Guide to Hostel Travel

Traveling on a budget doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice comfort or experience. In fact, staying in hostels can enhance your travel adventures in ways you might not expect. In this guide, I detail the benefits of hostel travel, what to look for when choosing a hostel, tips for making the most of your stay, and how to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Hostels have evolved from simple, bare-bones accommodations to vibrant, social hubs that offer unique opportunities for travellers of all ages. Whether you’re a solo backpacker, a couple or a group of friends, hostels provide a cost-effective way to explore the world while meeting fellow travellers and immersing yourself in the local culture.

Hostels are quintessential to backpacking but for first time travellers, I get it, hostels can appear scary. It is sharing a bedroom with strangers after all. We’ve all heard horror stories – ranging from annoying alarm setters to bet wetters to downright creeps – but hostels have come a long way in the modern era and there are a host of options that cater to personal preferences and budgets.

Hostels are most than just a place to sleep; they are a gateway to new friendships and unforgettable experiences. Many hostels offer great communal spaces, organised events and insider tips on the best local spots.

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Benefits of Hostel Travel

1. Affordability

Commonly the most budget-friendly accommodation option available, staying in hostels allow you to stretch your travel budget further and allocated more of your precious funds to experiences and dining.

2. Social Atmosphere

Hostels are known for their communal atmosphere, making them ideal for meeting fellow travellers. Many hostels organize social events, tours, and communal meals. I met some truly amazing people on my travels, shared travel tips and took part in organised city tours and nights out. Perfect for solo travellers or small groups!

3. Convenient locations

Hostels are often located in central city areas – in which hotels may be too expensive for your needs. This provides easy access to attractions and public transport, saving you time and money on transport.

4. Unique experiences

Many hostels offer themed accommodations, quirky decor, and unique amenities, providing a more memorable stay than standard hotels. Some hostels are housed in historic buildings, adding a touch of charm and character to your stay. Seriously, where else other than a hostel would I find artwork such as this:

5. Local insights

Hostel staff are often knowledgeable locals who can provide valuable insights and recommendations on the best places to visit, eat, and explore, and are always helpful and considerate to travellers.

Tips for a Great Hostel Experience

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1. Use a booking platform

While some hostels have their own websites, I believe using a comparison website/booking platform is essential to picking a hostel that best matches your preferences. This allows you to compare facilities/price and read reviews (A MUST!).

Personally, I always use Hostelworld or Booking.com and find them to both be great sites for comparing accommodation options.

2. Book in advance

Especially in peak season, popular hostels can fill up quickly so booking in advance can secure your spot and sometimes get better rates. This can be a tricky trade off with flexibility – I regularly only booked hostels a few days out as I was flexible with travel plans, but this was often outside of peak summer times. I’d be booking during peak time but look out for options with free cancellation.

3. Choose the right type of room for you

If you value privacy, many hostels can offer private rooms or a smaller 4 bed dorm. For a more social experience, opt for large dorm rooms. I’ve stayed in some rooms of up to 24 beds – which was too many! – so suggest some kind of middle ground of 6-8 beds. When you get there, don’t be afraid to request a bottom or top bunk if you’ve got a preference!

4. Choose the right facilities

There can be great variety in the facilities that hostels have to offer. By this, I am referring to common spaces, kitchen access, aircon, bar etc. Check out hostels that have curtains on the beds or hostels that have bars with live music – whatever’s your jam!

I liked to make the most of kitchen facilities and buy in some cheap cereal and pasta to save money on eating out, but the ‘kitchen access’ I experienced ranged from a toaster in the corner of reception to a full-blown kitchen with 8 stove tops. Something to consider.

Checking out the facilities, and finding out what other travellers thought of them, is something that can found on Hostelworld. Browse great accomadation options on Hostelworld here!

5. Respect hostel rules and common etique

Be considerate of fellow travellers by adhering to hostel rules, such as quiet hours. Don’t come into your dorm room at 4am and turn the light on when people are sleeping. You wouldn’t want it done it you.

6. Use lockers provided

Lockers are almost always provided so keep your valuables safe for that extra piece of mind. Often need to bring your own padlock.

7. Participate in activities

Join in on hostel-organized activities, tours, and communal meals to enhance your experience and meet new people. These activities often provide unique insights into the local culture and things to do. I’ve had some seriously fun nights out with people I met just hours prior at dinner time.

Essential packing items for Hostel travel

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1. Padlock

Bring a durable padlock to keep your possessions safe in hostel lockers.

Any type of padlock will do, but I’d recommend something like the Fosmon Cable Luggage Locks. The cable locks makes sure the lock will wrap around a locker of any size.

2. Travel towel (microfibre)

I had no idea how valuable a good quality travel towel would be on my travels but very grateful I bought one in advance. Hostels most often do not provide towels, or do so at a cost per night. Unlike regular towels, microfiber towels are compact, quick-drying, and lightweight, making them perfect for travel and saving you from carrying around a damp, bulky towel.

For instance, the Rainleaf Microfiber Towel is a popular choice among travelers and one I’ve used before. It’s super absorbent, dries fast, and takes up minimal space in your backpack. Plus, it comes in various sizes and colors to suit your preferences.

3. Ear plugs and eye mask

Ensure a good night sleep by travelling with earplugs and an eye mask. Especially if staying in a dorm room, there’s going to be general noise of people moving about or snoring.

Mack’s Ultra Soft Foam Earplugs is a great option to use for travelling as they are soft, comfortable and hygienic. My girlfriend used these a lot while staying in hostels (or at music concerts). Personally, I’m not the biggest fan of the foam and preferred the soft silicon Loop Quiet Earplugs, which are great at noise cancelling and come in 4 different sizes so can make sure they’re the perfect fit.

4. Flip flops (thongs)

Handy to have for communal showers.

5. Portable charger

Useful for travelling in general, but also for those times when the power point might be in the corner of the room or in use etc.

I will soon be posting my comprehensive guide of the best portable chargers for travelling. One that I have always taken overseas with me and recommended to loads of people is the Anker Portable Charger (PowerCore Slim 10000 Power Bank). It may not have the capacity of other alternatives on the market, but it’s slim, lightweight design make it perfect for travelling. Check it out here!

6. Universal adapter

A universal adapter is crucial for travelers staying in hostels because it ensures you can charge your electronic devices regardless of the country’s outlet types. With multiple plug configurations and USB ports, a universal adapter provides convenience and compatibility, and allow you to charge all your devices at once with only 1 plug.

One example I cannot recommend enough is the RXSQUL Universal International Power Travel Plug Adapter. This was such a handy and compact tool for travelling and can accept US, UK, EU and AU plugs, as well as having USB-A and USB-C charging points.

7. Packing cubes

Another item that I’d recommend for backpacking in general as packing cubes are a great way to organise your luggage. In addition to splitting up shirts, shorts, undies etc, I would often pack 2-3 days of clothes in a packing cube which I can simply have next to my bed as space may be limited in dorm rooms and to save time going in and out of my locker.

There are countless options for packing cubes on the market but you’d have a harder time getting better value than 9-set Nineway Packing Cubes – which include shoe, toiletries and electronics bags, and come in a range of colours. I found this really handy for organising all my items of different sizes.

8. Pillow

This one is up to you – I’ve experienced some shoddy pillows at hostels. Most likely impractical to bring a full pillow but an inflatable pillow is a great option if you feel you need some extra head support, and doubles as a beach pillow!

Special mention – keys

Some modern hostels may have electronic key codes on the doors, but most that I’ve stayed in are either physical keys or swipe card. For safety reasons, it’s always better to require a key to get into your dorm room, but if you need a key or swipe card please please PLEASE remember to take it with you at all times!

I know you can feel groggy if waking up to go to the bathroom in the night but – speaking from experience here – you don’t want to be walking down to reception at 3am in just underwear to ask for your room to be unlocked! I’m just lucky it was a 24hr reception!

My favourite European hostels

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In no particular order, these are 3 of my favourite hostels I stayed in last year in Europe (just in case you wanted to look them up):

1. Wombat’s City Hostel – Budapest

I stayed here when I was in the city for Sziget (music festival). Absolutely one of the best hostels I’ve stayed in so far and had everything you could want – large dorm rooms, aircon, well-kept bathrooms, massive common areas and kitchen, friendly helpful staff and central location. Have already recommended this one to loads of people.

Check it out on Hostelworld here!

2. Ok Hostel – Madrid

Modern hostel with power board and curtains for each bed, ample kitchen and common area space and communal dinners. Has a bar that offers discounts for guest. Positioned in a central location and partners with other nearby hostels to organise city tours and nights out that pick you up from reception!

Check it out on Hostelworld here!

3. Greg and Tom Hostel – Krakow

This hostel was amazing and had one of the best social cultures I’ve experienced. Free communal breakfast and dinner (unheard of!) which fostered a friendly and chatty vibe, perfect for making new friends to hit the town with! Would 100% recommend!

Check it out on Hostelworld here!