RE: hostels in spain

Pack only three compleat changes of clothes. We don't change everything every day.

And you'll buy good brand t-shirts for living souveniers. I think they buy white Fruit of the Loom and dye 'em. So wash 'em in da sink alone a few times.

Hostels have washing machines. If your clothes take another day for really drying, it buys you another night to learn more about???????

Like getting lost. You have a chance to see and learn things you wouldn't have.

I am sure there are zillions of threads on this topic but I am a learner.
I would love to spend a couple of months in Northern Spain. I'm 76 years with no problem walking etc. The last three years I've travelled for 3 moths at a time to S. America for their summer months. BUT always with a large suitcase & always in a pre booked hotel.

I know nothing about hostels. I did 50 years ago using YHA hostels in UK. !!!!!!!!!! What are the hostels in to days Spain like.
a) Can you have your own room?
b) If in a dorm are there safe deposit boxes in reception for passport & money safety??

c) Everything else!!!! Any advice, points in the right direction etc.

Thanks in advance.

I always make a point to book accommodation for a couple of nights in whichever country I visit. This allows time to adjust to being in a strange, albeit exciting environment and time to gather your bearing.

There is also the question of budgeting. I don't want to arrive and then go to the problem of finding another place to stay if the hostel is full which means I may have to book into the nearest hotel. Even hostel can be pre-booked. Best go to hostelworld.com or hostelbookers.com. Choose the one with the better reviews and if in doubt about security, book a private room. At least you can then spread your stuff around without wondering if it is still going to be there after a short trip to the toilet. lol

Happy travelling!

I'm currently spending my last couple of nights in Spain - first time. I'm 66.)

Have spent time up until now in hostels, both independent and HI (Hostelling International) booked on [www.hostelbookers.com] or [www.hostelworld.com] and/or the HI site.
I booked everything in advance because I had a finite amount of time and didn't want to be traipsing town looking fr somewhere to stay.
I stayed in dorms because I prefer to save money, and carried a 44 litre 'Cabin-Max' bag, bought from Amazon. It's small enough (just) to meet carry-on standards, offers the option of backpack or wheelie, is perfectly balanced for pulling along, even on hills, and has a five year guarantee. It's also lightweight. Excellent bag. Have to say it's the best bag I've ever had.

I spent a month in Spain last year. Stayed in hostels and lodging thru www.airbnb.com .. hostels were more sociable and there were many older travellers. All had clean comfortable beds and good rec rooms, nice comfortable lounges with setees and tables and chairs and kitchens where you could make anything you wanted or store you food in the fridge. All beds came with a lockable closet that was big enough for me to get my whole carryon bag into. Some locked with a card, some with a key..some I believe you bring your own padlock but I didnt come across one of those.

Its a nice casual no hassle way to travel.

Good advice above..its a great way to travel,and Spain is a very good place to do it...high quality hostels,easy to meet other travellers etc etc.

I'd add that if you DO want to stay in private rooms,many hostels have only one or two..so booking in advance is a good idea.Staying in a dorm requires much less planning in general,,there is practically always a free space.

As marichel says,there is usually a lockable closet for each person/room.Having a small padlock in case you need it is a good idea.

thanks to everyone taking the trouble to reply - really helpful stuff

I only book ahead hostelz.com right b4 I'm sure I'm full on my present local.

We only scratch the surface. Don't shun little town museums.
Getting lost is a bonus. :)
Just shun hanging out with your own nationality.

happy trails.

Other to sites for booking hostels are [www.hostelbookers.com] and [www.hostelworld.com].
I use the former whenever possible because no booking fee, and the latter if I need to book in a hurry (i.e. fr less than 48 hours ahead) because they do have a small booking fee.
There's also an HI (hostelling international) website which covers youth hostels.

NB - Spain has some places called 'hostals' . These aren't the same as hostels, but are cheaper-priced hotels, more like B&B. Don't get them confused.

Also - see the post below (senior discounts part II) for cheap bus rides and more.