The Ultimate Guide to Hostel Life

A fully-equipped guide for everything you need to know about hostel life - from booking your room to check-out day, we've got the tips and tricks you need to know!

If you’re new to hostel life then the idea of staying in a hostel can be pretty daunting.

You may have even heard some horror stories (which, by the way, we’ve put to rest for good) or simply not know what to expect. To clear up some of these issues, we've already found the answers to the 11 questions about hostels that you've been too afraid to ask), but it's now time for the ULTIMATE HOSTEL GUIDE!

This guide will make sure you get the best out of the experience, so you can relax, make some new friends, and more importantly - see the world, without breaking the bank.

Decide before you book - to share, or not to share?

The type of room you book in a hostel can make all the difference.

Want to meet other travellers, find a companion for the next leg of your journey, or simply save some cash? Then the dorms are for you. Many hostels offer mixed dorms, but some also have all female/male dorms, to give you that extra feeling of security.

Remember that booking a bed in a dorm usually means a bunk bed, and you can't guarantee that you will get the bottom bunk! Most dorm beds work on a first-come, first served basis, although some hostels do have bed numbers. If you book as a group you can't guarantee that you'll all be in the same dorm, but you can always call ahead first and ask the property if they can accommodate you together.

If you're looking for some privacy then private rooms are always an option (yes, hostels do have private rooms!). These often come with private or shared bathrooms, depending on the price you pay.

If, instead, you’re looking for something in between then many hostels offer ‘Capsule’ rooms, small rooms with a bed inside within a larger room full of capsules, such as the Bed and Boarding Capsule Hostel in Naples, so you can have the best of both worlds!

If you are interested in all the criteria that we think are important to consider when booking a hostel then check out our guide to booking a hostel in 10 moves.

Capusle, dorm or private room?

Sort out your arrival time in advance

There is nothing worse than arriving in a dorm room in a hostel at 3 am… it's pitch black, you can’t find your bed, and you can just feel that the other backpackers around you are on the verge of waking up (and not very happy, either).

So, if you’ve booked a dorm room, try to arrive early enough to get settled before ‘lights out’, and make sure you always check if there is a lockout or curfew hour so you can check-in on time. Luckily many hostels now offer a 24/7 check-in time, so you don't have to rush. This is always an important thing to consider while choosing a hostel, too.

If you’re gonna be late, let the hostel know, and they will usually sort something out for you, such as leaving your keys at the reception so you can self-check-in.

Pack smart - padlocks, earplugs, sleeping masks, toiletries and travel chargers are a must!

Hostels are now incredibly secure, but it’s always worth bringing your own padlock to make sure that you can lock all your belongings away. If you are in a dorm room, then lockers are usually provided under or at the sides of the bed, and often the communal areas have lockers that you can use. Bring your own padlock so you don’t have to rent one, and save some cash!

Other items to include in your travel pack are some earplugs and a sleeping mask, to ensure that you get a great night’s sleep, even if you are sharing a room with people coming and going throughout the night! We would also recommend bringing your own shower wash/shampoo, as you can never guarantee that hostels can provide toiletries.

Finally, we would also recommend bringing a power bank with you when possible - this will be really useful when your out and about in the day, but in the hostel tool, as you can never be sure how many plugs will be shared between you and your dorm-mates.

If you want to know more about what to pack when you are backpacking through hostels, then check out our luxury packing list, to make your journey fit for a queen!

Keep your packing list to a minimum - less weight to carry, and more space to bring souvenirs home!

Respect - the key to hostel life

Living in close quarters with other travellers means that respect is key to making everyone’s stay enjoyable. Once you've arrived at your hostel, make sure you stick to these few rules, to be sure to get along with your dorm-mates:

• Don’t hang your washing to dry in your room
• Don’t stay up late on your phone/laptop
• Don’t have sex in dorm rooms - but we have some ideas where you can!
• Don’t touch other people’s stuff, or sit on their beds
• Do try to keep your area/bed clean and tidy
• Don’t eat what isn’t yours, but do label any extra food you might have with the expiry date so that other hostellers can use your leftover food once you're gone!
• Do use the communal kitchen - you can expect all the pots, pans and plates to be available free of charge, just make sure you clean up after yourself!
• If you're travelling with pets, you need to book a private room, for the comfort of your animals and guests! For more information about travelling with pets, check out our guide to Pet-friendly holidays, or The Perfect Hostels for Cat Lovers!

Respect the other travellers around you and you will have a great time!

Go with the flow

We think that one of the most exciting aspects of hostels is the unknown - who will you meet, where will you go, what will you see? With guests coming and going every day, you never know what to expect when you stay in a hostel. Maybe you’ll meet a travelling band, and dance the night away, or you'll find your soulmate in the dorm down the corridor. We have even listed the 10 types of people that you can meet in a hostel, just so you're prepared!

If instead, you would rather keep to yourself, have an early night, and be out at the crack of dawn the next morning exploring then that's not a problem - don't think all hostels are for parties (although we've sussed out the Top 10 party hostels if you're into that kind of thing) ! In fact, some hostels on our site are focused on giving their guests a relaxed, calming environment, such as the Ecomama Hostel in Amsterdam.

Whatever you do, keep an open mind, embrace the experience, and go with the flow!

The Ecomama Hostel in Amsterdam - a great hostel to relax and unwind after a long day.

Check out what activities your hostel has to offer

Perhaps one of the key reasons why many people choose to stay in hostels is due to the activities they organise - you can really get to know where you're staying, in the hands of some expert local guides.

From pub crawls, cinema evenings, walking tours and talent shows to comedy nights, scuba diving and pool tournaments, there is always something on offer in hostels to keep you entertained and meeting new people.

Another great place to check out what is happening, both in the place your staying, and the travelling community at large, is the bulletin board in the hostel's common room. Here you can find information on the latest events, things for sale, job-offers and more. It's a really valuable part of the hostel world!

Leave a review before you check-out

Hostels really rely on their reviews to get more customers, after all, most of their guests are under 30's who love to read reviews and compare different Hostels! A great way to show your appreciation to a hostel is to leave them a review! And even better, if you leave your review on HostelsClub, we'll give you a 2 euro travel credit to use on your next booking! Win-Win.

So there you have it, you're now fully prepared to go head-first into hostel life!

Still need convincing that hostels are the way to go? Check out our article that will convince you that Hostels are better than Hotels in 28 pictures! Want to hear what Hostel owners themselves have to say? The owner of the Castle Hostel Mina Della Scala (a hostel in a castle!) has got plenty to tell you!