Hostelling in Europe

Staying in a hostel is a much cheaper option (less than 50 €) than staying in a hotel (more than 100€?). If you’re travelling alone, it’s also a good way to meet other young people. My basis for choosing hostels were:

• location
• price
• female friendliness

Since I was taking the train all the time, I usually choose hostels that are near the central train station. I spent most of my time outside of the hostel, going around the city, so I didn’t really care if the hostel had a lockout.

Hostels are usually cheaper if you book online. I booked online at Hostelle in Amsterdam early in the morning on the day I was going to check in and it cost me €20. My roommates, who walked in during the morning spent 40€ for the same room on the same day. Most hostels, I reserved way before the start of my trip. Others were on the preferred-hostels-in-case-I-go-to-this-city list that I prepared before my trip. And some, I found during my trip. I just use my smartphone (Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini with Android OS) to book online.

Hostels are NOT hotels. Most hostels require you to clean after yourself and do your own bed but that’s why they’re cheap. Hostels in Europe are generally clean but if there are 4 of you sharing the same bathroom, don’t expect the bathroom to be squeaky clean if you’re the last one to use it. Roommates? Well, I stayed in 11 hostels and I had nice and considerate roommates in all of them (I’m not a light sleeper so I don’t mind a little noise).

Below are the hostels I stayed in and a few of their details. The prices are based on the rates I got when I booked a room (the type is mentioned below) around April and May 2012. 

AMSTERDAM

The Shelter Jordan Christian YH

Bloemstraat 179

Tel: p. +31 20 624 4717

       f. +31 20 627 6137

Website: www.shelter.nl

Booked through hostel website

€ 30  8 Bed Female Dorm, common bathroom

Location:

A minute away (130m) from the bus/tram stop (Marnixstraat/Rozengracht)

Others:

Free breakfast – French Toast, hot chocolate/coffee (menu changes every day)

Free lockers

Free wifi

Nicest hostel staff!

Would I go back here? Definitely! There are other hostels near Amsterdam Centraal and those around the red lights but I like my stay here.

AMSTERDAM

Hostelle

The lovely Hostelle

Frankemaheerd 2, Amsterdam, 1102 AN, Netherlands

Tel: + 31 207703504

Website: www.hostelle.com

Booked through hostelbookers.com

€ 19  8 Bed Female Dorm, common bathroom

Location:

800 meters away from the train station/metro (Amsterdam Bijlmer Arena)

A little bit far from the city center, (Almost an hour away by night bus)

Others:

No free breakfast

Free lockers

All female Hostel

Would I go back here? It depends. I like the hostel; their rooms are cute and clean but it’s a little too far from the center.

BARCELONA

Lullaby Hostel

Artistic atmosphere of Lullaby

Rambla Catalunya 12, Principal, Barcelona

Tel: (34) 93 3019610

Email: lullaby@portal.dormproject.ch

Booked through hostels.com

€ 19.9  10 Bed Female Dorm, common bathroom

Location:

3 minutes (approx 180 m) from metro station (Passeig de Gràcia)

3 minutes (approx 210 m) from metro station (Catalunya)

Walking distance from La Ramblas

Others:

Free Breakfast – Bread, jam, cereals, juice (I think they have hot chocolate/coffee as well)

Free lockers

Free wifi

They have an artistic, free spirited atmosphere

You have nowhere to hang your clothes in the showers

Would I go back here? Yes

BERLIN

Meininger Hostel

Ella-Trebe-Strasse 9 D-10557

Tel: +49 (0)30 983 21 073

Email: welcome@meininger-hotels.com

Website: http://www.meininger-hotels.com/en/

Walk in

€ 40 4 Bed Female Dorm

Location:

Right across the Berlin’s central station (Hauptbahnhof)

Others:

No free breakfast

Free lockers

Would I go back here? Maybe. I chose this place because I had to get to the train station early the next morning. Although the place is nice (rooms look just like a hotel), I’ll probably look for a different hostel if being near the Hauptbahnhof wasn’t important.

BRUGES

St. Christopher’s Bauhaus Hostel

135-137 Langestraat, 8000 Bruges

Tel: Outside Belgium: +32 50 34 10 93

        Inside Belgium: 050 34 10 93

Website:  http://www.bauhaus.be  

Booked through hostelbookers.com

€ 19.5 5 Bed Mixed Dorm, common bathroom

Location:

Bus stop 5 minutes away

You can go around Bruges by walking

Others:

Free breakfast – bread, cheese, cereals, juice, hot chocolate/coffee

Free lockers

Free beer sampler at their restaurant Sacre Coeur if you buy a meal

COLD showers (But some said they have hot showers, maybe I was just unlucky)

Would I go back here? I’d try Snuffel Backpacker hostel

FLORENCE

Ostello Centrale Firenze

Via Faenza 46 - Red, Florence 50123

Tel: +39055414454

Website: www.ostellocentrale.com

Walk in

€ 20  3 bed female dorm, common bathroom

Garden at Ostello Centrale Firenze

Location:

5 minutes away (approx 400m) from Florence central station (Firenze SMN)

A lot of restaurants and shops nearby

Others:

No Free Breakfast

Free cabinet

Free wifi

Very roomy bathroom

Would I go back here? Yes. The place is nice.

MADRID

The Living Roof Hostel

Costanilla de San Vicente nº4 28015

Tel: (34) 915 230 579

Website: www.thelivingroofhostel.com

Booked through hostel website

€ 16  10 Bed Female Dorm Ensuite

10 bed female dorm of Living Roof

Location:

3 minutes away (approx. 250 meters) from metro station (Noviciado)

About 25 minutes away from Puerta del Sol, by foot

Others:

Free Breakfast – Bread, jam, cereals, hot chocolate/coffee

Free lockers

Free wifi

Would I go back here? Yes.

MUNICH

Wombats City Hostel

Entrance to Wombat's Munich

Senefelderstrasse 1

Tel: p. +49 89 59989180

        f. +49 89 599891810

Website: http://www.wombats-hostels.com/munich/

Booked through hostel website

€ 20  6 Bed Female Dorm Ensuite

Location:

2 minutes away (approx 130m) from train station (Hauptbahnhof)

6 bed female dorm at Wombat's

Others:

No free breakfast

Free lockers

Free drink from hostel bar

Free wifi at the lobby (but can’t connect/too slow)

Would I go back here? I’d try the Euro Youth Hostel next door, if the price is about the same.

PARIS

Auberge Internationale des Jeunes

Façade of AIJ Paris

10 rue Trousseau - 75011 Paris

Tel: +33 - 01.47.00.62.00

Website: www.aijparis.com

Booked through hostel site

€ 19  4 Bed Female dorm, ensuite

€ 16  4 Bed Female dorm, ensuite
*I booked twice (I started and ended my trip in Paris)

Location:

3 minutes away (approx. 250 meters) from metro station (Ledru Rollin)

Grocery store and restaurant across the street

4 bed female dorm, Ensuite

You can easily visit the major attractions of Paris (via metro) from here.

Others:

Free Breakfast – Bread, jam, hot chocolate/coffee

Free safety deposit box

Free wifi at the lobby between 1600-2300

Would I go back here? Definitely! It’s well situated.

ROME

Ma Hostel

Via Magenta 24, Rome, 00185, Italy

Tel: +39 - 349 0902 233

Website: www.mahostel.com

€ 18 4 bed Female dorm common bathroom

Booked through Hostelbookers.com

Location:

2 minutes away (approx 200 m) from Rome central station (Termini)

The metro (Termini station) is also located around the train station

Others:

No free breakfast

Free wifi

Laundry shop a minute away

Would I go back here? Yes.

VIENNA

Hostel Ruthensteiner

Clean rooms (but I messed it up) at
Hostel Ruthensteiner

Robert Hamerlinggasse 24 - 1150

Tel: +431 - 8934202 or 8932796

Website: www.hostelruthensteiner.com

Booked through hostel site

€ 16  4 Bed Female Dorm, common bathroom

*€1.5 Booking Fee

Location:

6 minutes away (approx 450 m) from Vienna train station (Westbahnhof)

Others:

No free breakfast

Free lockers

Free wifi

Washing machines available

Cleanest hostel I’ve been to!

Would I go back here? Definitely! It’s very clean, homey and I had a good time here.

Europe Sampler Itinerary

This trip is specifically for sightseeing, visiting tourist attractions and experiencing the trains ofEurope. The route from the first two weeks (days 1 to 15) was planned before the start of the trip while the route from the second two weeks (days 16 to 28) was spontaneous and I used this time to meet up some friends. The first route is more efficient and has more time dedicated for sightseeing while the second route is for the experience of extensive train travel.

Itinerary

DAY 1 ARRIVE PARIS

After Check-in, visit the Louvre. Take a stroll through the city, see Notre Dame, Pont Neuf and the Pantheon.  Sleep: Auberge Internationale des Jeunes

DAY 2 PARIS - MADRID

Climb the Eiffel tower, see Sacre Coeur. Take the night train to Madrid.  Sleep: train, Elipsos

DAY 3 MADRID

Wake up at Madrid. Walk around Puerta del Sol, Plaza de España, view Palacio Real, visit Prado Museum. Sleep: The Living Roof Hostel.

Palacio Real, Madrid

DAY 4 MADRID

Visit Reina Sofia Museum, Eat tapas, paellas and churros. Sleep: The Living Roof Hostel.

DAY 5 MADRID - BARCELONA

Travel by train to Barcelona. Visit Casa Mila/La Pedrera and relax at Parc Güell, Stroll around La Rambla. Sleep: Lullaby Hostel

DAY 6 BARCELONA – NICE

View Sagrada Familia before leaving Barcelona. At noon, travel by train to Nice. See the Alps while on the train. Sleep: Train. You have an Option to sleep at Nice, or stroll around Nice until morning.

DAY 7 NICE – PISA - FLORENCE

Wake up in Italy. See the Italian coast while on the train. In Pisa, view the Leaning Tower. Explore Florence, eat gelato. Sleep: Ostello Centrale

DAY 8 FLORENCE - ROME

Travel by train to Rome. Visit Vatican City, Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Square, Basilica and Sistine Chapel. View the Colosseum at night. Sleep: Ma Hostel

DAY 9 ROME

Visit the Colosseum, the Roman Forum. View the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Spanish Steps. Eat pizza and pasta. Sleep: Ma Hostel

DAY 10 VENICE DAY TRIP (ROME – VENICE – VIENNA)

Travel to Venice by train. Walk around St. Mark’s Square. Explore the city and the canals. Take the night train to Vienna. Sleep: train, Euronight

DAY 11 VIENNA

Wake up at Vienna. Visit the Schönbrunn Palace. Sleep: Hostel Ruthensteiner

DAY 12 VIENNA

Visit the Hofburg Palace, Jewish quarter. View St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the State Opera House. Sleep: Hostel Ruthensteiner

DAY 13 VIENNA - MUNICH

Take the train from Vienna to Munich. Relax at the English Garden. Eat pretzels and sausages. Sleep: Wombats Hostel

DAY 14 MUNICH – FÜSSEN – MUNICH - AMSTERDAM

Take the train to Füssen and ride a bus to Schwangau to visit Neuschwanstein castle. Back in Munich, drink beer at Hofbrahaus. Take the night train to Amsterdam. Sleep: train, City Night Line

DAY 15 AMSTERDAM

Wake up in Amsterdam.  Relax at Musuemplein. Take a Canal Cruise. See the red light district. Sleep: Shelter Jordan Hostel

Amsterdam Canal Cruise

DAY 16 BERLIN

Take the train to Berlin. View the Brandenburg gate, Reichstag, Platz des 18 Marz. Drink beer.  Sleep:  Meininger Hotel

DAY 17 BERLIN – COPENHAGEN

Take different trains to Copenhagen, including one that embarks a ferry. Walk around Copenhagen. Sleep: Friend’s place

Day 18 COPENHAGEN

Take a canal cruise. See the little mermaid and the royal palace. Eat a Danish burger. Sleep: Friend’s place

DAY 19 COPENHAGEN – STOCKHOLM - HELSINKI

Take the train to Stockholm. From Stockholm, take a ferry to Helsinki. Sleep: ferry, Viking Line

DAY 20 HELSINKI, SUOMENLINNA

Wake up at Helsinki. View the Uspenski Cathedral, Helsinki Cathedral, and Olympic Stadium. View Helsinki from top of the Stadium tower. View the Sibelius monument. Visit Suomenlinna, a sea fortress 15 minutes away by boat. Sleep: Friend’s place

DAY 21 TURKU DAY TRIP

Travel by train to Turku. Visit the Turku Castle. View the Turku Cathedral. Sleep: Friend’s place

DAY 22 TALLINN DAY TRIP

Travel by boat to Tallinn, Estonia. Walk around the old town. Visit the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Climb the Toompea hill. See St. Nicholas' Church, St. Mary's Cathedral and St. Olav’s Church. Sleep: Friend’s place

DAY 23 HELSINKI – AMSTERDAM

Travel by air to Copenhagen then travel by train to Amsterdam. Enjoy the night at Amsterdam. Sleep: Hostelle(Option to spend the day at Copenhagen and take the night train to Amsterdam)

DAY 24 AMSTERDAM – BRUGES

Travel by train from Amsterdam to Bruges. Drink Belgian beer. Stroll along the romantic Bruges at night. Sleep: St. Christopher's Inn Bauhaus

DAY 25 BRUGES – LUXEMBOURG

View the Belfry Tower and Church of Our Lady. Buy chocolates, eat Belgian fries and waffles. Travel by train to Luxembourg (Originally planned to continue to Paris but train to Luxembourg got delayed). Sleep: Friend’s house

DAY 26 LUXEMBOURG – PARIS

Take a bus and see Luxembourg. Travel by the train to Paris. Stroll around Paris at night. Sleep: Auberge Internationale des Jeunes

DAY 27 PARIS

Visit Arc de Triomphe. Walk along Champ Elysees and eat crepes. Relax at Luxembourg Garden and view the Luxembourg Palace.  View the Eiffel Tower at night. Sleep: Auberge Internationale des Jeunes

Sparkling Eiffel Tower

DAY 28 LEAVE PARIS

Au revoir Europe!

Europe Sampler

18 cities. 11 countries. 1 month.

 Yes, it’s doable. Oh, and did I mention I did all this for €3000? That’s including everything—airfare (from the Philippines!), food and lodging, visa and even the cab to and from the airport. 

Goals

I only had two things in mind: One is to take the train all over Europe. And two, to sight see. This trip was just a sampler and I was travelling with the assumption that I will be going back to the places I liked.   

The plan

I started my plan by listing down specific places I wanted to visit, be it a landmark or a city, and ranking them according to which places I want to prioritize. Then I mapped them all out and checked the train schedules to go from one city to another. Taking into consideration the accessibility of the places, their priority and if a one or two day visit is feasible, I finalized my route. When I started planning this trip a year before, the plan was to only visit 11 cities and spend two weeks in one of those cities afterwards. But when I was there, the spontaneous side of me pulled me to 7 more cities. And I’m glad I did it.

Why Eurail?

Amsterdam Central Station

I took the 30 day continuous Eurail pass, which was perfect since I was travelling all the time for a period of 28 days.  Plus,I love trains… I wanted to ride the fast trains and regional trains; I wanted to try sleeping on a couchette, and I wanted to see the views from the train. Eurail and Interail passes have discounts for those under 26 and since I was 24 during that time, I was able to save a lot of money.

Going on a budget

How did I go on a budget? Well, I did a hell lot of research and budgeting. I allotted a certain budget for food, transportation, sightseeing, souvenirs, accommodation, and for unforeseen expenses. Since I’m 48 kilos, a girl and I eat like a bird, I did not have any problem with food. As a student, I also got discounts and free entrances in plenty of attractions. Staying in hostels really helped me save on accommodation and booking ahead online (even just a few hours before) cuts the cost as well. Using public transportation (most cities have day passes that are of good value) and walking are also economical; moreover, they are a good way to experience and see the city.

Saving time

Since we were travelling to so many places, planning our time was essential. Taking night trains were like sleeping in one city and waking up to another one. It’s a time saver and you get to save on accommodation as well. Using a GPS (I thank my android smart phone for this) or asking for directions also saves a lot of time. Getting lost is part of the adventure but being lost all the time can get you nowhere as well.

Being open-minded

While I was planning the trip, I read a lot of forums saying that it is not a good idea to travel to so many places in Europe in just a short amount of time because you won’t really be able to feel the culture. But the moment I got off the plane and every time I get off the train to a new city, I just wonder, how can you not feel the culture? From the way people walk and talk… the food they sell and don’t sell… the architectures around the city… it’s everywhere. You just need to be open-minded. True, I have barely scratched the surface of each place I visited but then again, my goal was only to sight-see. This was just a sampler and I will be back for more. 

Schönbrunn Palace

Venice Canal

Somewhere in Paris

Want to know more about my route? You can read it at Europe Sampler Itinerary.

Detailed list of expenses