As a solo traveller, 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 travellers.
I have stayed in hostels in over 15 countries and here, I will unveil why I love hostels and why it is one of the best accommodation choices for solo travellers.
The Hostel Experience: Budget Friendly and Social
I started going to hostels when I was 20. In my first backpacking trip across Eastern Europe, I stayed in hostels. The process was cheap, and honestly, such a good time. I got to meet so many interesting people during the trip and it reminded me of my time in boarding school.
Hostels have personality. They tend to be unique and individual with decor to match. There are hostels in purpose-built buildings and hostels in buildings–hotels, castles, chalets–that have been modified to suit. Some are the passion project of an individual and others are part of larger hostel chains.
Hostels can be of different types – Social and party hostels for travellers to enjoy and blow off steam, quiet hostels for people wanting rest and hostels for digital nomads as well. Explore hostels on Hostelmatch.
Most of these hostels have common meeting areas, a kitchen and reception, where you can meet and interact with other travellers who are wanting to explore the city you are visiting.
Staying at a Hostel: Here's What the Dorm Experience is Like
Staying at a hostel might differ from hostel to hostel. You need to understand what hostel makes sense for you as a traveller.
There are dorms or private rooms on Hostels. Check out Hostelmatch to see room availability for the hostel you are looking for.
If you enjoy a bit more privacy and want less people in your space, going for a 3-4 bed dorm makes more sense for you. Whereas, if you enjoy the vibe of interacting with more people in your room, going for a hostel with 10-12 beds will appeal you more.
Hostels for Solo Travellers: Tips for Staying in a Hostel
Dorms come in different sizes and configurations. There are female only dorms or mixed dorms. Sleeping in a dorm has a lot of unspoken rules. You need to be mindful of the people around you and follow the hostel rules to keep good relations with your roommates.
Safety: If you feel unsafe in your dorm or common area, inform the reception of the hostel right away for them to take care of the situation.
Protect your Belongings: All hostels are equipped with lockers. Keep your valuables safe inside those lockers. You usually need to carry your own lock to hostels.
Keep things organized: Keep your bed clean and the area near it too. Avoid spreading out your belongings and making sure it is safely kept in lockers.
Stay quiet in the dorm: Dorms don’t have a no talking policy, but you need to be respectful of people. If they are sleeping, even during the day, be quieter and respectful of their space. However, you can socialize with dormmates however you like.
Eating & Drinking outside the dorm: Food and beverages usually should be consumed outside the dorm. There are common areas and kitchen in hostels to make sure you have ample space to do so.
Early Mornings & Late Nights: If you plan on getting up early on coming back later at night, maintain some decorum in the dorm and do not disturb your roommates.
Packing for Hostels
There’s not a lot that you’ll need beyond your regular packing list but I do suggest that you bring:
Ear plugs & eye mask
a lock for your locker
Slippers & towels
Sunscreen & body lotion
Medicines – in case of allergies
How to Find and Book the Right Hostel Experience for You
The right hostel makes or breaks your trip. You need to have a culmination of reviews, testimonials and hostel description to make that decision. Hostelmatch provides customized recommendations for you to choose the hostel of your choice at the cheapest rates.
Use my favourite research sites. I start with Hostelmatch as they have the best recommendation engine.
Read Reviews on HostelHop. You get curated reviews based on your preferences for you to look from.
Check the hostel's location on a map. With Hostelmatch, you can see the location of the hostel on a map so that you can get an idea of how close it is to where you want to be.
Consider dorm size and gender. I prefer a smaller dorm as you make more meaningful connections with people but it is completely up to you to make that choice.
Check reviews. This can't be emphasized enough. Before booking a hostel, check the reviews. Hostelmatch has reviews by travellers who are verified as having stayed at the hostel. Know what you're looking for and read them carefully.
Look it up on Google Street View. See what the surroundings are like on Street View before booking. You don't want to end up in a dodgy part of town. I find this helps me make my final decision.
Check the cancellation policy. It gives me peace of mind to know that I can cancel up until a certain date without penalty.
Book Hostels Directly and book on a budget.
Through Hostelmatch, you get to see which hostels are best suited for you. HostelHop redirects you to book from the hostel’s website. So, expect to pay the cheapest price and support the local economy.
Why I Recommend Hostels for Solo Travellers
The hostel experience is rich despite the low cost. Here are 10 reasons to choose a hostel.
Super cheap. Travelling is expensive and you can save money by staying at hostels.
Friendly and inclusive: You get to meet travellers from all around the world at hostels and that is the best part of living in them.
Social: Hostels organize social events and activities making them extremely social and welcoming for solo travellers.
Activities: Dinners & activities are often hosted by hostels making it super fun for travellers. You get to enjoy local culture but also take part with other travellers.
Travellers share their recommendations: Travellers share all information with you. Food, accommodation, next destinations – all information can be shared by travellers making your trip more enjoyable at the cheapest cost. You discover some hidden gems due to these recommendations.
I hope you found this article helpful and decided to stay in a hostel. Use Hostelmatch for any hostel related booking and discovery to get the best deals out there.
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