11 Smart Tips and Tricks for Staying in a Hostel

As I mentioned in my post, “Things I have learned from Solo Traveling: Hostels”, not all hostels are created the same. However, there are a few tips that work for me when I stay at hostels.

Are you on the fence about staying in a hostel? Read on for some tips that will help put you at ease.

1.  Don’t let fear stop you.

Do your research and book a night in a hostel! Many hostels grant you the option to share a room with 3 other people, up to a total of 16. If this scares you, see if they have a private room option. Many do, and this way, you can experience a hostel and all the activities but still have your own space. Fair warning, private rooms tend to be more expensive than shared rooms.

2.  Say hi to your roommates.

If you stay in a shared room, make friends with your bunkmates, or at least say hi. See if they want to go with you for a beer or talk about your adventures. As you know, in the traveling community, we LOVE to share our adventures.

3.  Show your new friends some courtesy.

When staying in a shared room, consider being quiet in the mornings, and lay out the stuff you need the night before so you can just grab and go in the morning. This also applies if you are catching a flight in the morning. Pack everything the night before. This will help you keep those friends you just made. I did this when I was in Seattle; I was jet lagged and had to get up at 4 a.m., west coast time.

4.  Keep your important items on you.

This probably goes without saying, but always carry your personal items with you, like passports and such, for extra security. At night, I sleep with my wallet and other important stuff under my pillow.

5.  Bring a lock.

Most hostels sell locks for your locker, but just in case, bring one.

6.  Be nice to those who work there!

Most of the time, people who work at the hostels choose to live there so they can travel cheap. Your hostel may have a bar or has merch to buy, and tips are always welcome. Do so! It helps them, and you never know when you can hook up down the line!

7.  Speak out.

Hostels are a place to make friends and have fun, BUT if something doesn’t feel right, tell someone. Safety is number one. Tell whoever you can when you are heading out at night, and let them know when you expect to be back. If you’re a female staying in a hostel for the first time, think about staying in a female-only dorm. Many hostels offer this, and it’s a great way to adjust yourself to hostel life. For me, I love booking a mixed dorm room.

8.  Invest in a portable battery charger.

These are great when your phone is running low, and you must find your way home!

9.  Check for activities.

Not all hostels have activities, so make sure you check what they offer before you go. My two favorite hostels ( shout out to Green Tortoise Hostel Seattle and Hostel Fish) I stayed at had the best activities, and I have made friends from them! And that leads us to number ten . . .

10.   See what’s included in your stay.

Before booking the hostel, see what is included. Sometimes they have towels, soaps, and linens available, and sometimes they don’t.

11.   Think about your food options.

Most hostels have a kitchen that you can cook in. ALWAYS check to see what is in the free bin before going out to buy food. This was great when I was in Canada. Also, if you have extra food, ask people if they want some. This is another way you can make friends.

If you did everything on this list and are still not a fan of staying in a hostel, that’s okay—at least you can cross it off on your travel adventures. And if you DO love it, well, my friend, welcome to the hostel club. We are happy to have you!

Have you stayed at a hostel before? If you have anything to add to this list, be sure to leave a comment telling us about it!