Many hostels do have single rooms (I’m not sure about the HI hostels), but the total number of beds is far less than for the dorms. So you might run across more places that are booked. Might be good to book ahead if there is someplace you really want to stay. Price-wise, you will usually still find the single rooms to be cheaper than the hotels in the places you’re going. Remember, a hotel room includes things like a bathroom, the single hostel room does not.

depends on the city/hostel
i’ve stayed in single rooms before but you need to book ahead
often the charge for the single room is about the same as a hotel unless you go to amboise
11 euros for a single!

I debated the same thing, but I found that a single room in a hostel (usually around 100$) costs the same as a 2 stars hotel. (except in Switzerland and Scandinavia where the cheapest hotel costs 150$).
Have you considered staying in a B&B? They cost a bit less than a hostel ensuite.
Heck you can even rent a studio with 100$.
Check cross-pollinate.com for B&Bs and apartments. Good Luck.

Delfrio, I’ve researched hostels via hostelworld. It seems that the majority don’t have a single room. They have a double ensuite. If you want to book the room you should pray the price of 2 guests ( 90$ x 2 = 180$). Some hostels DO have a single room, but I also found them to be expensive. This is what I come up with:

ROME

• Alice in Wonderland, Double ensuite 90$
• Legends Hostel, Double ensuite 66$
• The Yellow, Double ensuite 62$

PARIS

• FIAP Jean Monnet in Paris, Single private ensuite 89$
• St Cristopher’s, Double ensuite 66$
• Oops, Doube ensuite 132$ (x2 =264$ !!!)

You can find apartments for less than 100$. Hostel single rooms are a joke.
This is only the case in Paris and Rome. In South America and Asia a single room in a hostel costs only 15$.

i stayed in a single in one of the MIJE’s I think…in Paris. I paid 35 euro back in 2004