Backpacking is such a fun experience, especially when you’re staying in hostels. However, if you’ve never stayed in one before, it’s understandable to be a little unsure of what to expect. You might have even heard some bad things about staying in hostels. But don’t worry, I’m here to help you out!
Having stayed at over 100 different hostels during my travels over the past 8 years, I consider myself somewhat of an expert in hostel life.
I have made some of the most unforgettable memories while traveling thanks to amazing hostels.
So if you’re new to hostel life, wondering what kind of hostels are out there and where to find them, don’t sweat it! I’m here to break everything down for you so you will be well prepared.
What is a Hostel?
Let’s start with the basics, shall we? So, what exactly is a hostel? It’s quite simple. Hostels provide budget-friendly accommodation options for travellers. The reason for their lower prices is that they offer dorms. Dorms are typically shared rooms for 4-12 people (even though there are bigger ones like 16 or 32-bed dorms). This means you’ll be booking a bed in a shared room instead of a private one. Most hostels also offer private rooms at a higher price, but if you’re travelling on a budget, staying in dorms is the way to go.
There are various types of hostels that differ in size, vibe, quality, and price. Therefore, choosing the right hostel is key to ensuring a great experience.
Types of Hostels
As I mentioned, there are different types of hostels available. To make it easier for you to choose, I have categorized them into some basic groups.
1. Basic and Budget Hostels
Basic hostels are a no-frills option that simply provides a comfortable place to rest your head. While they may not offer fancy amenities or a lively social scene, they do provide all the basic necessities such as a bed to sleep in, a roof over your head, and other basic facilities that you might need. The best part is that they are usually very affordable, making them an ideal choice if you’re looking to save money or you need a place to crash for the night before starting your tour in the morning.
PRO-TIP: If you can’t afford to stay at a more social hostel in the area, you can still visit their bars and sometimes use their facilities like pools for free. This is a great way to meet people. One advantage of staying at basic hostels is that they are often quiet at night, allowing for a good night’s sleep.
2. Upscale Hostels
Upscale Hostels are places like Flashpacker or Boutique Hostels. They are essentially the opposite of a budget hostel. They provide more comfortable and luxurious facilities, catering to travellers with a bigger budget and digital nomads. They often offer co-working spaces and have more of a hotel feel to them, but are typically less social and more expensive. If you are travelling on a budget, you probably won’t be staying at these types of hostels. However, they are great for long-term travel when you just need to relax for a few days and recharge your batteries.
3. Party Hostels
Party Hostels are easily spotted while browsing through Hostelworld. Half of their pictures show big crowds of people drinking and partying; they have hundreds or even thousands of reviews, and their description might start out with “WE ARE A PARTY HOSTEL”.
These hostels are perfect for meeting people and having a great time, but don’t expect to get a good night’s sleep. They usually have parties every night, organize pub crawls throughout the week, and offer daily happy hours with free drinks.
Although I still enjoy the occasional stay at a party hostel, I have to admit that I was more fond of them when I first started traveling at 19. It does get more exhausting the older you get… Also, the majority of the people staying at those hostels are usually in their early to mid-twenties, and some places have an age restriction of 18-35.
It’s worth noting that there are differences in party hostels when it comes to how pushy they are with drinking. At some places, the reps will walk into your dorm in the evening with a bottle in their hand ready to pour some mystery shot down your throat, while others are more laid-back and won’t pressure you to drink.
4. Social Hostels
Social hostels are my favourite kind of hostel because they offer a variety of activities and events that make it super easy to meet people. They have a social atmosphere similar to party hostels, but their activities don’t revolve around drinking. Instead, they offer things like walking tours, workshops, game nights, watching Muay Thai fights, sunset trekking, and more. People still drink and party there, but you’re more likely to find them having drinks and playing cards at the hostel before heading out to bars, rather than partying at the hostel itself. Overall, social hostels offer good vibes and attract people who want to socialize, especially solo backpackers.
5. Destination Hostels
Hostels can be found in some truly unique locations around the world – such as the jungle, in the mountains, on an island, in a large colonial mansion, or even a castle. While they may be a little more expensive, they are definitely worth the visit. These hostels tend to attract a social crowd, and particularly those located in secluded natural settings offer stunning views and a family-like atmosphere. Since there are often no other places nearby to visit or grab food or drinks, people spend most of their time at the hostel and exploring the surrounding nature together. These places are perfect for slowing down and relaxing, as life here is usually very laid-back, and you tend to connect more with the people around you because you spend so much time together.
Common Misconceptions About Hostel Life
Hostels come with a lot of stigmas, with some of them being true and others not so much. So let’s take a look at some common questions people have about hostels.
1. Are Hostels Really Basic?
Some might be, but most are far from that. Many hostels offer a wide range of amenities such as pools, rooftop bars, fully equipped kitchens, pool tables, TV rooms, nightclubs, restaurants and much more. I have even seen hostels that have saunas and hair salons. Also, many of the locations are anything but basic. You can find hostels in some of the most unique places in the world with no hotels around for miles.
It all really depends on what you choose and how much you’re paying. Being on a budget does not mean that you have to stay at a basic hostel, though. Sometimes the difference between a super modern hostel with a rooftop pool and a basic one is only 1-2€ a night.
2. Can You Get Any Privacy in a Hostel?
When staying in dorms, you do get less privacy; however, many hostels now have curtains on the beds, allowing you to get some privacy. Hostels also often offer private rooms, which let you enjoy all the perks of staying in a hostel without giving up your privacy.
3. Are Hostels Only For Very Young People?
Hostels are not just full of very young people… some are, but I would say that’s just some of the crazy party hostels. The age range of hostel-goers ranges anywhere between 18 and 35. I would say you usually get a good mix with the average age being in the mid-twenties.
4. Aren’t Hostels Really Noisy?
Okay, so maybe this one isn’t completely wrong. There will probably be a lot of snoring, the occasional drunk person stumbling into the rooms not realizing how loud they are. But let’s be honest, that’s just part of the game. After all, you are sharing your rooms with a bunch of people. So get some earplugs and you should be just fine. Usually, while travelling, I fall asleep much easier anyway because I am just so tired by the end of the day.
5. Aren’t Hostels Dangerous and Unsafe?
I have never felt unsafe or in danger while staying in a hostel. I think I remember 2 or 3 instances of credit cards being stolen at hostels in over 8 years, that’s it. Most hostels offer 24-hour reception or 24-hour security. They also mostly have lockers to keep your belongings safe. While you should definitely use them because it is better to be safe than sorry, stealing is not very common at hostels. Also, even if the 2005 film “Hostel” might suggest otherwise, people do not get murdered in hostels.
6. Are Hostels Dirty?
While some hostels are cleaner than others, I have overall had really good experiences. The cleaning staff is usually seen all day long, making sure all the facilities stay clean. What I also prefer about hostels rather than hotels is that you see the rooms and beds being cleaned when other people check out of the room. So you know how clean everything is. Because of how many people use the rooms and bathrooms, they often get cleaned even more frequently as well.
7. Are Hostels Only for Partying and Full of Drunk People?
When looking at the different types of hostels mentioned above, I think it becomes clear that this is not the case unless you check into a party hostel. You can always find a hostel that offers what you want, whether that is partying all night long, yoga at 7 am, or just a chilled night around the bonfire.
Why You Should Stay in Hostels
As I focus on budget traveling on this blog, the primary reason for staying in hostels is their affordability. With a few exceptions, hostels will be the most affordable form of accommodation wherever you travel. You can almost always find hostels in popular backpacking destinations for under €10 a night, which offers amazing value for money.
Hostels are so much more than just cheap accommodation, though! They are a great place for meeting people, finding new travel buddies, getting travel advice, and making friends for life. Some people I know who met at hostels even got married and now have children together.
You meet so many different people at hostels, which can be incredibly inspiring. You’ll meet individuals living their lives in ways that you may have never considered before, which can open your eyes to the many things life has to offer.
Travelling has also shaped who I am as a person, and a huge part of that has been due to staying at hostels. It has made me so much more outgoing and socially comfortable, both in myself and in my ability to get out of my comfort zone.
Moreover, you’ll be surrounded by people who share your passion for travel and who understand you. People at hostels are much more open-minded to alternative ways of living, which may not fit the norm of starting your career early and settling down before your thirties. Just becoming part of the backpacking community is amazing. My favorite travel memories and places I have visited would probably not be my favorites if it weren’t for the people I met at some random hostel with whom I was able to share these experiences.
Where to Find Hostels
You can find hostels on popular booking websites such as Expedia, Agoda, and Booking.com. However, my personal favourite and the most widely used website for finding and booking hostels is Hostelworld. It is super easy to use, provides all the necessary information about the hostel, its facilities, and location, and has a vast number of reviews from other travellers. I have also written a separate post that explains how to choose the best hostel, guiding you through all the necessary steps to ensure that you book the right one.