I’ve stayed in more hostels than I can count, and most of them have been different from one another. Once, I stayed in a hostel in Quito – $5 a night got you a bed in a dorm-style room and a giant silver bowl of rum and cokes (plus cockroaches for roommates). On the other end of the spectrum, the design hostel I stayed at in Copenhagen rivaled that of the finest hotels I’ve been to. But the thing that’s the same about the hostels I’ve stayed in is this: I seem to always make a fun, lasting travel memory.
So, what is a hostel? Essentially, a hostel is just like a hotel, except you probably have to share a bathroom with other guests. For the lowest rates, you can also opt to share a room. Here, I’ve rounded up everything there is to know about hostels, including how to pick the right one for you.
What is a hostel?
A hostel is a type of lodging that attracts young, budget-conscious travelers. Hostels usually offer both dormitory-style rooms and private rooms; they’re similar to hotels, except that guests generally have to share a bathroom (though not always, especially if you book a private room). Hostels have some amenities and almost always have common areas like a kitchen and a lounge, although you can expect to find fewer amenities at a hostel than you would at a hotel.
Hostels with private rooms cost more than dorm-style rooms, although they’re still cheaper than three- and four-star hotels. Most hostels provide bedding and a locker to hold your bags or valuables, although some may charge a fee for this. Just like a hotel, hostels provide a key card or code to access your room. As long as you can do without some of the amenities you might find at a hotel, like a pool and a fitness center, hostels are a great option for those looking to save some cash when they travel and meet other, like-minded people.
What are the key features of a hostel?
Some of the key features of a hostel include dorm-style rooms and communal bathrooms. The most common dorm room has four beds (usually two bunk beds), although there are plenty of hostels that have rooms with six, eight, or ten (or more) beds. These types of rooms are almost always the cheapest. Most hostels also have private rooms, which are the most expensive option — they’re usually still cheaper than a hotel room, though.
It’s worth noting here that many hostels offer gender-specific dorms if you’d prefer not to share a room with another gender than yours. Mixed (or co-ed) dorms are more common, though. Another key feature of a hostel is the communal areas. You can generally expect to find a large kitchen and a lounge area at most hostels. Hostels are very social places, and there’s typically some kind of event happening on any given night.
A sense of community
Budget-friendly accommodations
Even in more upscale hostels, you can expect to pay less for a room than you would at a three-star hotel. Because you usually share a room and bathroom with other travelers, hostels are almost always the cheapest option. For this reason, if money’s tight and/or you’d rather spend your money on a nice meal or experience, staying at a hostel is a great idea. Just keep in mind that, more and more now, hostels are offering private rooms to guests, and these can be relatively expensive — if you’re looking to spend as little money as possible, opt for a dorm-style room.
Another reason that hostels are a good budget-friendly lodging option is that they have communal kitchens with cookware, spices, and everything else you need to prepare meals. Cooking your own meals is a fantastic way to save money when you travel, even if you only cook a meal a day. Many hostels also have a free food shelf with food that other travelers didn’t use or chose to leave behind. In addition, hostel staff are always happy to direct you to affordable local places to eat.
Services and amenities
Generally, hostels offer fewer services and amenities than you’d find at a hotel. This doesn’t mean they skimp on providing amenities for travelers, though. At many hostels, you’ll find laundry rooms and luggage storage. Most also have communal spaces for socializing, like a lounge area, lobby, or library.
Nearly all hostels have a kitchen that all guests are welcome to use. Some hostels may offer a complimentary breakfast included in your room rate, although this generally means little more than coffee, juice, a pastry and fruit. There are also hostels that have their own restaurants and bars on-site. It’s common for hostels to have free Wi-Fi (all over the premises).
In terms of in-room amenities, you probably won’t find a coffee maker, iron, toiletries, telephones, TVs, or other luxuries that you’d find in a hotel room. Most hostel rooms are bare-bones, with just a bed. Rather, you can usually find these amenities in common areas in hostels. For instance, there’s likely a TV in the lounge area, a telephone available for public use, and an iron and ironing board that you can rent for a fee.
Are hostels safe?
Hostels are no more or less safe than hotels – it all depends on the location you’re in. Of course, if you’re staying in a shared room with people you don’t know, there’s always an increased risk of theft. But that’s why hostels offer lockers, so you can store your valuables at night. Many hostels also have 24-hour reception, just like hotels do.
A good way that you can ensure that a hostel is up to your standards is to utilize KAYAK’s hotel reviews and review scores. This way, you can understand exactly what the experience will be like before you book. Reviews like these help provide peace of mind that you’re staying in a trustworthy place, with ample security measures. Take some time to comb through reviews and look at each hostel’s score, so you can be sure you have an accurate representation of each place – thereby guaranteeing that you’ll book the right hostel for your needs.
Benefits of hostels
There are so many benefits to staying in a hostel. I’m a bit of an introvert and sometimes struggle to meet people when I travel, so for me, one of the biggest benefits to staying in a hostel is the chance to interact with other travelers. I also love meeting people from different cultures, and hostels are always brimming with travelers from everywhere around the world. I’ve met tons of people in hostels that I never would have if I had opted to stay in a hotel.
Another benefit of hostels is the price. There have been many times in my life when I’ve been on a strict budget but still wanted to explore new places, and hostels have been a godsend in those cases. For those of us who don’t have a lot of money to travel, staying in a hostel can mean the difference between going totally broke and being able to stay under budget. I’ve gotten to travel longer and cheaper just by booking hostels, and it’s always been worth any sacrifices I have to make (like sleeping with strangers or not having a TV in my room).
There are lots of other benefits of hostels. You’ll enjoy access to free Wi-Fi and generally friendly staff who are passionate about giving travelers personalized recommendations. Most hostels organize weekly or even nightly events, so there’s always something fun going on. But for me, the best part is saving money and meeting people from all over the globe.
Hostel vs. Hotel
Wondering what the real differences between a hostel and hotel are? Think of a hostel as shared dorm lodging and a hotel as private lodging. Even if you’re renting a private room in a hostel, it’s still a much more communal experience than a hotel. There are common areas for socializing that the majority of guests use, and you’ll likely have to share a bathroom with other people.
The other primary difference when it comes to a hostel vs a hotel is the price. Hostels forgo many of the typical amenities you’d find at a hotel. Dorm-style rooms are much cheaper than hotel rooms because you’re sharing a room with other people. It’s important to keep in mind that hostel prices vary around the world, and prices could fluctuate wildly depending on when you travel — that said, hostels are nearly always cheaper than hotels.
Of course, there are those for whom the hostel experience isn’t the right fit. If you’re someone who’d rather stay in a hotel, but would still like to meet new people and get out and socialize, use KAYAK’s Hotel Heat Map. This super-helpful tool shows you which hotels are near all the best restaurants, shopping, nightlife, and cultural attractions in town. So, you can pick a hotel that’s located as close to all the action as possible.
My tips for selecting the right hostel
Not all hostels are created equal. There are some hostels that are truly budget-friendly, with cheap dorm rooms and little to no amenities. There are some that are considered “design” or “luxury” hostels, and these more closely resemble a trendy boutique hotel, with plenty of private rooms and a few amenities. And there are all kinds of hostels in between.
My advice is to decide which type of hostel you want to stay in, so that you don’t end up blowing your budget or staying somewhere that’s less upscale than you expected. If money is a real factor and you’re traveling on a strict budget, seek out a hostel that has more dorm rooms than private rooms and doesn’t come with “extras.” If, on the other hand, you want to stay somewhere a bit nicer, you can search for “luxury hostels” in any given destination. Decide on the hostel experience you want to have before you book.
Conclusion
Hostels are similar to hotels, except that you have the option of staying in a dorm-style room or private room. With cheap rates and communal areas, hostels also attract budget-conscious travelers looking to meet people. Most hostels also have shared bathrooms, along with basic services and relatively few amenities. To find all the hostels that are available in the destination you are looking for, look for the Style Filter on the left part of the search result page and see your options change in real time. After that, the KAYAK Review Score, that is based on user reviews, will help you make the best decision. Want to stay in the center of action? The KAYAK heat map will show you which accommodations are near restaurants, sightseeing, nightlife, and shopping.
If you enjoyed this, you might also find our other blog posts about vacation rentals and finding your perfect hotel interesting.
Some of our favorite cities to stay in a hostel
Some of the most exciting cities to stay in a hostel include Rome, Boston, Chicago, Amsterdam and Honolulu. These places are known for their buzzworthy hostels that range from cool boutique-style hostels with unique amenities to luxury hostels that feel more upscale resort than backpacker’s lodging. Check out the KAYAK search tool to find all the best hostels in a particular city.
FAQ Section
Who can stay at a hostel? Is there an age limit?
Most hostels have an age limit in place, depending on the country you’re in. The majority of hostels prohibit guests under the age of 18 from staying in dorm rooms, although private rooms are usually exempt from this restriction. In some places, you may encounter a 21-and-under limit. In others, the age limit may be 16. In addition, some hostels may employ a rule that restricts guests to 30 or 40 and under – these are generally places that have a bar inside and want to have a youthful vibe (this is relatively rare). All this to say: Yes, there are generally age limits with hostels, but you’ll want to inquire with each individual hostel to find out their policy, as it can differ quite a bit.
Can children stay at hostels?
Generally speaking, you won’t be able to book a dorm room if you’re staying at a hostel with children. But most hostels do welcome children as long as you book a private room. Some party-centric hostels may only take guests that are over the age of 18 (but you wouldn’t want to stay in these with children anyway).
Can I bring my pet when I stay at a hostel?
Yes, there are pet-friendly hostels. Expect to pay an additional fee if you opt to bring your pup to a hostel, and you likely won’t be able to stay in a dorm room (you’ll have to stay in a private room). Not all hostels are pet-friendly, though; be sure to inquire about this before booking.
Do I need a sleeping bag/bedding?
Most hostels provide clean sheets, a comforter, and a pillow as part of the room rate, so you don’t need to worry about bringing your own bedding or sleeping bag. Some hostels on the more affordable side of the spectrum may require guests to “rent” their bedding for a few bucks per night.
Do I need to bring towels?
Most hostels provide towels, although many might require you to place a deposit or rent the towel for a fee. In general, you’re better off bringing your own towel to a hostel. Invest in a good quick-dry towel before your trip, to save money and also ensure that you’ll have a towel no matter where you stay.
