8 Tips For Travelers Staying In Hostels

One of the easiest and best ways to save money while traveling is to stay in hostels. They're great places to make new friends and save money. But the low prices of hostels often come at a cost. When you're sharing small spaces and living quarters with a bunch of random people, there are bound to be problems. Here are 8 tips to making your hostel experience the best.

1. Do your homework.

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There's nothing worse than arriving at your hostel only to find out it's nothing like the description. Go to hostel review sites and see what others have said. Locate the hostel on a map to make sure it's in a safe area and easy to locate. Many hostel review sites also provide pictures and information on available amenities.

Tip: Do your homework.

2. Reserve your spot early.

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A mistake many wandering travelers make is waiting until the last minute to book a hostel. Hostels fill up fast and waiting until the last minute isn't recommended. Whether the hostel is in a dangerous part of the city, dirty or full of a bunch of sketchy workers, it's better to book as early as possible.

Tip: Book your hostel well in advance to avoid the sketch.

3. Bring earplugs or headphones.

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Snoring. Loud drunks. Early packers. The list goes on. When you're sharing a room with five other people, there are bound to be a lot of disruptive noises throughout the night.

Tip: Bring earplugs or some large headphones to drown out the inevitable noise.

4. Take advantage of free food.

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Traveling is expensive. Especially when you're eating out all the time. Find a hostel that offers free breakfasts or cheap dinners. Take advantage of the free food when you can!

Tip: Book a hostel that offers free/cheap meals!

5. Lock up your valuables.

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Always carry a few locks for lockers and bags. Many hostels provide lockers in the rooms. If you're staying with five or seven random people, you're probably going to want to lock up your valuables.

Tip: Bring a lock and use common sense.

6. Wear flip-flops or sandals in the shower.

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Most hostels have few showers. With so many people using the showers, it's a smart

idea to bring flip-flops or sandals. You know, better to be safe than sorry.

Tip: Again, use common sense and wear flip-flops in the showers.

7. Pack a towel.

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Forgetting a towel sucks. Most hostels don't provide towels, but some sell them for a low price or let you rent them. There's nothing worse than having to rent out a towel or having to buy one at every hostel you stay at.

Tip: Pack a towel.

8. Be open to meeting new friends.

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Hostels are a great place to meet people from all over the world. Whether they're ridiculously cool Aussies or over the top Italians, you're bound to meet travelers from a bunch of cool countries. Be open and accepting to all! International friends can come in handy if you end up visiting their homeland in the future.

Tip: Make friends and be open.