help me understand a "hostel"
 

is it only for students or people under 25?
do i really need to carry sheets and comfortors with me?
where do you keep your valuables when you sleep?
thanks

No, it's for people of all ages, except for a few limited exceptions.
No, you don't need to carry sheets or comforters, except for a very few limited exceptions.
You keep your valuables on your body, or at least that's the smart thing to do (like sleep with a moneybelt on). You lock up your clothes and toiletries if a locker is available, otherwise you keep them by your bed.

In fact - most good hostels won't let you bring your own bed linens. They want to control the cleanliness and especially to prevent bedbugs or other infestations

And - hostels are not always the cheapest option. B&Bs/pensions are sometimes as inexpensive and include breakfast.

Some hostels have age limits, some do not.

Most hostels provide the sheets and bedding (some people carry a silk sleep sack). No you do not need to travel with a comforter!

Some hostels have lockers, some people wear a money belt at all times, or put valuables under their pillow or in their bed.

Some hostels have a day-time lock-out, so that's another thing to be aware of.

there is not one meaning of 'hostel'. in fact, it is also used to mean 'halfway house'.

WHATEVER you do, DO NOT go see/rent the movies "Hostel" and "Hostel-2" unless you plan to stop traveling to strange and exotic locations...FOREVER!!!!

I have been looking into them for dd and my trip next spring and frankly I agree with Janisj - I think for a slightly more amount of money - I can get a double at a one/two star place.

For basic info on hostels, check out hostels.com and click on "New to Hostelling."

JanisJ and MomDDTravel are correct in that you sometimes can get non-hostel, budget accommodation at similar prices, however it should be said that plenty of hostels will have private double rooms and that not all hostel accommodations are dormitory style rooms.
Also you might be surprised to learn that some hostels will include a breakfast as well.
Another advantage that hostels offer is that they typical include a shared kitchen, so if you want to cut on some costs, you can shop and cook for yourself.
Hostels often have a wealth of local info geared towards backpackers and other budget travelers, and you'll typically meet more people staying in a hostel than you would if you stayed in a hotel as most hostels have common areas where the guests mingle more than occurs in hotels.
You can browse the HI website www.hihostels.com to get an idea of what sorts or amenities and services exist at Hostelling International properties. It's one of the larger chains and they tend to have decent standards.

if you dont like sharing bathrooms then hostels arent for you
otherwise its fine- the standards really vary so do lots of research on different sites

Some hostels, such as the Edinburgh Central YHA hostel, have rooms from singles to 8-bedders and they are all en suite. So I agree with the poster who said there is no one definition.

what the hell is a "comfortor".

Love to know.

OP - there are many sorts of hostels. Party places that I personally would not choose. Places a bit cheaper than the rest that could be fine, but maybe location not so good.

You usually can't go wrong with a YHA hostel.

Valuables? I keep my passport on me at all times. Don't travel with anything else "valuable". If you do - then lodge it in the hostel esa
























tr is a cmfortrro,mge

what the hell is a "comfortor".

Love to know.

OP - there are many sorts of hostels. Party places that I personally would not choose. Places a bit cheaper than the rest that could be fine, but maybe location not so good.

You usually can't go wrong with a YHA hostel.

Valuables? I keep my passport on me at all times. Don't travel with anything else "valuable". If you do - then lodge it in the hostel safe.

Most hostels have personal lockers. You provide your own padlock - so that should be safe enough.

Of course, if you are travelling with a gold bracelet worth thousands, you wouldn't be staying in a hostel. The Ritz for you.

Look thousands and thousands of Europeans take off every year without even thinking ahout it.

Said enough. Better stop,

afterall: Having a bit of a problem posting are we :)

Anyway - were you serious in asking about a "comforter"? If so, it is a bed cover - sort of like a duvet.

The British - American dictionary says comforter should be translated as eiderdown.

In Australia, it's a Doona.

I haven't hosteled since the mid 90s, so some of my impressions may be outdated. Be aware: theft can be a problem at some hostels. Some have lockers or a system to check your valuables. Always pick a hostel that comes with a high recommendation in a hostel-oriented guidebook.

Back then, hosteling seemed to make more financial sense in northern Europe because the cost difference between a B&B and hostel was larger than in southern Europe. I do not know if that is true today.

But all that aside, I kinda miss my hosteling days. It's a great way to travel because it's so easy to meet lots of new friends, to pick up instant traveling partners, to swap travel tales, to take advantage of their local contacts, etc. It's an angle on Europe you just can't get any other way.