| > | | | | boards are posted with notes from travelers looking |
| Instead of staying in expensive hotels on your next trip, | | | | for companions or selling plane and bus tickets. |
| which not consider hostelling? Hostels are | | | | Transportation deals, flyers from other hostels, tour |
| dormitory-style budget accommodations for travelers | | | | groups, and other useful information are also posted. If |
| that help keep your money where it belongs - in your | | | | you are looking for something to do in the city you are |
| pocket. | | | | visiting you can ask the staff for suggestions. They |
| Hostels are budget accommodations for travelers. | | | | are usually very knowledgeable about the area and |
| They offer an excellent alternative to the traditional | | | | helpful. |
| motel or hotel, and they exist in most parts of the | | | | The downside to some hostels are the regulations |
| world for the traveler who wants to hostel stomp and | | | | they have for the visitor. Most hostels require an out of |
| save tons of cash to travel for longer periods of time. | | | | state ID (in the USA) or a passport. Sometimes a bus |
| Usually hostels have several bunk beds in each room. | | | | or plane ticket must be shown to prove that you are |
| Instead of renting one room to one or two people like | | | | traveling, and an extra dollar or two may be charged |
| hotels do, hostels rent a room to four or more people | | | | to rent blankets and a towel. Some travelers prefer to |
| and may therefore offer a substantial discount. Where | | | | bring their own towel and a "sleep sheet." This is simply |
| a hotel might offer a room for two people at $80 a | | | | a folded sheet that is sewn together on one side, |
| night or more, a hostel can rent a room to eight people | | | | somewhat like a sleeping bag. |
| for $10 a night each, and still make as much money as | | | | Occasionally chores are assigned to offset a few of |
| a traditional hotel, sometimes more. The cost of | | | | the costs of running the hostel, curfews and other |
| hostels in the U.S. average between $8 and $25 per | | | | rules may affect any party plans that you might have. |
| night. In other countries (depending on where you go) | | | | However, most hostels do not have many rules as |
| hostels can be as cheap as $2 to $3 per night. | | | | they tend to steer independent travelers in other |
| Hostels range from the basics of a room and bath, to | | | | directions. |
| huge buildings that include kitchens, internet service, | | | | Hostels are available world-wide in almost every big |
| recreation rooms, televisions, gyms, and libraries. Some | | | | city and in several small cities. Hostels are especially |
| hostels offer free breakfast and the occasional party | | | | valuable in expensive countries like the United States, |
| or tour. Lockers or deposit boxes are available to | | | | Canada, Europe and Japan. |
| store your valuables, but bring your own lock. | | | | Do a keyword search for "hostels" in your favorite |
| When a hostel offers free internet and breakfast you'll | | | | search engine. You will find several resources that list |
| save even more money than just on a place to stay. If | | | | virtually every hostel in the world. In most cases you |
| a kitchen is available you can cook your own meals | | | | can book your hostel in advance online. |
| instead of going out to eat, which helps tremendously | | | | Hostels can save you hundreds, even thousands of |
| in keeping your money where it belongs - in your | | | | dollars every time you travel. So the next time you are |
| pocket. | | | | planning a vacation on a budget be sure to give |
| If you want to meet other travelers and get travel | | | | hostelling some serious consideration. |
| information, hostels are the way to go. Message | | | | |