Hostels. The scene for a pretty gross horror film. The reason mothers of solo travellers panic. My mom really didn't want me staying in a hostel the first time I solo travelled so my parents put towards me having a private room in a hostel. We settled on a nice middle ground.
So whether you are staying in a private room or a shared room, here are some of my top tips and advice to ensure you can make the most of your stay in the hostel AND how staying in a hostel can save you money (not only with the cheap rates).
Don't be shy, use the kitchen!
Hostels offer great shared spaces which can really help you with your budgeting. Once you've checked in, have a look on google maps for your nearest supermarket/grocery store etc. Take a stroll and get yourself some basics; the length of your stay and if you have breakfast included will affect the supplies you need.
If a free breakfast is offered, I recommend taking full advantage of this! Eat as much as you fancy and really set yourself up for the day. Why not make yourself a little snack pack too? There is probably going to be tin foil or clingfilm in one of the drawers (I highly suggest packing a tupperware box or two, for situations like this).
For lunches make yourself something you can pack up in your tupperware box and eat
on the go. My go to is a pasta salad, a cereal bar, a bag of crisps and a youghurt or fruit (usually taken from breakfast). I find these items are easier to carry with me, filling and cheap to make.
Dinner might be a bit busier in the hostel, so if you want to eat there in the evening, bare this in mind. Things like oven pizza's, pasta dishes, rice dishes and microwave meals are a good option. There is nothing stopping you from purchasing fresh ingredients and cooking lovely meals from scratch. However, I find cooking a bit of a burden (not to be confused with baking, which I love) so usually opt for a quick option or cheap street food.
Ask for an extra bed sheet
I can sleep through quite a lot, I've been known to sleep through storms, earthquakes and turbulent plane landings. There is one thing, however, that prevents me from sleeping...light. I really struggle to sleep when the light is one, or its coming through a window. To tackle this, way back in 2016 when I was staying in shared accommodation, I discovered that tucking my large beach towel under the top bunk mattress created a little, dark, comfy den on the bottom bunk. Not only is this great for stopping light, it also gives you a little bit more privacy.
This works best on a bottom bunk (obviously) with one side against the wall. The same could be achieved with a bed sheet either side if you aren't able to snag a bunk bed up the wall.
As a side note, an eye mask and ear plugs might also be a good option for light sleepers. Hostels can get real loud, especially if you are close to the common rooms.
Safety first. Portable door lock
I've been caught out before when using shared facilities, thinking the door is locked, having not realised the lock was broken. My brother found me a great little gadget that you place between the door and the door frame that prevents the door from being opened, even if someone unlocks the door with a key. My advice is to try it out at home first, get used to it and comfortable with it before you use it abroad. No one wants to be stressed in a hostel shower because they think they've locked themselves in.
Also on this note, hostels usually have lockers available in the rooms for you to store your things in. If you plan on using them as a storage place for your valuables then bring a small padlock with you. Sometimes, they aren't provided, or you have to 'rent' them from reception. The small padlocks you get when you buy a suitcase would be perfect.
Day time is down time
You can be pretty certain that the day time is going to be the quietest time in the hostel- use this to your advantage. Didn't sleep well? Go back for a mid afternoon siesta. Skipped your shower because there was a queue? Pop back for a nice, long, midday shower. Want to spend a good hour in the kitchen preparing food for your stay? Kitchen is all yours.
I find a lot of people are really against going back to their accommodation in the middle of the day or early afternoon, as they feel like they are wasting their holiday. Really, though, you need to listen to your body. If you are tired, go and nap! You will be refreshed and ready for the evenings adventures. You don't have to be on the go all the time just because you are in a new city.
Stay organised whilst you're there
It is so, SO, easy to just let your bag or suitcase explode once you check in. Quick change of clothes and out to explore. To make your life easier, to make your space neater and to make your check out process quicker, I highly recommend you stay tidy! If you change your outfit, put your dirty clothes back in your bag. If you have to pull everything out to find your phone charger, put everything back. I know it can be annoying when you just want to get out and explore, but this really will help you in the long run.
Packing cubes and laundry bags come in really handy here, as you can pack all your cloths into a cube and then remove this from your bag when getting changed. Same as a toiletry bag, you just grab that when heading for your shower. They also have plenty of other benefits that I've mentioned loads of times in earlier blogs, so check them out!
What are your top tips for staying in a hostel? Share them below!
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