Remember when you could just show up at a hostel in Prague without a booking?

Back in 2012, I got off a train with no plan and found a bed for about $8 a night. The owner just pointed to an empty bunk. Last week, I tried the same thing in the same city and every place was full or wanted $40 for a dorm bed. I had to book a last-minute hotel for $90, which blew my budget. Has anyone found a good way to travel without booking everything months ahead these days?

2 comments

2 Comments

nora_wells581mo ago

My buddy got stuck in Lisbon last summer. He just walked into a smaller hostel that wasn't on the apps. The guy at the desk had a free bed from a no-show. Paid cash, way cheaper than online. Seems like skipping the big booking sites can still work sometimes.

jake_kelly241mo agoTop Commenter

I started checking hostelworld for last minute cancellations around 4pm. Snagged a bed in Berlin last month for 15 euros that way.