Different nationalitys in Hostels? - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

snowball1982 · 02-03-2008, 03:45 PM

Hi,
I am just wondering what sort of groups to expect while I backpack Europe this summer? I realize that this may sound like a stupid question at first, but I am assuming that the locals of a country will probably not be using a hostel in their country. I have also heard that the highest proportions of travelers may be Aussies/Kiwi's. So for instance, what would the nationality breakdown look like for say a Hostel in Berlin? Helsinki? Barcelona?

**expatben** · 02-03-2008, 04:01 PM

ummm kinda hard to say to be honest. I will say that when I was in Berlin I roomed with a Canadian, Americans, 2 Belgians, an Australian a Finish man and a guy from Munich. Those were basically the nationalities represented.
You will most likely find Canadians Americans and Australians as well as the folks from New Zealand. But hey you never know who you'll run into.

**jengt** · 02-03-2008, 04:47 PM

I don't know about Europe, but in Costa Rica there were a LOT of Swedes, some Canadians, Germans, Americans and a few Aussies.

**joe7f** · 02-03-2008, 05:05 PM

I tended to meet fewer Americans but I have never done the hostel bit during the peak of summer.

Aussies and Kiwis were by far the travel kings. I am convinced there is no one in Australia or New Zealand between the ages of 18-30 because every hostel in the world has 20-30 of them.

--Joey

**Elizabeth** · 02-03-2008, 07:05 PM

I met alot of Canadians, and very little Americans. I can't say I met an overwhelming amount of Aussies/Kiwis but I think my experience was a fluke.

**Canadian Bacon** · 02-03-2008, 07:23 PM

In europe.. yeah, its mostly North Americans and Oceanic ppl. But there are also lots of Koreans, Japanese... and increasing amount of Chinese travelling about.

On the train from Barcelona to florence, the train was packed with Koreans! And korean girls are the bravest backpackers around... I remember meeting really petite and pretty korean and japanese girls who would backpack TUrkey solo!

**maracle** · 02-03-2008, 07:49 PM

I've noticed Israelis are pretty common the places I've been, a lot of them go on a backpacking trip once they get out of the military. It can really vary, I haven't seen Australians in huge numbers (though no shortage of them, I just haven't seen them in the numbers Joe apparently has run into).

I'd say Canada and England are the most common overall. Followed by a pretty good assortment of Aussies, Irish, Americans, Iraelis, and Germans. And I've seen a few from scandanavian countries, Argentina, France, and Spain.

**expatben** · 02-05-2008, 10:16 AM

If you're going to Europe you will most likely meet Brits as its cheap to get to Spain and catch some rays.

**lauren313** · 02-06-2008, 12:16 AM

^ ^ ^ But probably not in the hostels.

Us Brits love an all inclusive

**expatben** · 02-06-2008, 12:43 AM

Yeah bless Thomas Cooks 3 days all inclusive deals in the Costa Brava. I sometimes wonder if most Brits will go to a Spanish town that does not have Costa in it

**MeTurk** · 02-06-2008, 05:56 AM

From what I remember it's mostly Aussies/NZlanders, then Americans/Canadians Followed by South Americans and Europeans. Ran into more Spanish/Portuguese than any other Europeans. Met very few Irish. Europeans tend to do short trips in a group so maybe they mingle less and spend less time in hostels. Or maybe we spend most our time in Australia/America I know with Irish when it comes to extended holidays where they'll be working, they nearly always know someone in the place they're going to so no need for hostels.

**expatben** · 02-06-2008, 07:06 AM

Its funny you say that MeTurk because personally wherever I go I tend to meet an Irishman. I sometimes think that the Irish as a nationality have some sort of inbuilt thing that makes them travel. I cannot think of an English speaking country that does not have a large Irish community.

**MeTurk** · 02-06-2008, 07:29 AM

Quote:

I sometimes think that the Irish as a nationality have some sort of inbuilt thing that makes them travel.

That's what made me expect allot more than I ran into. At first I was running into none, it wasn't until I got to Paris, the guy working at the hostel was Irish. Then ran into one Irish girl in Prague. In Cesky Krumlov I ran into 6 lads from Tuam the next town over from my own. I was traveling October though, overall things where quiet.

**MeTurk** · 02-06-2008, 07:32 AM

Wait. Come to think of it I did run into a few more in Prague I was just very drunk from celebrating running out of money with a bottle of Jameson. They bought me a load of pints too.. I think.. :D

**joe7f** · 02-06-2008, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizz

I met alot of Canadians, and very little Americans.

The Americans I ran into seemed to be of normal size

--Joey