Frequently Asked Questions

A hostel is an affordable type of accommodation for travellers. In our hostels there are different types of rooms: private rooms and dorm-rooms for 4 6, 8 or 12 people. One of the main differences between hostels and hotels is that bathrooms facilities in hostels are mostly shared. A hostel is not just a place to stay overnight, it’s more of a lifestyle, where travellers can get to know each other and make friends on the road. Our hostels in St Petersburg are as fun and engaging as the ones in Europe. Please explore our website to get a better understanding of what our hostels are like.

Hostels focus on giving people the things they need the most, meaning that guests don’t have to pay for unnecessary luxury. Guests usually prepare meals for themselves in the communal kitchen and the bathrooms are shared on the corridor. Moreover, a hostel is not just a place to spend a night or two - it’s a cultural melting pot as guests from all over the world get to know each other, share experiences and plan new ones. 

Most obviously hostels are cheaper than a hotel, mini-hotel or apartment. You can book a bed in a dorm room if you don’t need a private room. Another thing is the unique atmosphere of a youth hostel! Just by talking to your fellow guests and our hospitable staff you can make some new friends and learn more about the culture of our country. There is always something interesting going on in our hostel!

We certainly can!

Our receptionists will gladly help you choose the perfect tour for the time you’re in town and for your budget. We have a selection of the best tours in St. Petersburg. Also, we can recommend a free tour, you can get to their website by clicking on the banner on our website. We don’t take commission for this service, so you only pay for the tour itself. 

All information on payment methods can be found on this Payment page. We think payment by credit card is the easiest. The money reaches us almost instantly and there’s no need to exchange currencies and carry much cash around! We accept VISA and MasterCard. Payment is made on a fully secured webpage.

All our hostels are equipped with wireless internet access. So feel free to hook up your laptop, smartphone or any other mobile device. The network is protected, but the password is no secret for the guests – just ask the receptionist on duty about it. Also, in all our hostels we have computers with internet access, which you are free to use.

Just around the corner from every Friends hostel there’s a nice canteen. Long opening hours and relatively low prices (4-5 Euro for one meal) make it a perfect choice for a group. There are plenty of other choices within an easy walk of each hostel too: our receptionists will be more than happy to recommend a suitable place for your needs.

Because this way you pay less for it! It’s very simple: the standard cost of washing a set of linen with a towel is about 100 rubles and considering the low price per day of staying in a dorm room, this is a substantial part of the rate. If we include this amount in the price, then the daily rate will rise by 100 rubles. So, if you stay 2 nights, you would have to pay 200 rubles for the linen, for 5 nights it would already be 500 rubles. Would that be reasonable?

On the contrary, when you pay for linen separately, the following principle applies: the longer you stay, the less it costs you. For example, if you stay 5 nights, you pay only 20 rubles per night for the set of linen and towel. We are sure that even when you pay an additional fee for a set of linen, we have the best price/quality ratio in the city. Enjoy your stay at Friends!

P.S. The information about the need to pay extra for linen is always indicated in all sources of booking.