Let’s have a real talk about Europe’s famous hostels.  For some reason, hostel life is often associated with younger travelers, budget backpackers, and party animals. The truth is; I’m not 20 years old anymore and I still happily book hostels most of the time. You can find smaller dorms, female dorms, private rooms or even boutique hostels nowadays.  Hostels have literally changed over the years to adapt themselves to a wider audience.  

Staying in hostels in Europe doesn’t have to involve a harsh compromise. If you need privacy, you can now find pods or even book a private room.  

What it’s like to stay in a hostel in Europe

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Booking a hostel doesn’t have to be painful. You simply need to look at the review and find the perfect match for your budget.  

Most hostels offer a cool atmosphere and common areas where you will easily meet other travelers. If you’d rather save money and share your room with others, dorms normally offer competitive rates.  

You will be surrounded by people of any age, gender, country – all linked with their love for traveling/discovering the world.

What are the benefits to stay in a hostel in Europe

  • You won’t destroy your budget;
  • You will make new friends;
  • You can cook your own meals (in most hostels);
  • You will enjoy the cool atmosphere;
  • You can store your luggage before or after your stay.
Dorm Prague | Hostel Prague | Hostels Europe

Famous Hostels Europe

What it’s like to stay in St-Christopher’s Inns in Europe

I’ve stayed in many, many, many hostels since I started traveling. I had bad experiences (my bad – I don’t always read reviews), but I also had amazing experiences too.  

If I had to pick my top hostel chain, I’d say it’s St-Christopher’s Inns.  I stayed in their properties in Paris and London and I had a great time!

Of course, I have some arguments here:

  • You normally have a pub/restaurant on site which makes all our lives easier especially when you’re starving to death after such a long train ride. Bonus: You also get a big discount on drinks and food!
  • They provide free (and good) breakfast!
  • You get the party vibes/good atmosphere from a hostel and also, peace and quiet when you stay in their awesome private rooms. Basically, your trip; your way! There’s no right or wrong!
  • Their Wi-Fi is decent and available everywhere in their properties.

Read more about my latest experience with St-Christopher’s Inns in London.

Their name is now quite famous across Europe as they have properties in many different countries/cities and pretty good rates!

Hostel Prague | Private room in Hostels | Best hostels in Prague, Paris and UK

How to book hostels in Europe

More freedom – More flexibility with St-Christopher’s Inns

They recently made some huge changes to their booking system. Traveling with freedom and flexibility is now even more accessible!

The idea is to allow you to make the most of your trip the way you want to do it.

We all know how it works when you travel: You meet people. You change your plans. You stay somewhere longer. You decide to leave quicker. You fall in love. You run away. You change your plans again…and the list goes on.  Having no ties with a booking allows you to be more spontaneous and take quick decisions.

They say: “Your Trip, Your Story, Your Way”.

So, what does this mean exactly?

This basically means you don’t need to pay a deposit anymore and you also get free cancellation up to 72 hours in advance.  All you have to do is to book directly on their website!

What are the other benefits?

  • Change your plans as you go;
  • Free breakfast included;
  • 25% off food;
  • Discount and deals on drinks.

 

No more excuses. Start planning your trip to Europe with St-Christopher’s Inns now!

About Melissa Giroux

Melissa Giroux founded abrokenbackpack.com in 2015 and has been living abroad since 2014. Originally from Canada, she has embraced a digital nomad lifestyle, working online from various destinations worldwide. Melissa is passionate about travel, technology, entrepreneurship, and CrossFit. Her extensive travels have taken her across Asia, Oceania, Europe, and North America. Currently, she resides in Thailand.


☑ Book your flight: Who said you won’t be able to find cheap flights? My top saving tip is flexibility. If you're flexible, you should be able to find a cheaper flight. Check out Skyscanner or Google Flights for the hottest deals.

☑ Book your accommodation: Want the comfort of being at home or the luxury of a hotel? I love using Vrbo and Booking.com for those very reasons. If you're a solo traveler, Hostelworld offers a wide variety of hostels you should take a look at. Alternatively, if you're a budget traveler, sign up for Worldpackers to get FREE accommodation in exchange for work.

☑ Rent a car or an RV: Make your trip more comfortable by renting a car with DiscoverCars.com. This website allows you to compare car rentals around the world. If you're traveling in the United States, find an RV rental on RVshare.

☑ Stay safe: Travel mishaps happen – so, better be safe than sorry by covering your back with travel medical insurance. I would suggest SafetyWing, Genki or Heymondo as they offer the best rates, especially for long-term travelers.

☑ Pack the essentials: Universal charger, check; power bank, check; passport, check! What else could you forget? I've put together this ultimate packing list just for you!

☑ Do you need a visa? If you aren't sure if you need a visa, it’s highly recommended for you to double-check. You can use iVisa - it's super useful and easy to use.

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