Backpackers in Europe stay affordably in our hostels
Are you planning a quick city break, a trip to Germany, or a comprehensive tour of Europe? As a backpacker, you'll travel light and budget-conscious! At a&o Hostels, we warmly welcome backpackers. Choose shared rooms for a social experience or enjoy the privacy of single, double, or family rooms. With a&o Hostels spread across 30 cities in Europe, you can plan your itinerary and excursions without stretching your travel budget. This leaves you with more money to explore attractions, buy souvenirs, or indulge in local cuisine.
We truly believe in our motto "everyone can travel", ensuring that finding cheap accommodation in Europe's most popular cities is hassle-free with a&o Hostels. Our hostels offer convenient amenities like laundry facilities and guest kitchens, allowing you to wash clothes or cook for yourself. Our shared spaces create opportunities to connect with fellow guests, swap tips, or make plans for your next adventure. Stay open-minded! As a backpacker, choose from over 40 hostels in 30 cities with a&o, enabling you to explore Europe without breaking the bank!
The advantages for backpackers at a&o Hostels:
- Stay overnight at favourable rates with the a&o best price guarantee
- Choose from private rooms or shared rooms (female dorms are also available)
- Enjoy amenities such as a 24-hour reception, bar and snack bar
- Meet fellow backpackers from around the world
- Utilise the guest kitchen for cooking and take advantage of the laundry facilities
- Benefit from our central locations
- Access great public transport connections
- Enjoy flexible booking with the cancellable FLEX rate
- Arrive late with the convenient FIX rate
- Opt for early check-in, late check-out, or book breakfast
Our room categories for backpackers
Can't wait to finally set off on your backpacking trip?
► Book your next trip with a&o Hostels now!
Four fantastic itineraries for adventurous backpackers

Green route: The sea on your doorstep – traveling as a backpacker between the Baltic and North Sea
Upon arrival at one of the two a&o Hostels in Copenhagen, Denmark, you'll receive a warm welcome as a backpacker, along with plenty of helpful tips for exploring the city's sights. Wander to iconic spots like the Little Mermaid, Amalienborg Palace, Rosenborg Palace, Tivoli Gardens, or Nyhavn at your leisure. From there, hop on a bus or train heading towards Hamburg, Germany along the Baltic Sea. Stay at one of the four a&o Hostels in Hamburg. Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of this Hanseatic city, with its lively nightlife centred around the famous Reeperbahn. During the day, take in landmarks such as the Landungsbrücken, Elbphilharmonie concert hall and the historic Speicherstadt warehouse district.
Continuing your journey, just a short distance from Hamburg lies Bremen, Germany, where a&o Bremen Hauptbahnhof awaits right next to the main railway station. Here, the charming Schnoor district offers picturesque medieval scenes perfect for your Instagram feed. Moving onward, travel through Groningen and Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
Your multi-day backpacking adventure concludes in Rotterdam, the Netherlands' second-largest city. Stay at a&o Rotterdam City! Known for its bustling port, Rotterdam also boasts modern marvels like the striking Market Hall with its diverse food stalls, the iconic Erasmus Bridge, distinctive Cube Houses and the towering Euromast, providing breathtaking panoramic views of the cityscape.
Copenhagen – Hamburg
Distance: ca. 340 km By train: 4 hrs 50 min By bus: 5 hrs 40 minHamburg – Bremen
Distance: ca. 125 km By train: 1 hr By bus: 1 hr 30 minBremen – Rotterdam
Distance: ca. 375 km By train: 4 hrs 45 min By bus: 6 hrs 15 minYellow route: Always south-east – visiting four European capitals as a backpacker
Begin your exciting backpacker adventure in Berlin, Germany, a vibrant metropolis. Explore trendy clubs and bars, delve into culture at numerous museums, or embark on a sightseeing tour through the capital. a&o offers four hostels in Berlin to choose from. From Berlin, a short train or bus ride takes you to Dresden, Germany, where you can stay at a&o Dresden Hauptbahnhof. Explore the impressive Old Town and nearby attractions like Meissen or Moritzburg. Alternatively, hike in the scenic Saxon Switzerland (Sächsische Schweiz).
Next on your backpacker route is the "Golden City" of Prague, Czech Republic, where you can stay at a&o Prague Rhea. Discover iconic landmarks such as Prague Castle, Charles Bridge and Old Town Square, and don't miss experiencing a traditional beer pub before diving into the city's nightlife. Moving on, Vienna, Austria, offers a more sophisticated vibe with two a&o Hostels to choose from. Known for its high quality of life, the Austrian capital boasts charming coffee houses, museums and plenty of cultural attractions.
Wrap up your backpacking journey with a visit to a&o Budapest City in Budapest, Hungary, situated along the majestic Danube River. Admire its stunning architecture, including the Fisherman's Bastion, Parliament Building, Castle Palace and renowned spas. These breathtaking sights will provide a fitting conclusion to your memorable backpacking adventure. Throughout your travels, remember that as a backpacker, you'll always find a friendly welcome at the affordable and comfortable a&o Hostels.
Berlin – Dresden
Distance: ca. 200 km By train: 2 hrs By bus: 2 hrs 30 minDresden – Prague
Distance: ca. 150 km By train: 2 hrs 15 min By bus: 2 hrsPrague – Vienna
Distance: ca. 300 km By train: 4 hrs By bus: 4 hrsVienna – Budapest
Distance: ca. 250 km By train: 2 hrs 40 min By bus: 3 hrsOrange Route: Alpine air and the Italian way of life – backpacking from Austria to Bella Italia
Your journey begins in charming Graz, Austria’s second-largest city and the 2003 European Capital of Culture. The old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the imposing Schlossberg with its clock tower as a landmark, and the modern Kunsthaus architecture amidst historic buildings offer perfect photo opportunities for your backpacking memories. Stroll through the winding alleys, enjoy Styrian cuisine in cosy wine taverns, or explore the city’s many museums.
The journey takes you across the Alps to Venice, the unique lagoon city on the water. The a&o Hostel Venezia Mestre is the ideal starting point for exploring the floating city: Lose yourself in the labyrinth of alleyways, marvel at St Mark’s Square with the magnificent Doge’s Palace and the Byzantine basilica, cross the famous Rialto Bridge and be enchanted by a gondola ride on the Grand Canal. Don’t forget to visit the colourful houses of Burano and the glass-blowing island of Murano!
Next, we head to the cradle of the Renaissance: Florence. The capital of Tuscany is an open-air museum for art lovers: the imposing cathedral, with Brunelleschi’s famous dome, dominates the skyline; the Uffizi Gallery houses masterpieces by Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci; and Michelangelo’s “David” stands in the Galleria dell’Accademia. Stroll across the Ponte Vecchio with its jewellery shops, enjoy a gelato in Piazza della Signoria and watch the sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo – one of Italy’s most beautiful vantage points.
The finale of your Italian backpacking tour is Milan, the vibrant fashion and design capital of northern Italy. At the a&o Hostel Milano Ca Granda, you can relax before marvelling at the imposing Gothic cathedral – an architectural masterpiece featuring over 3,000 statues. Admire Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” in the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, stroll through the elegant Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, one of the oldest shopping arcades in the world, and visit the famous La Scala opera house. In the trendy Navigli and Brera districts, you can experience authentic Milanese nightlife.
Graz – Venice
Distance: ca. 300 km By train: 4 hrs 30 min By bus: 6 hrsVenice – Florence
Distance: ca. 250 km By train: 2 hrs By bus: 3 hrs 30 minFlorence – Milan
Distance: ca. 250 km By train: 2 hrs By bus: 4 hrsRed Route: From the Highlands to the coast – backpacking through the United Kingdom
Your British backpacking trip begins in Edinburgh, Scotland’s fascinating capital. The a&o Hostel Edinburgh City is centrally located, putting all the highlights within easy reach: climb Castle Rock to the majestic Edinburgh Castle, stroll down the historic Royal Mile to Holyrood Palace, climb Arthur’s Seat for a breathtaking panoramic view of the city, and experience the mystical atmosphere of the medieval Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In August, you can experience the world-famous Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the largest arts festival in the world.
The route takes you south to Manchester, the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and home to legendary bands such as Oasis and The Smiths. At the a&o Hostel Manchester City Centre, you’ll be right in the heart of this vibrant student city. Visit the Science and Industry Museum to explore the industrial past, experience football culture at the National Football Museum or on a stadium tour of Old Trafford or the Etihad Stadium, discover the alternative art scene in the Northern Quarter with its vintage shops, record stores and street art, and enjoy the exciting nightlife in one of England’s liveliest cities.
The next stop is London, one of the world’s most exciting cities. The a&o Hostel London Docklands Riverside offers modern accommodation with excellent transport links to the city centre. London is a backpacker’s paradise: Visit the Tower of London, cross Tower Bridge, admire Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, stroll through Hyde Park, explore the free world-class museums such as the British Museum and the National Gallery, shop at Camden Market or Portobello Road, and experience the diverse cultural and food scene in neighbourhoods such as Shoreditch, Soho and Brick Lane. A stroll along the Thames at sunset is unforgettable.
The crowning glory of your UK tour is Brighton, the colourful seaside resort on the south coast of England. The a&o Hostel Brighton Beach is located almost right by the sea – perfect for relaxing on the pebble beach after your journey. Brighton is known for its alternative and creative atmosphere: Visit the extravagant Royal Pavilion with its Indian-inspired domes, stroll along the historic Brighton Pier with its amusement rides, browse the winding lanes with their vintage boutiques and independent shops, enjoy fresh fish and chips on the beach, and experience the vibrant LGBTQ+ scene in England’s most liberal city. In summer, numerous festivals and beach events invite you to linger.
Edinburgh – Manchester
Distance: ca. 280 km By train: 3 hrs By bus: 5 hrs 30 minManchester – London
Distance: ca. 260 km By train: 2 hrs By bus: 4 hrs 30 minLondon – Brighton
Distance: ca. 75 km By train: 1 hr By bus: 2 hrsFAQ
Are hostels suitable for solo travellers?
Absolutely! Whether you prefer to keep to yourself in a single room or are looking to socialise in a shared room or at the snack bar – an a&o hostel is always ideal for solo travellers and their needs! Low costs and endless possibilities – it doesn’t get any better than that.
How safe are hostels for backpackers?
For your safety, there is always someone available at reception. Many a&o hostels have CCTV cameras in the public areas to ensure no unauthorised persons are present. You can also lock away your valuables – these should never be left lying around in a shared room.
Can I cook and do my laundry at the hostel?
Yes. Many a&o hostels have a guest kitchen where you can cater for yourself or cook. Washing machines and tumble dryers are also available, provided this is indicated on the relevant hostel page.
Do I have to share a room with other travellers?
No, you don’t have to. Accommodation in a shared room (usually with 4 to 6 beds) with a shower and toilet is particularly affordable, but you can of course also book a private room for your own peace and quiet.
Are the hostels near the train station?
Yes, a&o hostels are generally well connected – usually within walking distance of the main station or easily accessible by other means. You’ll find travel tips and distance information on the relevant property page.




