Accommodation Checklist

Our checklist to help you find the right accommodation

Before you decide on where you are going to stay, there are a number of things you should really consider. Apart from making sure that the hostel is safe, clean and secure (as far as is possible), take a look at the checklist below:

  Think about what you want to spend. Prices will vary according to the  season, the individual hostel, and the type of room you want - check out our key  companies section for some online quotes.  
Think about the location of the hostel. Usually you're spoilt for choice in  a city - do you want to stay in the city centre near bars and clubs? Or would  you rather opt for the quieter suburbs? Obviously room availability and price  will be an issue but it's worth finding out whether the location suits you.  
Think about how long you want to stay there. If you are planning on spending  a long time in one place it's better to look for short term accommodation  payable by the month, rather than the night. But you could stay in a hostel at  first - that way you can meet people who may want to share accommodation with  you.  
Think about the type of accommodation you want. If you are travelling alone  or in a group, a dormitory will definitely be the cheapest option. If you are a  couple and need some privacy, you can pay more for a private room.  
Think about the type of hostel you want. Some hostels are run by chains and  have hundreds of beds with lots of facilities – bar, off license, job centre,  swimming pool etc. At the other end of the scale are small outfits that are  often run by ex-travellers. Choose one that suits what you are looking for.  
Book a hotel on your first night - that way there are no nasty surprises -  landing in a foreign country can make you feel vulnerable and scared, take a  taxi to your hotel, call home and relax. Tomorrow will be the first day of your  great gap year adventure!  
Find out as much as you can about a hostel before you book it, or use a  reputable company like Hostelworld  or VIP  Backpackers - not all hostels are as safe as we would like them to be!  
Ask about your room, how many beds are in the room, how big is it, is there  a fire escape, fire and/or smoke alarm - it pays to know in advance.  

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