Updated yearly, volume one covers Europe and the Mediterranean, while volume two covers the rest of the world. In addition, some national hosteling associations produce their own country specific hostel guides. Hostels are not for everyone. Most offer spartan accommodations and little if any, privacy. Although many hostels are centrally located, others are in more remote areas.
Most hostels impose a curfew, and some have a lockout policy during the day.
During peak season, most hostels have a maximum-stay rule. Don t exclude the many other low-budget options available locally. In France, try a pension, in Italy a convent. In Japan head or ryokan, or traditional inn. If you ll be visiting university towns, you should know that many universities, both in the United States and abroad, offer their housing facilities to travelers while school is not in session.