Adventure ToursWhen traveling on a tight budget, finding cheap places to stay is important, especially in expensive European cities. Hostels are perfect for saving money while traveling. They offer great value with useful features like cooking spaces, cheap food and drinks and a friendly place to meet other travelers. Many hostels also have private rooms if you don’t want to share, which still costs less than hotels.
During our trip to Vienna Austria, we found an amazing place – Hostel Ruthensteiner. It’s Vienna’s oldest hostel and many consider it one of Europe’s best places to stay. We were excited to check it out ourselves and see what made it so special! If you’re planning to visit Austria or nearby countries winter is a beautiful time to go.
You can explore Vienna’s Christmas markets, see the snowy town of Hallstatt, or take a trip to Prague in the Czech Republic. The cities are magical when covered in snow and filled with winter activities. Vienna has lots to see and do throughout the year. Whether you want to visit famous buildings, try local food, or explore museums, there’s something for everyone in this historic city.
Hostel Ruthensteiner: Vienna’s First Backpacker Hostel Hostel Ruthensteiner opened in 1968 when young travelers were just starting to explore Europe with backpacks. This was the time when budget travel became popular, especially among young people looking for adventure in new places. The hostel helped create what we now expect from great hostels: friendly staff, comfortable rooms, a welcoming atmosphere, and a perfect location for exploring the city. It’s still running today keeping the same friendly spirit it had when it first opened.
What makes this hostel special is its long history of hosting travelers from around the world. Many people who stayed here in the past now have children who visit the same hostel – like my own father who slept here in the early 1970s during his European travels. While he can’t remember much about his stay it’s amazing to think I walked the same streets and stayed in the same building he did half a century ago. Walking to the hostel through Vienna’s streets feels like stepping through time. While the hostel has been here for over 50 years, Vienna itself is ancient – founded over 2,500 years ago.
The city has seen countless travelers come and go, & Hostel Ruthensteiner has been part of many people’s Vienna stories since 1968.
Hostel Ruthensteiner: Our Stay in Vienna When we arrived at this Vienna hostel, we were greeted with free apple cinnamon tea that tasted amazing and helped us warm up from the cold weather. The drink was sweet & reminded us of Christmas. The staff was welcoming & helpful. Even though we came before the 2 PM check-in time, they let us store our bags in free, secure lockers.
This meant we could explore Vienna without carrying our heavy backpacks around. Our private room was basic but comfortable. It had: – A double bed – A heater near the headboard – Some shelves – A clothes rack – A sink with mirror – Shared bathroom next door The hostel has been running since 1968 so while the room wasn’t fancy, it was clean & warm – perfect for what we needed. The best part was the common area.
There’s a bar with happy hour deals and the lounge has: – A piano – Several guitars – Ukuleles – Board games – Books We enjoyed relaxing there with cheap drinks and meeting other travelers. It’s exactly what makes hostels special – a friendly place to hang out and make new friends.
Evening at Hostel Ruthensteiner At 7 PM, the hostel’s common room was peaceful. By 9 PM it had transformed into a lively gathering spot. Travelers from different countries formed groups, talking excitedly over soft background music playing from the speakers. The room buzzed with typical hostel conversations. Some travelers practiced their Spanish while others laughed and responded in basic English.
People shared travel tips about Vienna, Prague, and Budapest. A few guests played simple tunes on the hostel’s free guitars. The most common questions floating around were “Which country are you from?” and “What places have you visited?” These friendly exchanges are what make hostels special. They’re places where travelers meet share stories, and make friends while exploring new countries. This scene reminded me of my father’s travels in the 1970s.
He stayed at this same hostel during his backpacking days through Europe and Asia. Back then, travelers probably shared travel guidebooks like The Lonely Planet (first published in 1972) or Let’s Go (started in 1960). In fact, my father gave me a Let’s Go Europe guidebook before my first European trip five years ago, and he still tells me to use it whenever I travel. I can picture my father here in the 70s, with his unique style – a big curly afro, blonde mustache, and bright red beard. Unfortunately, no photos of this interesting look survive today.
A Perfect Morning at Hostel Ruthensteiner in Vienna We got up before 10 AM and enjoyed an amazing breakfast at the hostel. The meal was cheap and filling – perfect before exploring Vienna. The breakfast spread had everything you could want: – Fresh coffee from a machine (the #8 Macchiato was delicious) – Cheese and meat selections – Fresh bread – Sliced cucumbers and tomatoes – Various fruits – Cereal with milk – Fresh-made waffles We couldn’t resist making waffles and loading them with Nutella and jam. The dining room had long tables where everyone ate together, with nice views of the garden outside. Since it was December, we stayed warm inside rather than eating in the garden.
The best part was meeting other travelers during breakfast. Most people were either coming from or going to Prague, while some were heading to Budapest. Everyone shared travel photos & helpful tips about their trips. The hostel was incredibly helpful for planning our day in Vienna. They had: – A large information board – Seasonal maps (including a useful Christmas Market guide) – Simple direction sheets to popular spots The friendly staff gave us perfect directions to Schönbrunn Palace and we actually found it without getting lost – which was a big achievement for us!
The welcoming atmosphere & helpful resources made this hostel an excellent base for exploring Vienna.
A Perfect Evening in Vienna We returned to our hostel after exploring Vienna’s Christmas Markets and seeing the sights. We were hungry and found a great place called Cafe Mozart just down the street. Many restaurants were closed for winter break, but this one was open. We tried two amazing Austrian dishes: a pork schnitzel and a tasty beef soup with a big piece of fried cheese floating in it.
The cheese in soup idea was brilliant – I wish I’d thought of it before! Cafe Mozart is perfect if you want to try Austrian food without spending too much money. Back at Hostel Ruthensteiner, we enjoyed cold beers and chatted with other travelers. This hostel has quite a history – my dad stayed here 50 years ago!
After his stay, he bought a van and drove around Europe for six months living the van life before it was cool. Sadly, he didn’t take photos or write about his adventures. That’s why I write about my travels now – so I’ll remember everything and can share stories with my kids someday. Tomorrow we’d leave Vienna for Hallstatt but tonight we were just happy travelers, excited about our next destination. The hostel had been our perfect home in Vienna, and we were grateful for the memories we’d made here.
Hostel Ruthensteiner – Your Home in Vienna Prices: – Shared rooms: Starting at €10 – Private rooms: Starting at €35 Where to find us: We’re just a 5-minute walk from West Bahnhof Vienna’s main western train station. From here, you can catch trains to other countries or use the underground metro to explore Vienna. While the station area itself isn’t the prettiest, our hostel sits on a peaceful street away from the noise. You’ll get the best of both worlds – easy access to transport and a quiet place to rest. The station connects you to: – International trains – Vienna’s metro system – City buses – Airport transfers Our location makes it perfect for: – Backpackers needing quick transport access – Travelers wanting a quiet night’s sleep – Budget-conscious guests – People exploring Vienna by public transport.
Planning an Austrian adventure? Let me share our amazing travel route! We explored the beautiful city of Vienna then visited the stunning lake town of Hallstatt. After Austria, we crossed into the Czech Republic to see the charming Český Krumlov and the historic city of Prague. Want to make the most of your trip?
I’ve got some great tips for you! If you’re heading to Vienna don’t miss our guides to secret spots and must-see attractions. Here’s what we’ve covered: – A complete winter guide to Vienna, perfect for Christmas time – Beautiful winter photos of Hallstatt covered in snow – Why you should visit Český Krumlov during winter – The best winter activities in Prague These guides will help you plan an unforgettable winter trip through Austria & the Czech Republic. Each city offers unique experiences, from Vienna’s grand palaces to Hallstatt’s picture-perfect views, and from Český Krumlov’s fairy-tale charm to Prague’s historic streets.
Have you visited places where your family members made memories years ago? Share your experience with us!
Important Note: Our stay at Hostel Ruthensteiner was cheaper than normal because we agreed to write an honest review about it. Everything we say here is true, especially the stories about my father, who checked all the details himself. By the way, he still refuses to show me photos of his amazing three-colored curly hair from back then which is pretty frustrating!
Best Travel Tools & Advice
Travel Smart: A Simple Guide to Better Trips Flight Booking Tips: Find cheap flights on Google Flights or Kayak. Save money by flying on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Saturdays. Pick early morning or late-night flights, and travel light with just a carry-on bag. Where to Stay: We save money by booking: – Holiday homes through VRBO – Affordable hotels via Booking.com – Hostel rooms using Hostelworld – Free stays through TrustedHousesitters (where we pet-sit) Protect Your Trip: Always buy travel insurance for overseas trips.
We recommend World Nomads or SafetyWing – they even cover COVID-19 related issues. Smart Money Moves: Use a travel credit card to earn rewards and get free insurance for trip delays, lost bags, & rental cars. Stay Healthy: Check the CDC website before traveling abroad. Get all recommended shots from your doctor or pharmacy.
See More Places: Book local tours through Viator or GetYourGuide to learn about history and culture from experts. Getting Around: – Use Rome2Rio to plan routes – Book buses and trains on Bookaway – Rent cars through DiscoverCars – Store bags safely with LuggageHero Stay Safe Online: Use NordVPN to protect your personal information when using public WiFi and to watch your favorite shows abroad. Pack Smart: Visit our website for complete packing lists for any weather or destination.
