Are you booking your first hostel but are overwhelmed by the options out there? If you’re new to hostels, it can be overwhelming trying to find the perfect hostel to rest your weary head while you’re out exploring the world. This post includes 15 tips for booking a hostel, including things around price, safety, amenities, and logistics.

By the way, I wanted to let you know that I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. 

 

1. How much does booking a hostel cost per night? Are there any other taxes or extra fees?

When selecting a hostel, make sure you understand everything you’ll be expected to pay to spend the night, including the cost of the bed, taxes, or other fees that might not appear in the base cost. If you have any flexibility in your travel plans, see if there are any price differences between weekday and weeknight prices–you might be able to save some money by traveling during the week!

2. What have other people who have stayed at the hostel thought about it?

Check out sites like Hostels Worldwide, TripAdvisor, and Yelp for reviews of the hostel. Look for feedback on areas such as cleanliness, security, and the general helpfulness of the staff–but remember to take the reviews with a grain of salt! Reviews tend to either skew very positive or very negative… but if there’s a recurring trend in the reviews (such as the unavailability of the staff), decide if you really do want to stay there.

3. What are the hostel’s check-in and check-out times?

If you’re on the road, sometimes it’s hard knowing when you’ll arrive at your destinations, so it’s important to know when the hostel allows check-ins and check-outs. If you’re worried that you’ll arrive late, make sure to call the hostel ahead of time and let them know.

4. Does the hostel accept credit cards?

Sure, it’s the 21st century, but don’t assume that all hostels accept credit cards. If there isn’t an online booking option, call ahead to make sure you know how the hostel accepts payment. (This is also something that might show up in the reviews of the hostel, see #2 above.)

5. If you’re driving, what’s the parking situation at the hostel?

There’s nothing worse than getting to your destination after a long day on the road and realizing there’s nowhere (or nowhere safe) to park your car. You could even use Google Maps to check out the street view of the neighborhood.

6. How close is the hostel to public transportation such as bus stops or train stations?

This is good to know if you’re planning on either taking public transportation to the hostel in the first place or if you’re planning to spend multiple nights in a city exploring. Find out if there are any bus stops within walking distance or if you’ll have to Uber to the hostel / around town.

7. How many beds are in each room of the hostel?

Make sure you know ahead of time how many people will be sleeping in the room you’re planning to stay in–the more people in the room, the greater your chances of being kept up by noisy neighbors or woken early when someone runs into your bunk. When possible, opt for the room with the fewest beds.

8. Are the rooms co-ed?

If you’re a woman traveling alone, one of your biggest concerns will probably be around safety. If you’re uncomfortable sleeping around men, be sure to book a woman-only room. (Regardless of whether or not you feel uncomfortable sleeping around both men and women, co-ed rooms also increase the chances that you’ll be woken in the middle of the night by a couple of your hostel roomies getting frisky at night, so bear that in mind as well.)

9. Does the hostel allow sleep sheets?

If you don’t already have one, sleep sheets are great because they protect you from any creepy-crawlies that might be living in your bed for the night. (I like this one from the Traveling Swede because it is light, folds up easily, and is machine washable. (Make sure you check ahead of time to be sure the hotel allows you to bring your own sleep sheet.) Be sure to check ahead of time if the hostel you’re staying in allows guests to bring their own sheets. Some hostels ask you to use their bedding to try to cut down on creepy-crawlies that might already be in a sleep sheet used in a different hostel.

10. Does the hostel offer shared meals? If so, what time and how much do they cost?

Shared meals are a great opportunity to meet other people who are staying in the hostel. Make sure you ask ahead of time how much they cost and how you will be paying, as well as what time they are held. If there are no shared meals but you still want to meet others, consider offering to use the kitchen to cook for yourself and a new friend!

11. Is there a free breakfast at the hostel? If so, what time does it start and what is served?

Make sure you know what time breakfast is being served if you’re considering eating it. The last time I stayed in a hostel, there was a free breakfast that didn’t start until 8:30–a good hour and a half AFTER I was planning to be on the road. I ended up getting breakfast on the road, but if I had been based my food budget for the day on the assumption that I’d be getting breakfast for free, I’d have been a bit surprised.

12. Are there lockers available at the hostel?

Even if you’re like me and are someone who trusts others, always keep your belongings locked up. Instead of asking yourself whether anyone would steal your ratty old towel, ask yourself how much it would inconvenience you if it went missing. Check ahead of time to find out if there are lockers available, and if not, bring along a lock cable so you can lock your bag to the leg of your bed while you’re sleeping.

13. Are there laundry facilities available in the hostel?

If you’re on a long trip, it doesn’t hurt to know ahead of time if you’ll be able to do some laundry at the hostel.

14. Does the hostel have a curfew or quiet time?

Be courteous and always respect the rules of the hostel such as curfews or quiet times. (If there are no clearly stated quiet times, consider 10pm-6am quiet time and behave accordingly.)

15. Is there free wi-fi at the hostel?

Finally, if you’re planning to use electronics at the hostel, find out if there’s free wi-fi offered, and ask for the password when you arrive!

Thanks for reading my 15 tips for booking a hostel? Leave me a question or comment below, and remember, adventure awaits! – Lindsay