#ShareTheWorld How to Survive Living in a Hostel
Share:
Hell everybody!
With summer looming just around the corner, I’m back with another #ShareTheWorld advice article to help you have the best summer ever (hopefully spent travelling, exploring and making some amazing memories)!
Today’s post is my top tips and tricks that are going to help you survive your time staying in a hostel whilst travelling, as well as unearthing a few myths surrounding hostels.
1. Bring flip flops!
This applies particularly to people who are travelling to more remote areas of the world or parts with tropical climates, or else to people who are ‘clean freaks’ who suffer from feeling squeamish. Generally speaking, the majority of the hostels that I stayed in were perfectly clean and were cleaned daily – sometimes twice a day – but it’s always a good idea to bring flip flops with you if you don’t feel comfortable walking around more public areas such as the kitchen, the showers and the toilets without your shoes. It can also help if you’re lucky enough to be travelling somewhere with more hot tropical climates, where bugs like ants and insects cannot be helped.
2. Food – label it, share it, leave it for others
When it comes to food, there are a lot of myths surrounding hostels about people stealing each other’s food and drink, but the truth is, as long as you clearly label your food – many hostels provide labels in the kitchens – you will be fine. Hostels are very strict on the whole food-stealing issue (some even have CCTV) and those caught are either fined or thrown out. If you’re on a budget, a good idea would be to make friends with the people in your dorm and make communal meals like pasta and curry. Not only is this a good way to save money and eat a nice meal if you’re not the best chef, it’s also a great bonding experience. And if you’re leaving the hostel with some food that you haven’t had chance to eat, don’t throw it out; leave it in the ‘free food’ box for other guests. Many hostels have them and it will spread some good karma!
3. Bring these hostel essentials: Torch, Padlock and Sleeping Bag
A torch, a padlock and a sleeping bag are definitely all essentials when staying in a hostel. Use your padlock to lock up your valuables in the lockers provided (it saves you having to buy one). However, I must admit, I didn’t hear of any valuables going missing in the hostels I stayed in, apart from a few iPad chargers. Take a torch with you to save you annoying your room-mates by turning on the lights at ungodly hours (for early morning flights or running to the toilet). And finally, take a sleeping bag because you just don’t know what the sleeping conditions are like. For example, I took a thin cotton sleeping bag with me for the Cook Islands, but actually ended up only using it in LA, where I was surprisingly cold at night because the hostel provided only blankets, not duvets.
4. ALWAYS check the reviews
I can’t stress to you how important this is! You can save yourself so much expense, time, trouble and heartache by simply checking the reviews of what other travellers have said about the place. Before you book, make sure to always check the comments of HostelWorld and TripAdvisor – it’s worth it in the end!
Have fun travelling, guys – hostels are the best way to meet new friends, so don’t let any bad rumours or myths about them put you off!
As always – #ShareTheWorld
Nikki