Student Travel Accomodations – Hostel or Hostile?
The dorm wasn’t great and if you’re in an apartment it is probably not much better. Nonetheless, some of the worst dorm rooms probably offer more luxury than some of the best hostels in some countries. That being said, it is highly possible to find a clean and comfortable hostel in many regions of the world. As long as you aren’t expecting a Hotel Ritz type atmosphere for a Roach Motel price, you should be okay. Tempering expectations is the key when it comes to student accommodations. Conditions at youth hostels are improving all the time and if you do a little research you can find a nice place to stay for a cheap price in most parts of the world. Budget accommodations, youth hostels, and student hotel discounts are ready to be found for the discerning student traveler. Youth hostels in some of the more popular destinations get booked well in advance so consider reserving ahead of time in order to ensure a spot.
Bear in mind that you often get what you are paying for. Shared rooms are common and rooms for ten to twenty people are not uncommon. Some hostels in Europe will add a makeshift tent to their permanent hostel in order to accommodate the influx of backpackers during the summer months. When you are booking, make sure to find out what you are in for when you arrive. Many hostels present pictures online. Hostels will often be your best bet when it comes to finding cheap accommodations but don’t forget to try finding cheap hotel deals. Very often students can find hotel discounts and sometimes budget hotels offer lower prices than hostels and the comfort of private rooms.
Though you may find comfort at a hotel you often give up the social atmosphere of a hostel. Student travelers flock to hostels not only for the cheap rates but also for the opportunity to meet other students. Particularly for travelers that are on their own, this can be an integral part of the travel experience. It is often times much more exciting to explore new places with new friends and the best place to meet new people is in a hostel. So if you are not so particular about accommodations or sleep and are more concerned with the experience that you will have, it is probably best to go with a hostel, aside from the fact that you usually save yourself some cash when you live in the barracks.
Travel guidebooks often provide phone numbers and websites for hostels and budget hotels in nearly every location that you can come up with. While planning in advance will put your mind at ease, you might want to just take it as it comes. Often times student travelers will meet people along the way and get good tips from people who are coming from the places that they are going towards and will be able to make more informed decisions as they go. If you have the stomach for it, this will usually result in a more enjoyable student travel experience.