Hostels
 

I'm planning a trip to London, Amsterdam, and Berlin in mid March for 2 weeks. This will be my first time in Europe and I am very excited, but also very overwhelmed with all the details for my trip. I was wondering if anyone had an suggestions for hostels or other 'budget' accommodations for 2 travelers in these cities. I've never stayed in a hostel before so any advice would be greatly appreciated! :)

Dear v1base,

Don't worry! There's loads of information out there. But how to compact it into one post? Here are some basics:

1. Start at www.hihostels.com. This is as reputable as it gets in the hostel world and you can learn a lot about hostels and search for hostels in all 3 countries.
2. Pick a safe, clean hostel that accepts credit cards, has internet access, and supplies bedding. Keep looking until you find one that has all 3--they are out there! They make your life so much easier, usually have cheaper internet rates than cafes and require you to carry less cash, always good.
3. Pick a place that advertizes "good, hot showers" if you can get it. You will need (and probably want) to bring your own towel.
4A. Keep in mind that if you are not a big drinker, places that advertise "no curfew and close to nightlife" are magnets for other big drinkers who could RUIN a night of sleep before you have to catch a plane. If you're relying on buses, pick a place that's close to the airport bus stop and you won't regret it.
4B. If you are a big drinker, pick a place with lockers, so when you're wasted, you don't have to worry about other people stealing your stuff.
5. Bring a battery operated alarm clock; there likely won't be outlets in the room.
6. You said two people... keep in mind that at a lot of places girls and guys can't sleep in the same room at a hostel. And I wouldn't necessarily want to stay in the kind of place that does allow it.

Most of all, just remember: there are good hostels out there. And they are affordable ($25-30/night avg.). If you stay in a good hostel you will know it and you will love it!

Best wishes!
Kelsey

PS--Oh no! I gave you the wrong website. The best place to start is actually www.hostelworld.com, particularly their article "What is a hostel?" at this link: http://www.hostelworld.com/infozone/whatisahostel.php

nellynanny:
Appreciate Rexs_Daughter input – which implies her sincere support for others to go out to the world and develop an understanding and acceptance of other persons and cultures. She doesn’t have to do this, but she is willing to help a fellow Fodorite.

V1base:
The stereotype of hostels can be unimpressive. That’s why a number of web forums and travelers are here to express their candid evaluation. See hostel reviews at
- www.bugeurope.com
- www.hostelz.com
- www.tripadvisor.com
- Type ‘hostel’ and ‘…city…’ in the search box above

I too think comments such as those from NN are pointlessly negative. Get a voodoo doll if you need some release.

Rexs Daughter has provided some excellent tips. I have hosteled for decades and usually enjoy the atmosphere and the savings. But I will say that London and Amsterdam, like many big citis, have their fair share of real dives and just so-so places that the average non-coke-head would not find appealing. Make sure that you get a lot of feedback on any particular hostels you have on your list before choosing. Berlin tends to be a little better in terms of quality. HI hostels tend to be better kept than private hostels. MANY hostels offer private rooms for 2-4 people; ask about such rooms if that's what you want.

In London, I'd suggest looking into the Rotherhithe HI hostel. It's a bit far out but connected by Tube and I've heard good reports. You might also look into the Ibis hotel options there.

Do NOT pay any attention to Nellynanny the resident troll...it's back again. My neice stayed in hostels in London while looking for a flat and roommates. There are some good ones. Ask to get a look-see before paying..she did have one unfortunate experience..didn't check the place out, paid for the week, and upon a closer look at the place and the people decided that was not where she was staying. She and her friend had a really hard time getting their money back..the fact that her friend's mother was married to a UK citizen and lived in Essex, helped them get most of their money back. Her friends step-father interceded for them. Do as much research as you can, there are good places out there but do NOT let your valuables out of your site at any of them. The plus side is inexpensive and you get to meet all kinds of people from all over the world. My neice actually ended up in a good place in London and was there about a month before being able to get settled in a flat. It all in the end worked out very well.

Also look at www.eurotrip.com for hostel reviews and discussion boards. As others have said, hostels really run the gamut from party-party-party to quiet, clean, and freindly.

Make that "friendly." I can spell, but can't type.

Thanks so much for all of your help! I really appreciate it!

Let's Go Europe is an invaluable book for people hosteling - it lists not only the official HI (Hostelling International) hostels but many many more private and non_HI hostels, which are often better bets as they are more centrally located, don't have curfews, have pubs on the premises, and smaller private rooms - often euphemistically called youth hotels. But Let's Go lists hundreds and hundreds of hostels with critiques - written by American college students. HI hostels require membership cards others do not. If not sure you'll be staying in HI hostels don't buy a hostel card before you go as you can buy an international guest card at any hostel and with this though you pay a few bucks extra each night over the usual fee (about $15-25 in major cities) this card turns into a hostel membership after you pay for five days. Thus you won't have wasted money like many do on an HI hostel card and then never use it, finding the many non-HI hostels more convenient and enjoyable - though HI hostels are now becoming more client oriented rather than the rule-infested places they once were, ruled by martinet dictator types. Get Let's Go Europe - a wealth of info on lots of things for young folk.