The Best Hostels in Ireland for Students and Backpackers | Budget Your Trip (2024)

FAQs

Do backpackers stay in hostels? ›

There isn't just one type of person that stays in a hostel while they travel. The majority of hostel guests are budget-conscious solo travellers, backpackers, students, digital nomads, and gap year travellers under the age of 35.

For more rural stays, An Óige's (the Irish Youth Hostel Association) youth hostels are hard to beat. With over 90 years of experience behind them, these hostels spread across nine counties aim to foster an appreciation for Ireland's unique countryside, culture and heritage in all who visit.

Single travellers and backpackers

Backpackers are considered to be the right people wishing to stay in hostels. Indeed, they often travel alone and are keen on staying in hostels to enjoy an affordable lodging during their journey.

Because each dorm features multiple beds and there's usually less privacy and fewer amenities, hostels cost less money than hotels. The more beds per room, the lower the cost. Most hostels feature shared bathrooms, a communal kitchen and a common area where you can work, hang out and meet other travelers.

Most hostels offer private rooms where you can be in complete privacy and embark on whatever sexual adventures you choose. And while these rooms will often cost a good deal more than a bed in a dorm, they are the best option if you want to spend quality time with your sexual partner.

Most hostels require that guests be at least 18 years old, but many are comfortable hosting travelers in their 30s and above. When traveling abroad, and you meet older people in their 60s or 70s staying in dorms in hostels, does it inspire you to travel or make you feel a little sorry for them?

Any guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a chaperone (that is over 18 years old), and they must be booked into a private room/dorm.

Students who live on campus can find residence halls, which can be either based on the university campus or around other areas in the city. Most top universities in Ireland have these halls of residence on the campus itself, which allows students to gain access to various university services in close proximity.

The average price of a dorm bed in a hostel for 3 days in Ireland is $84. The average hostel cost of a dorm bed for one week in Ireland is a surprisingly affordable $196, and the average hostel cost of a dorm bed for two weeks in Ireland is $392 (not including taxes and fees).

While HI USA doesn't have age restrictions at any of its hostels, always check other hostels' policies when you're booking just to be safe. But if you're still asking yourself, “Am I too old to even be considering this?” start off by asking yourself the following questions, instead.

Do hostels provide breakfast? ›

Breakfast is often included in many hostels, but this often is not the bargain it sounds like. Be prepared for a continental breakfast in most parts of the world like buttered toast, an overcooked fried egg, and some coffee. It's rare to find a hostel breakfast that is well-prepared and fills you up.

Truth: Hostels are generally open to people of all ages, and I've never been turned away for being beyond my 20s. Do I feel “old” when I stay at hostels? Sometimes, yes. But I've rarely been the only person over 40 staying at one, and I frequently meet travelers in their 50s and 60s who are staying in hostels.

Night shelters are usually free but hostels are not. The rent in hostels can be quite high and you may also have to pay extra for things like laundry or meals. However, most hostels will accept people without any money as long as you can claim benefits to pay for the accommodation.

A good hostel usually provides towels for free. But many hostels charge a fee or require a deposit. Therefore, it is recommended to bring along your towel. In the case that the hostel provides you a towel, use them because if you can safe time packing it and if not entirely dry, the towel will smell bad.

"Backpacker" refers to the person travelling with a backpack. Hostels and youth hostels became backpackers' hostels in Australia and New Zealand due to the fact that backpackers were the main customers.

Hostels. They're one of the most popular places for backpackers to stay in. They're no longer the dark and dingy buildings they once were. Now, hostels have been upgraded and, in some cases, are cleaner than your average hotel.

Hostels are a favorite among backpackers because you can rent a dorm bed for cheap prices and you get to meet people in the social environment.

Hostels, also known as youth hostels, backpackers' hostels, or just backpackers, are a form of cheap accommodation for travellers, costing a fraction of what you'd pay at a hotel. Instead of having a room to themselves, hostel-goers typically sleep in a bunk in a "dormitory-style" room shared with other guests.