This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Bochum.
Bochum is one of the larger German cities and offers good hostel options; while the number of hostels is limited, their capacity is large, so booking your place even a day or two in advance should not be a problem. You have typical hostels in Bochum, as well as the German counterpart for hostel ("Jugendherberge"). You have options right in the middle of the city center and within walking distance of the train station. Others are in the outskirts of the city and are harder to reach. Unless you need to stay in a specific place, stay in a centrally-located hostel as the prices are similar.
Bochum, like many other Ruhr cities, is industrial but also can offer old buildings and museums, an average football team, and some really good places to go out. It has many theaters and there are many art events practically the whole year long. Not to miss are also Altes Brauhaus, a brewing house more than two centuries old; Haus Kemnadea castle, more than five centuries old; the Botanic Garden; and St. Peter und Paul Church. There are nice restaurants and the prices are very affordable for German standards. Nightlife is also better than most cities in North Rhine-Westphalia and the famous clubs are very close to the Bochum hostels in the center of the city. Bochum has good train connections with other German cities and you can get the NRW ticket, which will allow you to travel all around North Rhine-Westphalia.
Written by local enthusiast for Bochum hostels
George Traveller