Some people still think hostels are cheap and dirty. But with the rise of luxury and boutique hostels in Europe came a rise in costs per bed. So if you’re new to hostelling, or used to hostelling in other continents, I’ve laid out a few answers to the question “How much are hostels in Europe?”
How Much Are Beds In Dorm Rooms?
When it comes to booking bunkbeds in mixed dorm rooms across European cities, the prices are still a lot cheaper than hotel rooms in the same city. There also isn’t a great difference in the cost of bunkbeds in youth hostels, old-school hostels, and modern boutique hostels – click here to see the difference.
The average bed price in top European cities ranges from around €10 to €45, but the price does fluctuate greatly according to room type and size.
Photo taken in Generator Amsterdam
In cities like Paris, London, Amsterdam and Barcelona, the average price is usually around €20 per night for a bed in a smaller mixed dorm. In cities like Lisbon, Valencia, and Berlin, the average price is usually around €12 for the same room.
Generally speaking, the unofficial rules of bed-pricing in hostels are that:
๏ Large mixed dorms offer the cheapest beds (i.e. 10-person plus dorms)
๏ Smaller mixed dorms offer the more expensive beds (i.e. less than 10-person dorms)
๏ Female-only dorms can cost a few more euros per night depending on room size
Note: Dorm rooms with en-suite bathrooms cost more per bed than rooms with a shared bathroom in the hallway
Read more: Are Mixed Dorms Appropriate for Solo Female Travel?
Photo from Hostel ROOM Rotterdam
How Much Are Private Hostel Rooms?
While some travellers are happy to be social all the time, hostels are beginning to cater more to those who like meeting people in the common areas but are really keen to keep their privacy at night.
Which is why not all rooms in all hostels have bunkbeds. Nowadays, private hostel rooms are just as luxurious as hotel rooms, with comfortable double beds, en-suite showers, TVs and even balconies! In fact one hostel in Amsterdam recently opened with a two-bedroom suite on the top floor!
Photo from Generator Paris
And whilst hostel rooms are still relatively cheaper than hotel rooms in the same city, they can be a great deal more expensive than you would pay for a hostel bunkbed. Prices on average range from €20 to as much as €120.
Read more: Dorm Rooms vs. Private Rooms in a Hostel
How Much Are Hostels in Europe? Factors to Be Aware Of
Much like the unofficial rules of bed pricing above that refer to dorm rooms, hostels in general can offer fluctuating prices according to the following factors:
๏ Bed and room prices tend to be much higher on weekends
๏ Western Europe tends to be pricer than Eastern Europe (Portugal is a big exception to this rule when it comes to offering affordable hostel beds)
๏ Plan ahead and watch out for special events!
- New Year’s Eve is an obvious one, but the closer you get to big events like King’s Day in Amsterdam, Notting Hill Carnival in London, or St Patrick’s Day in Ireland – the more expensive the hostels will be!
Watch out for festival season in Paris!
How Much Are Hostels in Europe With Additional Costs?
In the old days of hostelling, travellers were provided all but the most basic of facilities (a bed, a shower and a kitchen) and had to bring the rest with them. Including sleeping sheets. Yes, sheets!
Thankfully, things have changed quite a bit and clean sheets are almost always provided. Because now we have to deal with the strict carry-on luggage requirements of the budget European airlines and who wants to carry sheets?!
But there are still some additional costs to staying in a hostel that you may not get when staying at a hotel which may include:
- Towel rental
- Padlock rental
- Luggage storage
- Late check-out
- Bicycle hire
- Packed lunches
- Walking Tours and Pub Crawls
- Laundry service and/or launderette facilities
- Printing
- Breakfast*
- Wifi**
*A note about breakfasts in hostels: Some hostels provide a simple continental breakfast included in the price of the bed, and then you can pay more for a cooked breakfast. Others charge for every type of breakfast and offer no free option.
If you’re travelling on a budget, it’s best to check this in the hostel description on a booking site or on their own website. If it’s still unclear just drop the hostel an email to find out.
Breakfast at The Beehive Hostel in Rome!
**A note about wifi in hostels: Like many hotels, hostels began introducing wifi by selling it as an additional cost. As the times have changed and we’ve all become slightly obsessed to social media, it’s far more common now for hostels to offer free wifi throughout the hostel.
At the very worst, wifi will only be available in the common areas and not in the rooms. Personally, I don’t mind this as I think it makes for a far more sociable experience! But nevertheless this is also something to look for online before you book.
Still have questions about staying in a hostel?
You might find the answers here: What Is A Hostel? The Ultimate Hostel Guide to Hostels in Europe.
Comment below if you have any money saving tips to cut the cost of hostels in Europe!
And if you’re a backpacker who’s been asked “How much are hostels in Europe?” – why not forward this to your friends and family?!
2 comments
Its a general observation that hostel rooms provide cheap accommodation but after reading this, it looks like it add more and more cost to your budget to avail the basic facilities like luggage storage, towel rental etc.
Hey Tallat – thanks for your comment and input 🙂 The way I see it is that basic facilities are ones I either carry with me or won’t need to pay for everyday. Whereas in a hotel (and many hostels) you may have luggage storage included – this is also reflected in a higher price. But I don’t find I use luggage storage every time I stay in a hostel. The same goes for breakfast – it’s often cheaper to buy a pastry and coffee elsewhere, so I’m glad the price is extra in hostels rather than included in the price of the bed. As for towels, I suggest always carrying one with you 🙂
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