It's completely normal to feel a little unaware or nervous when you book yourself in to stay at a hostel for the first time, eccpecially if you are braving it on you own. Good on you! Hostels can be a super positive exciting part of your journey and will also save you a lot of dollars that you 'll be able to spend on more important things on your travels.
But it is crucially important to be on top of a few things before you leap into this new experience as you don't want anything to ruin your trip that could of been entirely avoidable. I myself learnt a very valuable lesson after an unfortunate circumstance happened to me, I only wished I had been given some advice before I lost my hostel virginity. I will get into that a little later on..
For now, read on, soak up all you can and find yourself a great deal more confident and ready for your new exciting adventure!
Protecting your money and passport.
Protecting your money and passport should be your NUMBER ONE priority when staying in a hostel. Not only did you work your butt off to save all that dough, you are also holding your safety net, your access to your necessities, your identity and the whole entirety of your travel journey. You mustn't downplay the importance of keeping these safe by giving yourself the opportunity to misplace, lose or be exposed to the theft or you will find yourself in one of the worst dilemmas you can be in. This brings us to the next point..
How to keep your belongings safe.
Keep with you OR Lock it! These two points will save your from losing your belongings and a lot of heart ache when things go missing. I would highly recommend purchasing a padlock or two before leaving as you will be using them religiously, some hostels even sell them at their location which is super handy.
Lock anything and everything up, eccpecially at night time when asleep and whilst you are out and about as these are the prime moments for theft to occur in a hostel. I would even go to the extent of keeping your money and passport inside the pillow pocket you sleep on (and ONLY when you are sleeping).
Unfortunately one night of staying in a London Hostel I had some of my belongings stolen. It was a little disturbing to me as what had been taken was in my suitcase (Unlocked) under the bunk bed I was sleeping in and had been stolen during the night. Luckily it wasn't my funds or passport but only my makeup/lipsticks that costed around £150. This really bummed me out but I learnt my lesson and bought a lock first thing the next morning.
When you are out and exploring the city it is a good idea to think about keeping your neccesities such as your money and passport with you. It is not a good idea to carry it in a bag which has lose straps or one you take off constantly as risking the opportunity for possibly misplacing it or losing it by theft. I used to have a flat belt bag (also known as fanny-pack) hidden inside my dungarees when I would leave my hostel room which worked as a treat. It was safe from being taken or even seen at all, moving us into...
Trusting people you don't know.
Exposing or sharing with people what valuables you possess is a very risky move and should be avoided all together. This not only dramatically increases the risk of your things being taken without your consent but it is also basically unnecessary. Maybe you feel as if the person you have got to know is genuine and trustworthy (they most likely are) but the fact at the end of the day is that they are strangers and you don't know who they are. Keep your things out of sight and when you need to pull out your valuable items do so as discreetly as possible.
But don't let this stop you from meeting new people.
Although it is important to not put all your trust in people for the sake of keeping yourself and your belongings safe, meeting and getting to know new people is one of the true highlights when staying at a hostel and shouldn't be missed! Meeting strangers enables you to share experiences, advice and may even lead to a potential friendship. Not only does meeting new people when soloing on your own give opportunities to grow your travel knowledge, but you also might even stumble upon someone in the same shoes as yourself which can be a great way to share each others experiences and feel just that little bit less lonely.
Finding the right Hostel that fits your needs
There is nothing wrong with going for a basic hostel that will save you the buck, it's not as if you'll be spending all your time in your room right? But everyone is different and has their own needs. You might have a few must have featured facilities that you acquire or different sleeping arrangement expectations. This is totally fine, I personally have my own requirements when narrowing down my options to ensure optimal hostel living. I have bullet pointed these below for your convenience..
REVIEWS. I always have a quick skim through the hostels reviews online so I can understand a little bit about their reputation. You want to have a majority of positives responses from past customers. CLEANLINESS is an important one for me.
LOCATION. It is utterly more effective staying in a hostel with a great location. This will determine your transport expenses and allow you to access your itinerary locations a lot easier.
INCLUDING IN PRICE. Look for places that have convenient all inclusive facilities that will fit your needs. This might include a bar area, breakfast, clean linen, washing machine rooms, computer rooms, kitchens etc. This will save you a lot of money and hassle when staying at your hostel.
ROOM CAPACITIES. Although paying for a 12 bedroom dormitory due to the low price tag seems like a good idea at the time, this may lead to sleeping problems. You're room buddies could be party animals (could be a good time), loud snorers or typically untrustworthy people which could effect your sleep. Sleep is very important when it comes to travel as you want to ensure you have energy for the long days ahead.
LOCKED STORAGE ROOMS. You will mostly likely be taking some kind of larger bag with you that holds things like clothes etc and you probably don't want to lug it around with you when exploring a new location. Places with locked storage rooms will grant you the comfort in knowing your belongings are safe.
Preparing yourself before arriving.
It's also a really efficient idea to prepare yourself by purchasing a few things that you will be using on your stay at a hostel. Also bullet pointed below :)
Shampoo and conditioner (hostels sometimes supply them there but us ladies need quality sometimes) ;)
Body soap
Multi plug (became super handy for me)
Padlock
Extra towel
Clothes washing detergent
Big bottle of water (There were so many times when I'd wake up in the middle of the night on the top bunk craving water that was inconveniently a little to hard to get to. Have a bottle next to you)
Easy to make meals
Awkward but useful hostel-virgin questions
Who stays in hostels?
Typically people just like you. Travellers that are seeking to save money
Do I have to book hostels in advanced?
Yes and no. Depends how much of a dare devil you are! Although it might be a better idea to research hostels before arriving it is also popular for people who have no implemented plans to just wing it. Keep in mind it can also be a risk as all the beds may be already occupied.
Can I check into the hostel any time of the day?
There is usually a reception that stays open most hours of the day which allow you to flexibly check in but it's a good idea to check the information before arriving as the hours could be limited. Give the hostel an email, call or check their website.
Is it safe for women to stay in dorms?
Of course it is! There are usually female only dormitories opposed to mixed if you feel a little uncomfortable.
Are hostels unhygienic?
Not is the hostel is a good one! This is why it is a good idea to do your research when deciding which hostel to stay at.
What do hostels look like?
It varies. Every hostel is different. You can go from a very basic hostel with just the dorms to a hostel consisting of big hang out areas and plenty of other facilities. There is normally always a reception where you will check in and can have all your questions answered.
Are hostels just for young people?
Of course not! It is very popular for people of almost all ages to stay at a hostel. Under 18's unfortunately don't usually fit the acquirements, sorry kids!
Do hostels allow alcohol?
Sometimes hostels have their own bar area where alcohol beverages are sold which is super convenient but you should just double check with your hostel as each one is different. usually not.
So this concludes everything you need to consider before staying in a hostel. I hope you have learnt a lot and if you there are any other questions I may be able to answer then I'd love to hear from you! Visit my contacts page and send me a message.
Until next time,
International Travel Pocket x
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