When it comes to travel accommodations, there are tons of options these days. From hotels to Airbnbs, to regular old bed n’ breakfast places, your options are endless. One excellent (and affordable) option is hostels!
If you haven’t stayed in a hostel, you gotta try it out!
If you’re new to traveling, you might be wondering—what is a hostel? Hostels are a cheap way to travel and a great way to make new friends with your fellow travelers. They provide great flexibility for any kind of traveler. No accommodation option is perfect, but with the right amount of research and a great attitude, hostels can be a great option for traveling, especially for those on a budget.
11 FAQs about hostels
What is a hostel?
A hostel is a place to stay while you’re out adventuring around the world. Since it’s affordable accommodation, you might have a tiny bit less privacy but a whole lot more friends! Basically, a hostel is a place very similar to a college dorm. It’s a great way to meet fellow travelers—and potentially a great place to learn a lot of patience.
READ: The BEST Advice for Staying in Hostels
How do hostels work?
Experiences vary from hostel to hostel but essentially you rent a bed in a shared dormitory-style room. Dorms can range from 3 beds all the way up to 12 (or more). The good news is that the more beds there are in a room, the cheaper your nightly rate usually is.
There’s typically a shared bathroom and a communal kitchen to cook meals in as well. Often, breakfast is provided for you (think toast and jam—nothing fancy) and included in the overall price.
Some hostels have pools, game rooms, movie nights, morning yoga, or even rooftop bars! The activities vary, but the vibe is the same; everyone is there for affordable and fun travel experiences.
What's it like staying in a hostel?
Hostels are great for those who love making friends during their travels.
Staying in a hostel can be any kind of experience you’d like. If you want to make new friends and go out with them, there will be tons of people and social experiences! If you’re more interested in staying in and getting some rest, you’ll be able to have that too. The options are endless and customizable so you’ll have the ideal experience for you.
A good thing to do before booking a hostel is to read its reviews on websites like Hostelworld. You’ll get a sense of whether a hostel is for party-all-night people, or for more quiet, relaxed experiences—and then you can book accordingly.
What is a hostel vs. a hotel?
The main difference between hotels and hostels is that hotels offer exclusively private rooms. Hostels focus more on communal space: think bunk beds, game rooms, a shared kitchen, and lounges. Another major difference is the cost. You could pay as low as a tenth of the local hotel rate for a comfy, clean hostel room (depending on the destination of course).
Hotels also offer perks such as toiletries and towels free of charge. Some hostels offer these but they are generally not free. The bottom line? Bring your own shampoo and a nice travel microfiber towel, and you’re set!
READ: 8 Benefits of Staying in a Hostel
Are hostels safe?
For the most part, yes! Traveling abroad always carries some amount of risk, so it’s important to keep your wits about you. It can also be a good idea to use the lockers that many hostels offer to store your valuables. But for the most part, hostels are staffed 24 hours and many even have security cameras. And, with so many people around all the time, theft and other crimes are extremely rare.
If I’m staying in a hostel for the first time, what should I know?
Each hostel has its own vibe. If you find the right one, you’ll feel right at home.
Before you stay in a hostel, do your research. Choose your hostel carefully and read tons of hostel reviews! Make sure you’re getting the hostel experience you want. Some hostel review sites have filters for “atmosphere”, so you can get a feel for the vibe ahead of time. And definitely book in advance during peak travel season!
Other pro tips include bringing a combination lock (which usually isn’t provided by the hostel) for your locker, a microfiber towel, shower shoes, ear plugs (if snoring bothers you), eye mask (lights go on and off at all hours of the night), and a friendly attitude. You’ll start off on the right foot with your roomies if you say hello when you arrive!
Is it safe to stay in a hostel during Covid?
Traveling during Covid can be more complicated, and the same holds true here. Hostels mean you will have less privacy and personal space—not ideal for Covid times! If you’re feeling nervous, you can always call ahead to see what the Covid policies are.
It’s also worth noting that, like anything with hostels, it depends. If you get a private room in a remote hostel, you’ll face less risk than in a more public, crowded spot. With the right preparation and research, hostels can be a safe option during Covid times.
READ: The Lowdown on Student Hostels
How long can you stay in a hostel?
The limit varies from hostel to hostel. Some hostels offer “long-term” room options if this is of interest to you. These long-term options are usually tucked out of the way and have multiple long-term guests in them, so you’ll get to know your roommates better.
On the other hand, other hostels have a max stay time of a couple weeks or 30 days. This is because the point of hostels is to make cheap travel possible! If you really need a long-term option, consider an Airbnb or other type of travel accommodation.
Do hostels have private rooms?
Though you could book your own room, the best thing about hostels is the sense of community!
Yes! Many hostels have private rooms (and even some with bigger beds!) so definitely check ahead to see what your options are. Private rooms can be a great option for those with concerns about safety, Covid, or just for two people traveling together. The downside of a private room is that you may have fewer social opportunities—and a higher nightly rate.
Who can stay in a hostel?
This depends on your destination and on the hostel. Some hostels put an age limit of 18-35 on travelers. But at others, anyone is welcome, which is part of what makes staying in hostels so interesting! Hostels are a popular budget option though, so the crowd at hostels does tend to skew young. If the hostel offers an on-site bar, they’ll often limit guests to 18 and up (or 21 and up, depending on the location).
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Do hostels have communal showers?
Yes, but perhaps not in the way you’re thinking. Most hostels have a communal bathroom with private shower stalls. So while they’re technically “communal”, you’ll still have a sense of privacy.
It’s worth investing in a nice toiletry bag, since communal showers mean you’ll be toting your toiletries back and forth from your room. And you’ll always want to pack a pair of shower flip flops if you’re planning on staying in a hostel.
Depending on the hostel (and how much extra you want to pay), you may be able to reserve a private bathroom for yourself. Private rooms in hostels also typically come with an ensuite bathroom (and if it doesn’t, a private room is probably not worth the upcharge). If this is something you’re interested in, it never hurts to check into your options when booking.
Staying in a hostel could be a great adventure!
Staying in a hostel is rarely boring! Who knows, you may make some lifelong friends.
Like with any travel experience, experiences in hostels can vary a lot. This means the key to having an awesome hostel experience is research and calling ahead. With some preparation, staying in a hostel could be the time of your life! You’ll get cheap accommodation, great new friends, and an amazing experience. If you are thinking about staying in a hostel, definitely give it a try!
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