Booking hostels last minute

[fergiecr]

Hello there fellow travelers

This summer, I shall be backpacking Europe for the first time (luckily it's not my first trip to Europe). My plan is to start in Barcelona (fly in July 7th), and depart from Dublin Ireland (fly out August 7th) and go wherever in-between. Is it possible to just roll into cities and just get a hostel at the last minute or will reservations be crucial? If my trip requires planning then I will plan, but if it doesn't then that's perfect because I don't want to get stuck in cities I end up not liking because of reservations.

[pointofnoreturn]

You're travelling during the high season. My advice for you is to book the hostels as soon as you know when you're going to be in those cities. If you don't book ahead, chances are you'll waste a lot of time wandering around trying to find a room (which may not be cheap, especially when it's last minute!).

[herrbert]

During highseason, it's better to book ahead. For some cities, you should always book ahead, because there is a shortage in bed all year round (Amsterdam, Rome, London). If you don't book ahead here, you can end up in an expensive place, or in a place were you really don't want to sleep.

Some hostels have a policy, that they keep a few beds free, for people who show up, without a reservation. (I am only sure about the Oasis Hostels in Granada and Sevilla, to have this policy) And even then you have to realize that if more people show up on the day, you could still end up looking for a room.

If you really want to book last minute, then find a computer, and book on the evening, before you leave a city, so you can make a reservation for the next day.