A room full of strangers? Yeah uh… no thanks. Hostels can be scary, trust me. With bunkbeds galore and the possibility of randos who snore it can be hard to bite the bullet and stay in a hostel. But, when you leave the fear behind, there are so many pros to staying in a hostel that truly makes the experience worth it. I promise you, you won’t regret it.
Friends for Life
Hostels typically only attract one crowd: those in their 20’s. Some even put an age restriction on who can stay. Most hostels have a hang out area or a bar where they host events and you get to meet all sorts of people. New friends from all over the world travel to stay in hostels. This gives you the opportunity to talk to someone from any of the continents. Let’s just say I have a few countries I could visit with guaranteed free lodging and a local for a tour guide because I met some pretty cool people in hostels. Chances are, if you stay in one, you like to travel. This gives you another reason to visit a cool new place.
Whether you meet someone in the room or in the hostel bar, you are able to chat it up regardless. If you travel alone, I definitely recommend staying in a hostel. You’ll be able to ask others for recommendations, or maybe find someone to hang out with. Truly, the people make the place and as someone who has stayed in a number of hostels, I have yet to have a bad experience with the people I’m bunking with.
Location
Due to hostels being smaller than most hotels, it is easier for them to fit in small places, meaning a lot of hostels are closer to city centers than hotels. This makes them super walkable and accessible. Like previously mentioned, hostels cater to the youth. They are therefore typically located near nightlife hubs for the sake of ease and in areas that are a bit more hip and cool. The location of a hostel itself cannot be beat.
Cost
Hotels and Airbnb’s typically range from 150-500 dollars a NIGHT. They aren’t the cheapest option that’s for sure. Hostels on the other hand, typically sit between 50-70 dollars a night, meaning a weekend away shouldn’t cost more than 150 dollars TOTAL. This saves you more money to try new eats, go on tours, and shop til you drop. At the end of the day, a hostel is a bed, a bathroom, and a safe place to stay and if you can save a few bucks, it is totally worth it.
Hostels sound a lot scarier than they are. With hostel culture being so big in Europe and Asia, it truly is not something super intimidating. With lockers for your stuff, privacy curtains on beds, and female only room options, you are given many opportunities to make yourself feel as comfortable as possible. If you are on the fence about a hostel, just do it. Try it once! Make a friend! And engulf yourself in the true “budget travel” experience.
Written by: Jillian Kotin
.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}