Should I stay in a hostel or hotel?
You will be spoilt for choice for places to stay in if you are following the main backpacking routes. Even if you are straying from the path you will not usually find too much trouble settling down for the night. So, given the choice of accommodation should you stay in a hostel or cheap hotel?
Hostels
Hostels are very widespread. You will typically be staying in dorms with between 4 and sometimes 20+ beds, although many hostels now cater for couples and independent travellers by offering single and private double rooms too.
Hostels are normally the best places to stay if you are on a tight budget and also offer the chance of meeting other backpackers to get to know ideas of where to go next.
A lot of people still have the idea of the old Youth Hostel concept but you will find these places are now few and far between. Instead there are numerous independent hostels with amazing themes and surprisingly high standards. Australia and New Zealand probably have the most hostels. It's certainly wise to book a couple of days in advance to guarantee a bed, especially if you are travelling in the peak seasons. It is worth getting a discount travel pass such as the VIP card as this will give you a dollar of so off most places.
Hotels
Large chain hotels are generally out of the budget of most backpackers, but smaller, independent hotels and bed and breakfasts can be a good choice - especially of travelling as a couple.
If you are travelling in places such as South America and Asia there are few hostels but plenty of cheap hotels. You will generally get your own room but it is definitely worth hitching up with another backpacker for the night if you are travelling alone to save a few dollars.
You can also bargain the prices down in most cheap hotels - especially in the low season or if you are staying for a few nights in a row.
Next: Backpacker hostels