I've stayed in 50+ hostels. Here's my advice for first-timers. (2024)

Hostels are my go-to accommodation when I’m solo-traveling, and a great option when traveling with friends or family.

I’ve stayed in over 50 hostels and have vivid memories of many of them (for good and bad reasons!).

It probably comes as no surprise to say that I love hostels.

Well, I love most hostels.

I’ve come to learn which hostels are ‘my style’, what makes a good hostel… and which hostels to avoid. I can scan hostel sites and decide very quickly whether to stay there or not.

Part of the key to positive hostel experiences is knowing your boundaries, and what sort of hostels you like.

I’m excited to share with you my advice, experience, and some of my hostel highlights. From booking a hostel and knowing what to pack, to passive-aggressive hostel notices (it’s a thing!) and incredible day trips, I’ve got you covered.

If you’re considering whether to stay in a hostel or not, or you’re embarking on one of your first hostel trips, I hope this article helps break things down so you can enjoy your stay!

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Should I stay in a hostel?

Hostels are a great option for many travelers, but may not always be the right choice. Knowing whether to stay in a hostel or not is the first step towards having a positive hostel experience.

I usually stay in hostels because they are typically good value for the money, plus they’re fun, sociable places. The hostel culture tends to be friendly and welcoming, and you’ll almost always meet fellow travelers who are up for exchanging travel tips or exploring together. I’ve had some great hostel stays where I’ve felt at home, made friends, and learned about the area. And sometimes the location of the hostel is unbeatable!

Hostels are often a cheap accommodation option. Not only are dorm rooms (my usual go-to) good value for money, but most hostels have kitchen facilities so you can save on food costs, too!

But, even I’ll admit that sometimes hostels aren’t the best place to stay. I’ve regretted a few hostel stays because I prioritized saving money over what I actually needed. I stayed in a dorm room when I had a chest infection (which in hindsight was a really bad idea) and I’ve worked remotely whilst sitting on a bunk bed in a small, sweaty, shared room.

And sometimes hostels aren’t tons cheaper than hotels or apartments. On a recent trip with a close friend, the price of a serviced holiday apartment was the same as two dorm beds!

It’s taken me many years and many trips to accept that sometimes it’s worth breaking the hostel habit. And I think that has made me appreciate my hostel stays even more.

So, whilst I wholeheartedly recommend staying in hostels, I also recommend checking in with yourself before checking in to a hostel!

How to choose a hostel

It can be hard to know which hostel to stay in, especially when photos of dorm rooms all seem to blur into one! You may have to decide on many things, from party hostels for backpackers to family-friendly hostels, 6-bed rooms to 16-bed rooms, and so on.

I’m not ashamed to say that there’s a definite theme with the hostels I stay in and I’ve come to be a bit of a bunk-bed connoisseur! I’ve always stayed clear of 20-bed rooms in party hostels because I know that’s not my style. And despite being a cheapskate, I’d rather stay somewhere I feel comfortable in for fewer days, than stay for a long time in a place I dislike.

When it comes to finding a place to sleep, I don’t think it’s bad to be a bit fussy. But you’ll need to get to know your boundaries and priorities. I’ll walk you through some of the essential things to consider.

Location

The ideal hostel location will depend on what you want from your trip. For functional overnight stays, it’s best to prioritize proximity to your onward plans. Whereas, you need to balance location with other factors when staying in a hostel more leisurely. Be open-minded about the hostel location whilst keeping your priorities in mind.

In many places, you often find clusters of hostels together in certain neighborhoods.

On one of my first solo trips, I opted for hostels in touristic neighborhoods in Colombia because I wanted to play it safe. I felt reassured that other travelers and hostels would be nearby. In Bogotá, I stayed in the gorgeous Botanico Hostel Bogotá in La Candelaria (a neighborhood with many hostels).

As my confidence has grown in solo traveling, I’ve become more willing to venture beyond the popular hotspots. For example, I’m glad I made the short walk from Sarajevo city center to stay in Hostel Kucha, a delightful hostel with friendly staff, great facilities, and a lovely view.

And sometimes, you don’t really have a choice! One of the few hostels in Podgorica, Montenegro is Q Podgorica, an absolute paradise just a short journey from the city center.

👉 Top Tip: When considering location, check out our incredible library of where to stay articles on Travel Lemming!

Rooms

You’ll have a few choices to make when you book hostel rooms. The main choice is between a dorm room (a shared room usually with bunk beds) and a private room. Some hostels also offer en-suite rooms and gender-specific shared rooms.

Large dorm rooms can be a great way to travel on a budget as they’re usually cheaper. But I once stayed in a 16-bed dorm room and promised myself never to do it again. The night was filled with non-stop snoring, alarms, backpack rustling, and door creaks.

My ideal is a 6-8-bed dorm (which is quite standard) as it’s not too many people but also not too small and cliquey.

Most of my hostel stays have been in mixed dorms, but I opt for women-only dorms when they’re available. I find that in hostels where women-only dorms are available, the gender balance of the mixed dorms tends to be a bit skewed.

Many hostels offer private rooms too. Private rooms are great if you’re traveling alone and want to experience the sociable side of hostels whilst having your privacy. Private rooms in hostels can also work really well for families and friends.

Beds

All bunk beds are the same, right? Wrong! When choosing a hostel, pay attention to the beds available. I look out for sturdy bunk beds that offer some privacy and some protection from falling out. A decent ladder is always a plus.

I have an aversion to those flimsy metal bunk beds that are exposed on all sides. It’s not fun trying to get to sleep when the person beneath you is moving and the whole bed wobbles. Nor is it fun trying to climb onto the top bunk on a flimsy ladder, only to lie down and feel like you’re going to fall off.

Facilities and Services

Hostels offer a range of facilities, from swimming pools to bike hire, fridges to firepits. Depending on the reason for your stay, you may place more value on some facilities over others.

As a minimum, I recommend checking the following:

• Reception: What time is the reception open and what does the reception offer? This is important to know, especially if you need to check in super late or have specific requests.
• Luggage: Are there lockers available? This is a good safety measure for keeping belongings safe. Is there luggage storage? Leaving luggage at hostels whilst you explore the place after checking out can be a godsend.
• Linen: Are towels and bedding included? It’s always good to know if there’ll be additional charges for the basics.
• Bathrooms: Are the facilities clean? Are rooms en-suite or with shared bathrooms?
• Kitchens: Does the kitchen include actual cooking things or is it just a microwave on a shelf? I’ve seen it all…
• Communal spaces: Is there a communal space that looks inviting? If you want to have a sociable stay, this is a must-have.
• WiFi: Is there WiFi included and does it work? Reviews are great for finding this out!
• Social activities and tours: Look out for fun activities for guests, such as evening dinners, activity nights, pub crawls, walking tours, and day trips. Even if the hostel doesn’t offer this, they will usually signpost you to places.
• Breakfast: I usually try a hostel breakfast if it is available. It can be interesting to see what you get served, but it’s also a great way to meet other guests and potentially make connections and plans for the day ahead.

Reviews

I look for hostels with a decent rating, but more than just the number, I look at the customer reviews before booking. Hostel reviews are useful for finding out what hostel facilities are really like and a great insight into the hostel’s ‘vibe’.

You often don’t need to scan through many reviews to pick up on themes. For example, hostels may market themselves as ‘friendly and sociable’ but guests may consistently comment that the social areas are lacking. Or guests may love the friendly vibe but share that the cleanliness is lacking.

How to book a hostel

So you know what kind of hostel you want to stay in, but how should you book?

Hostelworld

I invariably use Hostelworld to search for hostels and make bookings. Hostelworld is really simple to navigate and makes it easy to compare hostels.

Hostelworld allows you to make flexible bookings and have the option of free cancellation, which is really handy.

Hostelworld now offers the feature of meeting fellow travelers through the site. You can connect with people in your hostel or in the city you’re staying in, which is pretty cool.

Book Directly

Don’t be afraid to stay in a hostel that doesn’t have much presence online. Some awesome hostels don’t have websites and aren’t listed on Hostelworld.

You’ll just hear about them through word of mouth on your travels, direct recommendations, and local promotion.

Look out for promotion and hostel networks when you’re traveling.

I heard about I Travel Balkans, a network of hostels in the Balkans when I was in Montenegro. I picked up the leaflet which listed many hostels in the region and offered a 10% discount when you book directly. I used this to stay in a further 3-4 hostels, which worked out well.

Don’t book and be spontaneous!

Hostels in popular destinations do get booked up, but generally speaking, hostels accept last-minute bookings. The backpacking hostel culture is quite spontaneous and relaxed. It’s common to decide the day before whether you’re going to stay another night or move on to another hostel.

So, you could just rock up to hostels and try to check in on the night!

How to prepare for your hostel stay

Pay attention to check-in policies

Always look at what time the check-in is open for your hostel, and follow the hostel’s policies. If a hostel requests that you inform them what time you will arrive, tell them and keep them updated. I once forgot to update a hostel when my flight was delayed, and was lucky the lovely host had stayed up for me!

Additionally, have the courtesy to cancel your booking or inform the hostel if you are no longer staying. I’ve since been on the other side and waited up for check-ins who were no-shows, which is frustrating.

Note down the address and phone number

This is good practice wherever you stay, but especially in hostels, which often have more informal setups. You need to know where you’re heading and who you can contact if needed, especially if you don’t have internet access!

What to pack for a hostel

• Earplugs – In case you have a snoring roommate. Enough said.
• Eye Mask – Your snoring roommate might wake up and turn the light on, then forget to turn it off.
• Towel – Some hostels charge for towels, so pack one just in case.
• A shawl/scarf – I travel with a large scarf which has served as everything from an extra layer on the bed (if the sheets aren’t as clean as I’d like) to a makeshift curtain hung from the bunk above. It’s one of those items you won’t regret packing.
• Pajamas – When packing pajamas, keep in mind that you’re most likely staying in a room with total strangers. Go for something practical and modest.
• Toiletries – Unlike hotels, most hostels don’t provide toiletries. If you’re lucky, fellow hostelers might have left some random bottles of shower gels for communal use. But take whatever you’re going to need.
• Padlock – Most hostels provide storage for guests. Commonly, this is a locker or a lockable under-bed storage box. A locker is only as good as its lock, so pack one!
• Flip Flops – I’m a trusting person, but one thing I don’t trust is the cleanliness of hostel shower floors. You’ll thank me later.

For more, check out McKenna’s full hostel packing list.

Tips for staying in Hostels

You’ve booked your hostel and prepared for your stay, now what?

Check-in

Hostel staff are usually very helpful and happy to give tips for your travels. When you check in, take the opportunity to have a chat. Ask questions, get maps, and take note of some travel tips.

Stay safe and follow your instinct

Most hostel stays go problem-free, but sadly you hear the odd hostel horror story. Choosing a hostel wisely and having your wits about you goes a long way.

If you get a bad feeling at any point, trust your gut and leave. I’ve only ever had two negative hostel experiences and in hindsight, I should have left sooner.

Hostels are generally friendly and trusting places. But don’t become complacent about the security and safety of your valuables. Keep your valuables safe and locked up, or risk losing them.

Be considerate and respectful

There’s a reason why many hostels have notices hung up about guests’ cleanliness and behavior. Sadly, some guests seem to leave their basic manners and respect at home, which is just not ok. Respect the hostel’s policies and atmosphere.

When you’re sharing rooms and facilities with other people, it’s only polite to clean up after yourself and keep things tidy. Be nice to other guests, staff, and hostel volunteers (and don’t take their food!). Everyone’s there to have a good time and will appreciate your efforts.

Hostel culture

Hostels are usually very laid-back and friendly environments, where people are sociable and share a love of traveling. Some hostels are exclusively for backpackers, whereas others have a mix of tourists, locals, and people who stay longer-term.

Many hostels are partly staffed by volunteers, who often stay for short lengths of time as part of their travels. It’s nice to support volunteers if they organize communal meals or sell things as a way of earning a bit of money.

I won’t say too much here and will leave you to explore hostel culture for yourself!

Socialise (if you want to)

Hostels are a great way to meet people and get to know fellow travelers. If you hang out in communal areas, get involved in group activities, or join in communal meals, you’re likely to meet someone new.

But you are also under no obligation to socialize, especially with people you don’t even get on with. It’s ok just to sit and read a book in the corner of your room, or keep to yourself in communal areas. And knowing how to end conversations politely and part ways with someone is a good hostel skill.

Make the most of it!

Hostels often offer so many different activities and opportunities! Many hostels organize group events, like communal dinners or pub crawls. Some even offer tours directly from the hostel.

Engage with some of the opportunities on offer and make the most out of your stay!

👉 Read Next: The Unspoken Rules of Hostel Etiquete

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Hostels are great places to stay when you’re traveling. In need of some travel inspiration? Check out Travel Lemming’s list of the 50 best places to travel to this year!

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