Staying in a hostel is a rite of passage for many travelers.
The hostel experience is a renowned practice for a number of adventurers. There is something alluring about staying in an extremely affordable place with likeminded people all around you. If you have not yet tried a hostel for yourself, you need to book one for your next trip. Fortunately, finding the right place to stay doesn't have to be a struggle. We are here to help your hostel booking go right with these useful tips.
Use these six tips to help you successfully snag the best hostel during your travels.
1. Map out the location.
When you are on the road, it can be quite easy to simply book the first place you find. These days it is challenging to choose where to stay. However, before you hit book on that hostel, look at where it is located. First, your hostel should be in a safe place. You don’t want to spend the night in a questionable area, especially if you are traveling alone. Next, you should plan your daily activities in advance to see how close your hostel will be to them. This eliminated unnecessary travel time and expense.
2. Saving money isn’t always worth it.
Yes, the primary allure of hostels is that you can spend the night somewhere for incredibly cheap. It is true that many places cost less than $15 for overnight accommodation. However, this should not be your solitary determinant when it comes to picking a hostel. As you likely know, the cheapest places are often the lowest quality. While you might save an extra $5 on that one hostel, you also might experience some of the poorest conditions. While travel budgeting is great, don’t do so at the expense of your health and comfort.
3. Get the scoop on the WiFi.
WiFi is often difficult to procure when visiting a new country. If you plan to connect with friends and family at regular intervals while traveling, your hostel should be your primary hotspot. Do your research and ensure that the hostel you choose has WiFi accessibility so you can freely communicate and plan your future activities.
4. Look for a late check-out time.
Do you like to hit that snooze button a few dozen times in the morning? Most people don’t like to be rushed out of their hotel or hostel room at an ungodly hour of the day. Sleep is important, especially if you intend to be on the road for a long period of time. If you can help it, try and get a hostel booking that offers late checkout. You can generally find these for 11am or 12pm checkout. This lets you get some extra sheep counting in and helps you stay well rested for the journey ahead.
5. Don’t forget the breakfast.
Speaking of disliking early morning, you might have to fight yourself on that one. A hostel breakfast is a nice perk that makes waking up at dawn (almost) worth it. Many hostels offer something to munch on in the morning, so check the menu before you book. Some hostels serve an elaborate breakfast, while others just have coffee and toast. Depending on your preferred breakfast, make sure you know what to expect before you get out of bed.
6. Decide what kind of room you want.
It is no secret that hostels promote community. You have a great opportunity to meet like-minded individuals as you bunk together. If you are a social person, you will likely have no issue with shared sleeping quarters. However, some people prefer to have private accommodation as they sleep. Decide before you book which type of room you are looking for and budget accordingly. You can save a significant amount of money if you book a bed instead of an entire room. However, this is up to your personal travel preference.
Use these easy travel tips and save yourself time and money when booking your hostel.
Stay in a hostel at least once during your adventures, it is worth it. This experience is just that, an experience. Everyone’s hostel encounter is unique, which is what makes it so exciting. Whether you are backpacking without a plan or traveling with a group, look for a fun hostel to stay in along the way.
Related Article: What is a Hostel? Travelers, it is Time to Listen Up.
