Five Reasons Every Traveler Should Experience A Hostel [At Least Once]

Hostels
Written By Taz Zaidi

Reasons To Experience A Hostel

We all have different reasons for traveling.

Some of us want to escape the daily grind, some want adventure and others seek to learn of foreign cultures. Regardless of what you’re after, hostel accommodation is a great option - one many travelers never consider.

In this guide, we’ll cover why every traveler should consider staying in a hostel.

We’ll explore five reasons - social atmosphere, money you’ll save, friendly staff, central/ideal location, and ability to cook. Whether you book a hostel on Agoda or find one off the street, you’ll (generally) find these reasons to hold true in hostels around the world.

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*Agoda.com is a great place to find deals on hostels. For today’s deals on hostels in any destination, click here.

The 5 Reasons To Experience A Hostel

The main difference between hostels and hotels is - hostels rent dorm beds, hotels rent private rooms. Some hostels offer private rooms as well, but most of their guests book one single bed in a mixed or female-only dorm. Hostel shared spaces create a communal atmosphere and attract a different crowd than hotels.

To learn more about hostels (how they work, what they’re like, different hostel types, history of hostels, and frequently asked questions), click here.

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*To see today’s deals on hostels in any destination, click here.

1)  The Social Atmosphere

“Come as strangers, leave as friends.”

Most hostels hope that guests feel this way about their stays. Great social hostels foster an atmosphere where friendships can develop seamlessly in relaxed common areas, often equipped with features like board games and billiards. Some large hostels even have patios, swimming pools and an on-site bar or restaurant.

Social hostels help you meet interesting, like-minded travelers to share laughs, meals and travel tips with. Like-minded travelers provide priceless information on things to do and places to stay or eat. Some social hostels also allow locals or guests from other hostels to enter their bar. Hostels like these can provide the best atmosphere in town for solo travelers.

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Solo traveling makes even the most extroverted people feel lonely or shy at times. But many hostels organize events to encourage guest interaction - like walking tours, karaoke, yoga classes, game nights, pub crawls and more. Group activities encourage travelers from various backgrounds and life experiences to exchange ideas and perspectives - in a way that’s difficult to replicate outside of the organic hostel environment.

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But hotels can feel impersonal, which makes meeting people more difficult. In hostels, it’s not uncommon for guests to make friends within minutes, or groups to form over breakfast and go explore town together. Hostel guests also tend to be more spontaneous, since they’re more often traveling solo or in small groups.

There are 10 hostel types - budget, luxury, boutique, party, beach/jungle, historic/cultural, adventure, eco-friendly, uniquely-themed and youth hostels - each offering unique features and experiences. To learn all about these ten types of hostels, read this guide.

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To get a good feel for a hostel’s atmosphere, check its Atmosphere rating on Hostelworld (on the listing’s Reviews & Ratings section). You could also read the Property Description and recent guest reviews.

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*To see today’s deals on hostels in any destination, click here.

2)  You’ll Save Money

Hostel beds are usually the cheapest accommodation option in town. By saving on accommodation, you’ll have more money for things like tours, car rentals, attractions, restaurants and nightlife. The main reason hostel beds are much cheaper than hotel rooms is the number of beds per room. For example, while a hotel room can cost $60 for a one night stay, a hostel could sell 6 beds in that same sized room for $10 each.

The price differential between hostels and hotels will depend on the destination. Massive metropolitan cities such as New York, London or Tokyo are where you’ll generally see the starkest price contrast. In cities like these, hostel beds can be one-tenth the cost of the cheapest hotel room on the same city block.

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Generally, the more beds there are in a dorm room, the cheaper the nightly rate will be (within the same hostel). For example, the nightly rate of a bed in a 12-bed dorm will typically be less than the nightly rate of a bed in a 4-bed dorm within that same hostel. Mixed dorms sometimes cost less than female-only dorms.

Hostels can also be a deal for couples and groups. For couples, private hostel rooms will often cost less than hotel rooms. For groups, booking 6 dorm beds often costs less than booking a hotel for 6. If you’re booking for a large group, use Hostelworld’s Group Booking page to ensure that enough beds are available for you.

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*To see today’s deals on hostels in any destination, click here.

3)  Friendly Staff

Hostel staff members are often young and have travel experience and/or ambitions. They also tend to be less service-oriented and more connected to personalities and needs of budget travelers and backpackers. Such travelers usually prefer/expect to receive more budget-friendly, spontaneous tips rather than “being served”.

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Great hostel staff can inspire a communal spirit and interaction amongst guests. It’s common for staff to organize and lead events such as game nights, walking tours and pub crawls. Some hostels allow travelers to work or volunteer short-term in exchange for lodging.

If you read reviews on Hostelworld or Agoda, you’ll notice that great staff can make up for a hostel’s other deficiencies. For example, if a guest has an incredible experience thanks to staff, but the hostel lacked a few amenities, the guest will probably still recommend it!

*To see today’s deals on hostels in any destination, click here.

4)  Central/Ideal Location

Hostels are often in the center of town or clustered in a “backpacker district”. Since most hostel guests don’t have private transportation, hostels tend to be located near public transportation lines. You’ll also see hostels in non-urban environments, such as remote beaches, in castles, in the jungle, or perched upon a mountain. To learn all about the ten hostel types, click here.

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Researching local neighborhoods in a destination is a good idea, even if just for safety concerns. For more on hostel safety, read our Hostel Safety Guide. If you know the neighborhood you want to stay in/nearby, use Hostelworld’s Map feature to find hostels in that area. Just click “Map” below the Search button.

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If you haven’t already researched your destination, you can check a hostel’s location rating prior to booking. This gives a feel for how accessible a property is, and how nearby it is to the local main attractions.

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*To see today’s deals on hostels in any destination, click here.

5)  You Can (Usually) Cook

Many hostels have a communal kitchen and fridge.

This can be convenient if you enjoy cooking, want to save money or have dietary restrictions. Hotel rooms usually only provide a kitchen/kitchenette above a certain price point (usually not in budget hotels). So if you want to save money on lodging but still keep kitchen access - a hostel is often the best local option.

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To find a hostel with a kitchen, filter your search on Hostelworld by clicking the “Facilities” tab under the search bar, then select “Cooker” or “Fridge/Freezer”.

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For shared kitchen etiquette in hostels, click here.

*To see today’s deals on hostels in any destination, click here.

Conclusion

Hopefully you found this guide helpful.

Traveling is about new experiences, expanding your comfort zone and enjoying time with interesting and fun people. Hostels help with all three. To learn more about hostels or Hostelworld, explore our other guides below.

Enjoy your travels!

How To Find Discounts On Hostels In Your Destination

For great deals on a wide variety of accommodation (including hostels, budget hotels, resorts, apartments, homes, guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, and unique or alternative types), use the Agoda widget below. Just input your destination and dates, then browse the results! Or to go directly to Agoda.com, click here.

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Taz Zaidi [Author]
Taz Zaidi [Author]

Taz Zaidi is an American travel writer and the founder/creator of TRVLGUIDES.com. Connect with him on Instagram (@tazzaidi) or on his personal website, at tazzaidi.com.

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Taz Zaidi
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