HOSTELLING FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What exactly is a youth hostel?

A youth hostel is a form of cheap accommodation. Hostels vary in form and capacity a lot � from tiny little flats with 3 beds to modern hotel-like buildings. Besides offering very cheap accommodation such as hostelling in dorms, many hostels have incorporated apartments or rooms with en suite facilities (bathrooms in rooms) in their offer as well.

Yes, but why choose a youth hostel?

A hostel is the place to stay if one cares about:

• Price � staying in dormitories can save significant sums of money that can be spent on more interesting things, and even private rooms are considerably cheaper in hostels than in hotels or apartments.
• Location � Most hostel owners are aware that their guests are tired of long trips and therefore they generally try to position their guesthouses very centrally and, in many cases, close to the train station.
• Fun � One good thing about a youth hostel is its truly international character and friendly vibe. Staying at a hotel would never provide you with an opportunity to meet so many people who share your view of life and idea of having a good time. At the same time, many hostels (like Belgrade Eye hostel) offer the equivalent, or even higher, comfort than a budget hotel while giving you a chance to make new friends.

Do youth hostels have an age restriction?

It may be an oxymoron, but today the phrase "youth hostel" in most cases refers to "all age hostel". The fact that most of summer backpackers are students doesn�t mean that others are not welcome at hostels.

Are Quentin Tarantino�s movies ("The Hostel") right about the character of East European hostels? Are hostels more dangerous than budget hotels or other types of budget accommodation?

Definitely not. Our experience is that, while many hostel guests like to have a drink or two on their journeys or during their stay at Belgrade hostels (not surprising, given the high quality and very low price or Belgrade beer), hardly anyone ever causes any discomfort to others. Now, it is not guaranteed that you will like the people staying at the hostel at the particular time of your visit, but there is a general atmosphere of respect and understanding among travelers staying at hostels (after all, they�ve all been sleepy and tired at some point or other). If you would like to be absolutely sure you are undisturbed in your rest, you can always book a private room in a hostel or hotel.

Do hostels have a curfew?

A curfew is when guests need to return to the hostel at some time in the evening, after which the hostel is locked until morning. Most hostels today don�t have curfews, but bear in mind that this does not mean that they have a 24 hour reception or that checking in is possible at any time of day or night. Always check what a hostel�s check-in time is before your arrival.

Who are backpackers?

Backpackers are travelers who usually travel without any kind of intermediaries (such as tourist agencies), enabling them to have very flexible traveling plans. This type of tourism usually includes very limited budget, thereby making cheap hotel & hostel accommodation the highest priority. Savings achieved through low hostel & hotel rates and cheap transportation tickets (mainly trains, buses, low cost airlines, boats, but also hitchhiking and walking if necessary) enable a backpacker to see many places while meeting like-minded people (possible travel companions) and widening her or his horizons.

Will everybody try to steal my backpack / belongings?

It is true that if you travel alone and stay in a shared room, security should definitely be one of your primary concerns. Therefore, many youth hostels today have safe lockers. Some hostels (like the Belgrade Eye hostel) go one step further and make backpack-size lockers as well as safety deposit boxes for storing small valuables.

Are hostels opened all year?

If a hostel is located in a city where there is a high seasonal effect on tourism (such as Belgrade), it is usually closed between November and April or even June. Nevertheless, some places prefer to stay open even if it means less business and provide backpackers traveling off the beaten path a place to stay in off-season. The Belgrade Eye hostel is one of these.

Can I prepare meals at the hostel?

In line with their philosophy of saving their guests as much money as possible, most hostels have self-catering kitchens where guests can prepare their own food. Some even provide free hot drinks � at the Belgrade Eye, tea and coffee are free of charge in any quantities and throughout the day/night.

Do hostels provide linen and towels?

Virtually every hostel in the world provides linen and towels � and today, most of them do it for free.

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