Hostels are a brilliant concept if you’re looking for an affordable place to sleep at night during your world travels. They’re ideal for young people, budget travelers and those looking for last-minute accommodations.
I’ve spent my fair share of time in hostels all over the world and here is my advice for not only surviving the experience but thriving in it. It all comes down to doing thorough research ahead of time, creating your own “space” within a room full of strangers, and being open to new experiences and people.
In this article, I’ll be covering types of hostels, what to bring, basic etiquette and expectations and how to make the most out of your experience.
Types of Hostels
The Party Hostel
As a solo female traveler, I was skeptical of party hostels. I didn’t know if they’d feel welcoming or if I’d be the odd one out. When I arrived at OneFam Les Corts in Barcelona, the loud, high-energy vibe was a major shift from the quiet hostels I’d stayed at in France.
What Party Hostels Offer
From the start, it was clear this hostel ran things differently. I got a wristband upon check-in (for free club entry, I later found out), a full tour of the space, and an enthusiastic rundown of daily activities. Each night, they serve a free dinner, followed by drinking games on the terrace, bar crawls, and late-night club outings. During the day, they organize group trips to Barcelona’s top sights.
It was more structured—and more social—than I expected. Honestly, the free meals, new friends, and excuse to dance made it hard not to join in. Prices vary depending on the season, and it’s gotten more expensive since I went in 2023, but you definitely get a lot for what you pay.
Meeting Other Travelers at Hostels
Meeting people at hostels can feel a little awkward at first—dinner with strangers and small talk with fellow travelers. But things pick up quickly. In no time, you’re bonding over where you’re from, where you’re headed, and making fast friends to go out with.
Most hostels host nightly social events or bar crawls, which makes meeting people easy. One night, a group of us grabbed drinks from a corner shop, pre-gamed in the lobby, and joined a bigger hostel meetup that turned into a full night of bar-hopping and clubbing. It was chaotic, fun, and very on-brand for Spain.
All in all, I liked my first party hostel experience so much that I’ve booked many more since—some of the best in Southeast Asia. Traveling in general has massively eased my social anxiety, which is a big part of why I love the hostel experience now more than ever. I made an exceptional number of friends in Southeast Asia, ones I know I’ll reconnect with down the line.
My Advice for Staying at a Party Hostel
- Although hostels are a great opportunity to make friends, don’t let your guard down too much, especially when drinking. You do not want to be overly inebriated around people you don’t know. Make sure you’re always cognizant enough to find your way home alone if you need to. I often make pacts to stick together with the friends I make at hostels.
- Pickpocketing happens everywhere but is particularly common in party environments because people are typically not paying attention. I only brought what I needed: my phone, my credit card, my ID, my train pass, and my key card. In Barcelona, particularly, phones are the most likely to get stolen.
- I’m not gonna lie, I got a prolonged cold after my time in Barcelona. Drinking and sleep deprivation murder your immune system and being around sick people in hostels is a recipe for disaster. Bring a mask in case, have vitamin C, eat greens, drink lots of water and sleep as much as you can.
Read More: Why Airalo is My Go-To eSim When Traveling Abroad
The Budget Hostel
Before my first party hostel experience, I mostly stayed in budget hostels, which, surprisingly, aren’t much cheaper. In 2025, you can expect to pay around €25–50 per night in most major European cities and €60–80 in pricier destinations like Switzerland or Iceland. In the U.S., typical hostel rates range from $30–60. Outside of Europe and the U.S., you’ll often find much cheaper options—especially in Southeast Asia or Latin America, where quality hostels can cost as little as $8–20 a night.
Hostel dorms come in all sizes—from cozy two-person rooms to massive 20-bed setups. I’ve stayed in them all. Fewer beds usually mean a higher price, but also less chaos and easier group decisions (like when to turn the lights off). That said, the big dorms can be a blast—more people often means more spontaneous fun.
Budget hostels usually provide the basics—sheets, pillows, and lockers—but not much else. You’ll typically need to bring your own soap and towel (or rent one at reception for around €2–4). Most of the ones I stayed at didn’t have restaurants or elevators, so be ready to lug your bags up the stairs. They also tend to be a bit outside the city center. On the bright side, reception staff are usually friendly and full of tips for where to eat and what to see.
The Luxury Hostel
I’ve never stayed in a true luxury hostel, but the closest I came was during my time in Bordeaux. Even though part of it was under construction, it was beautifully maintained and offered some surprisingly upscale amenities. After weeks of cramped, questionable showers, stepping into a spacious rain shower with great lighting felt downright luxurious—I didn’t want to leave.
The beds were interesting—more like sleeping in a cabinet than a typical bunk, but in a cozy way. I crawled into the narrow bed, enclosed on three sides with a privacy curtain at the front. It felt snug and quiet, blocking out the noise and lights from other guests. It also helped that there were only three of us in the room.
There was not much space outside each cabinet, which wasn’t ideal. This was made up for by the nice restaurant, an elevator, and a rooftop pool and bar.
What to Bring to a Hostel
Sometimes, the idea of sharing a room with a bunch of strangers can be overwhelming. To avoid burnout, it’s important to listen to your body, rest when you need to, and take advantage of whatever privacy you can find. Over time, I’ve figured out how to carve out my own little bubble in a shared space, which helps me relax and recharge. Here are a few of my favorite pieces of gear that make that possible:
Other Things to Bring to a Hostel
- Flip flops (for showering)
- Travel towel (usually available for free or for rent at hostels if you can’t fit it in your suitcase)
- Shower Supplies (body wash is sometimes available but I advise bringing your own)
- Dry bag (to keep your things dry when showering)
- Power adapter
- Portable Charger
View our Hostel Essentials List Here
Hostel Safety
As a solo female traveler, I used to prefer female-only dorms for safety and peace of mind—especially since my first mixed dorm experiences were me surrounded mostly by men, which kept me on guard. Female-only rooms are usually the same price or a bit more, and worth it if that makes you feel safer. Now, I’m more relaxed about mixed dorms but still cautious.
Early on, I was paranoid about my belongings—not sure whether to lock or hide everything. Most hostel guests just want a good night’s sleep and won’t steal, but it’s smart to protect valuables like laptops. I always use locks and take advantage of hostel lockers when available. Lockers may not fit big suitcases but work well for smaller items.
Security has improved a lot—many hostels now have keycard access, cameras, and smart lockers with app codes. When booking, look for these features, 24-hour reception, and read reviews carefully. I stick to hostels rated 7/10 or higher, check their security ratings, and research the neighborhood for safety.
Read More: Why You Need International Travel Insurance When You Travel
Sleeping and Situations Outside of Your Control
I used to be one of the lightest, pickiest sleepers on earth. After years of enduring a wide variety of horrendous sleeping arrangements, I have come up with my own survival tips for staying sane and getting a good night’s rest.
Sounds
Hostels are a breeding ground for unpleasant sounds. When you’re sleeping in a room with two to twenty other people, odds are the night won’t be silent. You got your three basic sound categories: voices, environmental noises, and the dreaded bodily noises.
You’d be surprised by how many people lack the basic courtesy to refrain from talking out loud in a room full of sleeping people at 3 am. Whether they are simply ignorant of how they’re being perceived or, worse yet, don’t care, you will find a couple of these types at every hostel.
Of course, there are also people who have to leave at 5 am and forgot to pack the night before (guilty), so there’s the inevitable cacophony of zippers. Sometimes there are plumbing noises and music from the bar next door and early morning construction.
And my personal favorite: coughing, sneezing, snoring and farting. I kid you not, I have laid awake on my bottom bunk stifling laughter because of an endless symphony of farts. It was one after the other as if it were meticulously orchestrated. My arch nemesis is snoring, regularly causing my brain to short-circuit. It triggers a primal rage in my brain that makes it impossible to sleep. Something about rhythmic choking just gets to my head. Sorry, snorers.
All of these have a marvelous solution. You guessed it – earplugs. I used to dislike them because they’d fall out or make my head feel stuffy. But these reusable ones are comfortable and way more effective than the usual foam disposable plugs. Highly recommend.
Sights
It’s hard to find privacy within hostels. Some people will happily display their belongings, while others are tidy. Some people have no problem with changing in front of other people, while others do. Regardless, these are just the realities you have to get used to in hostel life.
In terms of lighting, sometimes I’ve walked into a hostel room at 8 pm and there were people sleeping with the lights off. Other times, the lights don’t get turned off until 1 am. This is dependent on who you’re staying with. Most hostel beds are equipped with personal lights. Usually, quiet hours are at 10 pm so I deem that an appropriate time to turn off the overhead light (if everyone is in agreement).
Some hostels have blackout curtains so no matter what time it is in the morning, the room won’t be lit up until the last person is awake( sometimes as late as noon). This means you have to learn the art of getting ready and packing with only the light from your phone. This requires practice. The best way I found is to deep squat while holding your phone between your knees, and shuffling around collecting your belongings. Amateurs accidentally strobe the whole room, which results in inevitable sighs and complaints.
Read More: How to Pack Lightly for Any Length Trip Abroad
Conditions
Temperature can be a tricky one in hostels. I usually prefer cooler rooms, but AC isn’t always guaranteed. Sometimes you have control with a remote—often shared between guests and labeled in different languages with confusing symbols, which adds layers of complexity. Other times, there’s no control at all. I’ve stayed in places where it was way too hot (like one night when the heat was cranked up to 30°C and I was dying), others with no AC in tropical climates and some that were freezing cold.
Most nights are manageable, but I’ve often struggled with stuffy, suffocating heat—especially on a top bunk where sleeping felt impossible. What helped was keeping a water bottle filled with cold water close by to cool off whenever I needed.
Some hostels assign beds, others let you choose. I’m never thrilled when I get the top bunk—between the bruises and scrapes from sketchy ladders and, like I said, the heat, it’s just not fun. Most of the time, I just suck it up because I don’t have much choice. I’ve learned that when booking on Booking.com or Hostelworld, you can usually make requests. I’ve asked for the bottom bunk several times, and it often works. Some hostels let you switch beds after you arrive, while others are super strict about it.
There are a variety of bathroom situations at hostels. Some are attached to your dorm and shared only by those in your room, while others are communal for the whole floor or hostel. If there is only one shower stall for a whole room, it’s generally courteous to not take an absurdly long shower. Just be mindful of the time you spend occupying shared spaces.
Some showers don’t have any temperature control (I’ve taken many cold showers while traveling), while others are decked out with all the bells and whistles. Some even require you to periodically click the “shower button” to keep the water running. Shelf space and hooks are also a gamble, which is why I recommend bringing a dry bag.
Hostel Etiquette
I once shared a room with noisy roommates who ignored quiet hours, chatting loudly well past bedtime—even though there was a lounge nearby they could’ve used. It was frustrating, but I learned it’s perfectly okay to politely ask others to keep it down. Everyone deserves rest in shared spaces, especially since we all booked the hostel expecting some peace.
Good hostel etiquette goes beyond noise control. It means being mindful of shared spaces—cleaning up after yourself in bathrooms and kitchens, respecting others’ belongings, and keeping your stuff organized so you don’t clutter the room. Avoid using your phone or playing music loudly in dorms, and always follow the hostel’s rules about quiet hours. If you need to socialize, common areas are the place for that, not the sleeping quarters.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – earplugs and eye masks are a game-changer for getting a good night’s sleep, especially when others don’t quite understand basic hostel etiquette.
Are Hostels For You?
I’m a pretty resilient traveler, especially since I don’t have a lot of money to spend. I’m perfectly content flying budget airlines, legs crunched into the seat in front of me. I know I’m not at the stage in my life to afford luxury—and honestly, that’s perfectly fine. I adapt and make the most of the time I have. I love this era of my life where staying in hostels and embracing the adventure feels just right.
Hostels are Not for You If:
- You’re picky with your accommodations and have high standards
- You don’t want to share rooms with other people*
- You aren’t interested in the social aspect of a hostel
- You aren’t fond of being around young travelers (some can be rowdy)
- You don’t like the idea of communal bathrooms
- You want a guaranteed comfortable sleeping arrangement
- You want control over temperature, lights, and sounds
- You require more space
*As a side note, there are many hostels that do offer private rooms. Although more expensive than staying in a dorm, they are often much cheaper than hotel rooms. Some have shared bathrooms, some have private bathrooms. Each has different amenities. If you do want your own space but don’t want to spend the money on a hotel room, it’s worth trying a private room at a hostel.
My Hostel Recommendations
My favorite places to book hostels are Hostelworld and Booking.com. Below are my recommendations for my favorite hostels in Europe and Southeast Asia.
- Onefam Les Corts in Barcelona, Spain (Can’t go wrong with any of the Onefam hostels – they’re all over Europe)
- Whole Wide World Hostel & Bar in Zagreb, Croatia
- Balmer’s Hostel in Interlaken, Switzerland (Go World Travel Founder’s favorite)
- Jost in Bordeaux, France
- Combo Bologna in Bologna, Italy
- Anda Venice in Venice, Italy
- Auberge de Jeunesse HI Annecy in Annecy, France. Scenic home base for exploring one of my favorite places on Earth
- Baan Kai Hostel in Koh Phangan, Thailand. I stayed here during the iconic Full Moon Party and the owner, Nuum, was the BEST EVER
- Revolution Hostel Pai, in Pai, Thailand. Really fun hostel that hosts tubing trips, pool parties and other excursions around town
- Blanco Beach Bar Hostel in Koh Phi Phi, Thailand. Cheap, right on the beach, with bare-bones amenities—but an epic spot to make friends and dive into the wild party chaos of Koh Phi Phi
All in all, I think hostels are a fantastic option for travelers. They make it possible to see the world on a budget and are one of the easiest ways to meet new people. Even the less-than-great ones come with stories—and to me, that’s part of the magic of travel. I recommend hostels to anyone open to the experience, but make no mistake: they’re not for the faint of heart. Hopefully, this article gave you a better sense of not just how to survive hostel life but how to thrive and make the most of it.
Travel insurance is essential for any trip, offering peace of mind and protection. Explore options with SafetyWing or SquareMouth to find the coverage you need.
Inspire your next adventure with our articles below:
- How to Use Eurail to Travel Across Europe: A Eurail Guide
- Discover the Dreamy Town of Annecy in the French Alps
Want to discover more hidden gems and helpful travel tips? Join our free newsletter for the latest travel secrets and travel articles.
We are reader-supported and may earn a commission on purchases made through links in this article.
- The Ultimate 2025 Travel Gift Guide: 30+ Must-Have Gifts for Wanderlusters - November 28, 2025
- Winter on the Nakasendo Trail: Exploring Traditional Japan on Foot - November 19, 2025
- This Remote Iceland Retreat Offers Front-Row Seats to the Aurora Borealis - November 13, 2025