The ultimate Hostel Guide for Backpackers
For over 5 years now, I’ve been traveling through various countries around the world and have stayed in countless hostels. As a backpacker on a limited budget, hostels are a great way to save a lot of money. Hostels can be a lot of fun (in good and bad ways), and they always give you incredible memories. Especially when you’re traveling alone, you can meet many people in a hostel and form new friendships with people from all over the world.
If you’re about to go on a backpacking adventure but still feel a bit skeptical about hostels or want to avoid bad hostel experiences, then this guide is perfect for you. In this guide, I’ll explain to you how to (always) find the best and safest hostels and how to make new friends while staying in one.
Article Overview:
- How and where can you find a good hostel?
- How many nights should you book a hostel for?
- Are hostels safe?
- How much does a hostel cost?
- How do you make friends in a hostel?
- What’s truth about all the hostel horror stories?
- Summary
How and where to find a good Hostel
Hostelworld is the app most backpackers use to book their hostels. Once you’ve made a booking, you can join the hostel’s group chat and connect with other backpackers who are already there or arriving soon.
When booking a hostel, it’s important to take the time to read the reviews. Don’t rely solely on the photos. One of the most important things to look for in the reviews is whether people say the hostel is clean. I also always check if the hostel is “social,” meaning if it’s easy to meet other travelers there.
If you’re not into partying and prefer to get a good night’s sleep, make sure to check whether the hostel is a party hostel.
Usually, the first three to five hostels shown in the app are the most frequently booked by backpackers. You can also tell by the number of reviews. A hostel with over 10,000+ reviews is more popular than one with only 200. That often means it’s easier to meet people in the one with more reviews.
But no matter which hostel you’re checking out online, you’ll always come across some negative reviews. Don’t let that throw you off right away—opinions are often subjective. If the majority of guests give it 10 stars, it’s a good sign the hostel is solid. However, I personally wouldn’t book a hostel with an overall rating of less than 7 out of 10.
While traveling, I also like to ask other travelers who’ve already been to places I plan to visit if they can recommend a hostel. That way, you often save yourself time researching and get trustworthy recommendations right away.
How many nights should you book a Hostel for?
Even if you plan to stay a bit longer, you shouldn’t book more than two nights before you arrive. Once you’re there, you can get a better feel for the place and decide whether you actually like it or if you’d rather move to another hostel nearby. You can always extend your stay later on.
Are Hostels safe?
Yes, they are! I’ve stayed in so many hostels and have never felt unsafe. Sometimes, there might be a slightly odd person in your room. If you feel uncomfortable around someone, let the hostel staff know—they’ll offer you a different room and, depending on the situation, may even kick out the person.
As a woman, you also have the option to book a female-only dorm, which costs the same as a mixed dorm.
You should always lock up your valuables in your locker. Even though most people in hostels are in the same boat and looking to make friends, there are still some who might steal other people’s belongings.
How much does a Hostel cost?
It’s hard to give an exact price because it can vary greatly depending on the country, city, location, season, and the hostel’s facilities. But in general, hostels are always cheaper than private accommodations, Airbnbs, or hotels. Even if you book a private room in a hostel, you’ll still save a significant amount of money compared to a hotel or something similar.
How do you make friends in a Hostel?
If you’re a bit introverted like me, you’ve probably asked yourself this question before. Honestly, there’s no place where it’s easier to make friends than in a hostel. Most people staying in hostels are traveling solo, are there to meet others, and share similar interests with you.
If you sit in the common area, greet people with a friendly smile, and don’t hide behind your phone, someone will start a conversation with you very soon.
Most conversations begin with questions like:
- Where are you from?
- How long are you staying here?
- What have you done so far?
- Where are you traveling to next?
These simple questions usually lead to long conversations. Often, you end up making plans together for the next few days, and if you really get along, you might even start traveling together.
It’s almost impossible not to make friends in a hostel. In fact, you’ll quickly realize how hard it becomes to find time for yourself. There’s always someone who will sit down next to you to chat.
In addition, Facebook groups for backpackers or the Bumble BFF app can also be great for meeting people.
What’s the truth behind all the Hostel Horror Stories?
Nothing at all! You can have an amazing time in hostels. You meet new people every day, form friendships that sometimes last for ever, take part in lots of events, are constantly surrounded by like-minded travelers, and you laugh a lot.
Of course, it can occasionally happen that you share a room with people who aren’t very considerate. But the hostel staff usually is very helpful and will offer you a different room. If you take your time when booking and read the reviews carefully, it’s very unlikely you’ll have a bad experience—and you’ll probably have an incredible time during your trip.
Summary: How to find a good Hostel
- Book through Hostelworld
- Choose a hostel with a rating between 8–10 stars (avoid anything below 7)
- Pick a hostel with lots of (positive) reviews
- Read the reviews
- Trust your gut feeling
- Book for a maximum of 2–3 nights
- Ask other travelers for recommendations