Hostel Life
Hostels are not the always the most glamorous of accommodations, but if you’re on a tight budget, they can be an excellent option to consider. They tend to be cheaper than hotels or AirBnB, especially if you opt for a shared dorm instead of a private room. If nothing else, you’ll be able to relive your college dorm experience and meet lots of interesting fellow travelers.
For example, I bonded over Harry Potter with an Austrian girl I met in my hostel in Scotland. I had breakfast with a couple of Finnish guys in a hostel in Vietnam. I’ve made memories and come away with stories that I will always look back on fondly. Of course, there are a few bad apples, as with anything; but overall, hostel life has been a fantastic adventure.
That said, if you’re going to stay in a hostel, you’ll need to come prepared.
Here’s a list of hostel essentials:
- Shower shoes
Two words: shared showers. Enough said. Opt for a cheap pair of flip flops or sturdier waterproof sandals. I practically LIVED in my Teva sandals while I was in Vietnam.
- Sleep sack
Stop giving hostel sheets the side-eye, and just bring your own sleep sack. Most of them are fairly lightweight and compact, so they won’t take up much room in your backpack. You’ll have the peace of mind of knowing EXACTLY where those sheets have been and when they were last washed. Bonus: if you’re concerned about mosquitoes or bed bugs, you can treat your sleep sack with permethrin before your trip, but be sure to follow the instructions on the bottle very carefully.
- Padlocks
Many hostels have cubbies or lockers available for you to store your stuff, but you’ll want to bring some padlocks to keep everything secure.
- Microfiber towel
Unlike hotels, most hostels do not provide towels, and the few that do, do so for a fee. Microfiber towels are super absorbent, dry very quickly, and don’t take up much room once you fold them up.
- Ear plugs and/or a sleep mask
Light sleepers may want to bring some sleep aids to get through a night in a shared dorm.
Happy travels!
What a great and helpful post! I now feel a little more prepared if I ever stay in a hostle. Thanks for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such great tips for hostel life! We have yet to stay at a hostel, but greatly enjoyed our experience with an AirBNB in Melbourne, FL.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This post was very informative. Shower shoes are definitely a MUST!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great tips for staying at a hostel. I love staying at hostels! I meet the best people and get the best advice about the area I am visiting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didnt even know what a Hostel was until recently. Thank you for sharing these great tips!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awesome tips! I’ve stayed at a hostel, but I will for sure keep these things in mind when I do!! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow these are really great tips for traveling! Thank you so much for sharing
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooh! I never would have thought of bringing a pad lock. That would have saved us a lot of hauling.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my gosh this is so great! Where was this advice ten years ago when I backpacked through Europe for a year?!?! I wish I knew about shower shoes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great travel advice, for sure. I’ve stayed in many hostels and these are definitely essentials!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some hostels are the hidden gems of traveling cheap to gorgeous destinations. The hostel in Honolulu is right in the heart of the city! Love your list of essentials 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! I never know about Hostels! This is great information!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha So true. My husband and I used to travel alot throughout Hostels. Shower shoes are a MUST! Haha!
LikeLiked by 1 person