Living in hostels comes with an interesting set of experiences that are full of fun and numerous lessons. If you are a student who has moved into a hostel for college, or a backpacker travelling from city to city, it is important that you know how to survive and make the best out of these experiences. This article includes 20 of the best hostel life hacks to help you adjust, make friends, and cherish each moment, no matter where you are.
1. Always Pick Bottom Bunk First
In case you’re sharing a room with someone, you wouldn’t have to deal with climbing up a ladder for the top bunk. The top bunk is not worth the effort,t especially during the night when you need to use the restroom, and avoiding all the hassle becomes a workout if you’re on the top bunk.
2. Master the Art of Packing Smart and Compact
Efficient packing is vital when it comes to hostel living. Space is limited, so you’ll want everything organized and easy to grab. Take into consideration the use of packing cubes or pouches to at least sort your clothes, toiletries, cords, and accessories. Avoid using loud bags or scavenging through bags with a lot of different compartments as this may disturb your roommates. A small pouch that is within your arm’s reach to keep your nightly essentials will allow you to easily access what you need without looking through everything in the dark.
3. Always Keep Your Valuables Safe
Never let your guard down when it comes to shared spaces. Though most passengers in a hostel are friendly and welcoming, one unfriendly person is enough to turn everything upside down. Always have a small, sturdy combination lock with you. Stow away your passport, cash, electronics and other valuables in the lockers the hostel provides. If a locker isn’t available, stashing your essentials in wrap close to you, preferably a lockable suitcase or bag that can be secured under your bed.
4. Make Sure to be Nice to the Hostel employees.
Creating and having a good relationship with the employees of the hostel can increase the ease of your stay. Employees most of the time are locals, so they know the best restaurants for food, places to visit and where to hang out and spend time. Employees can inform you about some places that are not mentioned in guidebooks or apps, and if you treat and talk to them with respect, in return they might do something extra so that you have a more comfortable stay. It is always and greatly to say hello and also to say thank you since they improve your chances of getting better recommendations and a smooth overall experience.
5. An Electric Kettle is Handy to Bring
One of the recommended essentials in hostel is travel-size electric kettle. When employees of the hostels do not allow to the kitchen 24/7 or there is no any appliances provided in the dorms, hostels many time hot water kettle can help. Noodles, tea and coffee can be prepared at any time such as during studying or any other time. For people who want to save their money, electric kettle is helpful in boiling water to sterilize water or preparing quick meals. It is very useful if you are in the right moment, cheap and small.
6. Join Hostel Events
Most hostels have movie nights, pub crawls, walking tours, and group dinners. They are great for meeting other travelers or making friends. If you’re shy or worn out from traveling, trying one group event will allow you to encounter great discussions and make friends for life. It also helps address feelings of loneliness which are common during long travel durations or solo trips.
7. Give Space While Socializing
You will find all types of travelers because hostels are shared and open. Welcoming people with kindness is very important, but always approach users with caution. Do not approach someone who is looking to relax or wearing headphones or mute. Know when to engage and when to give distance. This is a thin line, but learning this will make you a more respectable and lovable roommate.
8. Make the Most of Your Shared Bathroom
How you manage shared bathrooms can make them easier to deal with or worse. Always wear flip-flops to avoid athlete’s foot or any other infections, and use a pouch or a caddy to carry your toiletries. Make sure to use the bathroom during off-peak hours like in the morning or evening. If you have long hair, make sure to clean up after yourself so everyone can use the space without worrying about hair. Remember, do not leave your things anywhere. Always dry off before you head to your dorm.No
9. Don’t Forget Your Eye Mask and Earplugs
Shared dorms can be noisy, which is a problem for light sleepers. Whether it’s someone snoring or arriving at 2 a.m. with a suitcase that rolls under a bed, be prepared. To block out distractions, use reusable silicone earplugs and a soft eye mask. With these two small items, your sleep will improve a lot, and you will be able to adapt to unpredictable hostel routines.
10. Save Money and Bond Over Cooking
Sharing meals and spending time together makes traveling so much fun and memorable. A hostel’s kitchen serves as a community center for meals and memories. Just remember to clean up after yourself by scrubbing all the utensils you used and leave the space better than found. Also, don’t forget to toss out expired food and label items with your name. Meeting people from different countries will encourage you to teach them your favorite recipes and even some languages.
11. Essential For Hygiene and Safety
From bathrooms to walking around in common areas, flip flops will serve you the best. They are cheap and keep your feet clean and safe from dirt. Travel friendly and light weight, slippers will allow you to easily move around. Different communal areas might have poor hygiene so make sure you do not go walking barefoot.
12. Give Others Space
Hostels are social areas, however people might not want to talk all the time. Be sure to pay attention to body language. If someone has headphones or is working on a laptop, don’t disturb them unless really needed to. When the right time comes, say hello, introduce yourself, but don’t be invasive. Even in shared settings, everyone enjoys a bit of personal space.
13. Don’t Be the Messy Roommate
Like, keeping your shared room organized is important. Your stuff should not, if possible, spill into communal spaces or paths. When packing for a trip, use packing cubes so that everything is orderly. Don’t leave behind snacks, used plates, laundry, or dirty clothing. Aside from discomfort, a disorganized space will invite unwanted guests such as bugs or rodents in certain areas of the world.
14. Keep The Doors Quiet
It is generally told to stay quiet while in hostels. If you are returning late, try to be as quiet as possible. Refrain from using the main lights; flashlight on the phone works well. While resting, avoid loud chatter. Close doors quietly, and avoid slamming them. All of this helps in maintaining the peace and comfort of everyone.
15. Establish Your Support Circle
People in hostels are going through the same emotions and wonder as you do. Meet your roommates and engage the others for brunch. Plan little adventures and you will find them. You will not be best buddies with everyone, and that’s fine, but with 2 to 3 people to hang out with, life in hostels becomes much more bearable. Meeting people boosts mental health, and creates bonds with strangers you can later visit in different corners of the world.
16. Practice Food Etiquette
Labeled containers should be used to keep food organized in shared fridges. To the fullest extent, do not take any food which is not yours. Avoid bringing food that is pungent or overly aromatic into sleeping areas. While traveling, offering a snack to others can be a great way to strike a friendly conversation.
17. Use Social Media to Stay Connected
Social media is the ultimate digital scrapbook. Add the friends that you meet and tag the hostel’s page. Join temporary WhatsApp groups made for guests. Stay in touch with people you meet for coordinated group trips or reconnections in your future travels. Sharing travel pictures and exchange phone numbers will no longer be awkward.
19. Maintain Hygiene and Health
To stay healthy, make sure that you are keeping your hands clean and that personal hygiene is being maintained. Also make sure that shared surfaces are being cleaned with sanitizing wipes. While preparing to lie down on your bed, do a quick check for bed bugs and ensure that the clothes you wash and dry are clean and free from mold or odors. Drink water so that you are not getting dehydrated while traveling and deal with minor symptoms of illness promptly.
20. Don’t Forget to Have Fun During the Trip
Lastly, enjoy the messy and fun experiences while living in a hostel. These include late night talks and random adventures where you can collect a bunch of memories that are bound to make you smile once you look back at them. Allow yourself to be surprised and dive into the community that surrounds you.
Closing Remarks
The set of 20 tips to survive life in a hostel was created with the hope that you are now guided through the shared space of a hostel with confidence and easiness. With the right prep, thoughtfulness, and flexibility, almost any hostel experience can be made cozy. From living in college dormitories to traveling around the world, these traveling tips will always have you equipped to help you not just survive but truly live.
