Staying in a hostel is not just one of the ways in which I save on accommodation, but also one of the ways I get to experience more and pay less. How? Well, by staying in a hostel, you share a dorm with other solo travelers, and as you give up some privacy and space, you get to save a lot of cash. Think about it like sharing a room, but instead of getting a double or triple room with your friend(s), you share it with more people.

That was the saving bit, but how about the experience itself? By staying in a hostel, you don’t just get to meet like-minded solo travelers, but also people coming from different cultural backgrounds. Think about it as a melting pot of cultures or a mini cultural exchange program kind of experience.

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How to Find Hostels

There are plenty of hostel booking platforms out there; however, my personal favorite is Hostelworld.

You can find hostels listed on accommodation websites like Booking.com as well.

Staying in a Hostel? Here’s What to Look For:

When staying in a hostel, there are some specific things that you might want to look for. Of course, every traveler’s criteria is different, but here’s an overview to help break down the process for you:

What kind of hostel is it?

Is it a party hostel? A backpacker’s one? Or a luxury hostel? There are plenty of types of hostels out there, so before booking, make sure to determine what you’re more interested in.

Room Type

Typically, when staying in a hostel, you’ll most likely be staying in a dorm; these are big rooms that guests share. Dormitory rooms normally start from 4-bed dorms and could go up to 10 beds (with a possibility of bunk beds). Also, some hostels offer both female dorms and mixed dorms, and just like hotels, you might be able to book yourself a private room sometimes.

Bathrooms

Some hostels have the privilege of ensuite bathrooms, while others offer shared bathrooms only. However, sometimes, both options are available for you to choose from.

Breakfast

Is breakfast included in your stay? Maybe you prefer a B&B option to save money on eating out or to save time for sightseeing early during the day. Or maybe you’d rather try different local street foods every morning instead. Your call.

Location

This one, of course, goes without saying. You want yourself a hostel that’s located in or near the center, and close to public transportation stops as well.

Lockers and Safes

For me, having a locker or a safe where I can keep valuables, such as my passport or camera, is incredibly important; it’s at the top of my list of criteria. After all, safety comes first!

Check-In and Check-Out Timings/Curfews

Before booking, if your flight arrives late at night, make sure the hostel of your choice allows late check-ins. Also, bear in mind that some hostels have curfews, meaning that you can’t arrive late every night (I personally don’t like those). A hostel with a 24-hour reception would be ideal.

Free WiFi

Make sure there’s WiFi and make sure it’s free of charge because sometimes you have to pay for it. Even if you have an eSIM, having WiFi at your hostel would make life cheaper for you and would definitely come in handy, especially if you’re a digital nomad with a lot of work to get done.

Payment and Cancellation

In some cases, you’ll have to either place the full payment online or just a deposit, which could be non-refundable. So, make sure to carefully read the cancellation policy while booking your stay.

Facilities

Is there a restaurant/bar? Does the hostel offer a gym or pool? A common area or a kitchen? Hostels with such facilities often appeal more to solo travelers who are looking for entertainment or a fun environment where they can make friends and mingle with other nomads.

Are Hostels Safe?

Staying in a room with random strangers may seem a bit intimidating in the beginning, and that’s totally alright. Hostels are generally safe, but at the end of the day, it all goes down to your own judgement and precautions. A hostel may provide you with features that give a sense of safety, but due to a lack of personal precautions, you could still face some travel mishaps. For instance, if you leave valuables behind and you have a safe or locker in your dorm, don’t blame the hostel if you lose your belongings.

Check out my criteria list below if you want a reference on how I personally choose my hostels:

• I look for hostels with lockers, and preferably a safe in the dorm.
• I always stay in female dorms.
• My budget is usually average; I don’t necessarily opt for super cheap hostels, because hygiene (which plays a major role in the cost) is super important to me.
• The neighborhood is also important. Lively areas over sketchy ones for the win.
• A 24/7 reception is a major plus in case I need anything in the middle of the night.

Tips for Staying in a Hostel

• Book in advance to guarantee great deals.
• Check your inbox for a confirmation email.
• Save your hostel information (such as address/location and phone number) on your phone in case you have trouble finding it when you arrive. And pin the location on Google Maps.
• Bring your own padlocks. Many hostels offer drawers or lockers with a padlock slot, but don’t provide you with one.
• Bring a sleeping eye mask and earplugs if you’re an early sleeper. Your roommates might arrive late after partying, so those will come in handy.

Speaking of things to bring along, you might as well check out this essential hostel packing list by Travel Her Story before you head out.

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Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance!

Travel (solo or not) isn’t always rainbows and butterflies – things might go down south sometimes. You might fall ill or lose your luggage, and that’s when you’ll thank me for having your back covered with travel insurance.

SafetyWing offers different travel insurance packages, tailored to your needs, but their Nomad Insurance is my favorite option.

This travel medical insurance is perfect for frequent travelers. It covers lost checked luggage, travel delay, doctors, hospitals, and more. It even covers the COVID-19 emergency quarantine period if deemed necessary by a physician.

Explore SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance Essential and Complete plans now.

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