Hostel Tips
The idea of staying in a hostel which entails sharing a room with people you most likely don’t know is intimidating for a lot of people. There are a lot of safety hazards that you should be comfortable with and precautions one must take if you’re planning to stay in them.
1. When looking for a hostel, always check reviews online of people travelling the same way as you. Not all hostels suit every kind of traveller, so it’s best to filter results to save time. (Ex: solo, couple, family, etc.)
2. Security must always be a priority, especially if you intend to go out late at night or need leave your bags at the reception the whole day.
3. Location must be considered. Determine how accessible the hostel is with the local transportation and be aware of the schedules and paying schemes of each form. Sometimes, when you book a cheap hostel which is a bit far from the city center, you actually spend more.
4. Always have a copy of your hostel’s name, address and contact details and map in your own language and the language of the country you’re in.
5. Obtain a city map as soon as possible. Bring a highlighter/pen to mark your hostel’s location and your point of exit when you leave. Always research in advance how to get to your hostel from your point of arrival.
6. Receptionists are the closest friends you will have in a new city. They will know all the basics you will need to survive and actually get your discounts only available to locals. Be polite to them.
7. Most international hostels ask for your passport on arrival. Ready your passport beforehand and never forget to ask for it back. You should also always have copies of your passport and the contact details of your country’s embassy in case you should lose it.
8. Bring a flashlight. Besides your roommates being thankful that you wont need to turn on the light when you get back late, it can help when you’re walking back at night and need to pass by dark streets.
9. Always bring slippers. No matter how clean you think the bathroom is, you can’t speak for the hygiene habits of your roommates.
10. If you want to have sex, get a single room. In big dorms, roommates don’t want to hear you guys have sex. Most of us are tired from walking around the whole day or just settling in from a long plane, bus, or train ride.
At the end of the day though, staying in hostels is an incredibly fun experience that every traveler should try at some point. For a solo traveler, it’s one of the best and easiest ways to make friends on a trip wherein you might prefer being around more people.
Have any other tips for staying in hostels? Share them in the comments! 🙂
