Every Share Helps!

You’re ready for an exciting experience volunteering abroad. You have everything planned, from the length of time you will be volunteering, to finding a cost effective plane ticket, to borrowing your brother’s backpack for your trip. There is only one hitch: lodging is not included in your volunteer package, and you have been unsuccessful in finding a home stay. You search for hotels but find that with your timeline, hotels are not financially possible. The solution: hostels!

Whether volunteering or travelling abroad, hostels are typically the most cost effective means of lodging. Despite their pop culture image as filthy and prone to violence or kidnapping, hostels actually are overwhelmingly safe places, as they are largely populated with young adults travelling with friends.
Here are my top 10 tips for having the safest and most enjoyable hostel stay possible!

Bring a padlock.

Most hostels have lockers either in the same room in which you sleep or at check in, but they do not provide locks. Bring a lock with you to avoid stressing over the safety of your belongings. Be sure not to lose the combination or the key though, as hostels will most likely charge a fee to break the lock.

Bring a towel—and shower shoes!

Always be sure to bring a towel for showering, as hostels do not give them out as hotels do. Given the high number of people that share showers and bathroom facilities, shower shoes are necessary. Enough said.
Check whether or not you need to bring sheets.

Most hostels will provide them and require a small collateral ($5 to $10) to ensure their return. However, if sheets are not listed on the website or mentioned when you call, pack them just in case!

Be social.

Hostels are full of world travelers, no matter where you stay, and natural curiosity leads to conversation. Most hostels will have common areas—some with TVs and computers to kitchens and living rooms. Sticking just with the people you are travelling with is a waste of a hostel experience, so get to know someone else! You never know what worldly friendships or networking opportunities might arise.

Consider your comfort level.

If personal safety is a large concern for you, especially if you are travelling alone, it may be wise to check into whether or not the hostel of your choice offers private rooms. Most hostels have large rooms lined with bunk beds that can hold anywhere from eight to 20 people or more; however, some also offer smaller rooms of two to four or two to six. Although you may end up paying for an extra bed, you will have the same peace of mind as if you were staying in a hotel for a fraction of the price.

Check into the security system of the hostel.

Depending on location, some of the hostel’s facilities may be open to more than just guests. Most hostels function in the same manner as hotels that have bars or restaurants, where non-guests are not permitted in between the hours of 11pm and 7am, and guests must check in at the desk when returning late. If you feel concern (such as if access to the hostel of your choice is lax), check into other ones that will make you feel safer.

Mind your payment.

When booking, be prepared to make a deposit upfront and pay the rest later, similar to booking a hotel room. However, once you have arrived at the hostel, don’t be caught off guard if you are asked to pay the remaining balance in cash. Most hostels do not have credit card machines, so come with cash in the local currency. Also, if you do not cancel a reservation more than 24 hours in advance, you can expect to lose your deposit.

Ask for the local mindset.

Unlike employees of many hotel chains, hostel workers are generally permitted to give you any type of information about the area in which you stay, and their answers will not be generic. Locals will know the best places to go for food, the nearest ATM, and the best route to your tourist or volunteer destinations. And do not be surprised if you see a hostel employee while you’re out!

Bedbugs are not as common as you think.

Seriously. Hostels may not be the cleanest of places to stay, but they are 99% of the time not detrimental to your health either. If it makes you feel better, you can always pack an extra sheet or sleeping pad.

Before you book a hostel, shop around!

Use websites such as hostels.com and hostelworld.com to compare prices, location, amenities, and reviews of the different hostels you are considering. Although they will generally host the same hostels, some websites will also feature discounts for certain times of the year, so do your homework to ensure the best, most cost effective trip possible!

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