Staying at a hostel Tips: what you need to know | A beginner’s Guide

Tips For Booking a Youth Hostel

Staying in a hostel for the first time can feel scary and sometimes intimidating. I have noticed that the term “hostel,” tends to have a bad or dangerous connotation in the US. It may or may not be because of the horror film series called “hostel” that have inspired people to think this way… and if that is the case, I guess I can’t blame them for having those stereotypes.

However, I am here to break that stigma and tell you that not only are hostels the cheapest accommodation but ultimately the most fun, especially if you are solo traveling. I’m here to give you tips on how to book a good quality yet cheap hostel

What is a Hostel Exactly?

A hostel is a budget-friendly accommodation that is generally (but not always) made for young backpackers where you stay in shared accommodation with other solo travelers. Hostels are known to be popular with young travelers, but I have seen all types of travelers in hostels, such as families with young children, the elderly, and those traveling for business. Depending on the hostel, some will allow all walks of life to stay there while some will not. Some hostels advertise that they have an age limit for their guests. This is how they keep the crowd young and lively. Some hostels are known as drinking/party hostels, so having an age limit like this will help keep the partying vibe at that specific hostel (not to say an older crowd doesn’t know how to party).

Hostel Vs Hotel | Why choose a Hostel?

Let’s Compare Hostels & Hotel 
Hostels are significantly cheaper than hotels and are definitely the best way to go for young backpackers or travelers on a strict budget. The reason hostels are cheap is that you share accommodations such as the bathrooms, kitchen, and yes, even the bedroom.
This might make some uncomfortable, sharing their living space with strangers. However, I highly suggest every young traveler try staying at a hostel at least once. There is no harm in trying something new and exciting, isn’t that what the whole idea of traveling to a new place is about anyway? If you are curious what a hostel may look like compared to a standard hotel room, think of it as a sleep-away camp when you were a child, sharing a bunk bed and a whole cabin with 15+ strangers.
This is basically the same idea but for adults. Depending on the hostel, the options can include bed space in a “mixed dorm,” meaning both females and males (ladies — be prepared for loud snoring ), a gender-separated room, or even a private room for just yourself or your travel buddy.
The private rooms, however, are more expensive than the dorm rooms but maybe a better option for those who feel more comfortable having their own space, especially during a pandemic. These private rooms, I promise you, are still WAY cheaper than booking a hotel room.
A dorm room is an easy way to meet new friends right from the start and find new travel buddies (I personally recommend the dorm rooms the most for single travelers and the private rooms for couples or family).

I have stayed in hostels all around the world (some WAY nicer than others) and now that I am experienced, I really know what to look for when finding a good quality hostel within my price range. This might be an obvious one,
but the MOST important thing to do when finding a hostel is to look at REVIEWS online, which I assume can be said for anything that you are buying or booking through the internet. Make sure you look at the ratings of the hostel, written reviews, and of course, the pictures and amenities that it is advertised to have.
WARNING: You know when you look at pictures of food on a restaurant menu and they look all dreamy and amazing and then you order the food and the presentation is not nearly as it looks in the picture? This is also the case when looking for a hostel.
The pictures may be a misrepresentation of how clean or presentable the hostel actually is, making reviews even more important to read. Never book a hostel that has no reviews online as you will never know what you are getting.

Random tip: make sure that your hostel includes bedsheets already (99% of them do) but I happened to book a hostel in Stockholm, Sweden in that 1% range and had to pay $5 just for sheets to put on the bed which is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard of

Where to find a Hostel?

The most popular website for finding hostels around the world is hostelworld. You can also find hostels from the usual booking.com (try filtering the results from lowest to highest price), and make sure to check both just in case, as sometimes one is cheaper than the other. Hostel world is great for finding a hostel, but it does not mean you HAVE to book it through their platform. Sometimes looking up the hostel on Google and booking through their direct website can also be cheaper. If you’re spontaneous and flexible, show up at the hostel in person the day of as they might give you a last-minute rate right on the spot.

So when it comes down to it, follow these tips:

Always read reviews before booking

Make sure the hostel has lockers available (especially if you have expensive valuables like a camera, laptop, ipad, passport, etc). Not every hostel room has lockers, so I suggest you look for one specifically with this feature. It gives you peace of mind knowing that you can lock up your valuables and no one can steal them (but don’t forget to bring your own lock!)

Try to book a hostel that includes breakfast if possible (a money saver. Plus, who doesn’t love a free meal?)

Book a hostel in a safe or central location (do your research and look up the hostel location on google maps beforehand). Staying somewhere convenient will end up saving you money on transport and give you the freedom to walk to the main attractions.

Look for a hostel that has free cancellation (because you never know what obstacles will be thrown at you during your travels) or pay at the property you won’t be losing any money if plans change. Make sure to ask the property beforehand if you can pay by card on arrival or if only cash is accepted, so you are prepared.

If you need an airport transfer, reach out to the hostel you booked with. Some hostels will provide airport transfers for free or for a small fee so you don’t have to worry about bargaining with a taxi driver.

Make sure to know the “vibe” of the hostel before booking with them.

If you do not want to stay in a mixed dorm room, make sure they have all female or all male room options before booking (this is usually stated directly on the booking)

Expect hostel prices to be significantly higher in places like Europe and North American compared to Asia and South America (you can expect to pay between $20-40 for a decent hostel in Europe whereas in Asia this can be between $3-10)

Book a hostel with a kitchen to save even more money. If you are traveling for a long time, you can save LOADS of money by not eating out and instead cook your own meal. Make sure the hostel will provide cooking utensils/ accessories before booking your stay. Cooking in the kitchen is also a fun way to make new friends.

Now you’re ready! Staying in a hostel is the best and cheapest way to meet new people from around the world on a backpacker’s budget and I believe it is something every traveler should experience! Are you up for it?

Related Articles

Related