Knowing how to find a hostel can be overwhelming at first. Contrary to popular opinions, staying in hostels is one of my favorite parts of traveling. While many see hostels are unclean, awkward, and generally uncomfortable, I literally have such a ball! Hostels are full of people who are just like you! People who love to travel, to explore, to take risks, and to see the world! I’ve made so many friends staying in 16-bed dorm rooms in Spain, Italy, Paris, etc…. friends I’ve met up with later, traveled with, and asked for advice! Some hostels even have planned events, like BBQ nights, hiking trips, parties, kayaking excursions, and more! You can hang out, play games, meet people, and make friends from all over the world. It truly is a travel highlight! However, choosing the right hostel, especially for the first few times, can be an overwhelming task. I compiled all the best tips and things you need to know about choosing a hostel!
A quick PSA: this list was made specifically with hostels in the UK/Europe in mind. While this all will be useful in other spots, I don’t have as much experience in other parts of the world, so I can’t specifically say.
To See What Websites I Use To Find a Hostel…
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Location
Stay in a Good Area
This is obviously super important. I’ve stayed in hostels where I walked into the neighborhood and immediately felt unsafe. Check reviews to see if anyone comments on where the hostel is; sometimes it’s even nice to google the hostel to see if it’s specifically safe. You can also look up unsafe areas in whatever city you’re in to ensure that you can steer clear.
Stay Close to Downtown
I used to be on the “find the cheapest hostel possible, even if it’s way far out of town” train. However, I quickly learned how dumb that was. If you’re trying to find a hostel but pick one that is pretty far away from where you’ll be spending most of your time (like downtown, by a beach, etc,), then it’s probably going to be MORE expensive trying to get back and forth between your hostel and your location. Also, it saves you such a headache when you are able to get to and back from your hostel. Finally, it could even be dangerous if you are having to get back to your hostel late at night (especially if it’s far away and ESPECIALLY if you’ve been ~out on the town~). However, the closer you are to downtown, the more expensive it’ll probably be. I think it’s worth it though.
OR Close To Public Transportation
If you’re wanting to save a few bucks and stay further away from downtown, make sure you’re near a train/metro/bus station so you can quickly and easily access the downtown area and other spots in the city you’re planning on visiting. Often hostels will include where they are/a map of the city.
Consider What You’re Close To
Some places (like bars, restaurants, etc.) will squeeze a hostel upstairs or next door in order to make some extra money. I’ve stayed in hostels that are right across the street from the largest club in town and didn’t sleep at all, since music was BUMPING from 10 pm-5 am. I’ve also stayed upstairs at a bar and also got zero sleep. Again, you can do it to save money, but it’s not always worth it.
Safety
Reviews are the lifeblood of hostels. Whenever I’m picking a hostel, I read several pages of reviews to make sure that the spot will be safe. I try to find reviews specifically from young female solo; if a woman alone feels unsafe, then it’s not the spot for me. There will obviously be negative reviews no matter where you are, but just be wise in paying attention to consistently negative comments.
Some things to consider:
- Do doors have locks?
- Are there lockers or lockboxes where I can lock up my things so they won’t get stolen?
- Are there all-female dorms?
- I’ve stayed in mixed dorms and all-female. Often, female dorms will be more expensive, and I’ve never minded staying in a mixed dorm. However, it’s just a matter of personal preference.
- Am I good a good area?
- Do other travelers feel safe there?
Price
Don’t overpay for a hostel. This can be difficult to gage, since the prices of hostels will change based off of where you are and what time of year. Big cities will be more expensive. Touristy cities will be expensive. Anything during touristy seasons (like summer) will be expensive. You’ll find the cheapest spots in the off-season and off the beaten path. You will also be able to find cheaper hostels if you look several months in advance. Price depends on lots of factors: There three main ones are location, season, and extra costs/add-ins.
Location:
- Closeness to the Downtown/Tourist Spots
- The closer to downtown/the touristy places you are, the most expensive your hostel will be.
- Also, as mentioned before, think about where in the city you’ll be. If you’re far away from downtown and have to pay every time you leave and head back to your hostel, it may be cheaper to just pay extra for a closer hostel.
- What Type of City You’re In
- Big/Touristy Cities (Paris, London, etc.)
- In touristy cities, you could pay as much as $100 a night for a hostel. It’s sometimes cheaper to look for a hotel or AirBnB at that point. However, if you scour the internet or look several months out, you may be able to find cheaper.
- Small Cities
- In cities that are off the beaten path or simply smaller, you can find much cheaper hostels.
- Big/Touristy Cities (Paris, London, etc.)
- What Country You’re In
- In countries like Norway, Switzerland, etc., prices will be much higher.
- However, if you’re in places like Spain, Portugal, etc., it’ll be cheaper ($10-20).
- What Continent You’re In
- In spots like Africa and East Asia, you can find really nice hostels for very low prices ($25 for resort hostels). However, for a basic hostel, you can find some for as low as $2-3.
Season:
- If you’re in a major city during the busy season (which is often summer if you’re heading to Europe), you’re probably going to be paying much more for a hostel. However, go during the off season and it’ll be way cheaper! For example, a hostel in August may cost $80 a night, where in November it may be $30.
- Check to see if there are major festivals/events going on while you’re there. For example, during Christmas, seasonal holidays, etc., the prices may rise again. You can restructure your trip to avoid the high prices.
- Overall, I would google when busy season is for the spots you’re going to.
Add-Ins
- Sometimes hostels will have hidden fees or cost. For example, you may have to pay for wifi, for sheets, for breakfast, while in other spots that will all be included. Read reviews and the hostel website to double check this.
- One helpful thing is to see if the hostel has breakfast available (included or to purchase). Sometimes, paying a few dollars for hostel breakfast will save you money so you don’t have to spend much more on a nice cafe or restaurant nearby. It also saves you a lot of time! Don’t overpay for breakfast though.
Overall, I tend to shoot for $15-25 for a hostel when possible.
Other
While the most important information is above, there are also lots of smaller things that could help contribute to your perfect hostel stay.
- Chain hostels will often be more developed and cleaner and more organized, so if you’re simply looking for efficiency and maybe not for being as social, this could be a good option.
- Some hostels are specifically “youth hostels” and have an age limit, so be sure to check on this before going.
- Some hostels are catered to different age groups, families, etc. This is just something to be aware of depending on the experience you want and who you’re aiming to meet.
- Some hostels are specifically party hostels, so if you’re looking for a quiet night and 8 hours of sleep, this may not be the place for you.
- There are hostels with tons of activities, events, and excursions. If you’re traveling solo and wanting to make friends or go on adventures with others, these are great.
- Most hostels will ask for your passport, so be aware of this when checking in.
Overall
Hostels truly are an underrated gem of the travel world, offering far more than just a place to sleep. From meeting incredible people who share your love for exploration to getting the chance to join in on local events and adventures, staying in a hostel can completely transform your travel experience. But just like with any aspect of traveling, a little research goes a long way. Choosing the right hostel—one that balances location, price, safety, and vibe—can make all the difference between an amazing stay and a stressful one. Whether you’re a solo traveler or a social butterfly, there’s a hostel out there that’s perfect for you. So, don’t let the stereotypes deter you—embrace the hostel life and discover the hidden treasures of your next destination, one new friendship at a time! I’m hoping this truly helps you know how to find a hostel!
Thanks For Reading!
Once again, I am eternally grateful to you all for being a part of the AnitaBelleBlogs with me! I hope this list of hostel thoughts will help you have the trip of your life! xoxoxox, AnitaBelle
