The BEST Advice for Staying in Hostels

Let's say you're ready to embark on an escapade to a new city but you're undecided as to whether staying in a hostel is a good idea. You have the destination and your flight is booked—but maybe you've heard one too many horror stories about hostels and you're spooked out by the idea of sharing a space with strangers. Rest assured that by following a few hostel travel tips, hosteling can be a lot of fun and a whole lot safer than it may seem.

Staying in a hostel might mean leaving your comfort zone, but it’ll be worth it!

Hostels are far from your typical hotel experience and you can find this type of accommodation in almost any major city around the globe. The biggest benefits of staying in a hostel are typically cost and the added social dynamic.

The majority of travelers and backpackers choose hostels because they are on a budget during their travels and perhaps want to make new friends along their journey. Whether you are traveling with friends or solo, choosing the right hostel could be a game changer.

Is it a good idea to stay at a hostel?

Are you on a budget and ready to meet new people from all over the world?

Absolutely! Most hostels are cost-efficient and still offer a comfortable place to stay. While rooms are shared, most hostels allow you to choose a dorm with a limited number of beds which may or may not fill up. Typically, dorms sleep four, six, or eight people, and sometimes up to 12 people or more.

Hostels tend to have lockers or a safe box at the front desk where you can keep your valuables. In any case, if you aren't feeling the idea of a shared room, then private dorms are usually available at a higher rate. If you opt for a private room, you’ll get the best of both worlds: the privacy of a hotel coupled with the social environment of a hostel!

READ: 8 Benefits of Staying in a Hostel

Of course, you aren't obligated to speak to anyone, but there are certainly the possibilities of making new friends and seeing the city from a different perspective. Here are a few of our favorite hostel tips and tricks:

11 best tips for staying in hostels

1. Book using the Hostelworld app or similar apps and websites

Doing research before booking is absolutely essential.

While there are a ton of apps you can use to find hostels, Hostelworld is the most reputable and user-friendly. All you have to do is type in your destination; then the search results are generated and ranked for location, cleanliness, and attention from the staff. You'll also see pictures and reviews from other users which will help you make your most informed decision.

There are many competitors to Hostelworld though, so feel free to try several different search engines, and use any service that suits you.

2. Search your hostel on YouTube

In the age of YouTube, you can get a preview of just about anything by searching keywords and hashtags. The most relatable advice for staying in hostels can be taken directly from the horse’s mouth. Sometimes it’s better to envision how your experience could be through the lens of a Youtuber’s commentary and shared content.

3. Say hello as soon as you walk into the room

This is an excellent opportunity to introduce yourself or receive an introduction should you desire it. If you get a sense that your roommates are open to conversation after greeting them, then tell them your name and see where the conversation goes. Who knows? Maybe you’ll make a new friend or receive some valuable travel advice. It doesn’t hurt to grow your network.

READ: How to Travel Alone as an Introvert

4. Pack a rechargeable battery or choose a bed near an outlet

Not all hostels provide outlets attached to your bed. Some hostels allow you to choose any bed in the dorm. If that’s the case, you’ll want to get first dibs on the charging station in your room. Otherwise, you’ll likely be leaving your phone unattended to charge while you rest. You could also avoid this all together by bringing a fully charged battery pack.

5. Carry a padlock with you and be careful with your belongings

Dorm-style rooms are efficient, but can leave your belongings exposed.

While hostels tend to procure a trusting environment, it’s only practical to protect your valuables from potential theft. Most rooms have storage lockers if not in the common area. It’s a good idea to ask reception about additional security options if you have valuables (like your passport, for example) that you would like to be supervised, as they sometimes provide lock boxes behind the reception desk.

6. Inspect your personal space and pay attention to detail

It's also a good habit to check your living space to ensure all the amenities included in your reservation are intact. Check light bulbs and plugs in your living space to be sure all is functioning properly. Pull back your sheets and check for bed bugs or other potential rodents.

You may want to unpack and make your space look “lived in” in the event some negligent person finds your reserved space more attractive. It could save you the awkward confrontation of politely asking someone to move.

7. Take advantage of the hostel’s amenities and events

It's extremely common for hostels to have common areas that include pool tables, games, bars, and sometimes a swimming pool. These are great places to hold conversations with your travel buddies or make new ones.

Check the hostel’s event schedule or ask reception, as most will offer free walking tours or pub crawls. These are excellent opportunities to mingle or experience something new!

READ: 9 Strategies for Making Friends While Traveling

8. Use the hostel kitchen to cook

Let's face it, we all need to eat but it can be expensive to eat out for every meal during your trip. It’s recommended to do some light grocery shopping to cook your meals. In some cases, you may meet friends to share ingredients and cook meals with. You might want to pack your own tupperware for leftovers.

9. Be considerate of your roommates and prepare to be disturbed

If you have more than three roommates, things can get hectic (and noisy).

In a perfect world, we are all considerate of each other’s rest in a shared room. Hostel dorms can get quite noisy at the most inappropriate times without much that we can do to control the environment. While you might consider leaving your things in one easy-to-find place before staying out late, someone else may do the contrary and wake you up in the early A.M.

Therefore, it would be wise to pack earplugs just in the case of alarms, loud talkers, or a symphony of snorers. You might also pack an eye mask in case any of your roomies decides to turn on the lights while you sleep.

10. Pack your own toiletries

While some hotels tend to provide basic toiletries, hostels usually do not. You should have all the necessities with you. Packing a towel is also recommended since not all hostels provide a free towel. Do not rely on the hostel’s cleanliness score—you should also bring your own shower slippers. No matter what the reviews say, it's better safe than sorry.

11. Expect the unexpected

Remember, not all experiences are equal. Anything can happen that could lead to a change of plans or you moving to a different hostel. Embrace it and prepare ahead of time to eliminate potential stress. Bring a list of alternative hostels in your relative area and have a back up plan just in case. Keep low expectations to leave room for them to be exceeded.

NEXT: Choosing the Right Travel Accommodations

Staying at a hostel is almost always an adventure

Whether you’re traveling solo or with a friend, hostels are a fun part of the experience.

Hostels make traveling to a new city that much more memorable. They provide the opportunity to meet people from all over the world and have different encounters versus your typical hotel stay.

Hopefully, you can be less overwhelmed about booking your hostel stay after reading some staying in a hostel tips. Whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, you’ll definitely find something positive to take away from your hostel experience.

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