While finding a welcoming (and clean!)  hostel can be a time-consuming challenge, you can rest easy, because we’ve gathered some of the top hostels in London in the center of the city. All of our picks are clean and have excellent communal areas for making new friends, cooking dinner and hanging out after a day of sightseeing.

Not interested in the hostel scene? No worries! Check out our full list of budget hotels in London to find an inexpensive hotel that fits your needs.

Related:
• Affordable hotels near London’s most popular attractions
• 5 Central London hotels for under £100 per night
• 10 Ways to save on dining in London

Best London Hostels: Cheap sleeps in Central London

YHA London St Pancras

79-81 Euston Road
Neighborhood: King’s Cross
Single bed starting at $19

Simplicity keeps the prices low at YHA London St. Pancras, but the communal areas more than make up for the basic, but clean, rooms. The lounge space and bar both boast floor-to-ceiling windows and comfy red sofas, and you can count on chill music drifting through these spaces. Make friends over breakfast or drinks, or buddy up with your temporary roommates. Read the full review here.

YHA Oxford Street

14 Noel Street
Neighborhood: Soho
Single bed starting at $21

Vibrant public areas, including the hot pink guest kitchen, make the shared spaces fun and inviting for guests at YHA Oxford Street. Crash on the yellow bean bag chairs to watch TV with other guests, or participate in hostel-directed activities like pub crawls and walking city tours.

You can enjoy the friendly atmosphere by staying in a dorm, or you can take advantage of the inviting communal areas while retreating in the available private rooms. Read more about YHA Oxford Street here.

A private room at YMCA Indian Hostel. Photo: EuroCheapo

YMCA Indian Student Hostel

41 Fitzroy Square
Neighborhood: Bloomsbury
Single bed starting at $36

Relive your college days at this hostel, where both dorm beds and private rooms are available, and cafeteria-style breakfasts and dinners are included in the rate. While rooms may be basic and uninspiring, you can be sure of your chances to meet friends in the dining hall, TV lounge, study rooms, library or the recreational room. Start up a game of table tennis or chess with a fellow guest.

Read the full review of the hostel here.

The lobby and check-in desk at Generator Hostel London. Photo: Booking.com

Generator Hostel London

37 Tavistock Place
Neighborhood: Bloomsbury
Single bed starting at $19

While both private and dorm-style rooms are small, the Generator is a great crash pad for those who live for the night. During the day, a bright café and dining area offer food and drink as well as a space to mingle.

At night, the hostel becomes the center of social activity when its nightclub opens and the cheap drinks start flowing. The club is complete with neon lights and a DJ booth. The club has a fun-filled calendar, featuring quiz nights, blind dates, karaoke and themed parties.

If you’re a night owl and a Cheapo, book a bed (or private room) at the Generator.

The communal kitchen at Clink 261. Photo: Booking.com

Clink 261

261-265 Grays Inn Road
Neighborhood: King’s Cross
Single bed starting at $19

Red curtains brighten up the shared rooms, which are otherwise pale blue with metal bunk beds. Although basic, rooms are clean and include free bed linens. What really brings appeal to Clink 261, though, is the public spaces, including a stainless steel guest kitchen, a unique basement lounge and an inviting upstairs lounge.

Make friends playing video or board games downstairs in the basement, or admire the murals with other guests upstairs. Read the full review of Clink 261 here.

More ways to save in London

Looking to explore London on a budget? After booking your hostel or budget hotel, read all of our budget tips for visiting London.

The post Best Hostels in London: Beds from $19 per night appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Every hostel on this list offers free Wi-Fi for its guests along with a few other fantastic perks at little or no extra cost. Solo travelers, couples and small groups will all find pocketbook-pleasing options in this list, including private rooms at low prices.

But as with every bargain that’s not too good to be true, you’ll want to book early to get the best prices and save yourself from last-minute disappointment.

Hamburg’s best hostels and budget hotels

Here’s our overview of our favorite centrally-located hostels and hotels in Hamburg:

Jugendherberge Auf dem Stintfang

Alfred-Wegener-Weg 5 (Map: A)
Rates: From €20 (shared room / person); €70 (private double)
Booking and Reviews | Official site

Jugendherberge Auf dem Stintfang is one of Hosteling International’s (HI) premiere properties. The hostel’s 8-bed panorama dorms offer a harbor view at a bargain price. Expect the amenities typical to most hostels, including facilities for cooking and communal public spaces for leisure activities such as foosball or TV.

Small print: Breakfast and linens here are included at no extra charge. Non-HI members are charged an extra membership fee per day, and adults over 27 also pay a €4 daily surcharge. Credit cards accepted.

Room decor at the Hostel Kiezbude is the wildest of the hostels on our list.

Hostel Kiezbude

Lincolnstraße 2 (Map: B)
Rates: From €25 (shared / person); €56 (private double)
Booking and Reviews | Official site

Hostel Kiezbude has the wildest décor of the five, with rooms befitting its location in the heart of Hamburg’s red light district. Kiezbude has a few 4-bed hostel rooms for solo travelers, but offers a good value to couples or groups seeking private accommodations.

Small print: Note that towels and linens may be charged separately and breakfast is not included. Cash only.

Generator Hostel Hamburg

Steintorplatz 3 (Map: C)
Rates: From €18 (shared / person); €25 (private)
Booking and Reviews | Official site

Housed in a former recording studio the Beatles once used, the Generator Hostel Hamburg has beds in 6- or 8-bed rooms, and women’s-only rooms are available as well as private rooms. The design is very modern with bright colors popping around every corner. Especially notable is the airy lobby with a cafe and bar that is a welcoming place to hang out.

Small print: Inexpensive laundry facilities are available on site. Bed linens are included, but continental breakfast is an additional €4.50. Note that special conditions apply for anyone under 18, and that all guests must show photo ID at check-in. Credit cards accepted.

Each room at the Pyjama Park has been individually designed and screams urban cool.

Pyjama Park Hotel and Hostel

Reeperbahn 36 (Map: D)
Rates: From €22 (shared / person); €55 (private double)
Booking and Reviews | Official site

Pyjama Park Hotel and Hostel doesn’t toss travelers together like most other hostels. Instead, it books rooms of various sizes, more like a hotel, making this a great deal for couples and small groups. The design screams urban cool, and each room is individually decorated with a unique Hamburg theme and comes with a flat-screen TV. Each room has a sink, but WC and showers are communal.

Small print: Linens are included, but the breakfast buffet is an additional €9. Credit cards accepted.

Meininger Hotel has efficient rooms starting at very low prices. Photo: Courtesy of Meininger

Meininger Hotel City Center

Goetheallee 9-11 (Map: E)
Rates: From €14 (shared / person); €30 (private double)
Booking and Reviews | Official site

Meininger Hotel City Center is located near Altona train station and offers 8-bed hostel accommodations in mixed or women-only rooms; doubles and group rooms are also available for great prices. Meininger has laundry facilities for guests and offers bicycle rental.

Small print: Bed linens are included (towels extra), and breakfast is an additional €6 per day. Credit cards accepted.

The post Hamburg Cheap Hotels: Our favorite budget stays appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Once thought of as pretty seedy, Kings Cross has cleaned up its act, and its central, canal side location make it a real winner when choosing a home base for your trip. The many connections from the train station (including the Eurostar to Paris) make it extra convenient for traveling, as well.

Location aside, the area’s offering when it comes to nightlife and dining is also vastly improved from what it once was and definitely worth spending an afternoon or evening exploring. Here’s where to start:

Where to stay

YHA St Pancras
79-81 Euston Road
Doubles from: $76 to $126

When compared to other YHA properties, the Kings Cross branch feels much more like a smart budget hotel than a sprawling hostel. Choose from dorm accommodation or a two, four, five or six-bedroom—perfect for couples or groups. Rooms are decorated simply but inoffensively, and they’re perfectly comfortable for relaxing in after a long day of sightseeing. As the hotel is located on quite a busy road, light sleepers may wish to request a room at the back. There’s a modern cafe/bar, where you can get food at very reasonable prices and a great TV lounge—a real draw for sleepy travelers.

The Princess is a friendly, low-cost place to stay with free breakfast that puts you very close to the Tube and St. Pancras train station. Photo: EuroCheapo

Princess Hotel
35-37 Argyle Street
Doubles from: $93

For something with more character and privacy, check in at the pretty Princess Hotel. This 32-room guesthouse is family run and perfect if you’re after a traditional B&B experience. Rooms are simple with hints of floral, and you get breakfast included in the room rate, so you can fuel up at the start of the day. All rooms come with a flat-screen TV, hairdryer and you can opt for either a shared or private bathroom.

Related: See the complete list of EuroCheapo’s budget hotels in Kings Cross.

What to see

Kings Place: Music + Art + Restaurants
90 York Way
London N1 9AG

This modern arts centre is worth a visit just to see the beautiful building and canal views, and if you have time to stay awhile, you won’t be disappointed. There is an ever-changing program of events ranging from contemporary art exhibitions and masterclasses, to live music and spoken word. The space houses three galleries—Pangolin London sculpture gallery, Kings Place Gallery and the Guardian Gallery, which is linked to the offices of the Guardian newspaper (also housed in the building) and is free to enter. Many of the other activities do have an entrance fee, but these are often greatly reduced if you buy online in advance, so do check the website.

Wellcome Collection
183 Euston Road
London NW1 2BE
Admission: Free

This unique space prides itself on being a destination for the “incurably curious”, and it certainly sets itself apart from other galleries and exhibition centers. Founded by Sir Henry Solomon Wellcome, it aims to present science in a totally new way by exploring the connection between medicine, life and art in the past, present and future. Check out the Collection’s free events, tours, exhibitions and special collections.

Note: The space is currently undergoing renovations, so not every room is open to the public, but there is still plenty to see and do.

Related: Another major attraction in the area is the British Library, the largest in the world holding over 150 million volumes.

Eating and drinking

Kerb – Food trucks and stalls
Granary Square,
London N1C

If the sun is shining head to one of Kings Cross’ newest public spaces, Granary Square, and feast on the array of lunchtime bites on sale from the Kerb food trucks and stalls between midday and 2 PM Monday to Friday. In the summertime, Kerb will also be setting up shop on the third Saturday of each month until October from 11 AM-5 PM, so grab a spot on the canal side steps and tuck in. Choices range from life changing burgers and tasty tacos to spicy curries and comforting mac and cheese.

Somers Town Coffee House
60 Chalton Street
London NW1 1HS

A lovely pub with secret private rooms accessed via a bookcase, Somers Town Coffee House offers a relaxed afternoon sampling cask ales and incredible British tapas—anywhere that offers pigs in blankets is a winner if you ask me! If you’ve got room, give one of the lovely cakes a go too; they are pure sugary goodness and a great opportunity to try some traditional British desserts.

Caravan
1 Granary Square
London N1C 4AA

I could eat at Caravan any time of day, but if I had to choose just one meal I’d go for brunch. On the weekends you’ll have to fight for a table (or sip a cocktail patiently at the bar) as they don’t take reservations, but I promise you it’s worth the wait. During the week you’ll find yourself rubbing shoulders with the arty students from Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design, as their swanky new school is housed in the same building. The menu is truly original, with more traditional breakfast favorites flavored up with soutsouki sausage or fresh sourdough bread. It’s also one of the best places in London to have a coffee, all of which is roasted onsite (and smells incredible).

Camino
3 Varnisher’s Yard
London N1 9FD

For tasty tapas and lovely cocktails, Camino is my top pick. The courtyard out front is a fun place for an outdoor drink in summer, while indoors the lively tapas restaurant and bar are buzzing all year round. There are also some great value deals—head down for lunch on a weekday and get two tapas for £6.75, while weekends welcome in a cocktail, wine and beer happy hour from 5-8 PM. If you fancy a dance, there are live DJs on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, and you never have to pay an entrance fee.

Treat yourself to a drink at the spectacular bar inside the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel. Photo: Gary J Wood

Special treat

Booking Office Bar
Euston Road
London NW1 2AR

While it’s unlikely any Cheapos will be resting their heads for the night at the five-star St. Pancras Renaissance hotel, you’ll thank yourself forever if you afford yourself a drink in the bar. This beautiful gothic masterpiece was originally a hotel designed by George Gilbert Scott and opened by Queen Victoria in 1873. When the hotel closed in 1935 the space was used as station offices until a huge restoration project began in 2011 to turn it into what it is today and restore it to its luxurious former glory.

If you’re just visiting, head to the Booking Office Bar (housed in the original station booking office) and prepare to be wowed by the space and the truly fabulous Victorian-inspired cocktails and punches. You’re looking at £8.50 and £9.50 for the cheapest glass of wine or cocktail, and if that proves too much, you can always opt for something softer while you drink in the surroundings.

The post London: A cheapo neighborhood guide to Kings Cross appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But where should you stay in Paris to travel in style but without breaking the budget? Don’t worry, EuroCheapo has got you covered.

Related: Our review of the new Generator Hostel Paris

Paris hip hostels guide

Smack dab in the middle of a charming neighborhood, Village Hostel is an affordable and cozy find. Photo: EuroCheapo

Monmartre

Village Hostel

20 rue d’Orsel
Shared room rates from €30
Read Full Review

Village Hostel is friendly backpacker’s haunt in the heart of the much coveted Montmartre neighborhood. With a relaxed vibe and plenty of common spaces, this is a great spot to meet other travelers or cozy up with book and a café au lait. Charming and modern, Village Hostel reflects the bohemian roots of its surroundings, and includes nice touches like a book corner, impressionist-style fresco paintings and a pub that showcases artwork. Selling points include a terrace with views of the Sacré Coeur, and the attached “Bazaar Pub” that has reasonable prices and a pretty decent happy hour.

Hip spots nearby:
•  Soul Kitchen: A cozy and chic restaurant in the heart of Monmartre. Try the delicious baked goods in the afternoon or the confit de canard!
•  Le Bleu Club: The newest spot to go out in Paris—a night club in Barbès to see and be seen.
•  Glass: A hip new cocktail bar from the owners of Candelaria.

Guests will enjoy bright (and never boring) rooms with ensuite bathrooms at The Loft Hostel. Photo: Courtesy of hotel

Belleville

The Loft Hostel Paris

70 rue Julien Lacroix
Shared room rates from €35
Website

The Loft Hostel Paris is definitely a hip spot. With colorful walls, fresh, geometric patterns, floor-length windows and high ceilings, you might feel more like you’re staying in an artist’s loft than a budget hostel. Outside of the well-decorated bedrooms, the Loft Hostel also boasts a friendly lounge bar and an outdoor patio so you can unwind in style. While you could spend all day chilling out here, don’t forget that you’re in the heart of one of Paris’s trendiest neighborhoods: Belleville. Wander around and explore the charming cafés and funky bars, or take a short walk to what is surely Paris’s hippest park—le Parc des Buttes Chaumont.

Hip spots nearby:
•  Le Rosa Bonheur: One of Paris’s best kept secrets, this chic bar is located inside le Parc des Buttes Chaumont.
•  Cafe Cherie: A classic cafe that is perfect for a break. Take a seat in one of the red chairs on the terrace and enjoy an espresso while watching the world go by.
•  Le Perchoir: A new bar in the 11th that has a stunning rooftop patio. Have an aperitif here with friends before a fun night out.

The stylish and always social communal area of Oops! Hostel offers free Wi-Fi access. Photo: Dan Cunningham

Left Bank

Oops! Hostel

50 Avenue des Gobelins
Shared room rates from €34
Website

Oops! Hostel is a quirky, quiet hostel near the Latin Quarter with funky interiors and all the perks (free WiFi, breakfast, linens… the works). As you enter Oops! from the busy streets of Place d’Italie, you’ll find a modern oasis with bold colored wallpaper and chic furniture. With no more than five beds per room and attached bathrooms, you’ll have more privacy here than at most Paris hostels. If you manage to score a room on the top floor, you’ll be able to enjoy one of the elegant balconies, which have tables and chairs looking over the Latin Quarter—perfect for that evening bottle of rosé to make you feel like a true Parisian. Lots to see and do in Paris? Oops! Hostel is probably the best value for its central location, with direct metro lines nearby to the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Marais, Arc de Triomphe, Monmartre and the Champs Elysées.

Hip spots nearby:
•  Shakespeare and Co. : Paris’s famous independent, English-language bookstore. Grab a book and read on the Seine.
•  Le Piano Vache: A cozy little pub with great jazz music and all sorts of vintage photographs and posters on the walls.
•  Sugarplum Cake Shop: Your spot for delicious coffee and patisserie. Bonus points: super-friendly, English-speaking staff!

The view of Canal St-Martin from a top bunk at Peace and Love Hostel. Photo: Chrissy Hunt

Le Canal St-Martin

Peace and Love Hostel

245 rue la Fayette
Shared room rates from €27
Website

If all you need for your stay in Paris is a bed, a bar and a great location, then Peace and Love Hostel is the perfect spot for you. Located in the heart of Canal St-Martin, this hostel is situated away from the iconic tourist spots of Paris, and in the thick of the local nightlife. But don’t worry, you’ll still be just a five minute’s walk from two of Paris’s biggest train stations: Gare de l’Est and Gare du Nord, as well as major metro stations. Peace and Love Hostel is the ideal place to meet young travelers. Grab a pint at the ground floor pub, and you’ll be sure to find some companions for a great night out. Don’t expect too much space though—although recently renovated, this hostel focuses more on the social aspect of traveling than the comfort!

Hip spots nearby:
•  Ten Belles: A super-hip cafe  just off the Canal with amazing coffee and two freshly-made sandwich options each day.
•  Jules et Shim: The best bi-bim-bap you’ll find in Paris, with a cute interior to boot. Grab a meal to-go and have a picnic on the Canal!
•  Le Comptoir General: An eclectic and eccentric bar and venue that has it all—couches for lounging, a dance floor to get down, a tiki bar for tropical drinks (fresh-squeezed ginger juice, anyone?), a snack bar and even a thrift store upstairs.

The post The hippest hostels in Paris: Affordable lodging with style appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Here are some simple ways that you can find your dream accommodation on the Cheapo:

Look beyond the center

Amsterdam is densely populated because the city itself is small, so don’t jump on the first affordable hotel located in the “center”.

The reason: Hotels in any UNESCO district – like Amsterdam’s center – are under strict renovation limits. The 21st-century “bigger is better” mentality doesn’t mesh with 17th-century space.

What can you do? Neighborhoods like Jordaan, De Pijp and Plantage offer settings more peaceful than the Dam and Red Light District. Prices can be cheaper and rooms are likely to be a tad larger in size. Plus there’s a higher chance the hotel has been renovated with a modern touch.

The Museumplein area keeps you close to the cultural hotspots like Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum, while the more adventurous should try man-made islands like houseboats at Westerdok Eiland, Prinseneiland and modern Zeeburg for ideal waterfront living. Night owls should drift towards Leidseplain and Rembrandtplein: Amsterdam’s two entertainment hubs with hotels usually cheaper than the center.

The steep stairs in Amsterdam, such as these at the Hotel Internationaal, might have you feeling a little dizzy

Prepare for (chutes and) ladders

One thing about Dutch architecture that’s unavoidable are steep stairs. The main gripe among Amsterdam visitors is the unexpected, unpleasant exercise of climbing four flights many times a day to get to their guest rooms.

The reason: Notice the hooks that hang above most Dutch buildings. The hook and rope pulley system was (and still is) an Amsterdammer’s moving method. A housing tax based on a building’s width was imposed during the 17th century, hence the steep stairs. Today, buildings can only make minimal renovations. As a result, the ladders (that locals call “stairs”) remain painfully intact.

What can you do? Be ready for unreasonable staircases, knowing that all of Amsterdam’s city dwellers live this way. Travelers with disabilities or heavy luggage should consider rooms on ground levels, or hunt around for hotels with elevators (which are few when on a low budget). Assistance is on standby at most places of course, and some even offer grip bars on the walls when handrails aren’t enough.

Who needs A/C when you can chill outside in cool garden, like this one at the Nadia Hotel?

Losing air (conditioning)

Every hotel in Northern Europe will have heating, but air conditioning is usually unavailable at budget hotels, and even fans can be hard to come by.  To keep rates low, you’ll need to stop thinking of A/C as essential.

The reason: North and Central Europe have problems with cold spells, not heat waves. When heat waves do arrive in areas like Spain, Italy and Greece, fans and nature’s ocean breeze is the remedy. Rationalizing the cost of air conditioning for a one-week summer just doesn’t happen.

What can you do? Amsterdam is humid, and the very few days that temps pass 75 F can be a sweaty experience indoor and outdoor. The best thing to do is pack something light to sleep in, and get out of your hotel early. Head to the beaches, shady parks and comfortable canal side cafes. It’s what the locals do.

Hostels, such as the wonerful St-Christopher’s at the Winston, can be a great budget option for groups.

Hotels or hostels: Tit for tat

Hostels have a reputation for being the deep-budget accommodation option in Europe, but in Amsterdam, this isn’t always necessarily the case.

The reason: During Amsterdam’s high tourist season – summer – Amsterdam’s hostels hike prices as much as budget hotels. In a city with as much to attract youth and budget travelers as Amsterdam, hostels can face quite high demand.

What can you do? So how does a cheapo know to go for a hostel or hotel? If camping isn’t an option, consider your situation. Hostels and hotels can both be very cheap, but they each are better fit to different travelers with different needs.

Here are some things to think about when choosing between a hotel and hostel:

• Food options: If breakfast included in the price, what’s on the menu? If the meal charge is still a good deal compared to what you’d spend otherwise, sneak a little extra for a lunch sandwich or snack.

• Group size: Traveling with a group? Hostels are good at fitting many people into one room. For hotels, make sure it’s not a double turned into a triple (or a triple turned into a quad). Things can get cramped and the room will get stuffy.

• Introvert or extrovert: Hostels in Amsterdam are great for social travelers flying solo, with perks like pool halls, hostel bars (and smoking rooms), hangout areas and internet lounges. Amsterdam hotels carry a more cozy and private experience, and are best for independent travelers with their own agenda.

Hotel suggestions

Now comes the fun part… the hotel hunt! To read unbiased reviews written by our editors, head to our Amsterdam hotel guide. Have a suggestion or a favorite hotel in Amsterdam to share with our readers? Tell us about it in the comments section below!

The post Amsterdam: Simple tips for finding cheap hotels appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Unlike other European capital cities, you don’t have to stay outside of the center to find good prices, especially if you’re open to staying in one of the city’s hostels. Wondering what to expect in Dublin hostels? Keep reading for everything you need to know before you book your bed.

Hostel Overview

Dublin is home to a handful of popular, central hostels with solid reputations. They all have some things in common, such as free Wi-Fi, free linens, and often a free continental breakfast (that includes hot tea in Ireland) but be sure to read the fine print:

• Some hostels offer only dorm-style rooms (with as many as 12 or 16 beds), while others have private rooms for one to four people.

• Some hostels only have shared bathrooms while others do have a few private bathrooms (all the more reason to make reservations in advance).

At almost every hostels, you can expect a common space for meeting fellow travelers. In Dublin, this is often a bar or lounge, and in the case of one unique property, an upscale coffee bar. Though metal bunkbeds seem to be the norm across the city, hostels are generally clean, safe, and offer lockers for easy storage of your backpack.

Enjoy a hot cappuccino at Isaacs Hostel.

EuroCheapo Hostel Picks

Isaacs Hostel
Read review
From $19

Located near the River Liffey on the north side of Dublin, Isaacs Hostel might surprise visitors with its charm. The hostel is housed in a building that was once a wine cellar and warehouse, so expect lots of stone walls and vaulted ceilings throughout.

Both dorms and private rooms (for one to four people) are available here, and an exterior courtyard bar is a fun touch. While all bathrooms are shared, there’s a nice basement lounge with a pool table and guest kitchen for meeting fellow travelers. Both Wi-Fi and continental breakfast are included in the room rate.

Avalon House
Read review
From $16

Walking by the Victorian building that is home to Avalon House, it is hard to believe this could be a hostel. The beautiful building is located on scenic South Great Georges Street, a central south-of-the-Liffey spot that is both quiet and near the pub action.

In addition to free Wi-Fi and some private bathrooms, Avalon House is also home to the Bald Barista, a coffee bar that draws locals off the streets with a perfect espresso. A comfortable basement lounge area is also another bonus.

The Globetrotter Tourist Hostel offers more comforts than your standard hostel.

Globetrotters Tourist Hostel
Read review
From $16

While many of the other hostels in Dublin offer metal, almost barracks-style dorm beds, Globetrotters focuses a little more on comfort. Both dorms and private rooms are available here, with cozy beds and linens included.

A big breakfast is served in a bright, cheery space where it will be easy to meet other travelers. Globetrotters has genuinely appealing spaces to relax after a day of pounding the pavement in Dublin, including a Japanese garden.

Jacobs Inn
Read review
From $19

One of the most contemporary options in Dublin is Jacobs Inn. Although this is one of the largest hostels, it is also one of the most bright and modern with a fresh paint job and spacious rooms with large closets. Here you can choose between dorms or private rooms (for one to four people).

Unlike other properties, all rooms at Jacobs Inn have their own private bathroom (and they are new and clean to boot). Wi-Fi and breakfast are free and a number of social events, such as pub crawls, are frequently organized.

Other Super Cheap Options

For Cheapos, hostels are often the default bare-bones-budget option. In Dublin, there are some other choices depending on the time of year you visit. During the summer months (when students aren’t in session), dorm rooms at Trinity College Dublin can be rented. These rooms are clean, comfortable, and offer an incredible central location along with free continental breakfast (or full Irish for an extra few euro).

Outside of the summer months, Cheapos will want to investigate guesthouses and inns. Particularly in the low season, a charming room in a privately owned guesthouse can run the same price as a private room in a hostel (and include a big, filling breakfast too). To see all hotels recommended by EuroCheapo’s editors, please visit our Dublin hotel guide.

The post Youth hostels and other super-cheap sleeping options in Dublin appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

That’s right, it’s not all hotels all the time here at EuroCheapo (just most of the time). We love to recommend hostels, as long as they’re clean, central, and have the option of booking a private room. And if they have a little bit of character, all the better. Prague has a bunch of properties that meet these criteria with flying colors.

So if you’re willing to step out of your hotel comfort zone, you might want to Czech, er, check out the following Prague hostels. (Note that each of these properties offers privates in addition to dorms.)

Czech Inn
Francouzska 76,10100 (Vinohrady)
Dorms from $15; Doubles from $64
Great for: hostel doubters

For anyone skeptical of trying a hostel in place of more traditional accommodation, the Czech Inn (bonus points for “Czech” puns!) would be a good place to start. Featuring privates and apartments in addition to dorms, the hostel has a sleek, artsy feel to match its location in the hip Vinohrady neighborhood.

Some nice touches (chandeliers, fancy showers) help the Czech Inn transcend typical expectations of budget sleeps. With a bar area and lobby that houses an art gallery, you may forget you’re in a hostel at all.

The breakfast room at the Dlouha Hostel acts as a lively bar at night.

Dlouha Pension and Hostel
Dlouha 33,11000 (Stare Mesto)
Dorms from $17; Doubles from $44
Great for: party-seekers

Of course, not everyone wants to forget they’re in a hostel, and many are looking for certain elements associated with this breed of accommodation–namely, youthfulness and a place to party.

If that’s the case, the Dlouha Pension and Hostel would be a good choice. Its location on the lively Dlouha Street in Stare Mesto provides easy access to plenty of trendy nighttime hotspots.  The hostel itself isn’t just a snoozer either,  featuring a fun bar complete with foosball and a jukebox.  And while the furnishings are basic, this doesn’t seem to bother the hostel’s youthful clientele.

Hostel Sokol
Nosticova 2, Prague 1 (Mala Strana)
Dorms from $15; Doubles from $35
Great for: strict budgets

If all you need out of your hostel is a super-Cheapo sleep, the Hostel Sokol is your best bet.  The barracks-like accommodations are as plain as can be–but they’re clean, comfortable and bargain-bin cheap. As an added bonus, the ever-friendly Sokol provides a great Mala Strana location and a rooftop terrace with unbeatable views.

Hostel Tyn
Tynska 19, Praha 1 (Stare Mesto)
Dorms from $18; Doubles from $50
Great for: sightseers

In a neighborhood where hotel rates can make it seem more like you’re in London than Prague, the Hostel Tyn provides a breath of Cheapo fresh air.  While the furnishings and decor are fairly basic, the Tyn’s great rates and location (a stone’s throw from Old Town Square) are perfect for those who want to step right into Prague’s Gothic charm without feeling it in their wallets.

The garden at Sir Toby’s Hostel is a great place to hang out.

Sir Toby’s Hostel
Delnicka 24,17000 Prague 7 (Holešovice)
Dorms from $12; Doubles from $65
Great for: socializing

It may be a little out of city center, but Sir Toby’s Hostel in the up-and-coming Holešovice neighborhood provides enough laidback comfort to make up for a slightly longer hike to the main sights.

The hostel provides a home away from home, with funky dorm-room furnishings to complement hip common areas that include a cellar bar and delightful backyard garden.  All of this, plus a sociable staff, combines to make Sir Toby’s a great place to set up shop in Prague and make a few travel buddies.

Want more? Check out our list of recommended hostels in Prague or our favorite budget hotels in Prague.

Your favorite hostels?

Have you stayed at any of these hostels? Or do you have other hostels in Prague you’d like to recommend?  Leave your thoughts in the comment section below!

The post Prague: 5 hostel picks for every kind of Cheapo appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Getting hostal

Hostals are a budget-friendly type of accommodation found throughout Spain (and Central and South America) that offer private rooms, usually with private bath, without some of the other services commonly offered by hotels. They may not serve breakfast, and reception hours will probably be limited. Furthermore, they tend to be small, family-run affairs.

For these reason, hostals are generally cheaper than hotels, and make a great option for Cheapos. In our guides to Barcelona and Madrid, we recommend and review as many hostals as hotels.

Comparing options

Our Barcelona-based correspondent Regina recently penned a lengthy article outlining the many accommodation options in the city. She includes what to expect in the rooms, and how much you should expect to pay.

These include:

* Hotels: €70 and up – 24-hour reception, private rooms and bath, breakfast served.

* Hostals and pensions: €40 and up – smaller operations, limited reception, private rooms and usually private bath.

* Hostels: €20 and up – dorms and private rooms, usually shared bath, breakfast (and often other meals) available.

* Apartments: €90 and up – furnished flats with kitchen.

For much more on this subject, including her favorite examples of each, read Regina’s introduction to Barcelona’s hotels, hostels, and hotels.

The post Hostal? Hostel? Hotel? Understanding Barcelona’s accommodation options appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

1. Always keep a close eye on your bag.

This may sound obvious, but petty thieves are pretty crafty in Dublin. Many purse snatchers are women, and they target some of the best areas of the city, especially outdoor cafes and pubs.

Don’t hang your purse on the back of a chair. All it takes is one moment of leaning forward and your bag will be gone, on the shoulder of another woman in the crowd.

2. Where’s all the catcalling?

In Dublin there is a distinct absence of catcalling. However, this often encourages solo women travelers to put their guard down. Use common sense when walking alone at night, always choosing lit, busy streets even if the route is longer. Also, beware of overly friendly men approaching in groups of one or two with basic questions such as the time.

3. Avoid the quays.

At night, a walk along the River Liffey might seem like an appealing idea. While some areas along the quays are well lit and perfectly safe, others are pretty desolate with dark office buildings. These spots sneak up rather quickly, and locals know what areas are dark and quiet for drinking and carousing down by the river. To play it safe, avoid walking along the quays alone late at night or very early in the morning.

4. Be aware of closing time.

Pubs in Dublin all have the same closing time, 11:30 last call during the week and 12:30 last call on weekends. This means that all pubs and bars empty out at the same time, filling the streets with mostly merry intoxicated people. While somewhat rare, this can also be the time when scuffles will break out on the street. Be aware that fights are most likely to occur at this time, and steer clear of crowds or head home a few minutes before closing time.

5. Look into guesthouses instead of hostels.

In addition to hostels, Dublin is also home to a range of affordable guesthouses. Instead of automatically booking a bunk in a dorm, check out independently owned guesthouses and B&Bs. You will often get a small room with a twin bed, including a hearty breakfast, for the same (or slightly higher) price of a hostel.

Also, during the summer, actual dorm rooms at Trinity College are available to visitors when students aren’t in session. This is an incredibly affordable way to stay in the safe, very heart of Dublin.

The post Dublin: Tips for solo female travelers appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

I’ll be honest, I’m not a huge fan of sleeping in a dorm room unless there’s no other alternative. Those days of communal snoring are pretty much a thing of the past for me, and yet here I am, crushing on Ítaca Hostel in Barcelona.

Of all the hostels I’ve visited in Barcelona (and I mean hostel like youth hostel, not hostal) Ítaca stands out in my mind as being the most welcoming. Plus, its location is unbeatable.

Cristina and Nuria own the hostel and have created a cool, communal vibe while offering lots of perks to guests. I can see how it would be easy to meet other travelers at Ítaca over free coffee and tea in the downstairs lounge area or upstairs in the ample communal kitchen. I also like the arty flair at Ítaca, its walls adorned with colorful murals.

Finally, a communal bathroom without any ick! factor.

Tidy points

One of the reasons I tend not to like hostels is the grime factor (and the lack of privacy). I’m not into a messy communal bathroom – no gracias! So Ítaca gets points from me for being tidy, plus having separate bathrooms for ladies and gentlemen.

Hang-out room at the Itaca.

If you’re not into hostels in any way, shape or form, Ítaca also has a few apartments for holiday lettings in another building. While these are more expensive, they are of course private and have kitchens, which could save you bucks in the long run.

Location, location…

Ítaca is about a block from one of the top tapas bars in all of Barcelona. I kid you not, the patatas bravas at Cala del Vermut are some of the best in town. And I’m not the only one who thinks so – inside you’ll see photos lining the walls of random famous people who have come to drink a beer here and munch a brava or two. Better yet, get a Vermut here, which is a liquor drink served on ice with a orange slice that happens to be all-the-rage and go well with tapas.

As if Cala del Vermut was not a good enough reason to book at Ítaca (and it is), the Cathedral is also right around the corner, as are many Roman ruins, great shopping, the Santa Caterina Market, and El Born neighborhood. Just up the street a bit on Via Laietana you’ll find the impressive Palau de la Música, and going the opposite direction on the same street you’ll get to the Port and beach.

A breakfast room that’s spic-and-span.

Yes, Ítaca is in the middle of it all, and yet removed on a little side-street that few venture down (meaning quiet nights).

Perfect for budget travelers

I’ve recommended this hostel many times over the years to shoe-string travelers. There are tons of hostels in Barcelona but few can check off as many boxes as Ítaca.

The only other hostel that I’ve seen come anywhere close to Ítaca is Hello BCN Hostel, and it’s on the other side of town without Ítaca’s top-notch location. For the time being, I’ve only got eyes for Ítaca.

Also in our guide: Our editors have inspected and reviewed budget hotels all over central Barcelona. Read more in our guide to cheap hotels in Barcelona.

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