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Hostels tourist information
Hostels tourist information
Hostels provide dormitory-style budget accommodation to travelers, with anywhere from two to dozens of guests sharing a room, depending on its size. Many hostels also provide private single and double rooms in addition to dormitory accommodation. Shared bathrooms are still the norm. For many hostelers, the opportunity to meet other travelers is part of their appeal.
Hostels vary widely in their rules and regulations, with a few hostels imposing a curfew (to avoid disturbing other guests, and so they can lock the doors) while most let you come and go at all hours. This depends on the hostel and its affiliation. Some hostels for instance, impose a limit to the number of days you can stay. However, this is quite rare and usually not the case in Europe, Australia and North America. Guests may have to provide their own sheets or standard "sleep sack" (a sheet folded over and sewn into a sleeping bag), and usually their own towels.
Some hostels separate accommodations for men and women (so a couple might have to split up for the night), while others place them together.
The quality of lodging can vary widely; some hostels are in beautiful historical buildings, resort style camping villages or well-kept modern facilities, while others are in spartan, aging structures. Some are clean and immaculate, others demand shower slippers and a strong stomach. All hostels which are part of the Hostelling International network to adhere to stringent quality guidelines and are subject to regular inspection. To find the best hostels, read hostel reviews online on different hostel websites.
Common facilities include a shared lounge, laundry room, and kitchen. Others have their own computer room with internet access. Many hostels now offer free wifi Internet.
If it's your first time staying at hostels, you might want to try somewhere near home and only one location, and see how you like it. Some of these places can be very cozy and welcoming, but a laid-back personality is definitely a must. This might include, for example, feeling comfortable leaving your backpack on top of your bed without any security while going out and about, simply risking to have all of your belongings stolen. Some hostels, but certainly not all, have lockers, or at least a secure lockable drawer.
Resist the desire of taking your latest hi-tech gadgets with you (bleeding-edge cell phones, cameras, computers and music players). Leaving the good ones home and taking the cheapest ones will certainly give you a more careless outlook of your staying, and hence you will enjoy it more. If you do have electronics with you, try to find hostels that offer free lockers.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Hostels
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Hostels - updated May 2024
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Hostels Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.