Hostel starter guide
Hostels. You can either loving them or hating them.
Most people I know are horrified by the idea of sharing the bedroom with several complete strangers. Even just one actually. And I won’t hide that only I few years ago I used to be exactly like them.
Luckily, as soon as I started travelling, I quickly changed my mind. And now spending at least one hostel night is a true must of any of my travels!
Getting started with your hostel stay
Firstly we need to specify that there are tons of different kinds of hostels: the fanciest versions, nowhere near the budget-travel style. Party places (forget about them if you are willing to rest), digital nomads sites offering masterminds and working spaces, and even backpackers resorts. All the way to the creepiest and messier ones.
If you are a newbie of the hostel life, I’d recommend you to start easy. Maybe with something a little nicer and with smaller rooms.
But if you are brave enough, feel free to jump straight to the cheaper and craziest places!
Exploring the different kinds of hostels
Sometimes staying in an hostel can be pretty overwhelming. Especially when you need your quiet time and spaces, or you have some work to do and need a peaceful corner. I remember keep postponing my computer duties, as well as the trip planning, always spending hours just talking with every one passing by.
Also in this case properly choosing the kind of hostel will help you a lot
We could highlight those main hostel categories:
Party hostels
Definitely good fun for shorter stays or for people with no need to rest.
Obviously forget about sleeping early, as party animals never sleep. They often feature loud music playing until late at night.
When I was living in Cairns, Australia, the most famous hostel there was the Gilligan’s. Basically a Disco Club with swimming pools and accommodations.
Something fun for one or two nights, but definitely not for someone who as to work the following day. Or, like me, enjoys more waking up early to start exploring
Working Hostels
The exact opposite of the ones above. Here the quiet time starts pretty early, to assure their guests a good rest before the working day ahead. Most guest usually stay there for longer time, some months on average.
Those hostels are particularly common among construction and farms workers. They are usually cheaper and with less entertainment opportunities, and I won’t suggest them for backpackers and travellers.
Try to check one of them out if you are looking for a job, as they often host useful boards and advertisements.
Around Australia they are very common in the countryside. Some of them also manage to help backpacker to find a job counting for their 88 days, in exchange of a long and often a bit costly stay.
Backpackers Hostels
Mostly made for (young) travellers. They usually offer a bit of everything, obviously depending on location and facilities. From weekly or daily organised trips to social gatherings a evening parties. Like beer pong tournaments, cheap dinners and karaoke nights. Even Taco Tuesdays!
Among my favourite places for making friends, finding travel buddies and hearing inspiring traveller’s stories. And often spending the evenings singing along with someone playing music.
It is really impossible to feel lonely, and to don’t get some travel inspirations.
In case you don’t end up talking with someone who has been there for longer, ask the (usually) friendly reception staff for travel tips and suggestions on food or activities
Activity oriented Hostels
Meeting point of both passing-by travellers and longer stayers. Those hostels are usually built around one (or more) predominant activities. Which the guest have the chance to learn and practice, as well as to meet people to share the same passion with.
The most common are probably around Surfing and Yoga. They usually also offer lessons, workshops and gear renting.
Depending on the place there are also hostels focused on many other activities like skiing, diving, biking, hiking or climbing. And also places where you can learn about farming or cooking
Working Spaces for entrepreneurs and
digital nomads
Offering a quiet and inspiring working place with good internet connection. Among with the possibility to meet like-minded people and do or attend workshops. They often also offer meditation and yoga classes, coffee and healthy food.
And any other possible tool to help you boosting your working day!
But the list is pretty much endlessly
You can also find really exclusive and Luxury places, Eco resorts built on trees, family rooms. And even Japanese style capsule hostels, where instead of the typical bunk bed you will have your tiny personal niche with a mat to sleep in.
How to pick the right hostel
If not sure, just go for the cheapest!
That is one of my ways to get out of the sea of endless options.
Cheaper places are also more likely to be local, something I always look for. If I’m travelling I want to spend the most possible amount of time exploring every corner, and I feel like a too nice place to stay could make me somehow lazy. But travelling is also very tiring. And I know it sometimes it nice to add a bit of comfort or sunbathing at the pool side. But generally speaking, I prefer to leave the comfy room for when I am at home. And possibly using the money saved on accommodation for experiences and more travels.
Generally, I would choose a less nicer hostel but with a good location, rather than a nice one but far from everything
Smaller and cheaper hostels are also where I’ve found the friendlier owners. Cooking the best traditional food and sharing useful local travel tips. In some cases they also kept part of my bags for several days for free. While many bigger places charge a fee even for storing them just for a couple of hours after checkout. And usually apply a flexible time also on that. Do not expect big parties, as you will likely meet only a few and sometimes quieter travellers there. But if you like listening and sharing stories, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed
Just make sure you are not too fussy, or your stay in those places could be quite disappointing.
How to stay in an hostel for free
If you are really short on budget, a priceless and fun way to enjoy long time abroad is working for accommodation in and hostel
As always every place has different rules, but generally speaking, most places offer the possibility to stay for free in exchange of a few hours of work. Usually doing reception, some maintenance or cleaning rooms and common spaces. Or organising parties, teaching classes and leading activities, if you are particularly skilled and lucky. Some places ask to work for a couple of hours every day, some others for one or more of full days. It can happen that they will also give you food (if the place also has the restaurant) and even a little salary. Or, in case of the reception work, a small commission on tours and activities sold.
Generally speaking, the work is never too demanding. And it is often a nice way to afford long time stay abroad. For example while learning a new language, working to save up some money without spending some of it on accommodation, studying or experiencing the local activity. Like always happen with surfing or diving.
The only downside can be the minimum required stay, usually between a couple of weeks and several months. Often guaranteed by the request of a refundable money deposit.
I did it for about 5 months when I was living in cairns, Australia. You can read more in my post about all my good (and bad) hostel adventures.
The Good about hostels
Like pretty much anything else, sleeping in an hostel have is pros and cons. generally speaking I would suggest it to every young traveler (especially if solo) on a roadtrip or backpacking journey. Definitely not for families or people willing to have a more quiet place.
So let’s start with the positive side:
- it is cheap. Unless you are looking for the fancy ones, or a private room. Hostels will probably be the cheapest kind of accommodation available, pretty much everywhere
- you can easily meet other travelers. Hostels basically made me able to don’t be lonely even one single day, during my solo trips. And you will never know if they will be your friends only for the evening, the rest of the trip, or the whole life!
Like pretty much anything else, sleeping in an hostel have is pros and cons. generally speaking I would suggest it to every young traveler (especially if solo) on a roadtrip or backpacking journey. Definitely not for families or people willing to have a more quiet place.
So let’s start with the positive side:
- it is cheap. Unless you are looking for the fancy ones, or a private room. Hostels will probably be the cheapest kind of accommodation available, pretty much everywhere
- you can easily meet other travelers. Hostels basically made me able to don’t be lonely even one single day, during my solo trips. And you will never know if they will be your friends only for the evening, the rest of the trip, or the whole life!
I admit that sometimes I was just looking for some quite moments. But for me is hard to stop talking when surrounded by people to share adventure stories with. But if really feel like it, you can always stay in your room or just keep you headphones on when in the common spaces!
- they often have a good location. Many hostels are just small places (actually apartments sometimes). With kitchen, a couple of bathrooms and a few rooms with bunk beds. That means they can easily be located right in the middle of even the busiest cities. offering a budget alternative to the most expensive hotels.
Of course some of them can also be pretty far away for everything. But then they sometimes offer shuttle buses, rental bikes and all sorts of valuable information
- most of them have kitchen. Allowing you to save money on food. Or at least a microwave, a kettle (please don’t use it to make instant noodles!) and a place where having your take away pizza! In some cases they have a bar or little restaurant, offering their guests slightly cheaper foods than outside
- discounted trips and local adventures. Depending on the location, many hostels offer day trips to the surrounding tourist spots, guided city walks. even pub crawls if you fancy. They also usually offer discounts on the adventure activities in the area, other than help with booking the, just ask at the reception.
The bad about hostels
now that we have covered most of the good stuff, is time to see what could make your hostel stay a less pleasant experience:
- People. As pretty much always and everywhere. The people you end up sharing the spaces with can either be a nice addition or a total doom for your experience. In the hostels this becomes even more crucial, as you will be sharing bedroom, bathroom and common spaces. And if your mates are too messy it definitely won’t be that fun.
- cleanliness. whether because of a lack of efficiency in the housekeeping service, the bad habits of the other guests, or a mix of the two. One of the main problems in hostels is about that. Most of the time the cleaning is done by people staying and working there for accommodation. Sometimes well, and some others not so much. But even more important is how the other people behave, as they cannot have the housekeeping service 24/7. I don’t even remember how many times I got to wash a whole sink of dirty dishes to be able to make my dinner!
the cleanliness of the place is actually one of the few info I do really care about, when reading the reviews. Together wit the good location and the possibility to cook something
- Noise. Another factor mainly depending on the people you end up sharing your stay with. I am pretty sure you will mot book an hostel looking for a really quiet place to stay. But sometimes it can really be too much. With people drinking a partying until very late. Luckily most places have a good policy about that, with quiet time after 10 pm and no drinks allowed. Just choose the place according to your needs
- Safety. I can luckily say I haven’t had any big issue with that. But obviously try to always keep an eye on your valuables, as your stuff will be in a place where people come and go all the time.
Safety issues of staying in an Hostel
Last but not least, I guess many of you are a bit concerned about safety. I perfectly get the point, as sharing the spaces with strangers also means to expose your stuff to possible misadventures.
Generally speaking, remember to always keep your valuables with you, or to put them inside a locker. I usually sleep with my passport and pocket under my pillow, just to be sure.
Most hostels will have some kind of lockers inside the room, from proper wardrobes to at least some small spots. The last ones are sometimes located near the reception, for the most precious things.
Remember to bring a small locker with you, just in case you’ll need one. Even if in the worst case you should be also able to buy one from them.
In many places I’ve been able to safely leave everything in the room with no issues, but is always better be safe than sorry. Especially if you don’t know your room mates yet, or the doors don’t have a private key.
I hope this post helped you to better understand the hostel life, and plan your next Adventure.
Are you ready for taking the most out of your hostel experience? Which kind of place would you feel more comfortable with? Are you and hostel – type of traveller?
Let me know your thoughts, and how it goes. Or if you have any question, ask them in the comments below
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