Every traveler eventually faces the same question: where to stay? Book a bed in a hostel for a few hundred rubles, rent a short-term apartment, or check into a familiar hotel? The answer depends on your budget, travel style, and what you truly expect from your trip. In this article, we will thoroughly examine all three accommodation options and help you make an informed choice.
The hospitality industry in Russia is experiencing a genuine boom. If just ten years ago a traveler's options were limited to Soviet-era hotels and a couple of hostels for an entire city, today in Tula alone you can find dozens of accommodation options for any budget. Hostels, apartments, boutique hotels, mini-hotels, guesthouses — the sheer variety of options is overwhelming. But let us focus on the three most popular formats and compare them across key criteria: price, amenities, atmosphere, safety, and which type suits whom best.
We will not offer a superficial overview. Instead, we have prepared detailed comparison tables, real cost figures, a breakdown of hidden expenses, and specific recommendations for different types of travelers. If you are planning a trip and want to save money without sacrificing quality — this article is exactly for you.
Cost Per Night: An Honest Comparison
Let us start with the most important factor — money. For most travelers, budget determines the choice of accommodation. And the difference between the three formats is enormous — ranging from four to ten times.
Hostel — the undisputed leader in affordability. A bed in a shared room costs between 400 and 800 rubles per night, depending on the city and season. In Tula, for example, at the "Myagko i Tochka" hostel you can stay for 400 rubles per night and get a clean bed with an orthopedic mattress, fresh linens, access to a fully equipped kitchen, and high-speed Wi-Fi. No hidden fees — the price is completely transparent. No deposit is required at check-in, which is especially nice for those traveling light and not wanting to freeze money on their card.
A rental apartment by the night will cost on average 1,500 to 3,000 rubles per night. But this is where the hidden pitfalls begin — the ones rarely mentioned in listings. Almost always a deposit of 1,000 to 5,000 rubles is required, which may not be returned for questionable reasons — "a stain on the couch," "a broken handle." Post-checkout cleaning costs an additional 500-1,000 rubles. Plus the booking platform commission, which can reach 10-15% of the total cost. In total: three nights in an apartment will cost at least 5,500 rubles, and realistically closer to 7,000.
Hotel — the most expensive accommodation format. A standard room in a three-star hotel starts at 3,000 rubles per night. Breakfast is often not included and costs an additional 500 rubles per person. The minibar, laundry, parking — all at extra cost. Early check-in or late checkout — another 500-1,000 rubles. Three nights in a hotel including breakfasts and basic services can easily exceed 10,000 rubles, and during peak season prices jump even higher.
Here is a clear table that lets you compare real expenses for each format:
| Criteria | Hostel | Apartment | Hotel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price per night | from 400₽ | from 1500₽ | from 3000₽ |
| Deposit | None | 1000-5000₽ | None |
| Breakfast | Kitchen | Kitchen | from 500₽ |
| Wi-Fi | Free | Free | Free |
| Cleaning | Daily | Self-service | Daily |
| Laundry | 200₽ | If available | from 500₽ |
| Total for 3 nights | ~1200₽ | ~5500₽ | ~10000₽ |
As you can see, the difference is striking. For the cost of three nights in a hotel, you could live in a hostel for nearly an entire month. And the money you save is better spent on real experiences — excursions, restaurants, museums, and souvenirs for your loved ones.
Amenities: What Is Included in Each Option
A common misconception: hostel conditions are spartan, while hotels are luxurious. In practice, modern hostels offer a surprisingly rich set of amenities for their price, while hotels can sometimes disappoint upon closer inspection.
What you get in a hostel
A modern hostel is far from the dormitory horror stories of the movies. Here is the standard set of what is included in the price:
- A bed with an orthopedic mattress and fresh linens. In good hostels, beds are equipped with privacy curtains, individual reading lights, and a power outlet at the headboard.
- A fully equipped kitchen with a stove, refrigerator, microwave, kettle, and a full set of cookware. You can cook for yourself — this saves enormous amounts of money on food.
- Common areas — a cozy lounge with comfortable sofas, board games, and books for exchange. It is a pleasant place to spend an evening in the company of fellow travelers.
- Wi-Fi, a washing machine (typically 200₽ per load), hair dryer, iron — everything you need for a comfortable stay of any length.
- Personal lockers with locks for secure storage of your laptop, documents, and valuables.
- Daily cleaning of common areas and regular linen changes.
What you get in an apartment
The main advantage of an apartment is complete privacy and the feeling of having your own home. You have a private kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. However, apartment quality varies dramatically — from stylish studios with designer renovations to neglected Soviet-era one-bedroom flats with a sagging couch and peeling wallpaper. You will have to clean up yourself: wash dishes, sweep the floor, wipe down surfaces. At checkout you need to restore the apartment to its original condition, or risk losing your deposit. If something breaks or a faucet leaks — you will be solving the problem on your own, because the landlord may not answer the phone when you need them.
What you get in a hotel
A hotel offers the highest level of service: daily cleaning, towel replacement, a 24/7 reception desk, and sometimes a pool or gym. But all of this is reflected in the price. The overpriced minibar, extra pillows "upon request," early check-in for a surcharge — these are typical hotel stories. In budget three-star hotels, rooms are often cramped — 14-16 square meters, windows facing a courtyard, thin walls between rooms, and breakfast consisting of oatmeal and an egg.
Atmosphere and Social Life
This criterion is often underestimated, but it can fundamentally change your impression of a trip and turn an ordinary tourist outing into a real adventure.
A hostel is, above all, about people. Here you will meet travelers from all over the country and around the world: students from St. Petersburg, remote IT professionals from Kazan, backpackers from Europe, married couples from Moscow. Over breakfast in the shared kitchen, conversations begin that grow into joint city walks, exchange of contacts, and friendships lasting years. Many experienced travelers say that hostels provide the brightest memories — not the sights, but the people they met during their trips.
In a hostel, you never feel lonely. Even if you arrive in an unfamiliar city completely alone, by evening you will already have company for dinner. This is especially valuable for solo travelers, who make up about 40% of all hostel guests in Russia. The receptionist will tell you where to go, where to eat well and affordably, which places to visit — priceless live recommendations from a local.
An apartment means solitude. If you are an introvert or traveling as a couple and want to be alone — an apartment is ideal. But be prepared for the fact that in an unfamiliar city you will have no one to ask "where is a good place to eat?" or "which museum should I visit first?" Maps and online reviews help, but live recommendations from other travelers and locals are irreplaceable.
A hotel means formality. Interaction is limited to a polite "good morning" at the reception and a curt "your key, please." You spend time in your room, while other guests exist in parallel, never crossing paths with you. For a business trip this is normal and even convenient, but for a trip meant for experiences — it is a missed opportunity to meet interesting people.
Safety: Myths and Reality
One of the most common arguments against hostels goes like this: "it is unsafe there, your things could get stolen." Let us debunk this myth and compare the actual safety levels of all three formats.
Myth: your belongings can be stolen in a hostel. Reality: all modern hostels are equipped with individual lockers with secure locks where guests store laptops, documents, and valuables. Many hostels have CCTV cameras in common areas and electronic locks on entrance doors. The theft rate in hostels is no higher than in hotels. Think about it: hotel housekeepers have full access to your room, while in a hostel only you have access to your locker. Moreover, there are always other guests in the shared room — social oversight works better than any camera.
Myth: suspicious characters stay in hostels. Reality: every guest is registered with a passport at a hostel, just as at a hotel. Many hostels have age restrictions (e.g., 18+) and strict rules of conduct. The management maintains order and has the right to refuse accommodation to intoxicated individuals or those violating the rules.
What about apartments? This is where safety concerns are truly justified. You receive keys from a complete stranger who knows when you will be away. No reception desk, no CCTV cameras, no access control. If something happens — you are on your own. There are numerous cases of landlords entering the apartment in the guest's absence or even installing hidden cameras. In a hostel or hotel, such things are simply impossible.
In a hotel, safety is traditionally at a high level: electronic key cards, an in-room safe, round-the-clock security at the entrance. But you pay triple the price for this level of protection. In a good hostel, the safety level is quite comparable, while the cost of stay is many times lower.
Who Is Each Option Best For
There is no universal answer — each accommodation format is good for its own audience and situation. Here are our recommendations, based on the experience of thousands of guests.
Solo traveler
Definitely a hostel. You save money, meet people, and get live city recommendations from fellow travelers and staff. Renting an apartment alone means overpaying for empty square meters and lonely evenings in front of someone else's TV. A hotel for one is an even bigger overpayment with no additional benefits. In a hostel, you pay only for your bed, not an entire room, making it the most rational choice.
Couple
It depends on the budget and preferences. If you want romance and complete privacy, rent a cozy studio apartment. If you want service and do not want to worry about cleaning — choose a hotel. But note: many hostels offer private double rooms with a lock, which are significantly cheaper than a hotel room and still provide full privacy plus the bonus of a shared kitchen.
Group of friends
A hostel is the ideal option. You save the most and enjoy a fun atmosphere. You can book an entire room for 4-6 people, and each person will pay an absurdly low amount — from 400 rubles per night. An apartment can also work if you find one spacious enough. But a hotel for a group means several separate rooms at 3,000+ rubles each, adding up to an astronomical budget.
Business trip
A hotel or serviced apartment. When you need to impress business partners, hold a morning video conference in silence, or simply unwind after a demanding workday in complete solitude, a hostel may not be the best fit. However, if the business trip is long-term and the company is on a budget, a hostel with a private room is an excellent solution that more and more remote IT professionals are choosing.
Family with children
An apartment is the most practical option: your own kitchen for preparing children's meals, a washing machine for kids' clothes, and open space to play. Some hostels also welcome families and offer family rooms with a private bathroom, which will be noticeably cheaper than an apartment. A hotel is convenient but financially significant, especially if you need to book two adjoining rooms.
Summary Table: Pros and Cons
Let us summarize our comparison and gather all the key pros and cons of each format into one clear table. It will help you quickly orient yourself when choosing accommodation for your next trip.
| Criteria | Hostel | Apartment | Hotel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low price | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| No deposit | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Full privacy | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Social interaction | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Kitchen | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Daily cleaning | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| 24/7 reception | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Flexible check-in | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Good for solo travelers | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Good for groups | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
As the table shows, a hostel wins on the majority of practical criteria. An apartment leads only in the matter of complete privacy, and a hotel in maximum service level. But if you travel for experiences rather than for the luxury of a room, a hostel is the optimal choice in terms of the balance between price, amenities, and atmosphere.
It is important to understand that a hostel is not a "compromise for the poor" or "last resort accommodation." It is a deliberate choice made by millions of travelers worldwide, from students to successful entrepreneurs and digital nomads. Money saved on accommodation can be spent on what you actually travel for — experiences, delicious food, cultural events, and adventures. After all, years from now you will not remember the wallpaper in a hotel room, but rather the people you met and the places you visited thanks to smart budget allocation.
Try the "Myagko i Tochka" hostel from 400₽/night
A cozy hostel in the very center of Tula, 10 minutes' walk from the Kremlin. Clean rooms, fully equipped kitchen, high-speed Wi-Fi, daily cleaning. Check in without a deposit — just arrive and relax!
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Frequently Asked Questions
This is one of the most common myths about hostels. Modern hostels have strict quiet hours after 10-11 PM, and many offer separate quiet zones and provide earplugs at check-in. In good hostels, the noise level is comparable to a regular apartment building. Additionally, there are adults-only hostels where the atmosphere is calmer and more relaxed. At our "Myagko i Tochka" hostel, we strictly enforce quiet hours and care about the comfort of every single guest without exception.
Yes, many hostels in Russia and abroad welcome families with children. Some even offer separate family rooms with bunk beds and children's amenities. However, before booking, make sure to check the specific hostel's policies — not all allow children under a certain age in shared rooms. If you are traveling with a child, look for hostels with family rooms or book an entire room for your family — it will be significantly cheaper than a hotel with comparable comfort.
A hostel is more affordable than an apartment in several key ways. First, the price is significantly lower — from 400 rubles per night versus 1,500-3,000 for an apartment. Second, no deposit is required, which typically ranges from 1,000 to 5,000 rubles and is not always returned. Third, cleaning and maintenance are already included — you do not need to mop floors and dust before checkout. Fourth, you get to socialize with other travelers and receive invaluable city recommendations. And finally, a hostel has a 24/7 reception desk for resolving any issues, whereas a landlord may simply not answer your call.
