Hotels – Motels

I’ve had it go both ways for me. I pull into a train station, and go to the booth and get a great hotel for a reasonable price, or it goes the other way. The room is far from downtown, very small and very expensive.
If you are leaving at the end of September or later, you are probably OK.

If you want good deals on hotels, I recommend going in the off season

Yes, for the International Youth Hostels, there is a nominal membership fee. You pay it the first time you go to check into one. And I’m not sure, but you used to HAVE to wait until that day to check in. No such thing as reservations, but I don’t think that’s true any more.

As for the Hostels, Hostals, and Pensions that work much like motels in the US, I paid two to three times as much on the internet as I think someone walking in would pay…I had to do a walkin once on my last trip, and I didn’t even NOTICE paying for it, whereas, all the other places I paid almost $100US a night! And in the Fall, you should have NO TROUBLE finding a room!

The thing to do is just look for the signs…they are easy to spot, walk in and book a room…for IYH, get the book. Can’t remember if that comes free with the membership or you pay more for it. And if you are doing the cheap route, get a copy of Let’s Go Europe! It’s a bible! It has everything you need in it!

Go to

Great value. Usually about £15 per night. They have hostels in most of Europe. You can book on line and view pictures of them. You need a credit card as a deposit of 5% is required when you make the booking, you pay the rest on arrival

All the ones I have used have been clean and well run. They do have a membership scheme but you can join at your first visit.

Ian M

for the hostel try hihostel.com
for the hotel try booking.com