Youth hostels are a world-wide budgetary lifehack for cheapskate students, hippy backpackers, and everyone else trying to save their money for food and fun in their destination city. Regardless of whether you secure financial aid for your international experience, like most college kids, students abroad are likely to be on a limited budget. Especially after visa fees, a new international phone plan, decking out your tiny new student apartment, or whatever other unexpected expenses bleed your wallet. Nonetheless, hostels make travel, whether in your host country or abroad, more affordable.
The low cost of hostels comes at the price of (sometimes deserved) less than sterling reputation. Nonetheless, hostels come in all shapes in sizes, including ones that do offer privacy, security, and quiet. The following outlines offers an introduction to why hostels are often a good accommodation choice, how to find a great one, and what steps travelers can take to make their experience the best one possible.
Why a Hostel?
A hostel makes the most sense for the social traveler, people who hate AirBNB, solo travelers, and group travelers.. As interesting as travel can be, it certainly be isolating without companions. Hostels offer a great deal community, or simple opportunities to meet people from all over, whether it’s to make conversation over a meal or find a group to go out with in the evening. Much like a residence hall, hostels often provide common spaces that facilitate these connections, truly providing more than just a place to sleep at night. Hostel staff may make a concerted effort to entertain guests with events, from free walking tours to movie nights.
These are unique features of hostels which would be rare in a hotel, especially one that does not break the bank. On the other hand, these sorts of serendipitous meetings and friendly encounters contribute to the sense that hostels are rambunctious. By putting in a little care when first booking, there’s something for everyone in most cities of the world. Having now established a bit of a procedure for identifying a good hostel in a new city, I will be relying on them heavily for a seven country post-exam extravelganza I am planning. I have come to appreciate good hostels for more than their affordability, but an enjoyable part of the quintessential student travel experience.
Tools of the Trade
I tend to rely on a couple specific sites when I first set out to find a new hostel. These are not exhaustive or all-powerful, but in conjunction with each other, you can quickly gain make a shortlist. Other sites may be more useful depending on where in the world you are traveling, and your own preferences. Check out this short guide here for some other suggested engines and review sites.
Hostelworld: This is one of the larger hostel search engines out there, as such it provides perhaps the most reliable reviews for the largest range of hostels. Regardless of where I ultimately end up booking my stay, I start here because I would be extremely hesitant to stay anywhere which was rated less than a 7 on Hostelworld.
Ryanair Rooms: Students in Europe are probably very familiar with this budget airline and its tantalizing flight deals, non-reclinable seats, and extensive surcharges. Though you have probably ignored emails about its discounted lodging service, I was pleasantly surprised when I checked it out for the first time.
Though not every hostel is available through this service, a not insignificant number are, and often for a noticeably better price. Moreover, each booking allows you claim 10% back in travel credit with Ryanair. Be careful with this perk, as travel credit is not instantly available, only kicking in about a week after your stay. Moreover, a six month expiration date applies, so although this site is handy, actually using is to book is only worthwhile if the price differential is decent or you will be able to use that credit in a timely manner. Those prices are only available in euros as well, so be sure to convert and double-check.
A Basic Procedure
I like to operate with the assumption that dirt cheap might include more literal dirt than I am comfortable. As such, I usually start by skimming reviews for two critical things: dealbreakers and photos. Hostelworld is usually an easy starting place for this because they tend to have the largest volume of reviews. Relying on one site’s rating systems, also means you might have a better sense of how things stack up against each other. However, just as with Amazon reviews are often left by people who neglected to read product descriptions, reviews may give conflicting impressions when certain reviewers clearly do not understand what a hostel experience entails.
Red Flags
Therefore, I limit my first glances to flaws or inconveniences I am unwilling to put up with. For instance, any mention of bed bugs, especially if it occurred multiple times or within the last six months. Another ping goes off on my radar when I see management responding defensively or aggressively in response to their reviews. The last situation you want to end up in is one where something minor goes wrong and spirals unnecessarily due to poor customer service. Finally, the reviews of actual guests can give a lot of insight into the general hygiene of the place. I may be willing to deal with a small bathroom, but not a grungy one.
Unacceptable conditions may vary from person to person, so do some inner reflection to determine what hardships you’re willing to bear for a cheap place to stay. Consider whether breakfast is included, if there is an elevator in the building, if ensuite bathrooms are your preferred alternative to floor bathrooms. You may also be interested in whether secure storage lockers are available, or if the hostel puts on social activities for guests. All of these factors may vary from hostel to hostel, and so it is important to learn what you won’t live without. Occasionally these present opportunities to travel differently. The convenience of a mediocre hostel breakfast may not pay off if cheap cafes and other breakfast joints are plentiful, and will expose to you more of the city where you’re staying.
Bonuses
Remember traveling is actually meant to be fun. Hostels have often surprised me with the excellent perks they offer to stand out from the competition, and simply appeal to travelers. Among them, a free sauna in one memorable place I stayed at in Dublin. Free walking tours, group yoga on outdoor patios, and truly lovely staff may be others.
Location, Location, Location
Cheaper destinations are not necessarily farther out of the city center, but the downside may be noisy surrounding. So, consider whether being right in Dublin’s Temple Bar is where you want to be when it comes to sleeping. Nonetheless, if you have a sightseeing list to check off, the less time spent traveling the better. Hoping to walk everywhere is maybe too optimistic in a huge city like Beijing or London, but be on the lookout for a hostel’s proximity to bus or metro stations. Plug your location into Google Maps to see how long it’ll take you to the places you’re most anxious to see.
Last, but not Least
Pictures are worth a thousand words, yadda yadda yadda. Photos on review sites are often polished photo shoots that may not quite represent what your room will look like. However, there’s still a ton of information to be gleaned from the. I am suspicious of hostels which post images of their common spaces or exterior, without any pictures of the rooms or bathrooms, for instance. Moreover, when pictures of rooms are available, I always scan to make sure there are no triple bunk beds. These tend to be a noisy, uncomfortable shortcut to fitting more people in a room. On the other hand, pros to look out for include bed curtains for individual bunks, dedicated outlets and lights, and welcoming common areas.
Assorted Tips & Tricks
- Bring earbuds, your own lock, and a towel. These are typically not included at a hostel, but available for rental or sale at the reception.
- If noise is a concern, consider a private room in a hostel. This compromise allows for the social benefits of youth hostels, with more privacy and security.
- Take advantage of self-catering kitchens to save a few bucks (or euros or yen or pesos). Such kitchens usually include basic ingredients and seasonings, or leftover food from travelers who have recently left. Group meals in hostels are a time-honored tradition of making new friends!
- Bring flip flops for the shower. Most rules of campus residence hall living apply to hostels.
- Ask around. Plenty of students studying abroad take trips elsewhere. A referral can be better than an anonymous review since you have the chance to ask follow-up questions.
While this is not an exhaustive approach to searching, it hopefully gives those new to hostels some factors to consider beyond price. Hostels are a unique experience, not just a cheaper hotel. Whether that’s a 30-person dormitory to a quirky stay in a retrofitted train to upscale boutique hostels. They all exist, it’s just a matter of finding what fits. Happy travels!
