The ultimate guide to choosing the right hostel

Hostels are not always known for their sexiness! Hostels are conceived to be be:

Unsafe

Only to save money

Lonely

The word hostel doesn't always excite new travelers, but it should! 

What exactly is a hostel? And what is staying in a hostel like? 

Defined on Wikipedia as "an establishment which provides inexpensive food and lodging for a specific group of people, such as students, workers, or travelers", hostels, especially youth hostels, are not how they were perceived a couple years ago. 

Hostels today are social, safe and well kept - providing for the overall experience of the traveler. 

As a solo traveler, you need to stay at hostels. The hostel experience is one of the best out there – it is social, you meet new people, and it is friendly on your wallet. Hostels are not just about being cheap or financially feasible, they are more about the vibe and experience they provide for solo travelers. 

The process of finding the right hostel is challenging. Unlike hotels, every hostel has its own vibe, making the discovery process tough. Here is how we would go about with our hostel search:

How to find (choose) the perfect hostel

Finding the perfect hostel is challenging. 

As a female solo traveler you want hostels that are safe and comfortable. 

Traveling with a family, you want a hostel that allows for your kids to openly be able to chill in the common areas.

As a digital nomad, you want hostels that offer co-working spaces. 

Finding these in hostels is often challenging through the current processes that exist in the market. 

The key to finding the perfect hostel abroad is figuring out your needs and limiting your search. You pick what is valuable to you and choose the hostel that best fits that criteria without having to spend hours upon hours on research. 

4 Best websites to find amazing hostels around the world:

1. Hostelmatch

2. Hostelz

3. Hostelworld

4. Booking.com

   
   

1. Hostelmatch

The best hostel search site, Hostelmatch is a great place to start when scouring the internet for the perfect hostel experience. Hostelmatch came into existence to help backpackers find better hostels. 

You can narrow down your search based on vibe and get a full picture view of the activities offered by the hostel. You can also compare prices between different platforms to see which platform offers the best price. One feature that sets them apart completely is they allow for direct bookings with hostels at discounted rates. 

As a female traveler who is looking for safe hostels or a nomad who wants a coworking space, Hostelmatch makes it crystal clear to you which hostel is best suited for you and which ones aren’t. 

So before booking a hostel, always check on Hostelmatch, the vibe of the hostel and whether they will be a good fit for you. 

2. Hostelz

Hostelz is great for comparing prices between Hostelworld & Booking.com. Travelers benefit from hostels by seeing the savings they get, however, it can also get tricky to use them as some of their inventory of hostels are outdated. 

3. Hostelworld

Probably the most well-known hostel search site, Hostelworld is great for booking hostels. Hostelworld has come a long way since its creation, and you can find thousands of reviews on hostels in almost every part of the world. The social features offered by Hostelworld are unparalleled in this space and they have a lot of benefit to their bookings. 

I highly recommend backpackers to find hostels on Hostelmatch and complete their bookings on Hostelworld to get the best holistic discovery and booking experience. 

4. Booking.com

While a well-known travel booking site, Booking.com is less known for its hostel search feature, but it's a great option! Booking.com is more popular for hostels in Asia but they have great deals sometimes. 

Despite Booking.com being catered more towards hotels, they are a great platform to figure out the neighborhood and they offer exceptional customer service. 

How to book a hostel

Hostels can be booked in multiple ways. Hostels are a popular way to travel amongst budget travelers so I recommend booking them in advance through a mixture of Hostelmatch & Hostelworld/Booking.com, depending on where you are traveling to. 

Booking your hostel online

The cheapest and easiest way to book hostels. Hostels usually sell out so you want to make sure you reserve the hostel rooms before the availability ends. If you're more of a planner, booking a hostel online is for you! Booking hostels in advance removes stress from your trip and keeps you in check from a budget standpoint. Most online booking sites allow you to choose your currency and offer free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance of your arrival.

You are also guaranteed your room. If you are a female traveler who wants a female only room, you can reserve it online to make sure you don’t struggle to get it later. 

What to expect during your hostel stay

Hostels are unique and teach you a lot about yourself. 

• Embrace the social surroundings

• Explore your inner traveler

• Meet like minded people

• Learn to accommodate other people

How has hosteling changed the way we travel?

Digital Nomads, women, and budget-conscious travelers haven’t always had easy access to travel, but hosteling has made globe-trotting much more accessible for these groups.Hostels remain a fantastic way to travel the world without breaking the bank. 

Beyond being a budget-friendly choice, hostels abroad offer perks like free, reliable WiFi, communal meals (often with free breakfast), interaction with travelers from around the world, and an immersion into the culture of a place.

As a first-time solo traveler, the world is your oyster, and hostels are the pearls awaiting your arrival. Immerse yourself in the social tapestry, connect with like-minded adventurers, and create lifelong memories on a budget-friendly journey that will leave you yearning for more. Experience the thrill of exploration, guided by hostel staff eager to unveil the hidden gems of your chosen destination.

With the simplicity of hostel bookings, your adventure begins the moment you take that first step. So, pack your bags, embrace the unknown, and let the best hostels for first-time solo travelers be your gateway to an extraordinary voyage of a lifetime.

Safe travels!

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