Categories
Sweden

Cheap Hostels in Stockholm

Search Stockholm hostels with up-to-date availability and book a hostel in Stockholm.

Stockholm is the capital of Sweden and a lovely city to explore. Located on 14 islands, it offers history, entertainment, museums and green spaces. Finding the best place to stay in Stockholm depends a lot on your budget, style of traveling and what you plan to do while here.

Hostels have the advantage of being located close to the city center or close to the public transportation stations. So, you’ll be able to travel to/from the sights and to/from the airport easily.

Even if the hostel uses the names “youth hostel” or “backpackers” , it doesn’t mean there’s an age restriction or you cannot stay there unless you travel with a backpack. These days, “youth hostels” typically refer to places offering dorm-style accommodation.

Aside from saving money on your stay – and in Sweden , the accommodation really adds up to the cost of traveling – hostels are also excellent places to meet fellow travelers. Whether you stay in a dorm or use the common areas , you’ll bump into other travelers and conversation easily follows.

If you want to save money but staying with 20 other traveler doesn’t sound too appealing, there are always the private rooms (with private or shared bathrooms) to choose from. Sure, they are more expensive than dorm beds, but are worth it especially if you travel with your partner and want some intimacy.

When it comes to the prices, expect to pay from €25.64 per night for a bed in a 12-bed dorm in a hostel in central Stockholm; a twin room will set you back about €72 per night (shared bathroom) in a hostel in Södermalm.

Try to book your bed in advance and remember that the prices go up in July and August, the peak travel months.

Search this map to find cheap hostels in Stockholm, or find even more hotel options by searching with the widget above.

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Categories
Portugal

Review: Lisbon Guests Hostel

Opened in 2007 and located in central Lisbon not far from a metro stop and Restauradores square, Lisbon Guests offers one of the most affordable private rooms in a very affordable city. Single private rooms (with shared bathrooms) range from 25-25 euros per night, with double rooms going for as low as 44 euros per night. And in some respects…you get what you pay for.

During my visit the hostel was going through some renovations. The building dates back to 1870; today the hostel is run by a descendant of the original family that built it. This made the building a bit hard to find as it was covered in scaffolding, but noise was not a problem and I’m told the facade renovations are now done and the next step is to build an outdoor social area on the ground floor for guests, which I think will be a welcome addition. As it was when I visited, aside from the rooms there was a small and adequately stocked kitchen, a small common room with couch and TV, and a small desk with a computer for guests to use (I was never able to get it to work, but there is also free wi-fi).

Owner/manager Ana Rita was pleasant and very helpful, arranging a cab for our early morning departure and offering suggestions for things to do. The other guests we saw were quiet and respectful. The room, though basic and small, was very clean and had a comfortable double bed, a wardrobe, nightstand and chair. My only complaint was the bathroom. Unlike other “shared” bathrooms that I have experienced in hostels, this was truly a communal commode. Rather than one toilet and shower in a room that could be locked, this bathroom had a shower stall and two toilets that could be used while another person was in the shower. If you’re coming from a dorm-style hostel, you’ll probably expect this, but if you more often stay at guesthouses and hotels, the set up is inconvenient and uncomfortable.

If you’re looking for a luxurious stay in Lisbon, Lisbon Guests is not the right choice. It isn’t trying to be fancy, but rather to offer clean, comfortable, and inviting accommodation at an excellent price and at that – with the exception of the bathroom situation – it does a fine job.

Disclaimer: I received a discount on my stay, but my opinions are my own.

Categories
Portugal travel guide

Portugal and Spain: Touring South Western Europe on a low budget

lisbon-sept-28The two countries, Portugal and Spain, share the Iberian Peninsula and although they don’t share the language, it’s easy to mix both of them in your travel itinerary. Lisbon , Portugal’s capital, is famous for its nightlife, architecture and gambling industry, while Madrid , Spain’s capital, is best known for its cultural heritable, being also a nightlife hotspot.

Point of entry

Both countries are served by large airports and there are numerous deals available into both countries. Finding a cheap flight to Lisbon is especially easy during fall, when the hype of summer is already behind us. The airport is located within the city which makes it easy (and cheap) to get to the hotel or hostel. Although the airport is large, you might find it cheaper to fly into a major European hub and take a connecting flight to Lisbon.

Flights to Madrid are easier to find since the city is one of the major gateways into the continent. The airport is a primary hub for Iberia , so there are quite a lot of possibilities to find good deals from the carrier.

However, you might be able to find great deals into either city. Regardless of your choice, there are numerous ways to get from Madrid to Lisbon (or the other way around) and you might find that a low-cost flight is cheaper than taking the bus.

>>Madrid to Lisbon, one way flight in October from €40 per person

Places to stay

Just like finding the best airfare option, it’s also important to find accommodation which suites your budget. Lisbon hotel rooms come in many sizes and prices but with some research you’ll be able to find good deals even at the hotels located in the city center. Remember that fall is shoulder season in Portugal so the prices are lower than during summer (although the crowds might still exist if the weather continues to be nice).

>>hotel room rates from €25 per night

On the other hand, hostels in Lisbon are affordable and they cater for all types of traveler. Since Lisbon is a party city, make sure to read the reviews before you decide which hostel to book. You really don’t want to stay in a party area if you plan to get your sleep at night.

>>hostel bed rates from €7.50 per night

Hostels in Madrid are somewhat similar to those in Lisbon. Madrid is also a very well known city for its night life and it also has the largest number of bars per capita on the entire continent. So if you plan to get your sleep during the night, you’d better search carefully and decided where to stay.

>>hostel bed rates from €5.15 per night

Both the hostels in Madrid and those in Lisbon offer dorms and private rooms, so they cater for every need. There are small hostels, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the cities, which are perfect for couples and families. And there are also large hostels, ideal for those who like to be sociable and don’t exactly plan to get their sleep at night.

Photo credit: McPig on Flickr

Categories
Articles Los Angeles

Add your Los Angeles hostel or motel to the Hostel Directory

Motel in Los AngelesIf you own or operate a Los Angeles hostel, budget hotel, motel or any other budget accommodation – or if you know someone who does – you (or they) should enter the information into the new worldwide Hostel Directory . This will be a huge and global directory of budget accommodations, including hostels and motels. You shouldn’t worry about spam from this but you should expect some extra bookings.

The site is new but is part of a big travel network, so it should be worth couple of minutes of your time. Go to this Hostel Directory entry page for Los Angeles to add your budget accommodation to the listings.

Categories
Croatia

Add your Croatia budget hotel or guesthouse to the Hostel Directory

Hostel in CroatiaIf you own or operate a Croatia budget hotel, hostel, guesthouse or any other budget accommodation – or if you know someone who does – you (or they) should consider entering the information into the new worldwide Hostel Directory . This will be a huge and global directory of budget hotels, hostels and other budget accommodations. Don’t worry about spam from it but you should expect some extra bookings.

This is a new site but part of a big travel network, so it should worth some of your precious minutes. Go to this Hostel Directory entry page for Croatia and submit the property to the listings.

Categories
Accommodation Edinburgh Planning a Trip

Edinburgh Backpackers – Trekker’s Hostel Highlights

Entrance8 years ago, Edinburgh Backpackers was the very first hostel I ever stayed in and it hasn’t changed much. It was a great place to stay then and it looks like it continues with that trend. One of the oldest hostels in Edinburgh, it has been there for the past 12 years. With 96 beds and 12 privates there is a community environment created. The Southern Cross Café next door provides guests a 15% discount.

Located up a fairly steep hill from Waverly station but only a hop skip and jump from the Royal Mile, it is in a great location. The numerous floors are linked by winding staircase that could give you vertigo when you look down from the top floor. There is a pool table in the common room and a TV lounge to sit and relax. The rooms are brightly painted and most have excellent views of the city. There is a self catering kitchen with everything you need to cook up a feast.

Categories
Edinburgh

St. Christopher’s & Belushis Bar

EntranceLocated in a prime spot at the top of the stairs from Waverly Train Station and just round the corner from the airport bus drop off, St. Christopher’s has potential to be a great party hostel. St. Christopher’s is a chain hostel located all over the UK and parts of Europe. In most cases the hostel is attached to Belushis Bar. In fact, to check in you have to go to the bartender.

Presently they are busy with major renovations and are planning to completely redo the bathrooms all of which are en-suite, except for the 4th floor. There are around 160 beds divided into 4/8/10 bed dorms, twins and doubles. There is also an entire wing that is female only, and disabled rooms available.

For those of you who don’t want to travel far from your beds, there is not one but TWO bars located on the ground floor of the hostel that also provides food. There is live entertainment 7 nights a week and a back garden for BBQ’s in the summer.

Categories
Edinburgh Planning a Trip

Smart City Hostel

Smart City EntranceBarely a year and a half old, Smart City Hostel is located at the bottom of a hill just off the Royal Mile. It is following the way of newer hostels, with the shiny, modern look. Unfortunately, this means that a lot of the vibe that makes a hostel so much fun is lost to glitz and glamour. Catering mostly to large groups with 622 beds in summer, they also offer winter student accommodation. There is a licensed bar and the Smart City Café, a small meeting room and a great outside area for BBQ’s, in summer the chef cooks up a great feast there. All the rooms are en-suite, shower gel and shampoo are provided, on the girl’s floors there is also lotion and conditioner.

Categories
Edinburgh

Castle Rock Backpackers

Castle Rock entranceLocated at the foot of Edinburgh Castle you are welcomed by exceptionally friendly staff along with stunning wall art, coat of arms and suits of armor. Castle Rock is one of the bigger hostels in Edinburgh with over 230 beds ranging from 4 to 16 bed dorms. The huge kitchen provides plenty of space and storage for you to cook to your heart’s content. There is a pool table in the large common room, a movie room with regular showings at 6pm and 9pm, not to mention the “Posh Lounge” for those who prefer a bit of quiet and an outside area that is great for BBQ’s. In the morning there is a decent continental breakfast for a mere £1.90 or you can head down to the Grassmarket and go to Biddy Mulligans for a 2 for 1 full Scottish fry-up, makes a great hangover breakfast and all you need is to show your little orange ticket from the hostel. On Thursday nights be sure to join the hostel for the local Pub Crawl, a great experience, visiting 4 pubs, or was that 3, might have been 5, it’s all a little hazy.

Categories
Edinburgh

Royal Mile Backpackers

entranceHome of the Macbackpacker Tours and in partnership with the Castle Rock and High Street Backpackers, Royal Mile offers a small homey feel with great staff. Located in a prime location on the Royal Mile just down the way from Edinburgh Castle and surrounded by lots of pubs and restaurants, the door is a little inconspicuous so keep your eyes open. With only 46 beds you are sure to get to know everyone especially if you join the Thursday night pub crawls.

The dorm beds have just been raised to give guests more room for their bags, be aware that the top bunk has no safety bar, (they are in process of adding them), the shared bathrooms are a bit tight and the kitchen is almost non-existent. But it has everything you need at a good price, including just £1.90 for a continental breakfast. One of the novelties here is that the rooms are all named with things such as “Addictions”, “Star Wars” etc… so instead of having a number to remember you have a theme and your bed has a quirky label, I approved of the “chocolate addictions”.