What do hostels look like

This element can add to the authentic experience hostels have to offer. Breakfast is also a good time to find out where everyone is headed for the day and find out whether you can tag along. Hostels that don't provide often feature a shared kitchen space where you can interact with other guests and peek at the foods people from around the world are eating. Whether you're traveling the streets of Sweden or South Korea , hostels offer a unique experience by fostering community between individuals from foreign places.

Plus, their affordability allows you to splurge on a longer and more immersive experience in your destination country as you get to know the cities through a local's lens. You'll also make friends along the way from countries all over the world. If this sounds like your kind of traveling experience, book your hostel now! Life Transitions. Personal Wellness. Study Abroad. Search Blog. What is a Hostel? Hostels vs Hotels Hostels feature dorm-like spaces for sleeping, often with bunk beds.

A Sense of Community Hostels allow you to meet new people from all over the world through community-focused accommodations. Who Stays in Hostels? How Much Do Hostels Cost? This range can depend on several factors, such as: Location big Western European cities are often pricier than Eastern European cities Room size more people in a room often reduces the price Amenities Local competition from other hostels Available space booking ahead is often cheaper than walking in Duration of stay PRO TIP: Don't forget to download our " Ultimate Guide to Budget Travel.

Pros and Cons of Hostels It's important to consider the pros and cons of staying in a hostel so you know what you're walking into before you book. Pros Inexpensive prices Social opportunity Prime locations like Barcelona, Amsterdam, London, and Paris are ideal locations to book a hostel right in the epicenter Group accommodation share one large room for your entire group Authenticity enjoy a locally sourced breakfast and homey interactions with staff and guests Cons Lack of privacy don't plan on finding much alone time in a hostel with shared sleeping quarters Risk of theft we cover safety tips below Fewer amenities Choosing Your Hostel Booking vs Walking In When planning to stay at a hostel, you can either book your bed beforehand or walk right in and ask if there is available space.

Hostel Room Types Hostels frequently offer unisex dorms, with layouts featuring anywhere from 4 to 40 bunk beds. Other common hostel layout types include: Dorms Without Bunk Beds - Classier hostels may provide isolated beds within a dorm room. This adds a bit more space between occupants and can relieve your fear of being woken in the middle of the night by a moving bunkmate. Pod-Styled Dorms - A more private option are the pod-styled dorms, which are becoming trendier around the world.

These provide a bit more privacy, including personal power sockets and a curtain to close at night. Family Room — Some hostels provide family-style private rooms that can accommodate multiple family members in one room. Apartment Style — These studio-apartment-style rooms are similar to Airbnbs since you rent out an entire apartment space.

They are ideal for those wanting private kitchen amenities in addition to a private bathroom and sleeping area. Suite-Style — This is a top-of-the-line hostel layout. Suite-style hostels provide a larger space with various amenities and sometimes feature two levels. Hostel Amenities Hostel amenities aren't usually as abundant as hotels, but just enough is provided for a comfortable stay. Things to Take to a Hostel It's important to bring along a few necessities to ensure a smooth and easy stay.

A lock is necessary to keep your personal items secure in the locker provided. Earplugs or headphones are helpful to light sleepers in case of noisy late-night stragglers or early morning risers. Eye masks can also be beneficial in case your neighbors decide to switch on the lights during the night or early morning.

A long extension cord may be necessary so you can reach the nearest outlet and charge your electronics at night——especially if you're on the top bunk. You may need an adapter, depending on where you're traveling. Toiletries won't be provided like at most hotels, so make sure to bring essentials including soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc.

Shower shoes are a must for the shared bathroom. Due to different standards around the world, a truly top-rated hostel in Europe could achieve a score of 9. Pay attention also to the individual ratings for Cleanliness, Location, and above all, Atmosphere. Another thing to look for is the number of beds. But you can infer this by selecting an arrival date far into the future and looking at the number of room options provided. All hostels have mixed dorms, but some offer the option of booking gender specific dorms.

Be sure to keep an eye on the price because they can sometimes cost a little extra. Do you want a party hostel or do you want a hostel with enforced quiet time? This especially can make or break your stay if you end up at a hostel with a completely different atmosphere than you were wanting. Have a look for any extras that appeal to you, such as free breakfast, a bar or rooftop patio, bicycle rental, etc. You can search for hostels on Hostelworld here.

But there are some general trends in how hostels are set up and designed in different parts of the world. I think the European backpacker hostels often hit just the spot by offering a cozy atmosphere and plenty of amenities.

Quality is typically high and some top European hostels achieve ratings in the 9. Southeast Asia and Latin America: I love the hostel vibe in tropical countries. Many beach- and surfer hostels are constructed from wood or bamboo and have many hammocks for you to chill.

Hostelworld scores in the 9. I am not saying that to be mean, but just to set your expectations. These are not proper hostels, America! It may sound boring, but sometimes there are important or even fun bits of information that you might miss otherwise. Staying in a hostel will feel much more like home than staying in a hotel, but that lower price also comes with higher responsibility.

Having good hostel etiquette and being respectful can make your stay better because everyone is happy! Wash your own dishes right after using them. Label your food!

Introduce yourself to your roommates! The longer you wait, the harder it is. Stay tidy, utilize the lockers! Aside from just keeping your belongings safe from potential thieves, lockers help to keep your stuff out of the way. Your phone has a light for a reason — use it! Cover up. But not everyone is comfortable with you walking around in your underwear. If you really want to do that, just spend a few extra bucks on a private room and you can go the whole 9 yards.

Every hostel does this differently but if there is a limited amount of bathroom space then try to space out your usage rather than spending 3 hours at once perfecting your eyebrows.

Clean up after yourself. It may seem like a hassle when you have to tote your shampoo to the shower for every use, but if everyone left their soap in the bathroom, it would be a cluttered mess. An individual will simply rent a bunk. Young people, particularly students, are some of the most common guests likely to be encountered at a hostel, though older travelers may use them too.

Some more upscale hostels will also offer private rooms, such as for couples who are traveling together. Plenty of couples will be fine just sleeping in bunk beds for the night, however; it also allows hostels to maximize space and to fit as many people in the room as possible, so bunk bed style rooms are the most common.

A backpackers' hostel will almost always require guests to use a shared bathroom, as private bathrooms are quite uncommon, even if it is possible to rent private rooms. There are different types of hostels that may be better suited to different travelers.

Some are more appealing to people who enjoy drinking and partying, for example, and will actually feature a bar right in the hostel.