I’ve been travelling for a while now, but this year I had my sights set on Italy. What I found when I started to plan my trip, however, was something I wasn’t quite expecting – hostel prices in Italy have skyrocketed since COVID.
When I was last in Western Europe, hostels were affordable and a great option for budget travellers. But now, in Italy, the prices are sky high, with a bed in a dormitory costing upwards of 50€ and often even more than 100€ per night. That’s more than a hotel room! It’s enough to make even a seasoned traveller like me balk.
What’s going on here? How have hostels become so expensive? It’s clear that the pandemic has had a huge impact on the hostel industry, with many hostels struggling to stay afloat. While this is understandable, it’s still a huge blow to the budget traveller, who often relies on hostels for accommodation while on the road.
If you’re planning a trip to Europe, it looks like you may need to budget more than you thought. 2000€ for a month of travel in Spain and Italy just for hostels alone is a lot! And it’s something that budget travellers should be aware of before they plan their trip.
Fortunately, there are still some ways to save money on accommodation. For example, if you’re travelling alone, you can look for other solo travellers who may be looking for a roommate, or use websites like Airbnb or Couchsurfing to find more affordable accommodation.
Finally, if you’re looking for more advice on planning a solo Eurotrip, check out Solotravel’s detailed guide for useful tips and tricks.
Overall, the pandemic has had a huge impact on the hostel industry, and budget travellers should be aware of the higher prices they may face when travelling in Europe. But, with a bit of research, there are still ways to save money and have a great trip.