Hostels have been a staple amongst budget travelers for years, yet they can be overwhelming to navigate if you have never tried booking one before.
Before we delve into the world of hostels and everything they have to offer for the traveler, we first should look at the myths of traveling that hostels help dispel.
TRAVEL MYTH NUMBER 1: Traveling is expensive
One major myth that people have about traveling, especially international travel, is that traveling is too expensive. But as someone who has traveled extensively internationally, it doesn't have to be expensive. There are many different ways to travel on a budget and staying in hostels is just one of them.
TRAVEL MYTH NUMBER 2: Solo traveling is lonely
The second major travel myth that people have especially surrounding solo travel is that traveling can be lonely. Again, as someone who has traveled a lot on my own, I can tell you that doesn't have to be the case. Hostels again are another way to alleviate loneliness that can come with solo traveling.
As I said earlier, one of the best ways to overcome these two travel myths is by staying in hostels. Hostels are both a great way to meet other likeminded travelers as well as stay in a destination for a cheaper price than you would in a hotel. However, not all hostels are created equally and there are some key things to consider when choosing which hostel suits your needs.
1.Location
One of the most important points to consider and one I have regretted overlooking on several occasions is the location of the hostel. When picking a hostel you need to consider if you plan on walking everywhere, taking public transit, or utilizing a car. Knowing this is the first step to determining how close to the city center and main tourist attractions you want to be.
Likewise, be sure you check-out some of the reviews on the hostel before booking it. You want to make sure you're staying in a safe part of town. The last thing you want to be doing on vacation is staying in a high crime area where you don't feel safe. That is why it's so important to look at reviews and see what people are saying about the location of the hostel.
2. Room Size
Not all hostel rooms are created equal and most hostels offer a variety of room types. Even in hostels you can still book a private room some of the time, however, these private rooms are going to come at a slightly higher price than a shared room. The main purpose of a hostel is to pay for a bed for the night in a shared room, but not all shared rooms are created equally.
Shared rooms can range from a 4 person room to over a 20 person room with the more people in the room meaning the room is a cheaper price. I have stayed in all room sizes from a 4 person room to a 20 person room. When I was in Amsterdam the 20 person room was literally a giant room with rows of bunk beds in the middle and needless to say it was quite noisy. What you need to consider when booking a hostel is what you are comfortable with. Through traveling I have learned my maximum room size I prefer staying in is an 8 person room. Any larger than that and it feels too crowded to me. But you need to consider how many people you are comfortable being in the same room with.
3. Co-ed or not?
Just like there are different room sizes, rooms can also be co-ed or single sex rooms. As a solo female traveler I have stayed in both types of rooms, however, I prefer to stay in all female rooms just as a personal preference.
Just like you need to consider how many people you are comfortable sharing a room with, you need to keep in mind whether you would be comfortable sleeping in a co-ed room or not. This all comes down to personal preference, but I've found single sex rooms can sometimes go for a few more dollars than a co-ed room, but in my opinion your peace of mind is more important than a few dollars.
4. Included Amenities
This is one of the biggest differences you can find amongst hostels in a city and that is the included amenities. It all depends on what you are willing to spend money on. Personally, when I am looking to book a hostel I always make sure to book a hostel that includes: linen, towels, WiFi, and breakfast. All of these things mean less stuff I need to pack as well as less money I need to spend during my trip.
I will include with the breakfast a caveat. Not all hostel breakfasts are made equal. I have stayed in some phenomenal hostels that provide a range of foods for breakfast from fresh fruits and vegetables to eggs to sausage and bacon to cheeses and pastries and I have stayed in hostels where the breakfast was cereal and bread. However, I always view the breakfast as one less meal I need to spend money on especially when I am trying to travel on a budget. So I always say expect the cereal and bread and be pleasantly surprised if it's anything more.
For some people, knowing the hostel has a communal kitchen is important to them so they can make their own meals and for others having a hostel with a bar that they can spend the evenings socializing at is of high importance. It all boils down to knowing what amenities are the most important for you and making sure you pick a hostel that suits those needs.
5. Hostel Reputation
The last and most important thing to look at when deciding what hostel to stay in is the reputation of the hostel. When I search on HostelWorld I filter my results so I am only looking at hostels that have 8 stars or higher in reviews.
Additionally, knowing the type of traveler you are will help determine the type of hostel that will best suit your needs. Are you young and like to party? There are hostels around the world that specifically cater to that. Do you like staying in unique places? There are hostels for that as well. I once stayed in a cave in Santorini that was a hostel and it is by far one of the coolest places I have ever slept. Knowing what type of traveler you are and what you are looking for will help you determine which type of hostel will best suit your needs.
Overall, hostels are a great way to travel both on a budget and make friends. Choosing the right hostel boils down to determining what is important to you and what you are comfortable with. So what are you waiting for? Get exploring. If you want to find your next budget friendly accommodates check out HostelWorld.
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