Internet Access in Hostels

Where?

I know no one is going to know if there's webcams in in every single hostel in Europe. All I'm asking is if anyone has ever been to a hostel and seen one. Some people on these boards are really rude. If you don't know the answer, then don't post anything.

Okay. Yes, I've seen one.

Since you put it that way, Megan, some people cannot phrase question that make any sense either. It is a two way street. Yes, there was a hostel in Gant in the Spring of 08 that had web cam. It didn't work very well because the band width was too narrow.

I can't honestly speak to European hostels' computers as we just haven't paid that much attention since we travel with our own computer. However, I did notice that in every hostel in New Zealand and Australia this past summer there were many computers with web cams and headsets all set up for Skype usage. Since that is becoming more common all the time, I have to assume European hostels are adding that feature as well.

Europe is a big place. If you can give us some specifics of where you might be planning to go, perhaps someone could give you specific answers. After all, it wouldn't do you much good to find out that there are webcams in France if you will be in Italy. It's not a matter of being rude, it's a matter of asking a question that can be answered.

Randy- Thank you, that's exactly the kind of answer I was looking for. I am planning to go to many cities: London, Paris, Bruges, Amsterdam, Berlin, Cologne, Munich, Zurich, Venice, Florence & Rome. I figured that since I was going to several countries, I would be able to say 'Europe' rather than list everywhere, but apparently, broad questions aren't allowed on these boards. I guess I didn't read the message board guidelines well enough.

Maybe check out the hostel reviews and pick your top 2-3 hostels for each destination off a website like hostelworld.com and then email the front desk to ask before you decide to book a room. My experience has been that while some of the hostels have them, often there are only a handful of computers to use and you may have to wait to get on one with a webcam. Additionally, some hostels have very slow connection speeds.

Internet access can be very frustrating while traveling. (Much like getting a decent question or a straight answer around here.) My experience is in France and Italy and because of heightened security measures (compared to the U.S.) you have to jump through some hoops to get online. Many times connections are slow and just because the sign says wi-fi it isn't a for sure. I would do some Googleing for "web cams" "Europe" and "hostel". More hostel and less hostile please.

apparently, broad questions aren't allowed on these boards Oh come off it, Megan. What good is it going to do you if I say that I saw a webcam in Iceland or Sicily? Surely the only information useful to you is relative to your route. When you ask "any" you leave yourself wide open for people asking for specifics. There is no need to have a go at those who volunteer out of their own good will to attempt to help those with questions about their adventure. Politeness goes both ways....

I stayed in 5 hostels on my trip last fall. None of them had webcams per se, but you may be in luck if you get a hostel that uses iMacs or newer PCs, which have built-in cameras. I do recall that the Circus hostel in Berlin offered some kind of "Skype chat" for rent, but I never looked into it. If you have one, I suggest bringing an iPhone or iPod Touch and using Skype or a similar problem, using the hostel's WiFi. WiFi is free in the majority of hostels, though I came across a couple that required payment.

Well said, Nigel.

Yes, well said Nigel.. Megan,, why so grumpy.?? If I said are there any webcams in America don't you think thats a pretty broad question?

I really don't understand why I'm being berated for asking a broad question. I didn't ask if there were webcams in Europe, I asked if it's common to see webcams in hostels. I later clarified as to which cities I was visiting. Again, no one is forcing anyone to answer any question so there is no need to get upset if it's not a question you personally would ask on a discussion board.

I am sorry, but that is not the question you asked. You may have had that question in mind but you didn't phrase it that way. You said, "any hostels that have computers with webcams?" NOT "if it's common to see webcams in hostels." Big difference. Then you called the responses rude when they didn't understand what you really meant. We can only go by the printed word. So if you come across as being a little hostile, it will be reflected back.

Megan - relax, and please don't be too offended. This is a GREAT board full of extremely helpful people, who spend time that they might otherwise be spending with their own families in order to extend some helpful information to total strangers. The LAST thing any responder is trying to do is intentionally be rude to you. Ed and others - myself included - read your question and thought you were seeking out information on a specific hostel where computers with webcams were to be found. "what country" / "what town" ??? was my initial reaction to your question as well. As you read the additional responses, I'm sure you can see how helpful people here are trying to be to you. Just follow a simple hint - the more specific your question, the more specific your answers will likely be. If a responder asks you for clarification, try to provide it, and you will get better replies. And one more thing ..... once you take your trip - please come back and add your newfound knowledge to the group !!