On The Cheap: How to Book a Good Hostel Online
You've all heard bad stories about hostels: the cockroaches, the stolen valuable items, the weird smells, and the grim bathrooms. Hostelbookers.com and hostelworld.com are your new BFFs!
1) Check the rating
Both hostelbookers.com and hostelworld.com have ratings for different attributes of the hostel. The key ones I look at are security and cleaniness. If you're young, restless, and can't resist a mid-week pub crawl, keep an eye on the atmosphere attribute too.
Rating panel on Hostelworld.com
2) Check the reviews
Reviews are also a good indication of what the hostel is like. I tend to read reviews from people who are in similar travelling circumstances to me. For example, I would classify myself as a backpacker, so on the hostelbookers.com reviews below, I would look at the backpackers review over the familys review. Another good thing to look at is how someone from your classification, rates each attribute of the hostel. Hostelworld.com has a very similar review structure.
Reviews on Hostelbookers.com
3) Check the distance to the nearest public transport option
Click on the "Maps and Directions" tabs offered on both hostel websites, and zoom in on the map. In most countries they will have metro and bus stops shown on Google Maps. If possible, book a hostel in walking distance to a main bus or train station. You will find it so much easier to get there, and if you get lost, locals will find it easier, and be more willing to help you get back to your hostel. In saying this is, it is not always affordable in large cities to do so.
4) Check the facilities/what's included
Both hostel websites give an overview of what is included, and the facilities they provide. We're talking Wi Fi, linen, a towel, and maybe even a free breakfast. Make sure you know what you are getting, so you can come prepared. Nothing is worse than getting to a hostel, uh oh, there's no linen or a towel! If linen and a towel are not included, you can usually get them at reception for a small fee. Most hostels will have free Wi Fi, and if you can get a free breakfast, milk that meal for all it's worth! Eat an entire days worth of food in one sitting, or take a sneaky doggy bag for lunch. Pretty much making money!
5) Check multiple sites for prices
Go to hostelbookers.com, hostelworld.com and the actual site of the hostel. Prices can differ between these sites by a lot. Also, if you have time and you can find an email address for the hostel, email them and ask for prices.
6) Never book the cheapest one, unless it has really good reviews
Just as a rule of thumb, I will never book the cheapest place I find. For my first hostelling experience, I booked €10 bed in Dublin. At the time I knew it was going to be a bad idea, but it was pasted midnight when I was browsing the internet, and panicked. Aside from our pot head bunk mates hot boxing the room before our arrival, the most concerning part was that the kitchen smelt like a toilet. Gross.
Unless you've heard through a friend, or read online that the place was amazing, or you're just really on a budget, DO NOT BOOK. Bed bugs are a real thing, and hard to get rid of. Itchy.
Happy hostelling
Enjoy :)
