Hostels 101: Everything to know before staying in a hostel

Whether you’re a solo traveler or you’re with friends, hostels are a great experience. Not only do they allow you to meet new people and stay within budget, but more and more, they also serve as a great co-working space, offer excursions and activities, and are simultaneously restaurants, cafes, or bars.

That said, before my first time staying in a hostel I was nervous. The thought of sharing a room with around 10 other strangers can feel overwhelming initially. However, more often than not, staying in a hostel will enrich your time abroad.

Here are my essential tips for booking and staying in hostels abroad.

Booking the right hostel

When looking to book a hostel, there’s a lot more than good reviews that should influence your decision. In addition to price, there are some additional factors that might be important to you throughout your stay. These might include location within the city, availability of a kitchen, a co-working space, or organized group activities. Here are some things to consider when trying to find the right hostel for you:

Check-in time

You’ll find that some hostels do not have a 24h reception, meaning if you arrive too late, you will simply be unable to check-in. Make sure the check-in time and your arrival in the city coincide to avoid having no place to sleep for the night.

Mixed-bed dorms

Some hostels only offer the option to stay in a mixed-bed dorm. Ensure that you’re comfortable with this before booking your stay, or use the filter to narrow down your search results.

A communal kitchen

When travelling on a budget, some like to cook their own meals from time to time. If that’s an option you’re looking into, make sure to find a hostel that has a communal kitchen.

Wi-Fi availability

Will Wi-Fi is generally available in most places, you’ll find that in some hostels internet access must be paid for. Be sure to read the description and look at the hostels inclusions to not end up with any surprises.

Age group

Not all hostels accept all travelers. Some hostels are aimed specifically at youth. Read the description to ensure that you’re booking the right hostel for your age group.

Maximizing your hostel experience

From co-working spaces to yoga classes, or a bar, most hostels nowadays double as more than just a place to rest for the night. Here are a few things to look out for in order to maximize your hostel experience.

Backpackers hostels vs. digital nomad hostels

For those looking for a space to work, try booking a hostel aimed at digital nomads. These will likely have access to a co-working space, where you can settle for the week to buckle down and get work done.

Communal spaces

From a shared kitchen to a lounge area, take advantage of communal spaces in your hostel; they can be a great way to make friends.

Bars, restaurants, and coffee shops

Oftentimes, hostels will double as a restaurant, coffee shop, or bar. Don’t be afraid to venture and spend a day exploring what your hostel has to offer in order to meet new people and fellow travelers.

Organized excursions and activities

More and more hostels are offering free or reduced-rate outings. From free walking tours to daily yoga classes, be sure to take part in organized activities and excursions that can enrich your time abroad.

Packing for your stay

Whether you’ll be staying in hostels for a week or a few months, bringing a few extra items can help make your stay more comfortable. Here are my hostel must-haves.

From walking around your hostel, to visiting the beach or showering, a pair of flip-flops or waterproof sandals is a must.

A travel clothes line, like this Travel On one, can double as a way to dry your clothes, or as a way to put up a curtain beside your bed if your hostel doesn’t have one.

While many hostels have luggage storage, some more budget-friendly places will lack a place to lock up your belongings. In that case, travelling with a lock with steel-coated cable is super useful. The cable attachment allows you to tie your luggage to one of the bedposts and make sure it is secured throughout your stay. I like this TSA-approved one.

To avoid needing more than one adapter, a compact power bar with USB is incredibly useful… especially if the outlet is far away from your bed. I like this Anker power bar.

When staying in hostels long-term or travelling on a budget, a microwave safe container is useful for storing leftovers when you find yourself cooking your own meals. Sea to Summit makes awesome collapsible containers.

While I prefer sleeping on the bottom bunk, sometimes the only remaining bed will be a top bunk. In this case, I like to use a reusable bag, which I’ll hang over the bedpost, to keep any important belongings or things I might need throughout the night with me. I’m a big fan of these packable Baggu reusable bags.

Whether travelling by bus or train, or sleeping in a hostel, you’ll find that earplugs and a sleep mask will come in handy throughout your travels. I like these moldable earplugs, and this silk sleep mask.

Extra tips

Is your next flight in the middle of the night?

Avoid packing your stuff right before departure. Packing your bags at 3 a.m. will be a nuisance to everyone trying to sleep. Instead, pack your bags before heading to sleep so that everything is ready when time comes for you to catch your ride to the airport or bus station.

Heading out to a bar or club?

While taking advantage of the night life in the city is a great way to spend your time abroad, shuffling in to your dorm at 2 a.m. isn’t ideal for the 9 other people in the room. When going out late at night, be mindful of those with whom you’re sharing a room.

Try not to pack things in plastic bags

Similarly to coming in late at night, shuffling through plastic bags makes a ton of noise that can be super annoying for others. Instead, use mesh packing cubes or unpack your things earlier if you know you’ll need to access them throughout the night.

Always keep your booking number handy

While it would make sense for hostels to have your reservation on file, you never know what can happen. Be sure to have your booking number handy just in case anything should go wrong.

Most importantly…

Don’t be afraid to talk to your hostel mates. When travelling solo, hostels are a great way to get to know people. You never know who you’ll meet and where you’ll end up travelling together.