In a single word, staying in a hostel is an adventure. It’s one of the best ways to meet people, save money, and dive head-first into travel in a way that hotels or Airbnb just can’t match. But if you’ve never stayed in a hostel before, the idea can seem a little intimidating.
How do you deal with shared spaces? What to bring along? And how can one have great time without offending anyone?
This guide, the Hostel Survival Guide, will take you through everything that you need to know about staying in hostels.
First timers and seasoned travelers looking for new advice, this is for you. I have stayed in countless hostels around the world, and every one has been a different experience. A few have been great, while some others taught me how not to run a hostel.
Here is what I have learned to make your hostel stay as seamless and enjoyable as possible.
Why Stay in a Hostel?
Before I get into the tips, let me share why hostels are one of the best options for travelers, whether you’re skeptical to see why hostels could be a good fit for you.
Well, here is a little rundown of why hostels are the go-to choice for budget and social travelers:
Affordability: Compared to hotels or even private rentals, hostels are extremely affordable.
That makes them perfect for those travelers who are looking to stretch their budgets out as far as possible. You will have some extra cash for activities, food, and experiences.
Social atmosphere: Especially if you’re traveling solo or seeking to meet new friends, hostels rank among the best places for communicating with fellow travelers.
Most hostels have common rooms, organized group tours, and various activities that will make communication with others pretty easy.
Great locations: Many hostels are in city centres so you can walk just about anywhere and public transportation and main attractions are within easy reach. You may also go around and see a new city quickly and cheaply.
On one of my solo trips to Berlin, I stayed in a hostel and joined their free walking tour of the city.
Not only did I get to see the main sights, but I also met other travellers who became friends for the rest of my stay.
Packing for a Hostel Stay
When it comes to staying in a hostel, packing smart is the keynote.
You don’t want to overpack, but you do want to make sure you have what you need to make your stay as comfortable as possible. Here’s what you need to pack:
Earplugs and eye mask: Every hostel can get loud, especially if you happen to be staying in a shared dorm.
Earplugs block out the snores and late-night chit-chatters, whereas an eye mask puts you to sleep if someone flicks the light on really late at night.
Padlock: Most hostels have lockers; you will be able to place your valuables in them, but very often, you’ll still need your own padlock.
Take one with you so that, while you are out doing some sightseeing, all of your stuff remains safe.
Shower sandals: A lot of hostels have shared bathrooms, and it is always a good thing to bring some sandals or flip-flops for when you go into the showers.
It’s just an easy way to make things a little more hygienic.
Travel Towel: Not so many hostels provide towels for any situation, so this is actually all right to take with you your quick-dry travel towel for saving so much space in the bag.
This is pretty light and dries fast enough for an ideal stay in the hostel.
Portable charger: In general, there might not be sockets beside your bed, and when hitting the road, it’s highly impossible to charge your phone or something else.
Once, when staying in a hostel in Barcelona, I hadn’t even thought to pack a padlock and had to buy one from the locals at an inflated price.
Ever since then, it has been one of my Packing Essentials each time I have stayed in a hostel.
Making Friends in Hostels
One of the best things about staying in a hostel is the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life.
Making friends can sometimes feel intimidating, however, especially if you’re a bit of a shy one. Here’s how to connect with people and make the most of the social side of hostels:
Hang out in common areas: Most hostels have a lounge, kitchen, or outdoor area where people generally hang out. Spend some time in these spots, and don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation. Most people in hostels are open to meeting others.
Get involved in hostel activities: Many hostels organize group activities like pub crawls, city tours, or game nights. These are great ways to meet people in a social and relaxed setting. Be approachable: People will be more likely to come to you if you’re open and friendly. Smile and say hi, asking others about their travels. Sometimes a simple conversation about where someone has been or where they are going may start a new friendship.
Stay in dorms: If you are up for it, staying in shared dorms is one of the easiest ways to meet people.
You will have roommates coming from different places; this can spark conversations just by being in the same space.
Eating in the Lisbon hostel alone, one of its daily walking tours was offered, followed by a family-style dinner.
I joined this tour on my first day and met my travellers that became my go-to crew for the rest of my stay.
It is amazing how fast you can make friends in hostels.
Hostel Etiquette: The Ways to Be a Welcome Guest Staying in a hostel implies sharing space with other travelers, and it is important to be considerate of the people around you. Good hostel etiquettes can make a world of difference in creating an enjoyable experience both for yourself and others.
Respect quiet hours: Most hostels will have quiet hours, which take place in the later parts of the evening. If returning late from a night out, try being as quiet as possible; nobody wants to be woken up at 4 am.
Keep your belongings organized: Since single-sex dorms can be so crowded, simply make sure things are clean and out of other people’s way. Use your locker or just keep your things at the head or inside of your bed so you don’t clutter the room.
Turn off the lights: If you are late or early, manage your way around using your phone or some small flashlight. Chances are, when you flick on the main light, it is going to wake everyone up.
Bathroom Etiquette Brisk showers and clean up after yourself. Shared bathrooms are busy in the morning; be considerate to others. No one likes to stand in line waiting to get into the bathroom and when they do it’s a mess.
Ask to borrow other people’s things-be it food in the kitchen or an open power outlet. It is only common courtesy to ask to use something not belonging to you.
I once stayed in a hostel where one of the other guests thought it would be a good idea to break out the tunes in the dorm late at night.
Let’s just say it didn’t go down well. Learning how to be respectful to others when sharing a room is one of those golden rules of hostel life.
Staying Safe in a Hostel
Safety is a great concern for hostel living, particularly if you’re traveling alone.
Generally, hostels are very safe to stay in, but it’s useful to take some of the basic safety precautions against theft to protect yourself and your valuables.
Use the lockers: Many hostels provide lockers so guests can secure their valuables.
Always lock up your passport, wallet, and electronics whenever not in use. A small investment in a padlock goes a long way.
Keep your valuables close: If you are uncomfortable with the idea of leaving your valuables in the locker, keep them in a money belt or secure pouch on yourself. This is very handy in the case of things like passports and travel documents.
Be aware of your surroundings: Whether it be inside the hostel or out exploring, be conscious of what is happening around you. Trust your instincts, and if something feels off, get yourself out of that situation.
Meet people, but be wary: It is good being friendly and making friends in the hostels, but always be circumspect about whom you trust. Be social, but do not confide in a person who has just crossed your path.
When I was in Amsterdam and staying in a hostel, for instance, it had lockers in which I fully availed myself to store my valuables. The hostel felt very safe, but knowing that my stuff was put away securely made all the difference while touring around.
Enjoy Your Stay at the Hostel
Ultimately, it means more than a cheap place to sleep: a way to travel completely differently, from the people one meets right across the world, sharing stories and creating memories that last long after the trip ends.
The spontaneity, the connections, the adventure: these compose the hostel experience.
Be open to experiences: Every time you stay in a hostel is different. Sometimes they are really chilled, and sometimes the energy is high. Just roll with whatever happens and open yourself up to enjoying an experience.
Say yes to opportunities: This might be joining a last-minute day trip or simply hanging out with new friends you’ve just met, but yes is often the key to very special times in hostels.
Have fun but be considerate: Hostels are a great place to have fun, but be sure to be respectful of others. Balance being social with being considerate and you will have much more fun staying here.
During my trip to Prague, the people that were hanging out in the common room made this really spontaneous plan to just explore the city together.
The next day, we did that, and really that ended up being one of the best days of my entire trip. The hostels create these kinds of moments or make travel exciting.
Make the Most of Your Hostel Stay
The hostel is one of the best types of travel accommodations, especially if one is on a shoestring budget, wants to meet new people, or is out for unusual experiences.
With some preparation, good etiquette, and an open mind, you will soon understand why hostels are one of travellers’ favorites.
So pack your bag and check into a hostel; don’t forget the package of adventure that comes with it.
You never know who you’re going to meet and what you’re going to remember, but for sure, this is not going to be an ordinary experience: hostel life.