When you travel solo on a budget, it’s often much better to stay in hostel dorm rooms rather than AirBnBs or hotels. You get to save on the price of getting a whole room (you really just need a place to sleep and shower), you meet other travellers and make new friends, and a lot of these places offer free walking tours and excursions.
However, there are definitely some drawbacks to having to share a room and bathroom with strangers, especially when you’re living out of a backpack. To minimize bad experiences and make the most out of your stay, here are…
9 Tips for A Solo Stay at Backpacker Hostels:
1. Choose wisely!
Check out websites like Booking.com and Hostelworld.com to know what you’re getting yourself into! Consider location (neighbourhood safety and proximity to the places you want to visit), room segregation (are you willing to share with people of all genders?), and access to public transport. Also, what “extras” do they offer? Don’t assume that all hostels have everything you may need! My non-negotiables are:
- Free Wi-Fi in the rooms as well as common areas
- Air conditioning in summer (or heating during winter)
- At least one power outlet per person in the room. Some of the best hostels have entire power stations on a shelf in each bunk, with USB ports and a little lamp.
- Hairdryer, washing machine and dryer. These will allow you to pack as little as possible!
- Personal lockers
2. Use padlocks.
Most hostels will not provide a lock, so bring one or two with you. The probability of your padlocked belongings being broken into is much lower than being pickpocketed or mugged on the street. Leave your most valuable belongings and the majority of your cash there. Just don’t broadcast it to your roommates!
3. Stay alert and cautious.
Have fun, but be wise. If you feel uncomfortable about any situation, speak up. One guy tried to “borrow my outlet”, didn’t wait for my consent, and tried to get into my bunk. I immediately and loudly told him to back off. Another time I was put in a room alone with a guy who seemed…”a little too friendly”, and I raised my concern with the front desk, who reassigned me to another room. Don’t feel embarrassed – you have every right to let people know when you are not okay with the situation.
4. Make friends with the staff.
Hostel staff are usually young locals who know the ins and outs of the city. They are a treasure trove of information, and they know the best pubs, tours, and cheap places to eat. I had wonderful conversations with Annabel, a bartender at La Banda Rooftop Hostel in Seville, and went for a drink with a couple of the receptionists at Backpackers Villa Sonnenhof in Interlaken.
5. Meet people at breakfast or happy hour.
Everyone will be out during the day, so the best times to meet people in the hostel are first thing in the morning, or before going out for dinner and/or drinks. Don’t be afraid to say hello to your roommates (this is coming from the biggest introvert on earth), backpackers are used to random people starting up conversations. You get to hear some really interesting stories from all over the world, and may even form lasting friendships. It’s also safer to explore unfamiliar areas with others.
6. Be considerate.
Everyone is away from the comforts of home, so don’t make the experience uncomfortable for anyone. Don’t be THAT PERSON. Remember that you are a representative of whatever community you come from. You only have a few short hours or days to leave a lasting impression. Here are a few ways to stay in the good graces of your roomies:
- Use your headphones when watching videos or listening to music on your phone.
- Refrain from talking or switching the ceiling lights on when others are sleeping. If you want to chat, go into the common areas.
- Use your assigned bed and locker. Don’t take anyone else’s.
- Don’t sit in anyone’s private bunk without being invited.
- Clean up after yourself.
- Wear clothes. This should go without saying, but you’d be surprised…
7. Bring sleeping aids.
A sleep mask and earplugs are your best friends. Just because you’re considerate doesn’t mean others will be. Also – people snore! Be prepared to avoid unnecessary annoyance and/or sleep deprivation.
8. Wear flip-flops in the shower.
Please. You’ll thank me later.
9. Laugh!
Have a sense of humour about everything. No, it’s not going to be all fun and games, but having a good attitude about anything that happens affects how people will react to you. I think that applies to life in general, too. Just remember, no matter what comes your way, you can always get a great story out of it.
As a bonus, I’d like to make a list of my Top 4 Hostels so far…
- La Banda Rooftop Hostel – Seville, Spain
- By far the best hostel experience I’ve had. They provide a great place to socialize, the staff is friendly, the food is great, and the location is awesome.
- Generator – Venice, Italy
- It’s in a quieter part of the city, just across the canal from San Marco. The rooms and bathrooms are clean and comfortable, and the staff are very helpful.
- Generator – Paris, France
- The food was amazing! Also, the place was super secure and very close to the Metro. This is the best international budget hostel chain, in my opinion.
- Pop Hostel – Avignon, France
- The location doesn’t get any better than this, just down the main road from the Palais des Papes. The old building it’s in was once a fancy hotel.
