Rachel’s Interrail Adventures

This was the part of my trip that I was not sure about. I had never stayed in a hostel even when I was younger so I didn’t really know what to expect. I am certainly not a ‘youth’ anymore so there was that too.

However, as a solo traveler I could imagine that not only would hostels be more cost efficient than the alternatives but they would offer more opportunities for socializing and being around people.

So I decided to take the plunge and that was a great decision.

I stayed in 6 different hostels on this trip.

• Vienna – Space Home Prater
• Bratislava – Chors Hostel
• Innsbruck – Meininger Zentrum
• Ljubljana – Ibis ‘The Fuzzy Log’
• Salzburg – YoHo Youth Hostel
• Bruges – Snuffel Hostel

I’ll write a little about each,

Vienna – Space Home Prater

EU40 per night in a capsule

This was an unusual introduction to the world of hostelling. Clean with good bathroom facilities. Shampoo/shower gel provided I think. The beds were pods – cubicles with fancy lights, doors and charging points. No kitchen facilities apart from a kettle and no crockery or cutlery, fridge or washing machine. No food/drink available.

There was a three seater sofa in the corner near the lockers but not conducive to chatting or socializing. The space was air conditioned though which was very welcome in the high summer heat.

I quite liked it here. Nice 5minute walk to the train station , supermarket and bus/tram stops close by if needed. Please note there are no staff present at all at this hostel. Cleaning staff come in during the day.

Bratislava – Chors Hostel

EU42 per night per cubicle

After the first Vienna hostel this seemed very different. The bed spaces were amazing with locker/bed in an enclosed space.I really liked it. The communal area always had people there and food/drinks were available. I’m not sure about cooking/storing facilities – suspect they weren’t any.

Centrally located and lovely atmosphere here. Air conditioned I think – check first if this is important. Not sure about washing machines. Staff pretty friendly.

30 secs from the tram stop and 5 mins walk into the old town. I only stayed one night here but would go back in a flash.

Innsbruck – Meininger Zentrum

EU50 per night in 4 bed dorm

This hostel was different again. Nice atmosphere downstairs – bar and communal area. Full cooking facilities available and there were a number of families taking advantage of that. Breakfast available – a good selection of cold cuts, cereals etc.

The room I was in was very small. Like a compact hotel room but with two twin beds and bunk beds. Sorting stuff out was tricky because of the lack of space. It was okay though.

Washing machine and dryer there but we’re broken whilst I was there. Booked with an app. There is a laundrette very close by.

Location was great – 5 min walk to the old town. Staff are fairly friendly.

Ljubljana – Ibis ‘The Fuzzy Log’

EU45 per night in capsule

This is an Ibis hotel split into two parts – the hotel part and the hostel part. The hostel part has lots of facilities, nice big bathrooms which are clean but could be bettter maintained, plenty of seating and hanging out areas as well as full kitchen and refrigerator. Breakfast is available for EU12 – large buffet breakfast with cold and hot items.

I did not stay in a capsule as they were overbooked but stayed in a cabin room (they upgraded me). It was a double bed size with a lockable door and some cupboard space. It worked really well. They also have tents at this hostel.

Washing machine is available but there are many people using and it is hard to get a slot.

Location was brilliant – 5 mins to bus/train station and 5 mins to the old town. Staff are a little bit friendly.

Salzburg – YoHo Youth Hostel

EU35 per night in 6 bed dorm

Great location; 5-10 minutes from the train station and the same from the center of town. Rooms were large and there were lockers also operated by the room key card.

In this hostel you make your own bed when you arrive and have to rent a towel (EU1 + EU5 refundable deposit).

There are a couple of microwaves but no cooking utensils or cooker. Breakfast is available for EU8 – cold cuts and cereal.

They seem to screen ‘The Sound of Music’ every night in the TV lounge. Staff are fairly friendly.

Finally…

Bruges – Snuffel Hostel

EU35 per night in 4 bed dorm

A 10 minute bus ride from the train station and a bit of a walk down cobbled streets. This hostel is easy to get to (number 6 bus but be careful of the direction) and close to the main square (5min walk).

The staff here are super nice and friendly – the friendliest by far in any of the hostels. The rooms are large and have plenty of space to sort things out and store luggage. Bathrooms are clean and well maintained.

Breakfast is a bargain at EU4 including toast, bread, hard boiled eggs, coffee/tea, cereal and cheese.

So as you can see, there was a great variety in the ‘feel’ of each hostel and the details of what they offered. All the prices were in July, booked a couple of months in advance.

When I do this next time – as there will certainly be a next time- I will search hostels more thoroughly and check for washing machines, locations and reviews in general. Now I have some experience I know better what I like.

All hostels were either booked direct or with Booking.com. Except for Meininger which was booked through Hostelworld. I amended a number of my stays by a day or so as I worked out the details of my trip. However I could not amend my booking with Hostelworld. As that is not possible with them at the moment. I ended up wasting EU50 because of this.