. Everything will be booked solid in advance.
  

Reservations are pretty much required if you are heading to a hostel in Amsterdam or the hostel in Manarola (Cinque Terre), Italy as they are busy all year round.

[Kim]

Q: Where can I find out what people think of the hostels I'm planning to stay in?

Visit the hostel directory - it lists countless hostels with their contact information for each country, along with reviews submitted by other users of this site.

You will find the hostel directory here - navigate to different countries by using the drop down menu in the left hand corner:

www.guideforeurope.com/europe_hostel_reviews.html

[Kim]

Q: What is the difference between a hostel and a hotel?

Most hostels cater to all ages, so it's really not an age thing that separates hostels and hotels.

Hostels usually have dormitory (shared) rooms and sometimes private rooms, where as hotels usually have strictly private rooms.

Hostels offer a more social atmosphere-the chance of meeting people is far greater than in hotels.

Hostels also usually offer more facilities such as kitchens, common rooms and bars.

[Kim]

Q: Are sleeping bags allowed in hostels?

Most hostels will not allow you to use sleeping bags as they can transfer bedbugs, from one contaminated hostel to another.

They will, and often required you to use a sleep sheet, which can be made by folding a bed sheet and half and sewing it to resemble a sleeping bag.

Sleep sheets can be rented for a small fee at hostels if you do not bring one.

[Kim]

Q: Do hostels assign you a bed? How do you know which bed is yours

Some hostels assign specific beds, others don't. If they don't give you a bed number, you can assume that you can take any bed that is free.

Choose a bed that looks like it's not being use and throw your pack on it to claim it, if you are leaving to go out right away.

[Kim]

Q: Where can I book hostels online?

Help support guideforeurope.com by booking hostels through this site. You will find the hostel booking page here:

www.guideforeurope.com/bookeurohostels.html