Hostel price hack I stumbled on in Lisbon last month

I always book hostels through the big booking sites, but last month in Lisbon I walked into one I saw on Google Maps and asked if they had any beds. They offered me a dorm bed for 12 euros a night, same place was listed at 18 euros online. I stayed 4 nights and saved 24 euros just by showing up in person. The woman at the front desk said they have to pay a 15% commission to the listing sites, so they cut you a deal if you come direct. Has anyone else tried this and gotten a better rate than the advertised price?

2 comments

2 Comments

eva_moore19d ago

Oh wow, I totally get where you're coming from but I have to push back on this a bit! Walking in off the street sounds great but you're gambling big time on availability during peak season or weekends. That 12 euro deal might work in a quiet month like February, but try that in July and you'll be sleeping on a park bench after every hostel says "sorry we're full." Plus those big booking sites have flexible cancellation policies that save you if plans change, you lose that with a walk-in deal. And honestly, 24 euros over 4 nights is like skipping one cheap lunch somewhere, not worth risking your whole trip over. I'd rather pay the online price and have the peace of mind that my bed is actually waiting for me when I land.

angela_hart19d ago

Last summer I showed up in Barcelona off a train at 10pm with no booking, and every hostel within a mile was full. Ended up paying 45 euro for a shared room in a hotel I found on my phone anyway. The walk-in thing only works if you're flexible on where you sleep or you're going somewhere with tons of hostels. And that 12 euro saving assumes the place actually honors the same rate when you walk in, I've had front desk people quote me more than the online price because they know you have no other option. Also, peace of mind matters more than saving 24 bucks when you're tired and just want a bed. I book ahead now even if it costs a few extra Euro, its not worth the stress.