First of all, what the hell is a hostel? 

Well, for starters, did you cringe? Did you lean forward in anticipation, eager to learn more? Or did you think to yourself, “how dumb is this girl? She misspelled ‘hotel…’” I think that initial reaction to the word hostel–whether it was one of the three examples I just listed or something else entirely–is as good a starting place as any. 

So what the hell is a hostel, anyway? A hostel is defined, via Google, as an establishment which provides inexpensive food and lodging for a specific group of people, such as students, workers, or travelers on a budget. A hostel is defined, via me, as a cross between a college dorm and a convenient accommodation for broke twenty-somethings and/or travelers who are trying to make friends. In almost all circumstances, they are cheaper than the rental properties listed on platforms like Airbnb or Vrbo, and they are significantly cheaper than most reputable hotels. This drop in price is due to their dorm style sleeping arrangement, in which you may find anywhere from two to over twenty (yes, twenty. I’ve done it before, I would prefer to never do it again) beds in one room that you share with complete strangers. If you weren’t cringing before, perhaps you are now? 

Hostels aren’t for everyone. If you prefer a life of luxury, I would probably not recommend them to you–although in some cases, they really can bring you luxury at a fraction of the cost. Most of the time, though, hostels are exactly how they’re described. So if you can picture yourself lugging a big backpack around Europe and immersing yourself in a lifestyle that requires shower flip flops, I beg you to give hostels a try. 

Where can I find one of these (if I wanted to)? 

In the United States, hostels are something of a mystery. With approximately three hundred of them spread out across fifty states, they’re scarce, they’re random, and they’re usually the last type of accommodation on anyone’s mind when booking a place to stay. In Europe, on the other hand, you’ve got a whopping five thousand to choose from–30% of the world’s total hostels. If you walk aimlessly down a populated block in any touristy European city, you’re likely going to stumble into a hostel or two (or five). The same goes for Asia: with nearly six thousand hostels to choose from, they sit at 37%. It descends drastically from there, with South America holding 16%, North America at 9%, Oceania at 5%, and Africa at 3%. That said, the bulk of my hostel knowledge resides in Europe, so let’s talk about what it’s like there: they’re everywhere, they’re affordable, they’re fun, and they also happen to be my favorite way to travel. So if you want to learn more, read on! If not, oh well (I have plenty of friends who would be turned off by now, and that’s okay too. Love you guys).

Still need convincing? Let’s get real specific

If you’re still on the fence, what better way for me to clear things up than to share detailed reviews of all the hostels I’ve stayed at? Or, if you’re sold and looking for a place to book, maybe these posts will help you to decide which hostel is right for you. Either way, thanks for reading!