Hi Everyone--

I am travelling in Europe this summer with two of my friends, and we are looking to stay in cheap hotels or hostels. I have been reading a lot about HI (Hostelling International) and I was wondering if anyone could recommend the program or has any other suggestions. Thanks so much!

Just wondering, why the !!!!????

Why anyone would want to stay in a place with "hostel" people is beyond me. Try someplace where people are friendly! Just kidding..my neice stayed in some hostels while in London and there have also been posts from those that have had a very good experience staying in hostels. Some are for sure better than others so try to do as much homework as you can and check the places out before giving your money.

I may stay at some hostels when I go to see my daughter in the Netherlands. I have been checking out this site: http://www.hostelz.com/cities.php/We...Europe_Hostels

Many of the hostels are rated by people who have stayed.

If you haven't yet, I suggest you also read www.lonelyplanet.com on their BB called The Thorn Tree, Western Europe branch.

There are LOTS of experienced cheap & budget travelers on that website.

Also, the travel book LET'S GO EUROPE recommends/reviews two or three hostels in each popular backpacking destination. Very accurate and reliable.

I used this website for choosing hostels for my backpack european vacation.

http://www.famoushostels.com

I don't recommend the HI card - most of HI hostels are not centrally located.

I did the hostel bit while cycling thru Europe 35 yrs ago. (I even wrote an article on my experiences for a cycling magazine) I stayed mostly in hostels in smaller towns. In general I did not like them - inconvenient hours, poor shower facilities, not a whole lot cheaper than a B&B.

Even for other trips I took about that same time, I never considered staying in hostels again.