 |
|||||||||||||
|
home | study, work, & travel | travel abroad | general travel information | accommodations Accommodations (Youth Hostels)About Youth HostelsYouth hostels are low-cost, short-term accommodations for travelers of all ages. Nearly all facilities are shared with other guests. They range in price and you can usually stay from 3 to 5 days at the most. Hostels vary tremendously in style, and rules and regulations. If you have a guidebook such as The Lonely Planet or The Rough Guide, be sure to check the budget accommodation section for a recommended list of local accommodations. Online ResourcesThe following list contains some of the many excellent online resources concerning hostelling:
For more online accommodation resources, refer to the International Center's Travel Abroad Web Sites, Budget Accommodations section. Campus Resources
Youth Hostel MembershipMembership is not required at most hostels - it's an arbitrary decision of each hostel and when booking online, it won’t be required. It could be an advantage since members usually pay a lower price for a bed. In some countries a membership card will also entitle you to various discounts on museums, sports facilities, and local tours. Purchasing a Membership CardThe card costs $28.00 and may be purchased at STA Travel (in the Michigan Union) or online from HI-USA. Other types of memberships are also available through the national office of Hostelling International (Youth under 18, Senior, etc.). Hostel Cards are valid for one year. HI-USA National Office FAQs about Youth HostelsWhere are hostels located? Who can stay in a hostel?More than half of the youth hostels in the world are in Europe, with the greatest concentration in Germany, Scandinavia, the United Kingdom, and Eastern Europe. However, there are hundreds of hostels in Australia, certain countries in Africa, Asia, and North and South America. There are several hundred hostels in Japan, more than in France or Spain. In nearly every part of the world, you can find youth hostels. The same membership card allows you access to all of them. HOSTELS AREN'T JUST FOR YOUTHS! Although they were originally designed for young students, most hostels around the world are open to everyone. Some hostels still give preference to people under the age of 26 (official Hostel International member hostels in Bavaria have an upper age limit of 26). Typical hostelers are under 30, but family and retiree groups also frequent hostels. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult and some hostels will accommodate children under 5. What are hostels like?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 have to pay extra for hot water, or pay for the shower. Cooking and laundry facilities are available in many places. Breakfast may be included in the price and some hostels serve dinner for an additional low cost. Furthermore, you can make phone calls from a hostel, and you can even have your mail forwarded to you there. Sending money or valuables in this manner is not recommended. What are their advantages?The major advantage is low cost. In many hostels a night's lodging can be as low as $10-$20. In the major cities costs may be considerably higher, as much as $50 per night in London, though less in other cities such as Berlin. Another advantage is that hostels provide an opportunity to meet other people who are traveling on a low budget. With them you can share travel experiences and tips. You can make new friends or even find a traveling companion. Most hostels provide common rooms where you can spend time getting to know those with whom you are staying. Some have snack bars or bars. Hostels are also a good source of travel information, tourist maps and information about events in town. The desk people often have local tips and advice and some will call you a taxi. What are their disadvantages?Most city hostels have a curfew of midnight or 1:00 a.m. Hostels in small towns or villages may close as early as 10:00 or 11:00 pm. After the curfew the doors are locked and you cannot get in or out, although in Australia and a few other countries the manager may allow you to rent an outside entrance key. Most require that hostelers be up and out by 10:00 a.m. so they can close during the daytime hours (from about 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) to lower operation costs. Additionally, there is a limit of 3-5 nights that you can spend in any one hostel, although this is largely ignored except when the hostel is crowded and in demand by others. A hostel provides you with only a place to sleep and shower. You should bring water shoes to wear in the shower. Usually, you must provide everything else: washing articles, towels, and linens although some do provide linen or rent for a minimal charge. For sanitary reasons, most hostels refuse sleeping bags although many students have had no problem with this. If you intend to stay at many youth hostels you might consider purchasing your own universally accepted sleep sack. This is basically two sheets sewn together to form a large bag with a flap attached to serve as a pillow case. Many travelers make their own. You can buy one from the U-M International Center, or you can rent one from each of the hostels you visit. The hostels supply blankets and pillows. Your chances are usually very good of getting a bed. However, some destinations and times of the year are more popular, and hostels in demand during this busy season can fill up quickly. Generally, summer is the busiest, especially July and August in Europe. To be sure of finding an available bed, plan to arrive at the hostel early in the morning. Beds can be gone by 10:00 a.m. How safe are hostels?Generally, hostels are safe. However, you do need to watch out for your belongings. You can usually leave your bags in the room during the day, but do not leave anything valuable behind. Additionally, most hostels will either issue you a locker or will lock up your belongings in a separate room upon request. Some have safes for small items. Leave anything valuable at home in the U.S. (rings, expensive watches, etc.). Less is always better. You may need to have your own padlock. All hostels are inspected and licensed each year, and all must meet local health and safety requirements. How do I make a reservation at a hostel?Making reservations is usually not necessary. Only the most cautious travelers will want to reserve a bed every night of their trip. However, it is a good idea to make a reservation for your first night so you don't have to worry about finding a place to stay. Be sure to check the guide books on how late the hostel will hold your reservation. Knowing you will have a place to sleep on your first night in a foreign country can give you peace of mind. It is fast and easy to make a reservation online. Just visit one of the web sites listed above in the Online Resources section of this article. Once you are abroad, many hostels will make reservations for you at the next hostel. This only works from one hostel to another. You pay the hostel you are leaving. As a final note, don’t disregard cheap hotels as an accommodation option while traveling overseas. During peak times and in larger cities, it may actually be cheaper to split the cost of an inexpensive hotel room with a friend. Last reviewed: 03/10 |
