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Airbnb vs Hostels. My Airbnb vs Hostel experience in Europe?
In my experience there really is no comparison in the Airbnb vs Hostels, especially when it comes to the Airbnb vs the Hostel experience in Europe. Hostels in Europe, like most hostels anywhere in the world, are great for budget travelers, especially young budget travelers.
They often provide many things a hotel would provide, but in a more familiar as well as cheaper atmosphere.
Hostels are great for meeting other travelers like yourself. Many hostels have bars and cafes as well.
Also many hostels have various themed parties that can go on till all hours. If you’re looking to party your way around Europe or around the world for that matter, there’s no better way to do it than hostling.
However, if you would like a bed that is bigger than a bunk and much more private than a room full of bunk beds, than Airbnb is the way to go in Europe.
Though you should know that Airbnb also has a range of accommodation types. These include a room in someone’s home that you can rent, a shared apartment as well as an entire apartment or house to yourself.
When I travel, I always choose the latter. I like having my own place with my own kitchen, bedroom etc. than to live with the owner of the house or shared apartment.
Airbnb’s are the perfect alternative to both cheap hostels as well as more expensive hotels. If you’re on a budget, Airbnb is also ideal because they provide you with almost the best of both worlds.
The privacy and luxury of a hotel, with the cooking facilities and other amenities that can help reduce your costs of traveling in other countries like a hostel.
But unlike hostels, you can keep your food in the fridge and not have to worry about some broke backpacker raiding the fridge and scarfing down all your food.
Airbnb’s are also great because Airbnb hosts, at least the more reputable ones, that are called, “Super Hosts”, often will act like your local contact, your own personal concierge.
I was surprised when I first booked with Airbnb to find that my “Super Host” basically acted like my concierge.
They gave me advice and tips about local restaurants and cafes. They gave me directions if I needed something repaired or I needed to buy something special. They provided all kinds of advice.
One Host even took us for a tour of some of the local sites as well as his new home where he was building his own personal wine cave. He was a professional winemaker.
Hostel staff are too often quite friendly, sociable and give out some good local advice. So in that way Airbnb, hotels and hostels are similar.
Here are some additional FAQs on Airbnb vs Hostels.
Should I stay in a Hostel or Airbnb?
If you’re looking for more comfort and privacy, then an Airbnb would be better than staying in a hostel.
However, if you’re young, under 25, you’re looking to meet like minded travelers and are into a party atmosphere and things like a big bed and privacy aren’t that important to your overall travel experience, then you should stay in a hostel.
Is it safe to stay in a Hostel?
In general, hostels are pretty safe to stay at. Of course, this depends on the hostel, it’s location as well as it’s staff.
However, there are plenty of reviews on the internet regarding hostels, their facilities, cleanliness, locations as well as their overall friendliness and safety.
Therefore, I would read over those reviews before choosing a hostel. If you read the reviews and the hostel looks fairly clean and the reviews do check out, then go for it.
If you have any hesitations about the hostel, then skip it.
There’s plenty of hostels out there. There’s no sense in being forced to stay at a hostel or Airbnb for that matter, if you have any hesitations about.
Why are Hostels so cheap?
Hostels are so cheap because they pack in as many people as they can into one room. They do this by assigning bunk beds to each guest.
This way they are able to scale up the amount of revenue using less space while keeping costs low.
Do Hostels have curfews?
Some hostels do have curfews. However, some don’t and will leave you either a common door key to enter the hostel, a key card or code to enter the hostel after certain hours.
Most hostels will close their doors at a certain time at night.
So you should keep that in mind when you’re looking at hostels to stay at.
Why is Airbnb so cheap?
I wouldn’t say Airbnb is cheap. In most situations Airbnb will be cheaper than a hotel. Especially when considering the facilities they offer their guests.
But Airbnb’s aren’t considered businesses for tax purposes in many cases.
It’s a very shadowish economy, the home temporary rental business that is. Hotels on the other hand have overhead like electricity, taxes, business licenses, insurance, salaries of staff etc.
Most hotels are also located in commercial areas of towns and cities, which traditionally have higher costs. Whereas Airbnbs are usually located in residential areas.
Whereas, the Airbnb host usually takes care of their own accommodations as well as the cleaning, maintenance, upkeep, etc. They can also manage the utility bills by shutting off things like electricity, gas and water when their residences are empty.
Do you need to bring sheets to a Hostel?
This depends on the individual hostel. Some hostels will provide sheets and other bedding to guests, whereas others expect you to provide your own and may only give you a mattress cover.
My advice would be to always bring your own sheets and pillow cases and a small pillow if necessary.
You could always use whatever bedding the hostel gives you as either extra bedding or as an additional mattress cover.
How do you shower at a Hostel?
Hostel’s normally have common bathrooms and shower facilities. These are usually separated by sex of course.
Is Airbnb cheaper than hotels in Europe?
Airbnb’s in general, are cheaper than hotels in Europe. However, there are always exceptions to this.
Many hotels will run specials and price their rooms at low rates during, for example, their off-season.
Therefore, sometimes staying at a hotel can be cheaper than some Airbnb’s in the same area. It’s always best to check both rates before committing.
You never know, you might get a great room at a five-star hotel for cheaper than the local Airbnb that you’re considering.
Which is cheaper: a Hostel or Airbnb?
A hostel is normally cheaper than an Airbnb.
However, if you are traveling with another person, many times on Airbnb per person can be cheaper than a hostel.
On top of that, you will also have your own kitchen and cooking facilities, living room etc. and best of all, bigger beds and more privacy.
Do you get breakfast at an Airbnb?
Some airbnb’s do provide breakfast whereas others don’t.
Airbnb vs Hostels. Why I won’t go back to Hostel beds in Europe.
The first reason why I won’t go back to hostel beds in Europe is because I’m over the age of 25.
If you are over the age of 25, you should seriously consider your choice of accommodations as well.
You can justify your reasons for whatever ones you like, but the fact of the matter is, hostels become less and less comfortable as you get older.
It’s not to say that you can’t stay in hostels over the age 25. But why would you want to?
If you’re looking to relive some of your youth and hang out with all those young college kids, partying it up and you’re over 25, 30, 35, it’s a pretty sad sight to witness and something you should consider avoiding.
Now that that is out of the way, Airbnbs give you a much better and more local experience.
They give you a taste of what living in a country is like, compared to just going on vacation and staying in a hotel or resort.
I would highly advise you on renting you next Airbnb from a super host as well, since many superhosts will give you an insider’s look into the local culture, things to do etc.
You probably wouldn’t get this type of insight from a hotel concierge or a student working part-time at a hostel.
Airbnb’s provide you usually with comfortable beds, kitchens as well as private bathroom facilities.
They are more expensive than a hostel, but not prohibitively so, even for the solo traveler.
In addition, if you’re traveling with someone whether that be your spouse or a friend, you can book an Airbnb with two bedrooms or two beds etc.
If you’re traveling with kids, it’s also much more economical than a hotel for example. Airbnb and services like Airbnb have been game changers in the travel and real estate world.
So take advantage of staying in Airbnb, because hostels and hostel beds in Europe can’t even begin to compare.