working in hostels

[expatben]

So I had a plan to both travel and save money basically I would plan my route and to save on location work in hostels. I have heard that people do this a lot in exchange for a free place to sleep and wonder how to go about it. I mean do I just turn up or should I email places in the cities I want to go to now and secure a place?

[SGRHewitt]

Originally Posted by expatben

So I had a plan to both travel and save money basically I would plan my route and to save on location work in hostels. I have heard that people do this a lot in exchange for a free place to sleep and wonder how to go about it. I mean do I just turn up or should I email places in the cities I want to go to now and secure a place?

The friends I have had who worked in Hostels stayed there for a couple of weeks and ended up having to work there... Didn't really start out planning on working there.

Regardless, I am sure you could do both. Email some places, get some leads. And if nothing else, show up on some doorsteps.

[Esterina]

Lizz just posted an add about it, here.

Good luck !

[expatben]

I sent them an email, the trouble is they are looking for someone in June. I am going to ask if they need anyone in August.

[Elizabeth]

I saw a posting once for a hostel in Gdansk that did the work for accommodation thing, you could email them (there's probably no more than 2 hostels) and ask. There is also a hostel in Tallinn I believe that advertises right on its hostelworld.com page that they hire backpackers to work for accommodation. If you ever make it to Kyiv I can give you details about how to bring your hostel bill down or get nights free at the hostel there.

But its mostly being in the right place at the right time I think. Usually the way to do it is to get in friendly w/ the staff and pitch in even though you are not officially working there. They might even cut you a deal on the bill for a longer stay (like 1 or 2 months+) and maybe you would be expected to casually pitch in on the work.