Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
If the idea of a dorm bed isn't appealing to you, the majority of hostels have private rooms, either single
rooms for solo travelers or double rooms for couples or travelers who simply want a big bed. These rooms
are quite expensive when compared to dorm rooms. For example, a room in Paris is around $83 USD, while
in Amsterdam it's roughly $85 USD, Madrid averages $50 USD, and London is about $100 USD. While
these rooms are cheaper than staying at a large hotel like the Marriott, I don't recommend using them, as
most budget hotels offer better rooms at cheaper prices.
Budget Hotels
Moving up from hostels you'll find “pensións,” as they call them in Europe, which are small family-owned
budget hotels. They are those indeterminate places you see as you walk around the streets of Europe, the
ones that make you think, “I wonder how good that place is.”
Rooms typically come with a double bed, a private shower, heat/air-conditioning, and maybe a TV.
They are no-frills establishments, and you aren't going to find twenty-four-hour room service. But they will
provide a good bed for you to sleep in, privacy, and usually a small breakfast. Rooms typically cost $40-70
USD per night, depending on your location. A room in Paris will cost at the higher end and a room in cheap-
er Athens will cost at the lower end. While in Rome, I found a lovely place right by the main train station
for $40 USD per night, while the hostel nearby had rooms starting at $80 USD. Pensións offer good value
and a warm environment.
You can find a lot of these establishments on TripAdvisor (tripadvisor.com) or via the local tourist office.
Because of the fees associated with hotel booking websites, many of these small budget hotels are not on
them.
My favorite website for finding hotels in Europe is Eurocheapo (eurocheapo.com). It is an independent
review website that goes around and finds small, local guesthouses and budget hotels. I love their selection
and include them in all my searches. You should too.
Apartment Rentals
If you are looking for the comforts of home, apartment rentals (furnished apartments) like those found on
Airbnb are very common throughout this region of Europe. Apartments usually cost between $30 USD and
$100 USD, depending on how many people you have, the size, and its location (the closer to the city center,
the more expensive). For example, in London an apartment at the edge of the city can cost around $30 USD
for one room. I stayed close to the city center for about $60 USD per night. I had a kitchen where I could
prepare my meals, helping to lower my food costs. At a hostel, the cheapest private room was $90 USD.
While apartment rental prices are often on par with hotels and because you can fit a lot of people in an
apartment, they work out great for groups on a per-person cost. If you are traveling in a large group, consider
renting an apartment over a hotel room or getting a lot of hostel beds.
Camping
Camping is a very popular option in this region, where there are many campgrounds accessible for pitching
your tent. You can find campgrounds and RV parks dotting the edges of cities throughout Europe. Campsites
cost between $10 and $15 USD per night per person for a tented space. For example, a campsite on the out-
skirts of Rome costs about $10 USD per night. In Paris, it is often $15 USD. In London, you'll find prices
around $12 USD. If you are traveling by RV or car, expect to pay double that per night. These sites provide
toilets, showers, kitchen facilities, and places for your tent (or RV). Some even provide Internet access. You
can rent tents at most campsite parks for around $5 USD per night.
