Remember when you had to buy a whole guidebook just to find a hostel?

Back in 2009, I'd land in a city like Prague and spend my first afternoon walking around with a Lonely Planet, checking prices at places listed in the book. It was slow and half the beds were already taken. Now I just pull up an app on the bus from the airport, sort by price and rating, and book a bunk for $12 a night before I even get my bag. The real game changer was when free hostel WiFi became standard around 2014, so you could check reviews on the spot. What's the biggest way tech has saved you money on the road?

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patricia9056mo ago

Oh man, that brings back some memories. I had that same thick Lonely Planet for Southeast Asia and half the info was wrong by the time I got there. Getting lost looking for a place that had closed down was the worst. Now just seeing the real time prices and photos from other travelers saves so much stress and cash. What was your biggest hostel booking fail back in the guidebook days?

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alexw746mo ago

That time in Prague with the triple booked dorm.

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paigec145mo ago

Real time photos" are a lifesaver because you can spot a sketchy bathroom from a mile away.

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