Hostels are, without a doubt, one of the most intimidating aspects of the road.
When talking about traveling to people who are less experienced, one of the most frequent questions I get is “what was it like staying in a hostel? Anything like the movie?” While they may seem frightening, hostels are perhaps the most fundamental tool in a budget traveler’s belt. They are the most effective way see new locations without breaking the bank and incredible way to make friends and connections. It won’t always be peace and love within these walls but it is always an enriching experience, one way or the other.
I wanted to write this in an attempt to dispel some common myths about hostel life and describe my experience with dozens of them in Europe.
What is a hostel, really?
Hostels are simply college dormitories that offer lodging, bathrooms, laundry services and, usually, bars within one self-contained building. Beds can range from bunks to queen and king sized and usually will offer overhead reading lights, outlets, and a cage or locker of sorts that allows one to stow their luggage safely.
Bathrooms are usually clean and usually single sex, although I say usually as cleanliness isn’t always a priority and occasionally showers or bathrooms will be co-ed, depending on the location. They are almost always cheaper than typical hotel rooms as travelers will sleep in the same room as others; the reduced rate is in exchange for a sense of privacy.
However, the reduced rate will always greatly benefit anyone looking to stretch their dollar while on the road and I always recommend hostels as the premier option for lodging. If one is taking a trip to a new location to immerse in a different culture and engage with the locals, chances are they are looking to be out in public for as long as possible. As long as a safe, locked door and clean bed awaits them, it’s a worthwhile venture.
Myth: Hostels are unsafe.
No more so than any other means of accommodation. With extra people in the room comes extra watchful eyes. I frequently would stay in hostel rooms of 12+ beds, meaning 11 other strangers were sleeping mere feet from me or on the bunk atop mine. Once within the hostel, I never felt unsafe. While I recognize some of that is due to my stature as a larger white guy with tattoos, a lot of my female friends traveled solo and stayed in hostels alone and found the same experience.
A lot of the fear can be alleviated by proper vetting of businesses before ever traveling. Research is the most important travel step and helps clear up so many headaches before they ever occur. Traveling solo? Find a highly rated hostel somewhere in a populous area of the city. Hostel security can be fairly tight depending on the exact organization so before ever taking the first step, look up reviews regarding safety and security. Even in a bad area of Barcelona, I still felt safe once inside the locked doors.
Myth: You have to sleep in a room with a ton of other people
A myth that surprised me to learn wasn’t true. I thought I had to sleep in a big room of snorers but most hostels actually have a variety of room types available. Some feel like actual hotel rooms with a single bed in a locked room, some are for couples, some are for small party groups of 4+. There are options of rooms with 1 bed all the way to 32+. While of course these cost more, even the single rooms will typically be cheaper than a traditional hotel. A&O in Berlin was my favorite example of this as I was able to get a double bed in an isolated room for only $30 a night.
Most will have several rooms for a range of prices for those willing to pay. Whether traveling solo, as a couple or in a group, there are many options for one to choose to fit their budgetary and privacy needs. In addition, a lot of hostels will have women only rooms to address safety concerns and help female travelers feel more secure.
Are all hostels party atmospheres?
Like always, there are a range of hostels on the scale from quiet to party and it’s necessary to do research to determine which one you’re staying at. While just about all of them have quiet hours, some are not quite as strict on policing these hours as others. Usually hostels will have a bar but it will close according to alcohol and labor laws of the destination, most of the party and noise will be focused here. Sometimes the bar is close to sleeping quarters, sometimes it’s on the other side of the building.
Some hostels I booked knowing I would never be sleeping, I was there for the excitement. Some hostels I just wanted a quiet, peaceful sleep every night. The good news is that I was always able to achieve this. A hotel doesn’t have to be booked for it; many hostels will tailor to this need.
Hostel Celica in Ljubljana, Slovenia was perhaps my favorite hostel for this reason. Situated in an old Slovenian prison that was renovated to comfortably house travelers, this place offered comfortable beds, free towels and pillows, bathrooms connected to each room, and a quiet corner far away from the rowdy bar and lobby. It’s some of the best sleep I’ve ever had while abroad. The door locks to everyone but key holders, making all of us feel incredibly safe and sound.
What is the Bathroom Situation?
This one is completely dependent upon the hostel and I found it was about 50/50 of whether it would be gendered by sex or a free-for-all. The Flying Pig in Amsterdam had a massive co-ed shower room (behind locked stall doors) and bathrooms were separate from rooms. Some hostels had WCs and showers connected to the individual rooms and so it was Co-ed for the small space usually shared by a party of travelers. Some had men and women bathrooms down the hall. It was all dependent upon the original building the hostel took over and how they designated space.
It can be uncomfortable at times but Europeans tend to have a different view of sex and nudity than Americans so they don’t make as big a deal over it.
If this is a major factor for you, be sure to call ahead to get the intel on bathrooms.
What if I still do feel unsafe?
If someone in the room is being uncomfortable or frightening, don’t be afraid to speak up and tell front desk staff.
Typically they will have spare beds held aside for this very purpose and will usually be quick to move you out of the room or find other accommodations if it gets bad. While this isn’t a common occurrence as most people on the road are like-minded and just want to get to sleep, people are still people and crime can still occur. A couple friends mentioned creepy people in their rooms but they were always able to do something about it and work it out with front desk staff.
This should be an important lesson in always knowing the local emergency number as well. In each country, the number to dial emergency services is different and absolutely should be memorized before going. I lived in Germany for 3 months before I realized 911 was not the number to call in case I was in trouble. If things are elevated to criminal acts in a hostel or you are in trouble, here is a handy list from the Department of State to keep in your back pocket.
Bottom line
Hostels are incredibly helpful and cheap. While traveling, chances are you will be so busy and engaged that all that is necessary each night is a safe place to lay your head and hostels are almost always able to fill this need. Some may be cheaper and have less amenities, some may be louder and more rambunctious, some may have roaches in the bathroom.
However, all offer a cheap alternative to hotels or AirBnBs and can provide engaging experiences with new people who become friends for life. Open your mind to the possibilities hostels offer. Many offer extra benefits including guided tours or in-depth recommendations that wouldn’t be found elsewhere.
Cats Hostel in Madrid offered a bar crawl while we were there on Halloween, leading a crowd of young adults in costumes to discover some of the coolest, most underground bars in the heart of the city away from most of the regular tourists. It was an experience I won’t ever forget. These events are what make traveling so exciting and dynamic so don’t be afraid to try something new.
