You may be asking yourself, Are Hostels Safe? Many Americans have a fear of hostels that stems from the horror movie ‘Hostel’, or just anxiety of not having their personal space.
For some reason people think of hostels as dingy and unsafe, which is simply not the case. This idea is perpetuated by people who have never actually experienced one. The majority of Hostels (especially in Europe) are quite nice, clean, and safe.
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What is a Hostel?
A Hostel is a form of accommodation that is popular with young travelers. It is one of the cheapest forms of accommodation because you rent a bed and not a private room. Hostels are typically set up with dorms that range in size. I have stayed in dorms that have only 3 beds, but I have also stayed in a 22-bed dorm.
Hostels vs. Hotels
If you are traveling on a budget, Hostels are the more affordable option. Hostels take away most of the luxuries the Hotels offer.
| Hostels | Hotels |
| Rent a bed | Rent a Room |
| Pay a small fee for towels | Luxury Items for free |
| Sleep in a room with several other people | Have a room to yourself |
| Creates a community experience where you are able to connect with other travelers from around the world. | Often times are isolated from the Traveler’s community and have fewer opportunities to connect with other travelers. |
Are Hostels Safe?
Are Hostels Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
When traveling, I feel safer while staying in a Hostel. Other people are sharing a space with you, that you interact with, exchange pleasantries with, share recommendations with, and even befriend. That simply increases the number of people around you that are looking out for you.
If you are concerned about sharing a room with males, be sure to book an all-female dorm!
My advice: drop the stigma, and give hostels a try.
Are Hostels Safe in Europe?
I was also a little hesitant at first, but once I moved to Europe, and started staying in Hostels regularly, they have become the type of accommodation I enjoy most and seek out while traveling.
Here is why I believe Hostels are awesome and safe. Hostels are not only cheap but they are often located in the most ideal parts of a city. The majority are closer to the heart of the city than Hotels and even Airbnbs.
The people are the best part about hostels. If you are a 20-something like me, the odds are the people around you in a hostel are around the same age. I have met some of the most interesting people in hostels, and have made friends that I still talk to frequently.
Hostels are a great opportunity to meet people from across the world who have even more interesting stories to share. You can build a little hostel community, which keeps you safe in a new city.
How to find a hostel:
I usually use Hostelworld it is a great starting point that gives you all the information you need. From there I either book through hostelworld or go directly to the Hostel’s website. If they offer some sort of deal, like free breakfast, or a few dollars off, I then book directly through the hostel’s website.
How much are Hostels?
Hostel prices vary depending on the location you are staying in. One thing remains constant, It is the cheapest option around. I have stayed in clean well-reviewed hostels for as little as $9 a night. However, if you go to more expensive cities, hostels will be slightly more expensive. For instance, one of the most expensive hostels I stayed in while in Europe was in Paris for only 25$ a night.
A basic rule of thumb: the larger the dorm (more beds) the lower the price. Europe keeps hostels affordable for young travelers, and many major cities offer hostels for around 15 to 20$ per bed, per night.
What I look for in a hostel:
Location
Location is always my priority, I like to be as close to the city center as possible. I usually try to book a place that is within 1-2km of the city center, so it is an easy walk.
Keep in mind if you are relying on public transit or walking, 5 miles can take quite a long time. So always look at a map, and try to calculate your commute time to see if it works for you.
Free Breakfast
As someone who travels on a tight budget, Free breakfast saves sooooo much mula while on a trip. Especially if you find a substantial free breakfast where you can sneak some snacks for later too.
Dorm Size
Most of the dorms that I have stayed in typically range from 8-16 people, and this is usually pretty comfortable. If a hostel offers a smaller dorm, and you are willing to pay a little extra for it, it significantly improves the quality of your stay.
The fewer people you have to share a room with, the quieter it will be.
I would advise against staying in a dorm larger than 16. Once you put that many people in a room, there is always movement, doors opening and closing, and sometimes a shortage of outlets to charge up your devices.
Privacy Curtains
Privacy Curtains are a transformative feature. They have the ability to change from a hopeless situation with no sleep, to sleeping soundly throughout the night.
The Vibe
It is important to decide what you are looking for in a Hostel, whether you want a peaceful night’s sleep, or if you want to make friends and party. Here is what you can look for that tells what a hostel is all about.
Age Restrictions
Some hostels have an age range for the guests which can vary. Why is this important? If you are trying to party, do you really want to share your room with a child or a 60-year-old man?
The answer is No, that can kill your vibe. So search for a hostel that caters to your age range.
Activities:
I always look for a hostel that has an in-house bar, offers bar crawls, has happy hours, and hosts “family” dinners. These are all indicators that this is a more social hostel and increases your likelihood of making friends.
If you can spare the hangover, the bar crawls never disappoint.
I always enjoy a Hostel with an in-house bar. After a long day of playing tourist sometimes I want to socialize but don’t want to put in the effort of going out. This is an easy, low-key option.
Hostels that I can count on for a good stay:
St. Christopher’s Inn: St. Christopher’s has locations all over Europe and is almost always located in a perfect location.
They are clean, reliable, and have privacy curtains! They always have an in-house bar, offer a great variety of activities, and have a banging playlist.
Additionally, if you book directly through their website you get free breakfast, and they have a GOOD free breakfast.
St. Christopher’s is usually my go-to, and I have stayed in several of their different locations. My favorite so far is their location in Brugges. It has so much character and has great Belgian beer on tap.
How long can you stay in a hostel?
You can stay as long as you want! I know people that have stayed at any given hostel for months at a time.
If you do want to stay long-term, consider negotiating a work trade. This way you can work a couple of hours a day for a free bed!
Hostel Dos and Don’ts
- DO: Bring a lock and your own Towel
- DON’T: Expect to use these items for free
- DO: Get to know the people at your hostel
- DON’T: Ignore people who are trying to be friendly
- DO: Take advantage of free things the Hostel offers, Meals, Drinks, Tours, Activities
- DON’T: Eat food in the fridge that is not yours, if it is clearly on the community shelf
- DO: Keep talking within the dorm room quiet and to a minimum
- DON’T: Turn the dorm room lights on if you come in late, and people are sleeping
- DO: Use common courtesy to the people around you.
- DON’T: BE RUDE
- DO: Keep an eye out for the people around you
- DON’T: Steal. Duh.
Do hostels have lockers?
Yes. All hostels have some sort of locked storage for guests, where you can use your own lock to secure your belongings.
However, I am here to say, theft has never been an issue for me. If you use common sense and keep your things locked up, you won’t have a problem. Everyone who stays in a hostel is in the same boat, they are trying to see the world and save money along the way.
They don’t want their stuff messed with, so they will leave your stuff alone. It’s like the golden rule of travelers.
Luggage Storage
Most of the time hostels are super accommodating with your luggage. If you get there long before check-in or depart long after check out, the majority of hostels will let you store your bag.
Some have even allowed us to shower, and hang out in the common room for hours after check out.
Essentials for a Hostel Stay:
- Travel Towel– I pack my large, lightweight, Microfiber towel for every trip. Although you can rent towels they are often too small. I find my large towel is the perfect size to make your own make-shift privacy curtain if need be. I can tuck it under the top bunk and as it dries it blocks out the glow from the emergency exit signs. (This is the towel that I use and love. I do not go anywhere without it. I recommend an XL)
- Lock- Locks can also be rented, and sometimes purchased from hostels. To save the few extra bucks I bought one of my own. I opted for a lock with a flexible wire shackle rather than a solid metal one. The lockers or bins for your belongings have all different types of fasteners and the flexible lock allows you to use your lock in nearly every situation. (This is the lock I have)
Are you still wondering…Are Hostels Safe?
The answer is an undeniable yes. Make sure to use my tips and tricks to have the best hostel stay.
Now that I have given you all my wisdom, GO GET YOUR HOSTEL ON!
Now that you are staying like a seasoned traveler, you should use transportation like one too! Check out my guide on European Public Transportation.
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