Hostel vs. hotel debate after a trip to Lisbon changed my mind

I spent $35 a night on a hostel in Lisbon and got a free walking tour plus breakfast, while my friend paid $120 for a hotel and had to buy coffee every morning. Which do you think saves more in the long run for a week-long trip?

2 comments

2 Comments

david_jones385d ago

People get hung up on the upfront cost but totally forget all the little extras that eat your wallet. That free breakfast and walking tour in Lisbon adds up fast, same way people buy a cheaper car then spend double on gas and repairs. It's like how everyone complains about grocery prices but still grabs coffee and lunch out every day without blinking. The real savings come from not having to open your wallet for every single little thing. Your buddy probably dropped an extra $50 on coffee and pastries alone, which kills any advantage the hotel had.

-2

the_ruby5d ago

Wait, has anyone talked about the time factor though? @david_jones38 mentioned the $50 on coffee and pastries, but what about the 2 hours wasted every morning hunting for a decent cafe when your Airbnb's kitchen is bare? I stayed at a place in Barcelona that advertised "free walking tour" but it was a 20 minute bus ride away, so I had to pay for transport and ended up skipping it half the time. Meanwhile, my friend at a hostel literally rolled out of bed at 8am, grabbed free toast and juice, and was out the door by 8:15. Those little time sinks add up too, not just the cash.