The Do’s and Don’ts of Hostels.

         We all wish we could afford beautiful views like the one above, but as college students or travelers on a budget a hotel with the view like the this one is probably not an option.

          Hostels are very uncommon in the US so we get our information about them from the media, television and movies, which have created a perception around hostels that is false. Hostels are seen as dangerous and places to avoid altogether but, with my tips and guidelines, it is possible to find a clean safe hostel, all while avoiding paying large sums of money for a hotel room. With an abundance of young people traveling to hostels each year, competition has gone up and therefore the quality of hostels has also gone up. When booking hostels look for these amenities and if they are not listed it’s good to call ahead of time to know what you’re getting yourself into.

Lockers

This should be a free service in all hostels. If a hostel tries to charge for a locker, it is probably not the best quality. Lockers are, in my opinion the most important amenity. There is no better feeling than knowing that your belongings are safe and protected while traveling. Make sure to also bring your own lock, these are usually not provided and are sold at the front desk, but are usually cheaper if bought ahead of time.

Free breakfast

Most hostels will offer free breakfast but, it good to check in advance. If a hostel offers free breakfast and is only a few dollars cheaper than one that does not, I would go for the more expensive hostel. You’ll save more money when traveling and better able to stay on a budget.

Location

Make sure the hostel of your choice is close to a city center or close to landmarks you’d like to see. The 24-hour subway system is a luxury in comparison to European cities. Public transportation ends early in Paris, the last train runs around 10:45. This is very inconvenient if out late and can become annoying. A cab ride back to the hostel can become very expensive depending on the location and walking home can be annoying and tiresome. A hostel closer to the city center will make your life so much easier while traveling not to mention save you money on cab rides.

Knowing I had a 4-mile walk after visiting the Eiffel Tower at night was sometimes dreadful.

Linens

Be aware that some hostels do charge for sheets and linens. Calling ahead will make you aware or the situation. Bringing your own towel and washcloth is also a necessity. They do not provide towels either and will charge you for them if you come without one. Bed linens do often come free of charge with your stay, but I have never encountered one that provides towels. Plan ahead.

Washer/ Dryer

If staying for long periods of time, laundry will be a must.

My Recommendations:

Here are two hostels in France that in my opinion are safe, have great locations, and save money:

1. St. Christophers Inn.

159 Rue de Crimee, Paris, France

This hostel has all of the amenities listed above, is close to the city center and landmarks such as the Moulin Rouge. This company is based out of London and is geared towards English speaking guests so there will not be any problems with the language barrier. 

2. Le Village France

20 Rue d'Orsel, Paris, France

This hostel is in the heart of Montmartre, a very famous art district in the city. The prices here are lower than more hostels in the city and if you book directly from their website a 10-15% discount is given depending on travel dates.