Tips for Hostels from Insiders’ Guide Hostels European Cities: The Only Comprehensive, Unofficial, Opinionated Guide (3rd edition)

HI-affiliated hostels (www.hiusa.org)

• part of the International Youth Hostel Federation
• usually nicest and cleanest facilities
• often need membership card
• can often be very crowded (tend to attract youth groups)
• stricter rules
• membership is about $28/year- can often get you cheaper rates and discounts at local businesses

Independent Hostels

• some owners opt to run independently because HI membership costs are high and rules are strict
• tend to be more laid back
• no guarantees of quality

Reservations

• International Booking Network (IBN): participating hostels call ahead to another and secure you a bunk if possible; need advance notice of 3-7 days; pre-pay for bed with credit card + $5 booking fee; pay whole cost of bed if you cancel
• most hostels take advance reservations with a credit card number and/or deposit check; might need to show up at by a certain time
• get there EARLY (!!!) and check back at the end of checkout for cancellations

Paying

• often pay before you are assigned a bed (know which hostels take credit cards, checks, etc.)
• will almost always be expected to give up your passport and HI card for the night
• pay ahead if you want a weekly stay; if you pay by the day, rebook promptly each morning
• may have to pay if you lose your room key ($5-$25)

Ground Rules

• serve and clean up after yourself
• if you don’t know if something is communal, ask
• be mindful of lockouts and curfews; check to see if there is a way to get back in after curfew
• some hostels limit your stay (3 days-2 weeks)

Etiquette

• as soon as you check in, make your bed
• lock up your valuables; bring a padlock with you
• set toiletries where they are accessible so as not to wake anyone
• if you’re leaving early in the morning, try to make all arrangements with the manager the night before
• mind the bathroom; wipe the shower floor with a towel after using it
• mind quiet hours (although lights-out is rarely enforced)

Packing

• passport + photocopies
• HI membership card ($28/year) (www.hiusa.org)
• sleepsack or sheets
• small pillow (optional)
• earplugs (optional)
• small flashlights (NECESSITY)
• small jars/bags of spices
• money/change for laundry
• shower shoes
• quick-drying towel

Traveling within Europe

• Train is the most sensible choice
• Thomas Cook European Rail Timetable
• buy tickets each day for short trips; passes for if you’re in the area for a week or two
• punch ticket BEFORE you get on the train at machine
• Buses are good for local whims
• Bus tickets are available at transit stations, newstands, or on the bus (more expensive); punch your ticket at machine BEFORE you get on
• Boats: Donaudamfschiffarhtsgesellschaft (DDSG) in Germany runs cruises on the Rhine River (free with Eurail pass); other ferries run around Lake Konstanz (aka Lake Constance or Bodensee) between Switzerland, Austria, and Germany; also ferries between the U.K., France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Greece; and between Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Germany
• Eurostar (www.eurostar.com): England to Brussels/Paris: book in advance (15 days); discounts for Eurail pass holders and young travelers; less frequent on the weekends; you can reschedule for free with no penalty

Eurail (www.raileurope.com)

• buy pass; get it stamped by ticket agent and write in current date (European style) then show is to ticket agents after that to get a seat reservation printed (before train arrives)
• best to reserve a day or two ahead of time; sometimes the conductor will let you on anyway if you don’t have a reservation if you show him the card
• don’t fold or bend the pass
• get a second-class pass (cheaper)
• Point-to-point tickets: best if you’re going through a single country in a hurry; buy at ticket windows/automatic machines; sleeper car for around $20 saves a night in a hostel
• trains run less frequently on weekends; Saturday being the worst day for travel

Eurolines (www.eurolines.com)

• long-distance buses around Europe
• offer competitive rates
• good for booking on short notice
• for passes go to (www.eurolines-pass.com)

Phones

• PHONE CARD
• dial with international country code/follow instructions on card
• get a phone card from the States before you go and use that

Money

• get it from an ATM whenever possible
• BAFFLING PIGS use euros (Belgium, Austria, France, Finland, Luxembourg, Italy, Netherlands, Germany, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, and Spain) (note: NOT the U.K., Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Hungary, or Czech Republic)
• be wary of which ATMs use Plus or Cirrus system (most Italian ATMS use Cirrus; note: Banco Toscana uses Plus)

Safety

• where purse across body rather than over shoulder
• get a good map and study it before you go out
• avoid unfamiliar streets at night

Travel Insurance

• can come in handy
• covers everything from baggage loss and injuries in an air travel accident to medical expenses incurred while travelling
• Travel Guard International (www.travelguard.com) is good