Senior Hilary Meyer in Prague. (Courtesy of Hilary Meyer)

Each year, scores of Washington University students decide to undertake an intellectually fulfilling journey defined by self-discovery, personal reflection and the ever-present possibility of grave danger. But it isn’t the MCAT they’re taking—it’s a trip to Europe. To assist in the planning of a cheap and entertaining journey across the pond, Student Life tracked down four well-traveled students and got their advice on the cheapest, most entertaining places to stay: hostels.

Jared Stein, Senior
Amsterdam, The Bulldog.
More than just a hostel, The Bulldog combines cheap rooms with a delightful coffee shop on the lower level. The co-ed rooms fit eight to 10 people each—according to Stein, “People get in at all different hours, so you have to deal with the occasional drunk roommate.” The staff is friendly, but as Stein said, “Don’t lose the little piece of paper that says you’re saying there—the woman gets really angry.” The best part? The coffee shop allows travelers to smoke more than just cigarettes.

Paris: The Garden Inn.

The Garden Inn offers private rooms, a rarity for any hostel. “The rooms are very sparsely decorated,” Stein said. “But you get French bread, jam and drinks for breakfast—all for free.” The winding, narrow staircase leading up to the rooms makes handling luggage difficult, but “the woman who works there is very helpful.” And although The Garden Inn doesn’t actually have a garden, it’s right across the street from a beautiful municipal park.

Senior Alex Rosenberg at Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia. (Courtesy of Alex Rosenberg)

Alex Hoogland, senior
Madrid: Las Musas Residence.

Located just off one of the Spanish capital’s oldest plazas, Las Musas Residence is within easy walking distance of museums, parks and the historic Palacio Real. The staff are very accommodating if you choose to extend or reduce your stay, and they will gladly direct you to the nearby metro stop. But be careful—things can get a little sketchy. According to Hoogland, “I was offered hashish there on at least three separate occasions.” Overall, though, “It’s a great hostel in a nice area of a fantastic city.”

Erin Meyer, junior
Sevilla: Sevilla Inn Backpackers.

The breathtaking nighttime view of the architecturally stunning Cathedral de Santa María easily makes this hostel worth the rent. And after an evening of barhopping for only 10 euros, one can imagine that the view only gets better. “The whole area has great nightlife,” Meyer said. “And during the day we all chipped in to make meals and then ate together as a group.” Sevilla Inn Backpackers is conveniently located off a major thoroughfare, and after dinner there is even live flamenco dancing—an art even weary feet can enjoy.

Adina Appelbaum, senior
Budapest: The Goat Hostel.

If the name didn’t sell you, the 8-euro price per night certainly should. “It’s in a floor of a renovated old beautiful apartment building that’s decorated really funky,” Appelbaum said, “and the owners were so nice and friendly.” The warm environment is complemented with free breakfast, Internet, coffee and tea. Without a doubt, it’s the best place to stay east of the Danube.

Barcelona: Mapamundo.

A great location and beautiful décor combine to make Mapamundo one of the most popular hostels on the Mediterranean. Featuring friendly owners and reasonable prices, “It’s a great cheap place to stay,” Appelbaum said. In this quaint little building, it’s worth the extra effort to book a room with a balcony—especially if you’re traveling as a couple.

Regardless of your travel plans, it is always best to book rooms in advance and to call ahead in order to ensure that little perks like air conditioning and the Internet actually work. Know whom you’re traveling with, and keep in mind that oftentimes an extra $10 (or euros) a night can make the difference between a story you’ll want to tell your friends and one you won’t.