Hostels for First-Timers: What You Should Know Before You Book Your Stay

Hostels are always a handy accommodation option, whether you're heading away on your first backpacking trip or need a cheap place to stay in an expensive city.

You'd be surprised at the number of people discouraged by hostels, but they're not as bad as they sound. Sure, you might have to share a dorm with some other people you don't know, but this is a fantastic way to make friends for life. On top of that, some hostels have become quite advanced over the years, with some becoming even nicer than some hotels.

If you're considering staying in a hostel for the first time, there are some things you should know before you book your stay. You'll hit the ground running into hostel life when you learn these 7 things.

Dorms Aren't the Only Type of Sleeping Option You Can Choose in a Hostel

Anyone who's never stayed in a hostel before may think the concept of dorms sounds weird. Technically, they're not wrong; you're sharing a room with a bunch of random people you don't know. It sounds strange on paper, but that's not the reality. You get your own space, nobody's in your way, and, by and large, most people are very friendly.

Even if you don't want to stay in a dorm, that shouldn't kill your hostel dreams. Most hostels these days offer private rooms, which are great if you want some privacy, and you can even split the costs if you're traveling with someone else.

Party Hostels Are a Thing, but You Don't Have to Stay In Them

Hostels have a reputation for being these wild party places. While there's no hiding that some hostels cater to travelers wanting to let their hair down, not all of them are like that.

In most cities and popular backpacking destinations, it's pretty easy to find hostels that focus less on partying and more on relaxing. When you log on to Hostel World, you can scroll through the options available where you're going. If you click their description, a party hostel will normally have it written there, whereas a standard hostel won't.

Check Reviews to See What Past Travelers Thought

Past reviews of people who have stayed in the hostel you're considering booking can indicate the experience you could be in for if you reserved a bed.

Travelers can share their past experiences with others to let them know if it's worth booking. On most accommodation platforms, you should be able to filter out the reviews to start with the lowest. This way, you can see if there are any red flags before you spend any money.

Some Hostels Have Kitchens, but Sometimes It's Cheaper to Eat Out

Depending on what part of the world you're traveling to, the hostel may have a kitchen for guests. Usually, you'll find them in cities across Western Europe and North America, but in places like Southeast Asia, they can be harder to come by.

A general rule of thumb is if you're in a city in Europe or North America, it's often cheaper to cook yourself. But, throughout cities across Southeast Asia, it's easy to find street food cheaper than what you'd pay for ingredients in the supermarket.

Even if your hostel has a kitchen, don't assume that's because it's expensive to eat out. Visit the supermarkets and restaurants yourself to get a better idea before you spend money on groceries.

Save Money by Staying in Hostels

In most cases, staying in a hostel is cheaper than booking somewhere privately on your own. You might be asking why this is. Well, since you're sharing a dorm with other people, this brings down the price a lot.

When you book a hostel, you'll often find the dorms with more occupants tend to be cheaper. For example, if a dorm sleeps ten people, you'll pay less for this one than you would for a dorm that sleeps six people.

Don't be surprised if you find hostels selling private rooms cheaper than dorms. Sometimes, they do this because they've overbooked the dorms by accident, so they hope someone will buy the private room for a lower fee to ensure everyone gets a bed.

Always Check the Facilities

Facilities can go a long way in a hostel; they can make or break the hostel experience for guests. Offering little things like late check-in, free wifi, or even free towels goes a long way.

When booking your hostel, they should list all their facilities, allowing you to decide if it's what you're looking for. Here are some of the things to check for:

• Common areas for relaxing during your downtime

• 24/7 reception in case something goes wrong during the night

• Free wifi, so you're always connected

• Complimentary breakfast every morning

• Lockers in the dorms

• A kitchen facility

• Events and activities to meet people

• Bar/cafe/restaurant

• A laundry service

Put Yourself Out There to Meet People

Meeting new people is a big part of hostels; it's one of the main reasons many travelers choose to stay in them.

There will be plenty of situations where other guests will approach you, whether it's in your dorm or the common area. But don't just wait for them first to come to you; sometimes, you need to approach groups yourself and say hi, especially if the group is quite big.

Check the social feature on Hostel World to get a good idea of what hostels are social and not. When you click an accommodation, it should have a social rating from people who have reviewed it in the past.

You Now Know the Important Details for Staying in a Hostel!

See, hostels aren't as bad as you think. If you follow this information before arriving at your chosen place, you'll be perfectly fine and get a lot from the whole experience.

Just approach the whole thing with an open mind, be social and considerate, and you'll be the best bunk buddy!