There is such a large learning curve when it comes to traveling throughout Europe. I was told that hostels were a great way to travel though Europe and I must agree they are an awesome for a student budget! Throughout my time abroad I stayed at both Airbnb apartments, hostels, and bed and breakfast.
Hostels-
I never had a bad experience and this is a great way to meet other travelers. I even meet some people that I added on Facebook and chat with from time to time. The website I used is simply Hostelworld.com. Make sure you read the reviews for the location, amenities, cleanliness, and safety. You can expect to pay anywhere from 8-33 Euros depending on if you are in Budapest or Amsterdam. Hostels vary and you can book rooms that are a double bed to yourself or a large room with many bunk beds holding up to 16 people, in my experience. Things to consider when traveling with hostels is to bring your own towel since sometimes they make you pay for one, shower shoes, and a lock to keep your stuff safe.
Airbnb-
Unique concept with people renting out their apartment for strangers. There is simply a mutual understanding to be respectful to the other person and it worked out for me! I did this with 6 friends in Prague and with 1 other friend in Paris. We got an entire apartment to ourselves in both cases for cheaper than a hostel! The place in Paris also came with a fridge full of food for us to eat for breakfast (I call that service!) The pictures show how nice of a place you can get for cheap. Again, make sure there are numerous positive reviews before booking anything. The pros of this is that you get your own space, but you don’t have the atmosphere of meeting people like you do in hostels.
In large cities such as Paris, Rome, and London there are so many hostels to choose from. I found it difficult to just pick one since online several seemed familiar. Hope this list gives you a general idea of where I stayed and what I thought
Milan– Ostello Burigozzo- the first of my hostel experience, it just lacked atmosphere, although it had a nice location I wouldn’t necessarily recommend.
Cinque Terre– Ostello Tramonti- AMAZING and my favorite hostel while in Europe. It had a great atmosphere and the best food from Nico the chef there. All the food below I had for dinner of 7.50 Euros. Breakfast was 2.50 euros
Salzburg– Yoho International- Sound of Music played every night haha
Innsbruck– Hostel Marmota- little out of town but nice
Munich– The 4You Hostel Munich- Quite large, but nice breakfast
Budapest- Unity Traveller Hostel- zero complaints at 8 euro a night and a free breakfast
Brussels- Brussels Hostel Grand Place- Killer location and fancy inside and I met cool people
Amsterdam– Shelter Jordan- a Christen hostel that had cool events such as a Dutch food tasting, but was rather expensive with it being 4 blocks from the Anne Frank House
Amsterdam– Hostel Slotania- out of town, but more reasonable priced
London– Astor Museum Inn- nice location by the British Museum and a breakfast
Rome– Hostel Lodi- Super nice staff but otherwise nothing special
Plitvice Lakes– Plitvice Backpackers- so homie and not all bunk beds which was nice. Make sure you get a ride to and from Plitvice Lakes since the road to the park is scary. Beautiful view outside my window
Zagreb– Chillout Hostel- spent minimal time here but staff seemed nice enough
Well there is my list to help out anyone traveling through Europe on what to expect from Hostels. J
❤ Melanie
Smiles from Miles Away 