Is it possible to not make hostel reservations?
Jan 2nd, 2007, 04:38 PM
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Is it possible to not make hostel reservations?
Hey all.
I'm a high school senior planning my first trip to europe (with a friend) this summer before I head off to college.
And I have a question about hostels.
But first, where we're going:
London, Brussels, Paris, Amsterdam (also geneva, but we're camping).
We want to fly by the seat of our pants as much as humanly possible for this trip, meaning NO RESERVATIONS!
With hostels, is it possible to walk up the DAY OF and expect to get a place to sleep for 2 or 3 days?
please dont laugh hahaha.
Thanks in advance!
I'm a high school senior planning my first trip to europe (with a friend) this summer before I head off to college.
And I have a question about hostels.
But first, where we're going:
London, Brussels, Paris, Amsterdam (also geneva, but we're camping).
We want to fly by the seat of our pants as much as humanly possible for this trip, meaning NO RESERVATIONS!
With hostels, is it possible to walk up the DAY OF and expect to get a place to sleep for 2 or 3 days?
please dont laugh hahaha.
Thanks in advance!
Jan 2nd, 2007, 04:58 PM
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Sure it is. What's the worst thing that can happen? You have to sleep in a park? You're young, tough, strong and you can do most anything. Most hostels have at least some bunkroom type facilities and there's always room for one more. Go for it.
Have fun.
Larry J
Have fun.
Larry J
Jan 2nd, 2007, 05:10 PM
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Yes, hostels are plentiful in most big cities. You can find ads for them in papers & at rail stations, etc. Summer is obviously crunch time, but you will always be able to find something. Sometimes it will mean staying in an area that is not downtown, though. The bunk rooms that Larry talked about are rooms that might sleep 12 people at once! They are usually safe, but you should watch your $$ & documents (sleep on them, or put them in the hostel safe) if you go for that arrangement. Also, watch the showers. Take valuables with you to the shower,or have your friend watch them while you are out of the room.
Look on some travel sites before you go, to get a list of places that look possible, and then you will at least have a lead when you get to each place. Also, ask other young travelers, as you go along, for recommendations. Have fun!
Look on some travel sites before you go, to get a list of places that look possible, and then you will at least have a lead when you get to each place. Also, ask other young travelers, as you go along, for recommendations. Have fun!
Jan 2nd, 2007, 05:10 PM
#5
Before you get too awfully excited by Larry's info -- you are going to some VERY popular destinations. Just walking into a hostel in London for instance - you <i>might</i> luck out. But most likely it will be full - and then you'll spend the whole rest of the day scrounging for a place to sleep. You won't want to sleep rough - especially in the rain.
So I would 100% pre-book at least the first city you are going to hit (presumably London) - or a very minimum pre-book the first night there.
So I would 100% pre-book at least the first city you are going to hit (presumably London) - or a very minimum pre-book the first night there.
Jan 2nd, 2007, 05:21 PM
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When I was your age (and a bit older) I travelled "by the seat of my pants" and enjoyed doing it. Yes, it can be done. You probably would get more relevant info on slowtravel.com or (sorry, forgot the other "youth travel" website, but someone else here will know).
Jan 2nd, 2007, 05:42 PM
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Not on SlowTravel.com so much, but on these sites:
http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com
http://eurotrek.net
http://www.eurotrip.com/forum
http://www.guideforeurope.com
For Amsterdam, it's not uncommon for it to be extremely difficult to find a last-minute hostel bed, or you might have to go out a considerable distance beyond the city. There are also no shortage of really poor-quality hostels. I'd say you have a good chance of good places most of the time. The other issue is that your itinerary could likely be done more cheaply in terms of transport if preplanned. But you have to sacrifice cost for flexibility in that case.
http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com
http://eurotrek.net
http://www.eurotrip.com/forum
http://www.guideforeurope.com
For Amsterdam, it's not uncommon for it to be extremely difficult to find a last-minute hostel bed, or you might have to go out a considerable distance beyond the city. There are also no shortage of really poor-quality hostels. I'd say you have a good chance of good places most of the time. The other issue is that your itinerary could likely be done more cheaply in terms of transport if preplanned. But you have to sacrifice cost for flexibility in that case.
Jan 2nd, 2007, 06:04 PM
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Hi fin. As others have said, yes, it is possible. I do think the suggestion to reserve your first night (or 2) is a good idea.
My husband and I did this on our first trip a few years back. We reserved in Paris for the first 3 nights then we traveled as we wanted with our rail pass for the next 2 weeks towards Germany, into Switzerland and back to Paris via the Loire Valley. It was the best trip yet!! (These days with kids in tow we plan just about everything)
Just to be a little prepared I had a list of 5 or so hostels or B&B's for each town we wanted to go to so I knew where to start once we got there. After arriving we would call for availability, a few times they were full but gave us another one to call. We always found a place without much effort by going this way.
It is nice this way incase something interested us like the German festival in Switzerland or the great town we found in the Alsace region, we were able to stay longer or change direction as we wanted.
Get some idea of your route and check out the cities before you go. Have a good list of reviewed hostels and go as you would like. HAVE FUN!!
My husband and I did this on our first trip a few years back. We reserved in Paris for the first 3 nights then we traveled as we wanted with our rail pass for the next 2 weeks towards Germany, into Switzerland and back to Paris via the Loire Valley. It was the best trip yet!! (These days with kids in tow we plan just about everything)
Just to be a little prepared I had a list of 5 or so hostels or B&B's for each town we wanted to go to so I knew where to start once we got there. After arriving we would call for availability, a few times they were full but gave us another one to call. We always found a place without much effort by going this way.
It is nice this way incase something interested us like the German festival in Switzerland or the great town we found in the Alsace region, we were able to stay longer or change direction as we wanted.
Get some idea of your route and check out the cities before you go. Have a good list of reviewed hostels and go as you would like. HAVE FUN!!
Jan 2nd, 2007, 09:15 PM
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thank you everyone!
i have done research and found 2-5 hostels or so in each city and compared prices.
so i definitely know my options, and i like the idea of booking london, and i think we're definitely we're booking early for amsterdam.
here's the order: (fly into lonon - but london's last)
1. Brussels - my best friend used to live just outside of Brussels, so we have 3 houses to choose from for free rooms and meals. whoop!
2. Paris - we're thinking while we're in brussels we'll get online and book paris.
3. Switzerland - we're going to book 2 nights about 2 1/2 hours outside of geneva at what's supposed to be a VERY nice hostel but i dont recall it's name off the top of my head.
4. Munich - just a day trip, so we'll sleep on the train on the way to Amsterdam.
5. Amsterdam - We'll do our best to make reservations before leaving the states.
6. London - i kind of wanted to end the trip with an English speaking country - hence london. and since it's the last stop, we'll pre-book before leave the states.
thanks again to all who helped!
i have done research and found 2-5 hostels or so in each city and compared prices.
so i definitely know my options, and i like the idea of booking london, and i think we're definitely we're booking early for amsterdam.
here's the order: (fly into lonon - but london's last)
1. Brussels - my best friend used to live just outside of Brussels, so we have 3 houses to choose from for free rooms and meals. whoop!
2. Paris - we're thinking while we're in brussels we'll get online and book paris.
3. Switzerland - we're going to book 2 nights about 2 1/2 hours outside of geneva at what's supposed to be a VERY nice hostel but i dont recall it's name off the top of my head.
4. Munich - just a day trip, so we'll sleep on the train on the way to Amsterdam.
5. Amsterdam - We'll do our best to make reservations before leaving the states.
6. London - i kind of wanted to end the trip with an English speaking country - hence london. and since it's the last stop, we'll pre-book before leave the states.
thanks again to all who helped!
Jan 3rd, 2007, 08:45 AM
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Yeah, my friend and I wanted to see atleast one city in Germany, but Berlin was kind of out of the way. Munich was the best option, as it was kind of on the way. So we figured we'd spend 4 or 5 hours there and head to Amsterdam.
Do you think this is a good or bad idea? Why or why not?
Do you think this is a good or bad idea? Why or why not?
Jan 3rd, 2007, 09:06 AM
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That seems like an okay idea to me, as Munich is fairly on the way and should be more interesting than some other German cities that might be on that route (ie, Frankfurt). Although I'm not clear where you are in Switzerland as 2.5 hrs from Geneva can put you in Zurich or other countries, like France. You could probably also stop in Nurnberg instead.
Jan 3rd, 2007, 06:07 PM
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I did the youth hostel route 35 years ago (even had an article published about them in a bike magazine!) You can just go up to the hostel and see if you can get a bed. We were unable to do that in two places we tried. One problem is that the hostels are closed during the day and so you might end up waiting until the hostel opens at 5 or 6 pm and then find out there is no space available.
I was cyclling and so was out in the coutryside where we sometimes stayed in B&B/zimmer frei places that were almost as cheap as hostels, but in the bigger cities your low cost accomodations are not as plentiful. I would make reservations
I was cyclling and so was out in the coutryside where we sometimes stayed in B&B/zimmer frei places that were almost as cheap as hostels, but in the bigger cities your low cost accomodations are not as plentiful. I would make reservations
Jan 4th, 2007, 09:14 AM
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sorry, i didnt know the place in Switzerland off the top of my head - but it's Gryon.
Also, as far as booking hostels upon arrival to the city, what time then would you say is the best to get there before they close for the day? Are they open early in the morning while most people are checking out?
Also, as far as booking hostels upon arrival to the city, what time then would you say is the best to get there before they close for the day? Are they open early in the morning while most people are checking out?
Jan 4th, 2007, 09:33 AM
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Sounds like a good time.
This repeats a little but I'll say it anyway. When I did the hosteling thing about 2 years ago I visited London and Amsterdam and did have trouble finding a place to stay. I had several numbers for both cities; I finally did find a place in London but it involved losing almost a whole day to schleping around a heavy bag. It was a drag. As you go, consider reserving rooms on hostelworld.com or hostels.com.
Amsterdam was a nightmare (not the city, just my hostelling options.). I planned on staying at the Flying Pig and it was full. It seems that it sells out many nights in the summer--it's by far the most popular hostel.
We ended up at a "hostel" above a bar that consisted of several really old bunkbeds and a wide open broken door (no railing or anything) facing into the street above a giant trash heap. It was not a pleasant night.
I woke up at 7 am the next day to wait in a line with others outside of the flying pig. I did get in but only just barely---my friend and I were stuck sharing a bed in a room with 6 bunkbeds that were all full size. There were two girls in each bed, so four in a bunk. It was absolutely crazy.
Anyway, moral of the story...do a lot of research.
The only city I went to that I really couldn't find a place to stay was Budapest over Easter Weekend. I really couldn't find a hostel. I went to a hotel service and almost started to cry because I was running out of money. A kind soul there felt bad for me a called an elderly woman living in the burbs who would take me in. I have to say it turned out to be the coolest experience of my trip, but it was a little unnerving.
Be ready to improvise. With a friend, you're sure to land on your feet if you keep your wits about you. Roll with the punches, etc.
This repeats a little but I'll say it anyway. When I did the hosteling thing about 2 years ago I visited London and Amsterdam and did have trouble finding a place to stay. I had several numbers for both cities; I finally did find a place in London but it involved losing almost a whole day to schleping around a heavy bag. It was a drag. As you go, consider reserving rooms on hostelworld.com or hostels.com.
Amsterdam was a nightmare (not the city, just my hostelling options.). I planned on staying at the Flying Pig and it was full. It seems that it sells out many nights in the summer--it's by far the most popular hostel.
We ended up at a "hostel" above a bar that consisted of several really old bunkbeds and a wide open broken door (no railing or anything) facing into the street above a giant trash heap. It was not a pleasant night.
I woke up at 7 am the next day to wait in a line with others outside of the flying pig. I did get in but only just barely---my friend and I were stuck sharing a bed in a room with 6 bunkbeds that were all full size. There were two girls in each bed, so four in a bunk. It was absolutely crazy.
Anyway, moral of the story...do a lot of research.
The only city I went to that I really couldn't find a place to stay was Budapest over Easter Weekend. I really couldn't find a hostel. I went to a hotel service and almost started to cry because I was running out of money. A kind soul there felt bad for me a called an elderly woman living in the burbs who would take me in. I have to say it turned out to be the coolest experience of my trip, but it was a little unnerving.
Be ready to improvise. With a friend, you're sure to land on your feet if you keep your wits about you. Roll with the punches, etc.
Jan 4th, 2007, 09:51 AM
#18
Janis beat me to it! Many people make their reservation just one city ahead. Email from the hostel you are staying at to arrange the next one.
This way you can keep your schedule open, but not have to hike all over a huge new city looking for a place to stay.
This way you can keep your schedule open, but not have to hike all over a huge new city looking for a place to stay.
Jan 4th, 2007, 11:34 AM
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Hi Finan,
I did the interrailing thing a few years ago. (In case this doesn't translate to US, interrailing is the UK term for buying a cheap youth rail pass and backpacking around europe).
We sometimes had bookings in advance, sometimes didn't. We never ended up without a place to stay. When we didn't have reservations, the accommodation offices at major railway stations were really helpful.
BUT...when we hadn't reserved in advance, finding somewhere to sleep took a lot of time out of the day. On arriving in a new city it was SO much less hassle to go straight to the hostel we'd booked, dump our backpacks and get on with sightseeing. Although we always ended up with somewhere to stay, the ones we hadn't booked in advance weren't as good in location and value - because the best deals has been booked in advance and were full.
So overall - if you want to be really flexible in how long you stay in each place not booking in advance might be worth it. If you have a pretty clear idea how long you're going to spend in each place it's better to book in advance, otherwise you'll waste time finding hostels and often end up in less good locations.
I did the interrailing thing a few years ago. (In case this doesn't translate to US, interrailing is the UK term for buying a cheap youth rail pass and backpacking around europe).
We sometimes had bookings in advance, sometimes didn't. We never ended up without a place to stay. When we didn't have reservations, the accommodation offices at major railway stations were really helpful.
BUT...when we hadn't reserved in advance, finding somewhere to sleep took a lot of time out of the day. On arriving in a new city it was SO much less hassle to go straight to the hostel we'd booked, dump our backpacks and get on with sightseeing. Although we always ended up with somewhere to stay, the ones we hadn't booked in advance weren't as good in location and value - because the best deals has been booked in advance and were full.
So overall - if you want to be really flexible in how long you stay in each place not booking in advance might be worth it. If you have a pretty clear idea how long you're going to spend in each place it's better to book in advance, otherwise you'll waste time finding hostels and often end up in less good locations.
