Tips for Staying in Hostels: A First Timer’s Guide in 2023

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So you’ve decided to stay in a hostel? This is one of the best ways to meet people if you’re solo travelling and a way to really enjoy your backpacking experience to the fullest.

If you’ve arrived on this page, then chances are you’re very close or have already booked your first backpacking trip. Good for you! Staying in a hostel is your next step, and if you’ve never stayed in one before, it can be daunting!

In the following post, I outline some of my best tips for staying in a hostel for the first time.

👯‍♀️ Need tips for making friends in hostels? I’ve got you covered! Check out my making friends in hostels guide here.

Other posts on the blog:

• Free Cerveza Hostel Review: Lake Atitlan Guatemala
• BEST Hostels In Flores Guatemala For Backpackers
• Making Friends in Hostels: A Complete Guide
• BEST Hostels in Oaxaca for Backpackers! (Guide)

Tips for Staying in Hostels: A Summary

After nearly 10 years of on-and-off travel, I have my fair share of hostels. As you’ve probably worked out, staying in a hostel is one of the ‘done’ things when you travel solo for the first time. 

One of the main reasons backpackers stay in hostels is because of how cheap they are. If you’re backpacking to places like Southeast Asia and South America, shared hostel rooms can be as cheap as £5 a night.

Have the confidence to book into a shared dorm room and save money. You’ll then have more money to spend on bucket list experiences whilst you travel.

If you are booking hostels, I highly recommend Hostelworld. They’re trusted by backpackers all over the world!

Best reasons to stay in a hostel

If you’re umm-ing and ah-ing about whether or not to stay in a hostel, here are 7 reasons to convince you hostels are great when you’re backpacking to new locations.

🤩 You’ll meet more people than if you stay in an Airbnb or hotel. Shared dorms are a great way to socialise and meet new people.

🤩 Most hostels organise travel events. Think bar crawls, day trips, live music nights, walking tours, days out and more. Most hostels will put on events for backpackers and make sure everyone feels involved.

🤩 They’re cheap! Even in continents that are a bit more pricy (Oceania, Europe…), hostels are the cheapest option. Prices range between £5 – £30 a night in most places, and if you look hard enough, you can usually get a great money-saving deal. Save money by staying in hostels!

🤩 You’ll have a kitchen to cook in. Say goodbye to spending all of your travel savings in restaurants, and start stocking up in supermarkets to cook in the hostel kitchen.

🤩 You can stay long-term. Although you can stay long term in some hotels and Airbnbs, it’s going to rack up to a pretty hefty price. Long-term stays in hostels are normal and a lot of digital nomads do it for a few months at a time. 

🤩 Job opportunities. If you’re looking to top up your bank balance as you travel, hostels are great for making links and finding job opportunities. 

🤩 They’re FUN! From BBQs to swimming pools, organised events to being surrounded by like-minded people, hostels are FUN. And you’ll never be alone (unless you want to be).

➡ Book your first hostel now!

Warnings about hostels

But, there are some downsides to staying in hostels. For example, you…

• Won’t have much privacy. Especially in a bigger shared dorm room.
• Your night’s sleep may be disturbed, on numerous occasions (because of a number of things. I’ll let you use your imagination there).
• There’s a possibility that you won’t click with anyone in your room. This is ok! Don’t let it put you off of your hostel journey altogether. Give it a few nights, and if it’s still not working, ask to change rooms.
• If you’re a bit of an introvert (like me), it can get a bit overwhelming at times. Like I said earlier, mix it up. Have a few nights in a hostel, then change to an Airbnb or hotel. Do what feels right for you.

Top 21 tips for Staying in Hostels

Let’s get down to making sure you feel confident about your stay in a hostel. All of these tips have been written because of my prior experience in hostels, and everything is from my own experience!

1. Always carry a padlock

Even if you ‘trust’ everyone in your hostel room, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Carry a padlock with you to ensure you can lock up your valuables every time you leave the room. I use this coded one from Amazon, and I’ve had it for years!

2. Pick the type of dorm based on your personality, needs and wants

Hostel rooms are either mixed, female or male. Whichever you choose is a personal preference. I find female dorms are a bit easier for privacy if you’re staying for a long time.

It’s also down to you to decide how big you want the shared dorm room to be. Hostel-shared dorms usually start at 4 people and can go as big as 20 people in a single room. This can get wild, as you can imagine!

In my opinion, 6-8 beds is best. This gives you a good opportunity to meet other people, but it’s not big enough to get lost in the crowd of people and not make any proper connections. But again, this is a personal preference.

➡ Book your first hostel now!

3. Book in advance during peak times

I like booking hostels as I go, but this is one of my best tips for staying in hostels if you’re backpacking during peak times.

Don’t get caught out trying to book your favourite hostel and find it’s fully booked (this has happened to me, and I ended up staying in a hostel where a rat was eating my Oreos). ➡ Book your first hostel now!

4. Bring an eyemask and earplugs

To avoid being woken up in the night by noise or light, bring an eyemask and earplugs. Some backpackers also hang a sheet over their bunk to block out any light.

5. Do your washing up

Hostel kitchen etiquette is a thing. People will notice if you’re not doing things like your washing up or leaving a mess on the counters. Do the right thing, clean up after yourself and leave no trace.

6. Label all of your food in the fridge

One of the worst things about a hostel kitchen is there really isn’t a foolproof way to make sure your food doesn’t get stolen. I’m pretty sure every backpacker has experienced buying food they’re really looking forward to, then finding it’s been stolen.

The best piece of advice I can give you is to label your food. Keep it in a plastic bag, and label it. And don’t forget a date! Some hostels have a labelling policy, and if your food is left without one, they’ll chuck your food away to give someone else room in the fridge.

➡ Book your first hostel now!

7. Leave any unwanted foods in the kitchen and label them ‘communal’

Leaving to catch a flight and have a whole jar of peanut butter left? Chances are you’re not taking the peanut butter with you on the plane or your next 13-hour bus journey, so leave it for all to use in the kitchen cupboards. Just label it ‘communal’ so it doesn’t get thrown away by mistake.

8. You’ll have a preference between the top and bottom bunks

And you won’t want to change it after a few tries on both. Both have their pros and cons, but I prefer the bottom. It’s a good way to get some privacy (you can hang a sheet from the top bed over your bunk) and you have somewhere to sit without climbing up a ladder every time.

9. Say hello to your hostel roommates (they’re probably feeling just as nervous as you!)

What do you have to lose by saying hello and introducing yourself? Say hi, get to know your roommates, and who knows, you could be off exploring with them the following day! Just remember, everyone was a newbie to solo/couple/group travel once. You’re not alone, I promise.

10. Invite the new roommate to your group activities

Remember YOU were the new person just a few days ago? If you see someone who’s just checked in, invite them out to lunch or on one of the group activities you’re booked on to. They’ll appreciate it, and you’ll be adding even more people to your friendship group.

➡ Book your first hostel now!

11. Use the common areas to meet even more people

Most hostels will have a common area which can be used as an extra area to meet even more people. From swimming pools to jacuzzis to lounges and TV rooms, it’s a great place to step out of the comfort zone of your dorm and meet some other new backpackers.

If you’re still struggling to make new friends, chat with your hostel guide (who can usually be found at reception) and they can book you into some activities.

Check out my guide: Making Friends in Hostels: A Complete Guide if you’re still unsure about talking to people in hostels.

12. Bring flip-flops for the shower

If you’re staying in a shared dorm room, you’ll need to share a bathroom. Chances are, it’s not going to be ultra-clean. Bring flip-flops. You’ll thank me later. These flip-flops are perfect!

13. Buy a travel pillow that you can use in your hostel bed

Hostel sheets and pillows aren’t great, and there’s usually only one. If you invest in a good travel pillow (similar to the ones you use on the plane), you can double it up and use it in your hostel bed. Alternatively, grab a few t-shirts and jumpers and fold them under your pillow to create a higher pillow raise. My favourite travel pillow is this one. You can buy it here!

14. Book hostels with a free breakfast

This is becoming more and more common and is something I really recommend you look out for when booking your hostel. Hostels providing breakfast means you can stock up in the morning and save extra pennies on having a small lunch later in the day!

➡ Book your first hostel now!

15. Do not set multiple alarms

You are not going to make any friends if your alarm goes off five times every morning. Or if you leave your alarm running when you’re in the shower (oh my god, the stress of this when I’m trying to sleep!)

If your alarm goes off, be sure to turn the sound down straight away. Consider your fellow backpackers!

16. Don’t turn the main light on at night (or early morning)

Used your phone torch if you are arriving late at night to find your bunk. It’s annoying, but if you’re sharing with others, you can’t be turning the light on at 3AM just for your own personal benefit.

17. If you have an early start, prep the night before

There is nothing more annoying than someone rustling through their bag for 30+ minutes at six in the morning. Don’t be that person! Prep the night before and be ready to leave. And if you’ve accidentally hit the hostel bar instead of packing, do it in the morning quietly!

➡ Book your first hostel now!

18. If you need to make a phone call, do it away from your dorm room

Out of respect, take your long phone calls out of the dorm room. Head outside or to a shared common room. Your roommates may want to sleep at any time of day (jet lag, exhaustion etc…) so respect their needs and don’t be speaking loud in your shared dorm.

19. If you’re spraying anything, do it in the bathroom or outside

Another given tip for staying in hostels: don’t spray heavy smells around other people. People have allergies. Coughs. Just keep the spraying to a minimum away from others.

20. Don’t sit on someone else’s bed unless you’ve asked

This is an awkward one if you’re on the top bunk. Wanting to sit down is inevitable, but if you’re looking to make friends, just make sure you ask before you do so.

➡ Book your first hostel now!

21. Yes, people are going to have you know what. It’s unavoidable.

In reality, it’s inevitable that people will be sleeping together at night (or during the day) in hostel rooms. Just make sure you feel comfortable with what’s happening in the space you’re in.

Most of the time, it won’t happen when you’re in the room. And some sneaky backpackers use a sheet to hang over their beds to get a bit of privacy. If you walk in and it’s happening in an erm, awkward, place, just cough and let them know you’re there.

But realistically, it’s going to happen. Most backpackers are young, solo and single, so it’s a real thing we have to deal with when staying in hostels. It is also common to book a private room for when these ‘things’ happen.

➡ Book your first hostel now!

22. Embrace everyone’s differences

You will meet people from all walks of life in hostels. From gap year students to posh grammar school travellers, farmers, city workers, tradies, solo travellers, couples, families, you name it; you’re going to come across them in hostels.

Embrace it. Enjoy it. And speak to people you wouldn’t normally speak to!

Travel is all about pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and meeting other people. The people you meet won’t all be like you. And for me, that’s part of the fun!

➡ Book your first hostel now!

Hostel Packing List

It is essential you have the following items when staying in hostels:

• A padlock: to keep your valuables secure when you leave your hostel room.
• A hanging wash bag: to make sure all your toiletries are kept in one place, and won’t get confused with anyone elses
• Speakers: because, well, who doesn’t love music? Just make sure everyone in your room gets a chance to pick a song! (And no one minds you playing the music)
• A microfibre towel: Not all hostels will provide you with towels for free. Bring your own to save extra ££.
• Earphones: for loud nights and disruptions to your sleep.
• Flip flops: if you’re using shared showers.
• Eyemask: for uninterrupted sleep.
• World travel adapter or an extension lead: so you’re not using more than one plug!
• Your laptop or tablet: for movie nights, of course! 🍿

Tips for staying in hostels: FAQS

1) What should I know before staying in a hostel?

If you’re kind, friendly, and welcoming, you’ll go far in hostels. Be open to meeting people from all walks of life. Be accepting of people you may not normally meet! The majority of the time, the people you meet will be good. But of course, you might meet people you don’t click or gel with. And that’s ok!

Remember to always lock away your valuables (even if you trust your roommates), label your food, be kind and listen to others.

Is staying in a hostel a good idea?

This all depends on the type of person you are and what you are looking for in your travels. If you are a solo traveller, staying in a hostel is one of the best ways to meet other backpackers.

Or if you’re in a couple, you might want to rent a private room in a hostel to still be included in the social events and parties.

Staying in a hostel is cheaper than a hotel and Airbnb, so if you want to stay long-term, a hostel may also be a good choice. Hostels get a bad rep, but they can be comfortable and a great place to stay.

➡ Book your first hostel now!

How do you become comfortable in a hostel?

Take a travel pillow with you wherever you go, and make sure your valuables are locked up, even overnight. This will give you peace of mind whilst you’re sleeping.

Make sure you pick a shared dorm size that you are comfortable with, not just the cheapest. Choose a private room if you are unsure (they should still be cheaper than a hotel). Hang a spare sheet from the top bunk over the bottom bunk for some extra privacy whilst you sleep.

How do you survive in a hostel?

You’ll survive in a hostel if you have a positive attitude and want to meet like-minded backpackers. Be kind, don’t steal anyone else’s belongings, share food, be polite and just enjoy it!

You’ll only ‘not survive’ hostels if you’re rude, unsocial, impolite or arrogant. Basic human manners go a long way, especially in your hostel experience!

Are phones allowed in hostels?

Of course! Phones are allowed in hostels. If you find a situation where they’re not, you might want to check where you’ve ended up, because you’re not in the right place.

Are hostels safe?

Yes, and hostels go above and beyond to make sure their hostels are safe. The whole point of hostels is that solo men and women feel comfortable and can stay in different locations cheaply. The majority of hostels have different measures in place to ensure they are safe.

You cannot book and stay at a hostel without showing your ID and filling in multiple forms. Everything is regulated and checked.

You can also ask to change dorm rooms if you feel uncomfortable or uneasy with someone in your room.

Tips for Staying in Hostels: In a Nutshell

So, there you have it. Tips for staying in hostels, prepping you to dive right into sharing a room with strangers.

Just think; if you’re uncomfortable, or you don’t like it, you can leave! There’s not a hard and fast rule stating that all backpackers must stay in hostels. It’s your choice and your travel experience. You do it how you want to.

But, I do recommend hostels. They’ve introduced me to friends all over the world, some of which I still keep in contact with today.

My DMs are always open and I’m more than happy to chat through any hostel or backpacking questions with you! You can contact me on Instagram here.

Happy travelling!

Jennie x

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