Book Hostels Ahead? Take Sleeping Bags?

Ive had conflicting advice from a few different people about whether to book Hostels ahead of time (ie a few months before) or just do it either a week before or when we arrive.

My concern with leaving things until the last minute is that I am travelling with my 8 year old (7 month trip) and we need to get a private roonm at the hostels which seem to fill up quicker and I dont want to find out a week before I get there that we cant get accomodaiton. On the other side, Im 100% keen on planning everything to the nth degree, and booking far ahead would mean that we had a strict schedule. Any advice from other travellers would be appreciated

Also, the old Sleeping Bag debate...to take or not to take? We are hostelling mainly, through Europe, USA and Canada.

Thanks!

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Welcome to TA! When are you planning to be in France? If you%26#39;re planning to be there during a busy tourist season then you%26#39;ll likely want to book as far in advance as you know your dates to ensure you%26#39;ve got a place to rest your heads.. especially when your travel mate is a child.

Someone I know was in Paris with her young daughter a few years ago and found that this cheap and basic hotel was perfect for them. If you%26#39;re interested, here is a link for reviews:

tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187147-d290411…

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Since you%26#39;ll need a private room, I would book in advance. It%26#39;s true that if all you want is a bed in a dorm that you can be quite flexible and just show up, but I%26#39;ve found that private rooms are often fully booked in advance.

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Thank you for the advice guys!

We will be in France for most of April, in Spain prior to that and movign around Europe until end of June. After jumping onto the hostel websites last night I discovered that they do indeed fill up quickly for private rooms so have decided to book ahead, at least that way i wont need to spend hours on the internet while over there and I can rest assured we will have a bed for the night!

Still unsure re sleeping bag if anyone has any thoughts?

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Since your booking ahead of time, check the hostel websites about bed linen. If they don%26#39;t include it, take a sheet thingy (that%26#39;s my official name for it, since I can%26#39;t remember the name). It%26#39;s a sheet folded and sewn into sort of a sleep sack. I%26#39;m sure you can find out about it with a search of the web. I%26#39;ve been to hostels that have a posting that sleeping bags are not allowed - I don%26#39;t know why they have the rule though. Sleeping bags are so bulky, I don%26#39;t think you%26#39;d want to haul them around with you anyway. Don%26#39;t forget to take a pillowcase with you - if pillows aren%26#39;t supplied you just fill it up with clothes or something and you have a pillow for your head.

Just a reminder too, if you%26#39;re hostelling you%26#39;ll need towels (I find the special camping/backpacking ones best because they are small, light, and very absorbent), and soap/shampoo etc.

Have fun!