[Kinka]

Hi All!

Hope everyone is well. I was wondering if anyone can suggest some North American hostel sites. I've been having a difficult time finding adequate sites. I know that this doesn't have anything to do with the Europe website, but i really appreciate your "worldly advice" and am once again seeking it. Also, i have been told that since i am from Canada, staying in hostels in Canada and the U.S. may be dificult because often North American hostels only appreciate true "foreign" business. Is there any truth to this?

As always i look forward to your comments
Karley

[WillTravel]

Originally posted by Kinka:
Hi All!

Hope everyone is well. I was wondering if anyone can suggest some North American hostel sites. I've been having a difficult time finding adequate sites. I know that this doesn't have anything to do with the Europe website, but i really appreciate your "worldly advice" and am once again seeking it. Also, i have been told that since i am from Canada, staying in hostels in Canada and the U.S. may be dificult because often North American hostels only appreciate true "foreign" business. Is there any truth to this?

As always i look forward to your comments
Karley

The HI Hostel site is http://www.hihostel.com .
I've stayed at about 10 hostels in the US and Canada, some of which were HI and some which weren't. I was fine in all of them.

Another site for Canada: http://www.backpackers.ca

Otherwise, I find one of the most effective ways to find other hostels is to just put the name of the city and hostel into Google. With a little patience, you will find various options in many cities.

There are a few hostels in the US which seem to require a passport or other proof that you are not a US resident. The reason for this requirement is that they want to cater to travelers, not people who want to live there long-term. I've never heard of Canadians being disallowed.

What cities are you looking for? Then it would be possible to give more recommendations.

The other thing to consider in some cases is Priceline. In some areas, it is possible to get a decent hotel room for US $25 or so, which makes it pretty competitive with a hostel. See http://www.betterbidding.com and http://www.biddingfortravel.com .

[skate1968]

Hey Kinka,
There is a seperate section for 'America,' but that is OK. I was just writing about NY hostels in the america section. There is an international hostel in NY and if I remember correct it does require a passport. But I think they accepted a US passport. You don't have to be a foriegner, just a traveler.

[skate1968]

Kinka,
What part of North America will you be visiting?

[Tim Uden]

Originally posted by skate1968:
There is a seperate section for 'America,'

I will move this topic to the "America" section.

Apart from backpackers.ca, there aren't really many hostel sites for North America.

I am in the process of writing bugamerica.com, but it is a huge job. So far I have written the Essentials and Transport sections and I have started on the Destinations section, but I can't see myself putting the site online this year. It's a lot of work and first I want to add extra info to the Europe site and also write three books (next year's BUG travel guides to Australia, New Zealand and Britain/Ireland.

[musicdisciple]

I've never had a problem with hostels only wanting foreigners. I've hostelled across Canada twice.

Most places in Canada just have an HI. You're only really spoiled for choice in Vancouver, Banff, Toronto and Montreal. There are some other non-HIs scattered about. I've been working on trying to compile a list of every hostel in Canada. So far I'm done all the HIs and about half done the independants in BC. If you know more specifically where you're headed I can check my lists for you.

[Kinka]

For Skate and Music:

Thanks so much for your help music i really appreciate it! The planning is still in preliminary stages...i haven't decided if I want to have some RnR on the B.C. Coast or if I should have a bit of an adventure in Toronto and then NYC. It all depends on the miniscule budget of a poor student!

Thanks for the responses !
Karley
P.S. Sorry about not putting this on the american section, I honestly didn't see it when i was looking...I am also a bit dense most days [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[skate1968]

Don't be sorry, it's not the first time. Best of luck to you.

[Kinka]

Thanks skate i appreciate it

karley

[ThatDonGuy]

Chicago Hostel

Great place to stay in Chicago. They left anyone who is not from the city there. Very clean and brand new.

[Elle]

I know a guy whos couch you can crash on in Chicago.
Some of the colleges have dorm hostels in the summer.

GET LETS GO USA!!!!!!!!!