Depending on your budget and what you want to get out of your backpacking experience, you can stay in a hotel or a hostel. I personally always stay in a hostel because they are a lot of fun, very social, and are geared more towards the 20-35 year old demographic. If you have a larger budget and would like a quieter place to stay, then choose a hotel. A hotel has a better sense of security for your belongings and provides a quieter atmosphere for you and your group.
Most people I have met that are backpacking Europe are open to meeting new people and trying new things, so a hostel is unquestionably the place to stay. The best way to book a hostel is to go on hostelworld.com or hostels.com and book through there. When choosing hostels, look at the customer reviews, but do not place your entire decision on what others say (many are overly negative and dramatic). I always chose the hostel with the best location I could get. Even if the hostel isn’t the nicest, I will most likely still choose it because location is key. Almost all hostels today do not have lock-outs, they provide lockers for their guests, and come with linens and towels. You should double check that the hostel you are about to book has these things, but most do. Don’t walk in expecting a gorgeous hotel-type atmosphere (many are in older buildings), but it is fairly easy to find a hostel that is nicer than many of the American motels. It is important to remember to never leave anything valuable lying around, even while you just jump in the shower quickly. It is very vulnerable to be taken. My friend left his wallet on his bed while he went to shower quickly and someone took it. Always lock everything valuable up in the locker.
If you book too late, it is hard to get the more popular hostels for any of or your entire stay. I would recommend booking the hostels as soon as you know when you will be there. Be open to booking one hostel for the first half of your stay and moving to another for the second half if you are booking fairly last minute. As with everything else, the earlier you make a reservation the better.
In terms of what room you want, this is also purely your preference. I always chose to stay in 6-10 bed mixed dorms. Not only are these the cheapest options, but it is the easiest way to meet people from all over the world and all different backgrounds. Normally there is a locker in the room for your bags so you do not have to worry about people messing with your things. Bathrooms are common bathrooms most places, so don’t try too hard to find a private bathroom. Most hostels have a common room with a few computers for checking emails and some have a bar inside where everyone relaxes and has a few drinks. I have met many people in the hostel, gone out with them at night, and met up with them in their home city to see it as a local. Most people staying in hostels are there to have fun and are more than willing to meet new people, and I highly recommend taking advantage of this. It really makes a backpacking trip something to remember and you will be surprised about the experiences that come out of it.
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