How One Letter Can Save Your Wallet

Yes.  One letter can save you money.  And this is not a letter to a store to get some free stuff.  Quite simply, it is the letter “S”.  As in the difference between “Hotel and Hostel”.

But what is a hostel, anyway?  Besides for a really, really bad American horror movie by that name, I mean?  It’s kind of hard to explain because no hostel is ever the same.  They’re all independently owned and operated.  In short, instead of private rooms and bathrooms, they’re a place to crash, when literally all you’re planning on doing is sleeping.  There are many beds in one room at times, mostly twin-sized.

Sound scary?  Well what about when I say that they can cost less than $14 a night compared to hundreds at a hotel?  Think you can stretch your trip money even further?  What if you went with a big group?  You can just all take over a room instead of having to split a bunch of rooms in a hotel.

There is definitely a great debate out there about these little places.  Some people love them and others hate them.  If you’re more introverted, you might shy away… but then again, some people have said that their entire trip was made better because they stayed in a hostel.  Are they for you?  It’s really up to you to decide.

If you do decide you’re interested, just like with everything else travel, it pays to do your homework.  Here’s a place to look up a bunch of different hostels in different countries and cities.  Figure out what would work for you.

It’s also good to do some comparisons with hotels.  For example, what kinds of amenities are available?  Are there showers?  Food?  Some hostels almost act like a bed and breakfast, providing something yummy to eat in the morning.

I’m not trying to force anything… but it’s definitely something to think about.  What do you do in a hotel room besides sleep anyway?  Especially if the trip is a good one?  You’re out all day having fun!