Staying in hostels will change the way you travel. Before I went on my first backpacking trip to Southeast Asia, I was ultra-skeptical of hostels. I had so many worries – cleanliness, safety, my own social anxiety. I could not fathom sleeping in a room with ten complete strangers. But I built up the courage to stay in one, and I ended up falling in love with hostel culture. 

If you already know why hostels are super cool, scroll to the end for my personal best hostel stories. But if you’re still on the fence, let me explain why hostels are one of my favorite parts of traveling!

1.) Budget friendly:
When you’re backpacking, it’s crucial to stretch your budget wherever possible. Hotels and private accommodations add up quickly, and I probably wouldn’t be able to travel for more than a month if I relied on them. Staying in a hostel might mean sacrificing some luxuries, but the money saved goes toward extending your trip and new experiences. To me, the trade-off is well worth it.

2.) Built-in community:
Most of my best international friendships have started in hostels. If you’re traveling solo, this is one of the most natural and low-pressure ways to connect with others. Even if you don’t become best friends, you can learn a lot from just one conversation. Some folks might even want to do a day trip with you, or continue traveling with you for a while. Many of those who stay in hostels are also backpacking on their own and looking for community. The atmosphere naturally encourages connections. 

(Of course, it is still important to stay cautious and mindful of your surroundings.)

3.) Social activities are provided:
Because of hostels, I’ve done cooking classes to pub crawls, walking tours, language exchanges, and game nights. Many hostels organize events that foster socialization and bring guests together. These activities are often free or very cheap, and they can give you a taste of the local culture as well! Whether through food, music, or exploring, this is a great way to meet new people and get to know your destination better.

4.) Endless variety:
Each hostel is unique and has its own personality. You can find everything from eco-friendly jungle spots to boutique-style stays, fun party hostels, cozy family-run places, beach/surf hostels, and more. The vibe is yours to decide. If you want quiet, go for a laid-back, homier hostel. If you’re looking for local nightlife, pick the party hostel. The variety keeps the travel exciting, and adaptable to your mood and preferences. You can figure out the energy of the hostel by reading the description and reviews. 

They’re often in central locations:
A major perk is that hostels are often located right in the heart of a city. While budget hostels and Airbnbs are most likely tucked away in inconvenient neighborhoods, hostels are usually within close walking distance of train stations, bus stops, and main attractions. You definitely won’t have to waste time or money just trying to get around!

Insider info:
Hostels are one of the best ways to get information from locals or other backpackers about how to travel the area on a budget. You’ll get public transportation tips, the best food recommendations, the attractions that might be a waste of time, and more that you wouldn’t find online. Sometimes they will even have long-haul transport options for cheaper than you’d pay elsewhere – one hostel in Thailand helped me to travel to Cambodia at a fraction of the online ticket price.

Volunteer Opportunities:
If you’re a long-term backpacker and looking for some ways to save money, hostels are an awesome place to volunteer. Platforms like WorldPackers connect you with hostels where you can exchange a few hours of work for free accommodation and sometimes meals. The work can include housekeeping, reception, and food prep. It’s a great way to travel slower, save money, and immerse yourself in the area.

Positive Hostel Stories:
I feel like we hear tons of hostel horror stories, and rarely any positive ones. In my experience, the negative stories are the exception. Here are some of my favorite memories:

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The first hostel I ever stayed at was in Malaysia’s capital city. I was nervous but worked up the courage to go out to the patio, which was alive with music, laughter, and games. Under the purple LED haze and cigarette smoke, people were playing chess and Mario Kart. Others were eating together, another was tuning his guitar. I quickly realized how laid back the environment was, and that I had nothing to worry about. Within minutes after cautiously taking a seat, a woman introduced herself to me. We chatted, and the encounter led to us going to Cameron Highlands together (an area of Malaysia that I hadn’t ever intended to go). We had a lovely time hiking, picking strawberries, and exploring tea fields. Months later, I visited her apartment in Berlin for a couple weeks. An awesome friend, thanks to a hostel.

Bangkok, Thailand
This hostel felt destined for me from the get-go. The sign outside had my birthday on it, the nightly rate translated to my lucky number from Thai baht to USD, and there was even an E.T. statue in the front (my initials). I loved it so much that my three days in Bangkok ended up lasting close to a month, due to the welcoming energy and the friends I met there. This hippie-style haven had nonstop music, endless chess matches, and a take-one, leave-one bookshelf. My favorite entertainment was probably the professional juggler who called himself Papi Wan – he could juggle eight balls at once. Even the giant shower spider who crept up on me multiple times couldn’t convince me to leave. 

Bucharest, Romania
I met a girl in my dorm on my first night who took me out to dinner at Caru’ cu bere – an iconic Romanian restaurant that I never would’ve gone to otherwise. We had the best night with traditional live music, and the waiters danced! One pulled me up and taught me how to swing. The next day we traveled the Transfāgārāsan Highway together – she took so many stunning photos of me on this Bucket List Item day. I also hung out with the hostel workers, and we became friends – they fed me and shared crazy stories. Later in the month I was coming back from Brasov, and had a long layover in Bucharest before my next bus. The workers invited me to keep my stuff there (for free) and chill with them until my bus. They even held a barbecue for me because I was sad I had to leave before their last one!

Hostels changed the way I travel, for the better. If you’re new to the hostel life, download HostelWorld and find one that fits you. 

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