Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About Staying in Hostels
Hostels are one of the best options for travelers backpacking through Europe, especially solo travelers. They’re a great budget-friendly choice, but there are some things you’ll love, and hate, about staying in hostels.
Staying in Hostels Hate #1: Snoring
When you’re sharing a room with lots of people, there will inevitably be a snorer in the group. If you are a light sleeper, you won’t get much sleep between snoring roommates and people coming in and out all night.
Staying in Hostels Hate #2: Your Hostel-Mates
Staying in hostels is a cool way to meet fellow travelers, but there’s always that one person who uses your stuff, steals your stuff, leaves a mess or makes too much noise. Hopefully you’ll have cool hostel-mates, but be prepared for a few annoying ones along the way.
Staying in Hostels Hate #3: Strict Rules
Whether it’s an early checkout, or curfew rules, time limits on your stay, hostels have a lot of rules. Most hostels require you to rent their sheets, so don’t bother bringing a sleeping bag.
Staying in Hostels Hate #4: The Mess
Hostels can be a bit dirty, since you have people coming in from all over, many have been traveling for long periods of time. Just having eight people in a room inevitably means things will get messy. The bathrooms and kitchens of hostels can get pretty funky.
Staying in Hostels Hate #5: Prices
Hostels are becoming more expensive. A couple decades ago, hostels were dirt cheap and the choice of budget travelers and students. Now, hostels are getting nicer, more desirable (even for families!) but also more expensive. If you are traveling with a friend, often times you can split a hotel room for the same price you would pay for two people at a nicer hostel in Europe.
Staying in Hostels Love #1: Your Hostel-Mates
It’s a love, and a hate! You will meet the most amazing people when you stay in hostels. It’s an easy way to meet fellow travelers, and if you’re backpacking, it’s a great way to find travel buddies.
Staying in Hostels Love #2: Travel Expertise
Between the fellow travelers you meet at the hostels, or the hostel workers, you will get the best travel advice when staying at a hostel. Want to know the best museums or food in town? Wondering where to go next in your travels? You’ll get all the advice you need, right at the hostel!
Staying in Hostels Love #3: Central Locations
Most of the time, but not always, hostels are in super central locations. If you like to stay in the heart of the city, hostels are usually a great choice. If not right downtown, they are usually located near public transportation.
Staying in Hostels Love #4: Affordable Option for Solo Travelers
Even though it’s listed above as expensive, hostels are still one of the most affordable ways to travel. Especially for solo travelers. Unlike hotels where you pay by the room, hostels charge a per person rate, so solo travelers really benefit.
Staying in Hostels Love #5: You Feel Like a Traveler (not a tourist)
In a hotel, you can be isolated in your room, and even have all of the comforts of home in your favorite hotel chain. The Holiday Inn in Berlin won’t look any different than the Holiday Inn in Cleveland. In a hostel, you’re going to connect with like-minded travelers, and feel like a real vagabond, on the road.
These are my loves and hates of staying in hostels. A piece of advice if you plan to stay in a hostel, is to call and reserve your spot ahead of time, especially in peak seasons. Many hostels now offer private rooms, so even families can stay in hostels while traveling. For more travel tips, checkout some of our other videos and blog posts: