4 Tips for Staying in a Hostel for the First Time

While not as popular in the United States, hostels are all the rage for younger and more active travelers in Europe. Budget-friendly and trendy, hostels across Europe provide a cheaper alternative to hotels, allowing travelers to save and spend on other travel experiences beyond their bed.

Of course, the main differences between a hostel and a hotel are the multiple beds and common bathrooms, and this can cause a lot of anxiety for travelers staying in one for the first time. After all, the concept of sharing a bedroom with strangers isn’t too comforting. Luckily, there are some ways to reduce stress before your stay and ensure you have the best Europe trip ever:

Research, Research, Research

Like hotels, looking up hostels in your chosen city beforehand is important. Beyond reviews from previous guests, look at photos and available room types. Some hostels actually offer “private” rooms where you can book just for you or your group, with either an en-suite bathroom (like a hotel) or common bathroom. Some hostels are part of larger chains, while others are independent.

Make Use of Lockers

Shared hostel guestrooms have some sort of locker to store valuables while you’re out exploring. This can give you peace of mind you’re not leaving any important possessions out in the open in a room of other guests. Hostels often prioritize functionality and efficiency, so beds often come equipped with curtains, a reading light and charging outlets, too.

Bring Eye Masks and Ear Plugs

It’s par for the course when sharing a room with others: snoring, sleep talking, doom scrolling on TikTok — you name it, there will be noises and lights in the night. And if you’re a light sleeper, make things easy for yourself by bringing an eye mask and ear plugs to ensure you get a good night’s rest, because we all know being tired when traveling is no fun.

Don’t Be Afraid to Make Conversation

Hostels are the perfect place to meet friendly and interesting people from around the world. In my time staying at hostels across Germany, Austria, Scotland, England and the Czech Republic, I met some lovely people who shared a room with me, from a lovely young man from Brazil solo backpacking across Europe to a couple exploring German cities. And while everyone may not be your cup of tea (you may even discover some new pet peeves you didn’t realize you had), it’s a great experience nonetheless and bound for some funny stories.