hostels – Page 2 – iTravelFun

Why I Still Stay in Hostels When I Travel

Tallin Hostel, Tallin
Posted: 1/31/2019 | January 31st, 2019

People are always shocked when they find out I that I still stay in hostels.

“Aren’t you too old for that?”

“Why would you still want to do that?”

“Don’t you actually make money? Are you still too broke for an Airbnb?”

“How do you even sleep?”

And what’s even more shocking to people is that while I often stay in a hostel private room, I also still stay in dorms!

(If anyone has followed on Twitter while I’ve been in Colombia, you’ll know my dorm room pains!)

Why do I do this to myself? Why do I still stay in hostels?

Three reasons.

The first: I’m cheap. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. I started out — and stayed — a budget traveler because I just don’t like to spend money.

Especially on rooms I’ll just be in for a few hours.

I look at prices for hotels and private rooms and think, “Well, a dorm is only $10, so why not?!”

True, I often regret that decision, since I also don’t sleep well, but money is money — and hostels are cheap!

The second is that they provide me with on-the-ground information about what budget travelers and backpackers are doing. (First came the backpackers, then everyone else, I like to say.) Backpackers and hostel staff know where to find things to do on a budget. They have lots of hacks and are a good source of information and resources I might not know about. I can learn about new apps, get hot tips, and discover places or events to check out.

They know the best markets, cheap places to eat, and off-beat destinations.

Hostels are where I get the information I can use to unlock the mystery of how to see a destination on a budget.

Hostels are my source of travel trends.

In fact, I think hostels, their staff, and the backpacker crowd are an underutilized resource – regardless of your age or travel style. You don’t get travelers swapping tips at a hotel bar the way you do a hostel bar. So, if you’re looking for information — a hot new attraction, a cool local tour, new restaurants, a great dive bar, tips on getting around cheaper — go to a hostel bar. Most hostels have bars open to the public until a certain hour. Meet some backpackers. Make some friends. Learn something new!

Additionally, even if you aren’t staying at a hostel, you can go in and ask the staff questions. They field more inquiries about “unique, weird, and local” things to do than your Airbnb host or a hotel concierge.

And, finally, and most important, reason: I like the social vibe.

I think hotels are boring, and I don’t want to stay in an Airbnb by myself. Hostels are full of friendly travelers. I can swap tips, have a few conversations, get some travel buddies, and generally socialize! (Yes, you can do that with locals too, but you know what I mean.)

Hostels are just fun. I miss them when I’m not staying at them.

There’s usually a bar, events going on, activities, people hanging out, a pool table – there are lots of ways to connect with other travelers in a hostel.

The common areas are meant for people to interact. Even if I’m not looking for a rager, it’s still nice to head down, grab a beer, and chat with people for a bit.

How could I ever leave that? It’s way better than watching Netflix!

While I may not be the most “budget” traveler these days as I don’t often cook when I travel (if I’m not in an expensive country like Switzerland), I destroy my $50-per-day budget on nice food when I travel, and I would rather take the quickest — not the cheapest — transportation, I still am cheap as hell (see reason number #1 above), and I like writing about budget travel.

I don’t ever see myself not staying in hostels for at least part of my travels.

They are home.

You should make them your home too.

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the largest inventory. If you want to stay somewher eother than a hotel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

World Nomads (for everyone below 70)
Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!

The post Why I Still Stay in Hostels When I Travel appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

How Hostelworld Screws Hostel Owners

the common area inside HK Austin Hostel in Austin, Texas
Posted: 01/21/2019 | January 21st, 2019

I’ve wanted to own a hostel since I first started traveling. During my month on Ko Lipe in 2006, I spent my lazy days on the beach dreaming of opening one in New Zealand with some friends. It was going to be eco-friendly and called “The Greenhouse.”

A few years ago, my hostel dream came true when a friend and I opened one called HK Austin in Austin, Texas.

Since then, a lot of new hostels have opened in the city, and the competition for guests has heated up. (As much I would love to say it was because we’re so great and everyone wanted to copy us, it’s because Austin is one of the fastest growing cities in the country!)

As my friend and I were thinking of ways to draw in guests, we stumbled onto the Hostelworld Elevate program.

(OK, he did. Then texted me all about it!)

What does this program do?

It gouges hostels owners — and lines Hostelworld’s pockets.

As a consumer, I’m well aware that booking websites charge a commission for properties to be listed in their results. That’s how they make money. And also that “featured” properties pay more for special placement on top of regular results. (They should just put the word “ad” up instead of being coy. We all know what’s going on.)

I don’t find anything wrong with that model. Hostels get access to a larger pool of guests, companies get money, consumers get a one-stop-shopping solution.

But this Hostelworld Elevate program is much more insidious than that.

Here’s how it works:

Hostelworld, like all search sites, has a default search results listing (the one you get if you don’t use a filter or sort by any criteria). Let’s use Austin as an example:

hostel search listings for Austin, Texas

As you can see, we’re #5 despite having the top rating in town.

The standard commission for Hostelworld is 15% per booking:

HK Austin's Hostelworld rank with 15% commission

So how do we end up number five on this list?

Thanks to Hostelworld Elevate, hostels can pay more to rank higher in the results.

If we pay 25% commission, for example, we can go up two spots on this list. (That means the other hostels on this list may be paying even more than that to secure a higher ranking on the default search results.) It doesn’t put us at the top as a featured listing or anything — this is just to move up on this default list.

HK Austin's Hostelworld rank with 25% commission

In theory, we could jump to #1 in the default search results if we paid a lot more money to Hostelworld, regardless of how good our hostel is. As long as we are willing to pay to play, we can be anywhere we want to be.

However, HK Austin is definitely not going to pay the extra fee, even if that means sitting at the bottom of the default rankings as more hostels in Austin open up.

But Austin is a small sample size. There are only five hostels on the list, so even without paying, we aren’t likely to be missed.

But think about big cities with hundreds of hostels, like London or Paris or Berlin or Sydney.

Who is going to scroll through pages and pages of results? How easy it to miss even the sites on the bottom of the default list when Hostelworld returns 20 results?

Have you ever wondered why so many of the top hostels on the default search results list seem to be bigger or part of chains?

Here’s London as an example:

hostel search listings for London, England

Look at all those chains! And here’s Paris as an example too! Look at all the similar names here:

hostel search listings for London, England

To the hostel owners out there, this is probably old news, but to me — who’s not involved in the day-to-day aspects of the business — this was a huge shock.

(And, as a consumer, this was also a bit of shock. I finally got to see how the sausage is made!)

To be fair, I don’t know the exact formula Hostelworld uses to pick the default list without Elevate getting in the way but I do know that if you pay, you can be anywhere you want.

Which is why you see sooooo many chains as the tops results in so many cities. I can’t prove it but based on what I know (and the fact these chains tend to have higher prices), I bet they are paying. I’m sure there are some chains out there who don’t pay and still rank well. But my guess is that many of them do pay for their spot.

Small hostels like mine can’t give that much money to booking sites. Hostels aren’t a high-margin business. They are often a labor of love. Small, cozy, family-run hostels don’t have the beds or cash flow to give 25% of their revenue to Hostelworld. Paying more for higher rankings would put many of us out of business.

(And you don’t even get anything extra for paying more money — there’s not even a support number or dedicated email address. It can take days to get an answer from someone at Hostelworld!)

Larger hostels with a lot of beds and/or that are part of chains can make that happen. They have the margins.

This might be why I sometimes see chains with low ratings on the top page (or like in Paris where 3 hostels from the same chain are in the top 5). This is, in part, why I think much of the default list is paid for.

That means that hundreds of hostels that might be great are stuck at the end of the default search results because huge chains can pay the higher fee for higher placement. (Imagine what the competition must be like to get to the top in a city like London! Yikes!)

I get why Hostelworld does this (and why hostels pay). It’s a business decision. But not all decisions are good ones. I love Hostelworld, but this left a bad taste in my mouth. There are not a lot of other places where hostels can go to be found, especially since Hostelworld bought Hostelbookers, its biggest competitor.

Sure, there’s Hostelz and Gomio, but they lack the inventory Hostelworld has.

So what can you, the consumer, do to make a huge and positive impact on the hostel owners of the world?

If you’re going to use Hostelworld, just:

Sort by price
Sort by rating

This will ensure that any cheap and/or incredible hostels that get pushed down to the bottom of the search results because they don’t want to pay the placement fee will not, in fact, get buried.

Also, book directly with a hostel. Most hostels offer discounts if you book directly as an incentive to go around the large booking websites. I’ve seen lots of signs at hostels offering discounts when you book direct. The hostel keeps more of the money and you get a lower price. It’s win-win.

Whatever you do, when you book your next hostel please don’t reward this scheme and only pick hostels on the default search setting.

P.S. – If you’re coming to Austin, book with us directly and use the code HKNOMAD! You’ll save 20% off your stay from now until May 31, 2019. No minimum booking required!

The post How Hostelworld Screws Hostel Owners appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

My Top 14 Hostels in Amsterdam

the canals of Amsterdam
Posted: 11/19/2018 | November 19th, 2018

Amsterdam will always have a special place in my heart. I spent a month there on my first trip around the world in 2006. I made local friends, wandered far and wide, and really got to know the city and its people.

I fell in love with Amsterdam that trip.

I’ve been back to visit Amsterdam every year since.

The city is one of the most visited and backpacked in Europe.

And it’s filled with hundreds of hostels, hotels, and guesthouses for travelers to stay in.

With so many places showing up in your search results, how do you know the best hostels in Amsterdam to choose? I mean dozens are top rated on Hostelworld, right?

To make choosing a hostel in Amsterdam easier, I distilled my years of experience in this list that features my favorite hostels in Amsterdam. These hostels have friendly staff, are social, clean, and fairly inexpensive. These are the places I always stay when I’m in town.

Without further ado, here are my…..

14 Best Hostels in Amsterdam

(In no particular order.)

1. Euphemia Old City Canal Zone

Euphemia Old City Canal Zone
Located in a former monastery, this hostel sits on a beautiful canal and is close to most of the city’s attractions, particularly the museums. Their beds are comfy and the rooms are kept clean. They also have bike rentals too. If you’re looking for a chill hostel with a view, stay here. Note: Guests must be 40 years of age or younger.

Beds from 15 EUR/17 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at Euphemia Old City Canal Zone!

2. Meininger Amsterdam Hostels

Meininger Amsterdam Hostels
This European hostel chain has two Amsterdam locations. These hostels are fairly big and are not for the partying type. They are chill hostels mean for families, couples, groups, or anyone looking to escape the party scene in the city. The beds are soft and you’ll find lots of outlets to charge your things. Both hostels are clean, spacious, comfortable, and offer a fairly decent breakfast. When I’m looking for a quiet time, I stay here.

Beds from 15.50 EUR/17.62 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at Meininger Amsterdam City West!

—-> Click here to book your stay at Meininger Hotel Amsterdam Amstel!

3. Clink Noord

Clink Noord
Located in North Amsterdam, this former laboratory from the 1920s has been converted into a stylish, clean space for backpackers. It’s super awesome, fun, and social environment. They have a fantastic library, workspace, and atrium. There’s a café and in-hostel bar on site too. The beds are new and the pillows are quite soft. Each bunk bed has an individual light and USB socket to charge your phone. Stay here to get a sense of what Amsterdam outside the city center is like! It’s truly one of the best in Amsterdam! Fun fact: If you’re a musician, you can perform in the ZincBAR for a free one-night stay.

Beds from 17 EUR/19.30 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at Clink Noord!

4. Hostel Van Gogh

Hotel Van Gogh
Located near the Van Gogh Museum (hence the name), this easily accessible hostel is clean with comfy beds. There’s free Wi-Fi, shampoo and shower gel, and they offer an all-you-can-eat luxury continental breakfast buffet for only €5. They also have bike rentals. There’s an age restriction (18–40) for the mixed dorms. I like staying here because their dorms are single beds, there’s art on the walls, and it’s easy to visit all the major attractions from here! (Also, it’s away from the chaos of the Red Light District!)

Beds from 18 EUR/20.50 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at Hostel Van Gogh!

5. StayOkay Amsterdam Vondelpark

StayOkay Amsterdam Vondelpark
This hostel is part of the YHA association and is pretty standard for them. It’s sort of sterile. Everything is fairly clean and modern and the beds are kinda comfy. Like M hotels, this hostel is best for couples, groups, families, and non-partying travelers. There’s a good continental breakfast, everything here is quiet, there’s no partying, and there are bike rentals. If you’re a YHA member, you get 10% off when you check in.

Beds from 18 EUR/20.50 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at StayOkay Amsterdam Vondelpark!

6. The Flying Pig Downtown

The Flying Pig Hostels
This is one of my favorite hostels in the world, and I almost always stay here when I’m in town. It’s popular with travelers looking to chill and smoke, and the bar area gets very busy at night. It may not be the cheapest hostel in the city, but the showers are good, the pillows and beds super comfy. There are charging points by each of the beds too. Because of its famous reputation, it’s almost always full, so it’s easy to make friends. Stay at the downtown location if you want more space and a bigger bar.

Beds from 20 EUR/23 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at The Flying Pig Downtown!

There’s also an uptown location near Vondelpark that is a bit quiter and more relaxed but it’s a lot smaller of location.

—-> Click here to book your stay at The Flying Pig Uptown!

7. Durty Nellys Inn

Durty Nellys Inn
Located in the center of Amsterdam by the Red Light District, this is your classic, fun backpacker hostel. It’s cozy, tiny, and inexpensive. The beds are decent for a stay and each comes with its own reading light and outlight. But it creates a great community and it’s really easy to meet other travelers here. The staff is super knowledgeable and there’s a hearty breakfast too. Hostel guests also get a discount in the pub located downstairs. Given its location, it’s a party hostel.

Beds from 20 EUR/23 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at Durty Nellys Inn!

8. Hans Brinker Hostel Amsterdam

Hans Brinker Hostel Amsterdam
Hans Brinker has been around nearly 50 years, and it hasn’t changed much since I’ve been visiting. It’s near all of Amsterdam’s best nightlife and only five minutes from the Museumplein. There’s a hip underground bar and a cheap restaurant on site. The rooms are pretty basic, but there’s free breakfast. It’s one of the most old school, popular hostels in the city. It’s a bit of an institution.

Beds from 20 EUR/23 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at Hans Brinker Hostel Amsterdam!

9. The Bulldog Hotel

The Bulldog Hotel
While I thought the lack of a common area detracted from the overall social atmosphere of the hostel, it does have a pub that offers cheap and filling food and drinks. The dorm rooms are clean and modern, and each room has their own showers. It’s located right in the heart of the Red Light District, so it’s a bit wild on the weekends! It’s one of the best hostels in the city, even if it’s a bit pricey.

Beds from 20 EUR/23 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at The Bulldog Hotel!

10. Shelter City Hostel

Shelter City Hostel
I don’t stay at this place often and I only include it on the list because not everyone wants to party. This is an alcohol-free, party-free, and drug-free hostel with separate rooms for men and women. The rooms are comfy, the showers well kept, and most of the guests here are pretty quiet.

Beds from 25 EUR/28.40 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at Shelter City Hostel!

11. St. Christopher’s at The Winston

St. Christopher’s at The Winston
This is one of the all-around best hostels in Amsterdam. This old converted hotel is near the Red Light District. It has a beer garden, smoking area, and offers discounts on food and drink in the bar downstairs, which is also popular with locals because of its cheap happy hour. The hallways have cool art on them and comfy super beds. This is a great, great place to meet other travelers. Be sure to get a room on the inner courtyard to avoid the late-night street noise.

Beds from 25 EUR/28.40 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at St. Christopher’s at The Winston!

12. CityHub Amsterdam

CityHub Amsterdam
This cool new offering has communal areas and shared bathrooms like a hostel, but private rooms like a hotel. The rooms look like space-age hubs (or capsules) from the outside. Inside you’ll find very little space but comfy beds and a quiet environment. It’s a modern, keyless experience. You’ll get a wristband that’ll let you do everything, including purchase beer. The bathrooms are excellent, with awesome showers, luxury toiletries, and even flat irons and curling irons for the girls. It’s one of the best new hostels in Amsterdam.

Rooms from 53 EUR/62.50 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at CityHub Amsterdam!

13. Botel Zebra

Botel Zebra
This kid-friendly hostel is actually on a houseboat. Each cabin has bunk beds with linens and a bathroom with towels, plus Wi-Fi and breakfast are included in the price. Staying here is a very Dutch way to experience Amsterdam! It’s a fun experience. Note: This place is only available during fall and winter.

Double rooms from 85 EUR/97 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at Botel Zebra!

14. Ecomama

Ecomama Amsterdam
Ecomama is a new, eco-friendly hostel located right in at the end of the Red Light District and around the corner from Waterlooplein. Everything here is environmentally sustainable, from the use of fair trade materials, natural stone heating, and waste recycling. The rooms are beautiful with art on the walls, lots of light, and uber comfy mattresses. The common room has a lot of spaces to hang out and the whole building is filled with a lot of natural light. It’s very much the poshiest hostel on the list!

Dorm beds from 32 EUR/36 USD per night, but with a minimum two-night booking. Private rooms start around 100 EUR/114 USD per night, but with double occupancy and minimum two nights.

—-> Click here to book your stay at Ecomama!

***This list of the tried-and-true best hostels in Amsterdam should make planning your trip to Amsterdam a breeze. If you want a great place to stay during your visit, you won’t go wrong with any of these hostels.

So stay in one of them on your next trip!

Want the real, most honest, straight to the point guide on Amsterdam?

Want to plan the perfect trip to Amsterdam? Check out my comprehensive guide to Amsterdam written for budget travelers like yourself! This guide gets straight to the practical information you need to travel and save money in one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in the world. You’ll find suggested itineraries tips budgets, ways to save money, on and off the beaten path things to see and do, and my favorite non-touristy restaurants, markets, and bars, and much more! Click here to learn more and download it instantly.

Book Your Trip to Amsterdam: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Get Your Guide
Check out my detailed guide to planning a visit to Amsterdam with suggested itineraries, places to stay, things to do, where to eat, and how to get around. Just click here to get the guide and continue planning today!

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time.

World Nomads (for everyone below 70)
Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Photo credits: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16

The post My Top 14 Hostels in Amsterdam appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

My Top 14 Hostels in Prague

a sunny scene on the Charles Bridge in Prague
Posted: 11/7/2018 | November 7th, 2018

Prague is a beautiful, historic city in central Europe and one of my favorite cities on the continent.

The city and I have a long history.

It was my first stop on my first trip around the world (all the way back in 2006).

Since that oriignal, I’ve visited Pargaue dozens of times, even leading tour groups through the city. I’ve watched the city become increasingly popular with travelers and expats. It becomes more cosmopolitan with each passing year.

Now, this international city is one of the most visited in Europe (go in the spring or fall to avoid the overbearing crowds) – and is home to an outsize number of hostels given its small size.

With so many options to choose from (and with so many terrible hostels in Prague), I wanted to create a list of the best hostels in Prague so you can avoid ending up at a terrible or overpriced place during your visit.

Here are my…

14 Best Hostels in Prague

1. Sophie’s Hostel

Sophie's Hostel in Prague
This is my favorite hostel in Prague. It is an upscale hostel (and a sister property of the awesome hotel, Miss Sophie’s). The rooms have modern finishings, soft beds, clean bathrooms, and showers with incredible water pressure. The downstairs bar is always lively, the hostel run lots of events, and the staff is super helpful and knowledgeable. When booking online, be sure to add the breakfast buffet. It’s well worth the extra 140 CZK/6 USD.

Beds from 174 CZK/8 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at Sophie’s Hostel!

2. Little Quarter Hostel

Little Quarter in Prague
Located between Prague Castle and Charles Bridge, this hostel is in one of the nicer neighborhoods of Prague. The rooms are clean and there are privacy curtains for the dorms (always a nice touch) as well as spacious lockers. There’s a roof patio and great views from the top floor rooms. You can sometimes get discounts when you book directly at the hostel’s website. In contrast to most of the hostels in the city, Little Quarter offers a calm, non-partying atmosphere.

Beds from 213 CZK/9.37 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at Little Quarter Hostel!

3. Travel & Joy

Travel and Joy in Prague
This new hostel in Prague is close to everything. The hostel is family owned so they know a lot about the city. There’s also a yummy traditional Czech restaurant onsite. If you’re here in the summer, check out the great new terrace. This is also another low key hostel so stay here if you aren’t looking for a party hostel and want something small and intimate.

Beds from 220 CZK/10 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at Travel & Joy!

4. Hostel DownTown

Hostel DownTown in Prague
If you’re looking to party and socialize, this is one of the best hostels in Prague to do it. This hostels offers free city and castle tours, talent shows, pub crawls, cooking classes, beer pong, and more. They also do communal dinners a few times a week. Ask for a spot on the fifth or sixth floor, as you’ll have a great view of Prague.

Beds from 243 CZK/11 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at Hostel DownTown!

5. Post Hostel Prague

Post Hostel in Prague
Another great social hostel in Prague, here you’ll find game room with a foosball table, PlayStation, and board games. There’s a free breakfast and free coffee and tea. The rooms are large, and the beds are pretty comfy (the pillows are just ok) and all the beds have privacy curtains too! I love all the art they have on the walls here. If you book on the hostel’s website, you can find all kinds of discounts, including some for students, for four-night (or longer) stays, and for birthday stays.

Beds from 297 CZK/13 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at Post Hostel Prague!

6. Hostel Santini Prague

Hostel Santini in Prague
This hostel is one of the most beautiful in Prague. It’s in a baroque building that dates back to the 17th century. There’s even a piano (something you don’t usually see in a hostel) in the lobby. Located just below the Prague Castle, the hostel has lots of character, offers a free breakfast, and quiet and spacious and well lit rooms.

Beds from 308 CZK/13.55 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at Hostel Santini Prague!

7. Old Prague Hostel

Old Prague Hostel in Prague
Just a three-minute walk to the Old Town Square, this popular hostel’s location is one of the most central in the city. Try to get a bed on an upper floor as the nightclub below is noisy all night. While a loud hostel, it’s central and always full so it’s easy to meet people. The dorms are bit cramped though but the breakfast is free and includes sandwiches, cereals, milk, and coffee. You stay here for the location and the social scene.

Beds from 308 CZK/13.55 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at Old Prague Hostel!

8. McSleep Hostel Prague

McSleep Hostel in Prague
A family-run small hostel (just 22 beds) is located in one of the more local parts of town away from the all the tourists. Staying here you get more of a B&B than hostel vibe. The family running this place is really nice, the neighborhood is “real” Prague (local, not touristy), and it’s near one of the best parks in the city. The beds here are super soft, bathrooms are kept clean, and they even give you free slippers. It’s a very homey hostel!

Beds from 388.33 CZK/17 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at McSleep Hostel Prague!

9. Hostel One

Hostel One in Prague
This is one of the poshest hostels in the city with three locations! Guests get a free homemade dinner each night and can join in on organized activities, including drinking games and walking tours. These hostels are clean and have lounges with TVs, Nextflix, and PlayStations or Nintendo 64s. These hostels are on the more expensive side but the are “luxury” and you’re paying for super soft beds, modern ammenities, and all those events! There are age restrictions (typically age 18 to 36), so check before booking a bed. The locations are:

Miru – The newest Hostel One in Prague, this place is located in the Nám?stí Míru neighborhood. There are a ton of bars, restaurants, and markets nearby, and the city center is just a 15-minute walk. Beds from 313 CZK/14 USD.
Home – Hostel One Home is right in the center of the city. It’s a party place! Beds from 365 CZK/16 USD.
Prague – This hostel is in the Zizkov district, with the most nightlife and dining options concentrated in one area than anywhere else in Prague. The Old Town is a 15-minute walk. Beds from 313 CZK/14 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at Hostel One Miru!

—-> Click here to book your stay at Hostel One Home!

—-> Click here to book your stay at Hostel One Prague!

10. The MadHouse Prague

Madhouse Prague in Prague
If you want to meet people and are looking for a party, this is the best hostel in Prague to do that! It’s really a madhouse here! The décor includes very cool murals on the walls. The knowledgeable staff organize events for all guests (every night!), and can also help you find cool daytime activities around town. It’s super popular and one of the best social hostels in the city. Don’t come here if you want to sleep and not party.

Beds from 500 CZK/22 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at MadHouse Prague!

11. Old Prague House

Old Prague in Prague
This hostel is centrally located with the beds and pillows are comfy, and, best of all, you get your own bed (no bunks). There’s a great courtyard terrace to relax in. It is family friendly too. Discounts are often offered when you book direct, but they sometimes require a three-night minimum.

Beds from 517 CZK/23 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at Old Prague House!

12. The RoadHouse Prague

RoadHouse in Prague
This property is the newer, quieter sister property of MadHouse Prague. The staff is great, as is the location (close to Charles Bridge). It’s a social, but not wild, place. The beds are large and comfy, and there are privacy curtains and huge drawers for your things. The staff organizes activities each day, which might include tours or festivals. Be sure to join the group for family dinners – they’re incredible.

Beds from 600 CZK/26 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at The RoadHouse Prague!

13. Sir Toby’s Hostel

Sir Toby's in Prague
Sir Toby’s Hostel is friendly place to stay with super fluffy pillows and comfortable beds. This hostel is located in the Holesovivce neighborhood, outside the city center so it’s a more local and chill neighborhood. If you want to experience Prague outside the busy center, this is the place for you. Sir Toby’s also has a free walking tour that’s pretty good too! It’s also one of the cheapest hostels in Prague!

Beds from 171 CZK/7 USD. Single privates from 1,177 CZK/50 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at Sir Toby’s Hostel!

14. PLUS Prague

PLUS Hostel in Prague
PLUS Prague is another hostel located in Holesovice, but this one comes with an added bonus of a swimming pool and sauna. I really like this place, especially in the summer since they have a huge outdoor courtyard. There’s a a swimming pool and sauna here, a huge common area / dining hall, a decent restuarant, and spacious rooms. Think of this place as a mini-motel for travelers but nicer and more social. I still talk to the people I met here!

Beds from 104 CZK/5 USD. Twin privates from 1,014 CZK/45 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at PLUS Prague!

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The city of Prague is filled with countless hostels (Ok, maybe not countless as Hostelworld lists 140). You have a lot of options to choose from when you visit Prague. But, rather than spend hours searching for the perfect place to stay (because who wants to end up in a dump?), this list of best hostels in Prague based on years of experience can set you in the right direction!

Book Your Trip to Prague: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. They have the best inventory. If you want to stay at another type of place, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. They are the best.

World Nomads (for everyone below 70)
Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for more information on visiting Prague
Check out my in-depth destination guide to Prague with more tips on what to see, do, costs, ways to save, and much, much more!

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