What are hostels like?
Youth hostels vary greatly. Some, common in the US, are merely private homes with extra rooms. Others, more common in Europe, are public buildings which the local Youth Hostel Association has turned into hostels capable of housing dozens or even hundreds of people. Some of the nicer ones are even renovated historical structures such as castles. Except for those designed primarily for hikers, hostels can easily be reached by public transportation and many are just a short walk from a nearby train station. Wandering a little further away may yield a cheaper rate. Don’t expect the Holiday Inn. The hostels’ main purpose is to serve as short-term lodging at rock-bottom cost. They are typically arranged in dormitory style. You are provided with a bed in a room which holds eight or more people with sleeping areas that are usually segregated for men and women (although a number of hostels have family rooms and some two- and four-person rooms). You are also provided with a place to shower (in a
Youth hostels vary greatly. Common in the US, some are private homes with extra rooms. Others, more common in Europe, are public buildings that the local Youth Hostel Association has turned into hostels capable of housing dozens or hundreds of people. The nicer ones are renovated historical structures such as castles. Except for those designed primarily for hikers, hostels can easily be reached by public transportation and many are a short walk from a nearby train station. Wandering a little further away may yield a cheaper rate. Don’t expect a hotel. The hostels’ main purpose is to serve as short-term lodging at rock-bottom cost. They are typically arranged in dormitory style. You are provided with a bed in a room that holds eight or more people. Sleeping areas are usually segregated for men and women (although a number of hostels have family rooms and some two- and four-person rooms). You are also provided with a place to shower. In a few countries the water may be cold, you might ha
Hostels are simple dorms with separate bunkrooms for males and females, a rec room, showers and toilets, and a kitchen where the group can cook or a dining room with served meals (in some European hostels). Each person has a bunk with a pillow and blankets provided by the hostel. You carry your own sheet sleeping sack – a sheet folded in half and sewn together like a sleeping bag, with an attached pillowcase. Both the sheet sleeping sack and a hostel membership card are included in the trip cost. Some hostels are very small and rustic, while others are huge and modern. Many, especially in Europe, are in buildings typical of houses in the area (Swiss chalets, etc.) or in unusual, neat or historic buildings (like castles or railway cars or real boats!). They add a dimension of local color and European flavor missing from hotels and campsites.
