Should I book hotel in advance when going to europe?

[viodea]

I'm going to Czech, Germany, Italy, Swiss, and France next month. My plan is not fixed and I want flexablity but worry about not getting a hotel room or too expensive.

1) Should I book the rooms ahead?
2) Will I save much by booking from internet?
3) Does it cost more to rent a room on that day compare to book ahead?
4) Any good site for hotel room booking other than orbitz?

thanks

[Claire]

Hi viodea,
I am sure there are hotels that will have available rooms. It just kinda depends on what you're willing to pay really. I think booking online does give slightly better rates. You can go to official tourism websites and they usually will have links to hotels. Majority hotels can be booked through their websites. I'm afraid I can't help with any good booking sites as such.

Personally I prefer to book a hotel in advance, perhaps you can look over your schedule and book some of them? I know that when I get to a new city after a long trip, then I don't want the hassle of trying to locate a hotel. But hey, that's just me. If you're travelling within the country, then perhaps it's not such a big deal. I would at least book something if I know I'll be arriving/leaving early/late.

[tommykjensen]

I have used http://www.octopustravel.com/ to book hotel in Norway but they have hotels all over the world.

As Claire I also prefer to book hotel in advance. At minimum my advice is also to book a hotel for the day/night You arrive and a hotel for the last day/night before You go home.

[dgcorner]

From what I am reading you want the best of both worlds which is good if you have the $$$ ;-) IMHO, I would suggest that you:

1) Make your itenerary -- leaving a couple of days in between countries so that you have the flexibility that you so desire. Remember that no matter how well planned a holiday is, there will always be a couple more sites that you wouldn't want to miss...:rolleyes:
2) Book your accomodations in advance. Although it doesn't say where you're from I will assume that you are from the States.
3) One of the more important things to remember if it is your first time travelling to Europe -- accomodations are no where near the quality and price points of the hotels/motels available in the US. Be prepared to spend 3 - 5 times or more for similar quality, size, and furnished rooms.

Have a look at Frommers.com or Jasons.com. They are able to give a range of options from backpackers to plush accomodations.

Have fun and we look forward to seeing some pics of your trip!

Cheers!

[viodea]

I went to 85 days europe 8 years ago and stayed in hostel and cheap bed & breakfast. I didn't book hotel in advance. This time, I want to stay in a decent hotel without being broke after the trip.
One thing I enjoy the most without booking ahead is flexability. On a few occation, we cha nged our plan without worrying about messing up the "plan".
I guess I'll book hotel in advance for big cities.

[Claire]

Viodea, in that case I think booking a hotel is a good idea. :) Hope you'll have a great trip!!

[lakiluno]

Generally you should be fine

but

If it is a holiday in the country your in, your screwed. My family spent most of the day trying to find a campsite or hotel within 50 miles of the ferry terminal during a french holiday weekend - everywhere was full. Find out when local and national holidays are if you don't plan on booking ahead.

Leo

[viodea]

I've been browing around lately and found a few "last minutes hotel" site. The rate is like 20-30% lower for up to a week ahead. I'm still debating if that's worth the risk. My trip is kinda tight already. So, I don't want to loss half day to find a hotel.

[viodea]

The last time I stayed in cheap bed & breakfast. There is no shower or toilet in the room. I wonder if it's standard to have shower & toilet in the room in Europe? I've seen a few site saying with shower or no shower. What if they don't list? Yes or no?

[tommykjensen]

The last time I stayed in cheap bed & breakfast. There is no shower or toilet in the room. I wonder if it's standard to have shower & toilet in the room in Europe? I've seen a few site saying with shower or no shower. What if they don't list? Yes or no?

I would say it depends on the price. If it is really low then expect shared shower/toilet.

[jrobert]

An empty room makes no money. For the proprietor, getting 10 or 20 percent off the "today" rate is still better than getting nothing. Make an offer. If it's reasonable, I bet you'll stay more often then walk.

This probably applies more to the smaller private hotels than to commercial operations and chains.

-jeff-

[Tdragone]

2 words... WORLD CUP
If you go to germany in June/early july.. It's going to be nuts.
Hotel prices in the large cities WILL be up; but you should be able to find deals away from the soccer venues.
Be prepared to watch soccer on TV while there!

Don't be afraid to ask waiters/bartenders who they're rooting for; they might buy you a drink if their team is winning :)

[Transonic]

Wow that's great, when are you going? I'm hitting all those places except for Switzerland this September/October. I'm actually booking my rooms through HostelWorld (http://www.hostelworld.com/). They might not have the highest end hotels there but their range is pretty broad.

[condyk]

There are plenty of online booking sites like lastminute.com, laterooms.com, etc ... if I was on a tight schedule I would book specifically. If I was on long term traveller trip I would book via an Internet Cafe always just a few days ahead when I knew what I'd be doing. There is always a compromise. I tend to plan how many days in each place and then just go with how things unfold within that. The less hassle and stress on a trip the better. It is always swings and roundabouts. I also find that it is good to book an extra night somewhere when you feel you may need some recovery time. Travelling can be hard in some countries. Europe much less so of course. Also, I keep a day budget but now and again I will splash out on a really nice place ... again, part of recovery after some hard travelling. Nice to indulge.

EDIT: BTW Paying rack rates when you turn up to a hotel is silly. If there are rooms free then you can always ask for their very best rates. I have got into the habit of asking for their best rate and when a price is given then asking '... and what is a better rate than that one if I am paying cash?' ;-)

[viodea]

2 words... WORLD CUP
If you go to germany in June/early july.. It's going to be nuts.
Hotel prices in the large cities WILL be up; but you should be able to find deals away from the soccer venues.
Be prepared to watch soccer on TV while there!

Don't be afraid to ask waiters/bartenders who they're rooting for; they might buy you a drink if their team is winning :)

yep.. that's one of my problem. Only 2 cities I haven't booked for are Leipzig & Lautherburnnen. I'm going to Leipzig to watch World Cup and the hotel price for the night was crazy. It cost more than US$200. Or US$150 but have to stay 2 nights. Even hostel cost close to $50/person but min of 2 nights too.

[viodea]

Wow that's great, when are you going? I'm hitting all those places except for Switzerland this September/October. I'm actually booking my rooms through HostelWorld (http://www.hostelworld.com/). They might not have the highest end hotels there but their range is pretty broad.

I'm going from mid june to early july. Booked most of my hotel through expedia.com. Rates not too bad.

[Az2Africa]

I've always just got off the train/plane and started walking. I have would up with some interesting lodgings. Ranging from a rich ladies guest house in Florence to herding a cow out of the room in Ethiopia. Keeps it interesting.

[viodea]

I would do the same if I was by myself. For this trip, it's my honey moon. So, I try to get something decent for my wife.