Long term travel is wild. Party nights out at pub crawls with friends you’ve made over a few hours and just as many beers, sightseeing during the day, and for the modern digital nomad, a full day’s work to boot.
When you’re setting out to see the world for a long period of time, it’s no surprise that inevitably, you get to counting your currency and doing the math on how much it is that those beautiful nights in Prague or Milan are going to cost you.
Maybe you’re well-researched, and you’ve heard that hostels are the way to go—who wouldn’t want to meet new folks in a new city and pay less?
That is, until you start looking and realize that the prices on hostels are going up, and with hostel travel and solo adventuring becoming more popular each year, it’s natural to feel that your chances of scoring a great hostel deal are gone.
That’s why we’ve made this article to up your chances of scoring a fantastic hostel deal. We’ve traveled to multiple countries and managed to get amazing deals during our May 2023 backpacking trip—$10 a night in a backpacker’s inn in Krakow, $21 a night in a cozy hostel in Prague, and even $32 per night for a luxury hostel stay in Vienna.
5. Get your hostel deal by considering shoulder and off season travel.
This one’s a little basic, but tried and true. One of the most reliable ways to get a fantastic hostel deal is to plan your travels during times outside of peak travel season.
These periods vary between regions but almost always offer several advantages for budget-conscious travelers.
During the shoulder season, you’ll find that the weather is still great and many tourist attractions remain open, but the crowds will have thinned out significantly.
As a result, hostels often offer more competitive rates during this time to attract visitors. The off-season, on the other hand, is the least busy period for most destinations, making it an excellent opportunity to find even more substantial discounts on accommodations.
For example, during a trip to Barcelona in early September, we enjoyed stunning weather, explored the iconic streets of the Gothic Quarter, and had the chance to meet locals without the usual tourist rush. Our hostel in Barcelona offered a significant discount during the shoulder season, allowing us to stay longer and make the most of our time in the city.
Keep in mind that the exact timing of the shoulder and off-seasons varies (with European travel peaking in July and August, and Asia seeing its prime during monsoon season, for example) so it’s essential to research the best times to visit your chosen locations.
If you pick the quieter times of the year to embrace your next big adventure, you not only save money on accommodation but also get to experience a more authentic, intimate side of your destination.
4. Embrace Last-Minute Deals and Flexibility.
Sometimes, the best hostel deals can come to those who stay spontaneous and have flexibility in their travel plans. Hostels, like other accommodations, tend to offer last-minute discounts to fill up empty beds during periods of low demand.
Keeping an eye on booking platforms and the hostels’ official websites for any flash sales and special offers can definitely be worthwhile if you’re looking to score a great hostel deal.
During our time in Vienna, we decided to extend our stay for a few more days. Instead of booking in advance, we waited until the last minute and scored an incredible deal on a berth in a luxury hostel’s grand view room.
Because we were open to unexpected opportunities and willing to adjust our plans, we not only saved money but also had an unforgettable experience in a beautiful city. This tip may not be for everyone, but if you’re the spontaneous type it can pay to keep your bags packed and be ready to pounce on any last-minute offers!
3.Seek out “Secret” Hostels and Word-of-Mouth Hostel Deals.
Sometimes, you can find hidden gems in the travel community known as “secret” hostels, which may not be listed on popular booking platforms.
While the term doesn’t actually refer to a hush-hush venture kept secret like something out of a spy movie, these hostels often rely on word-of-mouth recommendations and don’t usually have a significant online presence. Ask fellow travelers or locals for tips on these lesser-known budget accommodations, and you might stumble upon a unique and affordable place to stay.
It’s worth mentioning for those inexperienced hostel travelers out there, that sites like Hostelworld and Booking.com are not the end-all be-all of hostels.
There are plenty of shared accommodations and hostels (particularly in countries that may not be so well-connected to online commerce and marketing). During my first trip to Slovakia as a freshly-minted backpacker, I was surprised to see hostels in towns both small and large, often with only a small hanging banner or tiny sign as their advertisement.
2. Book your hostel directly through the hostel’s website when possible.
We get it. When you’re on the go, it’s tempting to use third-party booking platforms like Hostelworld for the added convenience and those shiny numbers that make it look like you’re saving 10, 15, even 20%.
While that may actually be the case sometimes, our travel experience in places like Spain, Poland, Austria, and Hungary show that you might be missing out on direct deals offered by hostels themselves.
Many hostels prefer direct bookings and, as an incentive, they usually provide lower prices or exclusive perks to guests who choose to book directly through their websites. We’ve got anywhere from free towels in Barcelona to exclusive events, all-you-can-drink beer, and room upgrades for scoring a great hostel deal by booking direct.
Getting your hostel deal straight from the horse’s mouth also allows you to communicate with the hostel staff directly, ensuring a more personalized experience and a chance to request any special accommodations you may need.
At one point in our grand European journey, we faced the prospect of a dizzying delay causing a later-than-anticipated arrival outside of our hostel’s check-in slot. One quick email to the hostel had us sorted out. Thankfully, we made up the delay by running through Paris’ Charles De Gaulle airport and connecting just in time!
1.Use a VPN to find crazy hostel deals in the hottest cities around the world.
Ready to get your “elite hacker” face on? If you want to uncover hidden hostel gems and snatch unbeatable deals in popular destinations, you should absolutely consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to your advantage.
It’s no secret that businesses everywhere offer different pricing options depending on the region that you’re located in, and hostels are no different. By connecting to different locations on your VPN, you can look for hostel prices from different regions around the world.
You might think that hostels and booking companies have gotten savvy to this trick and can foil VPN users in 2023, but we recently booked a stay at a classy hostel near Vienna’s Westbahnhof train station using expedia.mx for The Life Abroad’s great European hostel adventure.
Booking directly through the hostel’s website led us to a price of $61.50 USD for a night in a standard dorm accommodation, with the option of booking a breakfast for roughly around $10 USD. After using Expedia’s Mexican counterpart (thanks to our VPN), we scored a great hostel deal, with the dorm spot coming in at just over $32 per night, and a $4 breakfast to boot!
Bonus Tip: Find your perfect nomad base by volunteering at a Hostel.
If you’re open to unique experiences, keen on staying in a single location for an extended period of time, and want to stretch your budget even further, consider volunteering at a hostel during your travels through platforms such as WorldPackers or Workaway.
Tons of hostels offer volunteer opportunities where you can work from anywhere between 12 and 30 hours per week in exchange for free accommodation and sometimes even meals. While the two websites we mentioned aren’t exclusively based around hostels, you can find plenty of hostels in major cities and more wild destinations on both.
Volunteering at a hostel can not only save you money but also allows you to connect with the hostel’s community and immerse yourself in the local culture more profoundly. If It’s a win-win situation that can lead to unforgettable memories and meaningful connections with fellow travelers.
Now that you’ve learned some of the best ways to score a great hostel deal on your travels, feel free to share your own inside tips and tricks with us on instagram. Who knows, we may even feature your tip if it’s truly awesome!