Booking hostels on the fly
 

Heading out to UK and western europe in less than 2 weeks with a few buddies...we booked our first nights hostel but for the rest of the trip (4 weeks) we have no reservations and plan on booking the day of, or night before. For those who have done this... what is the best way to go about it? I figure the day before we're leaving a city we'll have a good idea where were headed and look up hostels on the internet, get phone numbers, addresses and either show up or call them to reserve the day before.

Does this work? How did everyone else make-do with no reservations?

Other than in Western Europe during peak-season I never bother making reservations and just turn up. As summer is fast approaching though it might be worth giving them a call or booking online a day or two before you plan to arrive, and if you're going somewhere popular or with limited accomodation then try to do it 3-4 days in advance.

You can use the hostel search engine on this site for booking online, or the lonely planet (or whichever guide you're using) should have phone numbers in for the most popular hostels.

I booked my next hostel just a day or two in advance when I was over there and I rarely had any problems. The only time I did was for Barcelona in August. Try to book 5 days in advance or more for Barcelona. Even with 4 days advance notice I had a hard time finding a place.

Either or, but if you're traveling with others it can prove to be difficult to stay at the same location at the same time for the days you want.

You might be able to stay for a night or two, then they may be full because of advanced bookings from other travelers.

This means that you have to pack up, find something else, then go back to them when they have vacancies. So in between, you have to run around the city again looking for other vacancies.

Traveling solo should be easier to book on the fly, in my opinion.

In any case, if it's during the main travel season...definitely book ahead.

Fuggedaboutit...