Common Questions about Hostels: Answered

Travel Tips

May 6

When you hear the word “hostel” what do you think of? Maybe you think of bunkbeds, noisy young people, and dirty bathrooms. When I think of hostels, I think of the friends I’ve made while cooking dinner, cozy spaces, and amazing locations. I’m a huge fan of staying in hostels and I want to shatter preconceived ideas about the hostel community.

In this blog, I will go through all of the most commonly asked questions I have received about hostels and hopefully change the way you see them.

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Questions

What is the difference between hotels and hostels?

The main difference between hotels and hostels is the room styles. Hotels provide guests with private rooms and bathrooms while hostels provide shared rooms and bathrooms, typically in dormitory style. Of course hotels and hostels vary greatly from place to place, but listed below are more general differences you will find in these types of accommodations.

Private rooms & bathrooms
Mainstreamed amenities (shampoo, cleaning service, etc.)
Lobby
Airport transfers
Individualist/business feel
Higher nightly prices

Dorms (bunkbeds & shared bathroom)
Great locations (close to main attractions)
Fully-equipped kitchen
Discounted Activities (Walking tours, yoga classes, surf lessons, etc.)
Community feel
Affordable nightly prices
Amazing locations

How much do hostels cost?

Hostels are usually significantly cheaper than staying in hotels. The cost of hostels varies widely depending on which country you are visiting. For example, in the US, hostels will cost between $30-80 per night whereas a night in a hostel in Portugal might cost between $15-45. Furthermore, I’ve heard from other travelers that they’ve stayed in hostels for less than $10 in some countries.

What are the benefits of staying in a hostel?

I truly believe there are so many benefits to staying in hostels. Besides saving tons of money on accommodations, hostels also provide fully equipped kitchens (so you can cook for yourself!), laundry, discounted excursions/activities, free walking tours, beautiful community spaces, and more! Along with these amenities, there are super cool hostels around the world that provide things like rooftop bars, saunas, workspaces, yoga classes, family dinners, and more.

If you are a solo traveler, I highly recommend staying in hostels. I love the social aspect of hostels and how the space allows travelers to easily meet each other and bond. It’s definitely known among solo travelers that when you stay in hostels you’re no longer really “alone”.

If you need even more reason to stay at a hostel, you should know they are usually located in amazing locations close to city centers or main attractions. This is always a huge advantage to me as I try to see as sights as I can when I’m traveling.

Do I have to be in my 20s to stay in a hostel?

There is no set age limit for hostels. I’ve heard so many of my older friends say they don’t want to stay in hostels because it’s for “young” people. But I’ve truly seen people of all ages staying in hostels and nobody questions it. In my experience, it’s all about your attitude, no matter what age you are. If you are in your 40s and you are open to talking to people and send out positive energy, that energy will come right back to you. On the same note, if you are in your 20s and you don’t want to talk to people and you send out negative energy, that energy will come back to you.

Do I have to be extroverted to stay in a hostel?

You don’t have to be an extrovert to stay in hostels. In fact, you will find a wide variety of people staying in hostels, from those looking for social interaction, to those who are just doing their own thing, and those looking for sightseeing buddies.

As someone who is an introvert, I absolutely love staying in hostels. When I need alone time, I find a cafe in the city, go sightseeing alone, or relax in my bunk bed and watch Netflix. And when I feel like talking to people, I socialize with other travelers in the community spaces.

Aren’t hostels kind of gross?

Just like any accommodation (hotels/Airbnb), there is always a risk that it could be dirty, especially if you are on a budget. One way to avoid this as much as possible is by reading the reviews on HostelWorld. The vast majority of hostels that I’ve stayed in have been very clean, comfortable, and honestly beautiful. But if you happen to find something a little less than ideal, like a used contact lens on your bunk bed shelf (true story), just try to roll with the punches.

What if I am a woman and I’m uncomfortable staying in the same dorm as men?

I totally understand if you are a woman and don’t feel comfortable staying in a mixed dorm (a mixed dorm is co-ed). But I have good news for you! Almost every hostel offers an all-female dorm for little to no extra cost. Also, I’ve stayed in many mixed dorms, and although I was nervous about it the first time, I’ve found that guys that stay in mixed dorms are very respectful.

Are hostels loud?

Most hostels have designated quiet hours and guests are typically very considerate of this. Hostels will indicate if they have a quiet hours policy before you book. If you are looking to stay at a party hostel, those are available too.

Extra note: The front desk usually has earplugs if you have a noisy roommate (aka someone snoring).

Are hostels safe?

I have always felt very safe in the hostels I’ve stayed at, especially because of the community feel that hostels create. One concern I’ve heard from many people is about stealing. I personally don’t think there is a lot of reason to worry about people stealing your things. Even so, most hostels have lockers where you can store your things while you are out of the room. Just be sure to bring your own lock as most hostels don’t provide locks.

Extra tip: Don’t leave any of your things in the common spaces. The only time I’ve lost something while staying in a hostel is when I left my reusable bag in the kitchen.

What if I don’t want to share a room with strangers?

Many hostels offer a variety of room styles. From dorms to privates. Dorms usually consist of 4-12 people. Sometimes the room shares one bathroom, and sometimes there are multiple bathrooms around the hostel to share.

Private rooms are typically for 1-3 people and either have a private or shared bathroom. Private rooms (especially when traveling solo) are more expensive. However, because hostels are typically located in the city center, it might still be cheaper than staying in a hotel in the same area. Plus, you have access to all of the amenities that guests staying in dorms have.

Where can I book a hostel?

HostelWorld is the most commonly used app for booking hostels. They share all of the information you need to know about each hostel including amenities, reviews, ratings (cleanliness, staff, location), etc.

What to look for when booking a hostel: