Touring - Hostelling in Europe

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kyledr
07-08-07, 06:04 AM
I'm wondering if it's feasible to expect to be able to find a hostel every night without reservations. I'd prefer not to bring camping gear as I want to put down a lot of miles and I'd prefer to be not terribly burdened. I don't think I can expect to afford hotel stays either, though. What I might do is take an absurdly light and small sleeping bag for rare occasions, but I would hope to stay almost always in hostels. I'm going from Bergen norway through a few countries into france south to italy hop a ferry to greece and into turkey to stop at istanbul.

stokell
07-08-07, 06:21 AM
You didn't say what time of the year you will be travelling, but July and August you most likely need reservations well ahead.

Also be aware that many hostels charge hotel prices without the privacy of the latter. One hostel wanted to charge me 25 Euros for a bed in an 8 bed dorm. I carry a Hennessy hammock and a sleeping bag and rarely stay at hostels. I go to hotels or B&Bs when it rains or to clean up after a few days stealth camping in the bushes.
kyledr
07-08-07, 03:19 PM
The time is during the summer... June to August. I don't know what I'd do if I can't go to hostels. =/

skookum
07-09-07, 10:05 AM
You might be out of luck hitting hostels in popular areas in the prime tourist season.
Try to hit the smaller hostels outside the big cities or in the suburbs, you may have more luck.

The more rural out of the way hostels are perfect for cycle touring as they are often off the tourist trail, yet are easily accessible by bike.
kyledr
07-09-07, 10:53 AM
are there enough hostels that i can find rural ones as needed? I don't mind doing the rural thing since I have an excellent mode of transportation with me. :)
skookum
07-09-07, 11:10 AM
are there enough hostels that i can find rural ones as needed? I don't mind doing the rural thing since I have an excellent mode of transportation with me. :)

well....yes and no.

the best thing would be to check the websites of the national hostelling associations of the various countries, and see where their hostels are and plan your trip around them...I found there weren't always hsotels where I wanted to go (but I was camping as well), but when the weather was bad I planned my days around hostels. Some of them are lots of fun.

The only place I found hostels full were in big capitals, like Oslo and Amsterdam.

Then again I wasn't there in full on peak season.