Go Around Europe – Robin Hood for backpackers
Once upon a time, there were two backpackers from the Netherlands who traveled around the world for one year. During their journey, they stayed at many hostels and really got into the open-minded and interactive atmosphere of low budget accommodations. These two backpackers are called Mark and Merit and founded the young company “Go Around Europe” which they also call “Robin Hood for backpackers”. Luckily, those great people are working together with us since 2014.
While traveling, Mark and Merit talked to hostel owners all over the world and soon found a niche market. Usual hostel booking sites demand a commission from hostels whenever a guest books a room through their network. However, many hostel owners told Mark and Merit that they preferred to work with a booking page where the booking commission goes to the guests in form of a discount. The idea of Go Around Europe was born.
Based on their hostel experience, Mark, Merit and their young, friendly team started contacting hostels and asked them to join their network. They carefully select each and every hostel, evaluating them on the following criteria:
- common areas where backpackers can socialize
- suitability for solo budget backpackers
- facilities like lockers, free wifi and guest kitchen
- good reviews from other travelers
Like that, Go Around Europe makes sure that they’re exclusively working together with high-quality hostels which support the communication between backpackers and which offer the services listed above. Right now, they already work together with over 100 hostels in 41 cities and 15 countries – and the best thing is: Our Industriepalast Hostel in Berlin is one of them!
In order to use this special deal, you only have to get the hostel e-card for 5€ from Go Around Europe’s website which you’ll then receive via email. With this e-card, you’ll be able to get a 5 – 10 % discount for one year when booking at one of the hostels working together with Go Around Europe. Just choose a hostel from their website and contact the accommodation directly via email, telephone or just walk in. If you want to come to Berlin and book with us at Industriepalast, you’ll get a 10% discount on your booking. All you have to do is send an email to reception@ip-hostel.com or talk to one of our friendly receptionists by calling +49 (0)30 74078290 and let us know that you have a Go Around Europe e-card.
Another cool thing: on the website of Go Around Europe, you can find up-to-date tips for free festivals in different European cities. So, Robin Hood doesn’t only tell you where to get a cheap bed but he also shows you where to celebrate for free.
Here’s another tip from us to save money and time: if you want to travel around Europe with your hostel e-card, there’s a great website which helps you find the cheapest means of transport: www.goeuro.com. Here, you can compare the prices and durations of getting from A to B inside Europe and find your best option for moving around by train, bus, plane or car. Also, special deals of the different transport companies are included in the booking platform. Like that, you don’t have to spend ages looking for national train companies or local busses, trying to find the cheapest or most comfortable way to travel.
Now that I’ve told you how to save money when booking hostels and transportation, it’s your turn to check out the websites and start backpacking more for less money.
Hopefully see you soon with your e-card at Industriepalast hostel!
Cheers, Norma
(Blogger and receptionist at Industriepalast)
