Staying in a Hostel for the First Time
In this section, I’ll show you what it’s like to be staying in a hostel for the first time. It should give you tips for staying in a hostel alone too.
Hostels (also known as youth hostels) is a form of accommodation that usually has cheap rates and comes with social vibes.
You can think of it as a shared dorm including bunk beds (in most cases). Nowadays, hostels have become super popular especially for budget travelers. You can find hostels that provide common kitchen, private rooms, female dorms, pods, etc.
With a new era of “flashpackers”, hostels became more beautiful, modern and comfortable over the years. You can even find what they call “boutique hostels”.
What’s the difference between a hostel and a hotel?
Hotels usually offer private rooms only. It’s a form of accommodation where socializing isn’t part of the features offered.
Hostels offer dorms and private rooms. Travelers pick hostels over hotels when they travel solo or with friends. It’s a great way to meet fellow travelers.
Are hostels clean?
Are hotels always clean? Ha! I got you there. Like any other form of accommodation, hostels can be super clean… or dirty. You should always read the reviews before making a booking.
Hostels can have the reputation to be dirty – and this is mostly related to the fact that some of the bathrooms are shared. The cleanliness level depends on the hostel standards and on the number of guests. Most of the time, the hostels are “dirty” because the backpackers don’t clean after themselves.
Here’s an example: if you use the common kitchen and don’t wash your dishes, the staff will do it – but it can take some time. So, you should be a “good guest” and clean after yourself.
Are hostels safe?
Overall – yes. Hostels are safe, but if you’re sharing a dorm, you might want to be cautious with your valuables. That said, having a padlock to lock your stuff away is a great way to avoid any troubles. Sadly, your stuff could get stolen if you leave it out there.
As a woman, when the option is there – I always pick the female dorm. I prefer it as it’s quieter and I feel more comfortable.
Are hostels only for young people?
What’s your definition of “young”? Hostels used to be limited to young people – some hostels used to have an age limit and sometimes, it is still the case. Overall, most hostels don’t have an age limit.
In my experience, if you stay in the cheapest hostel in town, you will find the younger backpackers. If you pay a few dollars more, you will find a mix of young and older backpackers. Usually, if you pay more, you will find backpackers with a bigger budget and often, they can be a bit older.
I’ve been choosing “fancy hostels” for the past few years because when I travel solo now, I prefer to hang out with people around my age. Also, my budget is higher now.
How to survive in a hostel?
Ideally, if you’re about to stay in a hostel for the very first time, you should try and have a positive experience. In the next section, you will find my top tips to pick a good hostel. I became pickier over the years and it is very rare that I don’t enjoy my stays in hostels.
Before we jump to the selection process – let’s sum up the things to keep in mind to have a positive stay.
Lock your stuff away – You should always book a room that comes with lockers and you should have a padlock with you. You should always lock your stuff when you’re in the shower, or not in the room. You should not leave your phone charging if you’re not around.
Bring the survival hostel kit – If you’re going to stay in a shared dorm, you should bring an eye mask and earplugs. It can be quite noisy sometimes.
Read the reviews – I will not tell you enough – reading the views is super important when it comes to picking the right hostel.
