If you have no idea what a hostel is, you are definitely missing out. Hostels are dorm style accommodation that are often the cheapest option while traveling. Hostel vibes range from homey to hotel-esque to party so you can normally find something to fit the style of travel you are looking for.
Personally I love staying in hostels, but they are not for everyone. Having worked and stayed in numerous hostels, here are some of my top tips for enjoying your hostel stay and NOT being the annoying person your roommates complain about!!
1. Respect Others’ Space
This may seem like a given but trust me, some people do not follow the simplest of hostel etiquette. Yes you may be the main character of your solo travel journey but you are still coexisting with hundreds of other travelers who deserve the privacy and space that you would also want.
Keep your belongings condensed: It is really easy to just spread out your entire backpack and not put your clothes away each evening. But in a room of 3-15 other people, do your best to stay tidy. If there are lockers or buckets available, only use one and try not to spread into others’ space.
Wear your AirPods/Earbuds: Pleaseee do not be that person that watches random YouTube videos for an hour on full volume. If you are watching videos, Netflix, or playing games on your phone and someone else is in the room, just be respectful and use your earbuds.
Just leave the lights alone: With this one use your discretion, but I try to touch the light switch as little as possible. Whether you are getting home from a night out or waking up for a 6am bus ride, just avoid turning the lights on when they are off. People are most likely sleeping and this is probably the fastest way to make enemies – just use your phone’s flashlight!
2. Do Your Dishes!
Although this could fit into rule number 1, I am making it its own rule because SO many people do not follow this one. When you cook in the hostel’s kitchen do your dishes as you go. Do not leave dirty dishes in the sink, do not leave pans to “soak”, and don’t go eat your food saying you’ll do them all afterward. Take the 2 minutes, let your food cool down, and just do your damn dishes.
3. Don’t Expect 5 Star Quality
I am often surprised by the high expectations people have when staying in a hostel for $20 a night. I have heard complaints vary from “the toilet paper was out” to the “TV was dusty” and honestly, I never ever take those people seriously. If you want a private bathroom or pristinely steamed blankets, then hostel life is just not for you.
More importantly, if the problem is immediately solvable, just tell the staff. So many people will complain about a problem they have and never even think to simply mention it to the hostel’s staff so it can be fixed. Before complaining or leaving a bad review, at least see if your issue can be addressed first.
NOTE: If you do care about certain aspects of a hostel (cleanliness, activities, etc), just read the reviews. These are the best resource for figuring out the vibe of a hostel and if it will be the right fit for you.
4. Talk!!
If you are looking for friends and a fun time, literally just talk to people! Chat with reception, approach people in the kitchen, and get involved in hostel hosted activities. Hostels are filled to the brim with people looking to socialize and have a good time so even though it can be intimidating at times, just force yourself to do it. You will almost never regret it.
Easy Convo Starters:
- “What are you up to today?”
- “Where are you from?”
- “How long have you been in [this country]?”
- “What are some good things to do in this area?”
- “What are you cooking?”
- “How long are you staying in this hostel?”
- “Where are you heading next?”
- “I’m going to check out ___, would you like to join me?”
An especially good resource for socializing is your hostel’s reception. They always have a collection of the best things to do in the area and sometimes host nightly events for you to get involved in: bingo, pub crawls, contests, free food… you name it!
5. To Make or Not to Make the Bed?
Of course this comes down to personal preference, however, I do have some recommendations!
Whether another guest or a staff member, you do NOT want someone mistaking your bed for an empty bed. Here are a couple different ways to make sure you don’t lose the best bed in the room while you’re out and about:
Keep something on your bed at all times: Maybe pajamas or a book, but make sure there is something visible that tells others “this bed is taken!”
Mess up the covers: Nothing turns people away from taking a bed more than if it looks like someone has already slept in it, that’s just plain gross!
Hang up a towel: This is not my personal preference but plenty of people do it. If you are on the bottom bunk, hang up a towel or blanket across your bed opening for a bit more privacy and to let people know that the bed is taken.
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