Can't find any hostels in Paris! - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

Rathma · 04-24-2008, 10:34 AM

I'll be there May 1-5, staying 4 nights. Everywhere within a reasonable price (under 80 dollars) is booked up.

I know Paris is very popular and this is short notice, but I also heard from friends that they just backpacked not booking anything and found places for every city. So this doesn't make sense at all.

Heeelppp!

**mbo108** · 04-24-2008, 11:39 AM

Yeah, that doesn't really make sense, but at the same time a number of people on here have been commenting on the lack of hostel beds in Europe right now.

Have you looked just outside of the city? That might open things up to you...or try couchsurfing? (maybe split it up, two nights at two different places so you aren't imposing on one person too long)

Rathma · 04-24-2008, 12:33 PM

There is one not so good place outside of the city I can book.

It's either that or try finding something when I get there.

The thing is, I think most hostels leave spots open for people who just show up since they are more reliable than reservations. So if a place is "booked up", it's still not completely full.

Maybe I could try booking that place outside of the city for the first night, but get the next 3 nights somewhere inside the city in person.

**aliz** · 04-24-2008, 04:24 PM

are you trying on different hostel sites? because often one hostel booking site will say a different thing to another, or I have found that if say, hostelworld or the travelpunk hostel site says a place is full, often on the individual hostel's own website there could be a few beds left. This is how I booked our hostel in Paris for July, none of the booking sites listed double rooms except for the hostel's own site

shineonyou · 04-24-2008, 06:09 PM

I believe you're correct, hostels often leave a few spots open for people who just show up. Maybe you could try contacting the hostel by phone or email and asking if they have any spots?

Rathma · 04-24-2008, 09:59 PM

I booked the first night at a hostel with good location, and hoping we will find something for the other 3 nights when we get there.

They charged me 57 euros for a double bed. I HOPE that is for the both of us. Because if not, thats a lot of money to spend per person.

**mbo108** · 04-25-2008, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Maybe you could try contacting the hostel by phone or email and asking if they have any spots?

This is a great idea. Directly emailing a hostel will probably work - I did that for a room in Amsterdam in June of this year when the website said it was full.

**kiwichick** · 04-26-2008, 11:45 PM

google AIJ paris they aren't on hostelbookers etc but u can book by email and they are fairly decent and really cheap for paris!

**tumblezweedz** · 04-29-2008, 08:06 AM

Since there are two of you, you might try the Etap hotel chain - www.etaphotel.com. It's a French chain and there are several hotels in and around Paris. Prices go up closer to the centre, but are generally in the 40 - 50 E range, for a private room with a double/twin bunk bed. We travel with our kids (6 of us at the moment) so we need to get two rooms, but even that usually works out cheaper than booking every bed in a hostel dorm. Plus you get a private bathroom.

Good luck.

**Canadian Bacon** · 06-23-2008, 11:37 AM

I know its way past may... but in case this problem happens again....

Most hostels reserve a small number of beds for walk-in backpackers.

I know BVJ Louvre does, at least.

You may want to just show up and make a deal with a hostel to sleep in their common room or something - it usually works out.

J