20
I used to book hostels months ahead but now I just show up same day
Started traveling full time back in 2019 and I was one of those people who planned every city weeks in advance. Then last summer in Barcelona I had a booking fall through and ended up walking into a random hostel at 8pm. Got a private room for 25 euros less than my original plan and met some cool people at the bar downstairs. Now I never book more than 2 days ahead unless it's a holiday weekend. Anyone else find that last minute waiting pays off or have you been burned by it?
3 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In3 Comments
bennett.noah1mo ago
Ha, you got lucky! The travel gods smiled on you that night. I tried the whole "show up and wing it" thing in Rome once and ended up sleeping in a train station after every hostel within a mile was booked solid for some random festival. So yeah, it works great until it doesn't. But honestly, that Barcelona deal sounds sweet, so maybe I'm just bitter. I bet that private room had some weird smell though, right? They always do when the price is too good.
3
simon_coleman1mo ago
You said "the travel gods smiled on you" like it's just luck or whatever, but I think people overthink this stuff. The secret is knowing when to plan and when to wing it, not just rolling the dice. Rome during a random festival is rough, but that's on you for not checking local events before showing up blind. I've done this dozens of times in like 15+ countries and only got screwed twice, both times because I ignored basic research. And nah, that private room in Barcelona was clean and had AC, people just assume cheap means nasty but sometimes you catch a deal because they had a last minute cancellation.
3
haydenbutler1mo ago
Exactly, I've definitely been on both sides of this coin. My last "wing it" attempt ended with me sleeping in a sweaty hostel lobby in Prague because I didn't know there was a marathon that weekend. So I guess my travel gods are more like grumpy toddlers who only smile when I do my homework.
1