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<\/p>\nSo you\u2019re staying in a hostel for the first time. Bravo! Perhaps you\u2019re a seasoned traveller used to hotels, it\u2019s your first time outside of the country, or maybe you want a social travelling experience. For whatever reason, you\u2019ve decided to forego the traditional hotel route. And you know what? You\u2019ll have the best time. But maybe you\u2019re unsure as to the proper etiquette or general atmosphere of staying in a hostel. We\u2019ve got you covered with some helpful hostel tips so you can #MeetTheWorld!<\/p>\n
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Maya Papaya<\/a>, Antigua Guatemala<\/em><\/p>\n You might think\u2026<\/b>\u00a0You\u2019re only here for a night. And that guy reading your favourite book probably doesn\u2019t want to be bothered.<\/p>\n The reality<\/b>:\u00a0Don\u2019t assume anything. Introduce yourself. Suggest lunch or dinner together. Ask them about their travels. I\u2019ve met some of the most interesting people during my stays in hostels. There was that girl who lived in New Zealand and was travelling all over the world for two (TWO!) years, and the guy who just got left at the altar and took all of his wedding money to travel around Europe. Staying in a hostel brings so many people with similar interests together. Chances are, you\u2019ll have a lot in common. I\u2019ve made great friends all over the world, simply by saying, \u201cHi, I\u2019m Amanda.\u201d<\/p>\n The Hostelworld app<\/a> is a great way to meet people, with features like Chat, See who’s going and Linkups, which all help you meet people in your hostel and beyond.<\/p>\n If this is too daunting, you can always join a group tour that stays in hostels. Roamies<\/a> are small-group adventure tours that let you stay in the worlds best hostels. They ease you into the swing of hostel travel, so by the time your trip is done, you won’t be able to stop introducing yourself!<\/p>\n Extra tips:<\/b><\/p>\n Maya Papaya<\/a>\u00a0is a social hostel in Antigua, Guatemala. They have an onsite bar and plenty of activities like dinner nights for you to meet as many other backpackers as possible!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bodega Chiang Mai Party Hostel<\/a>, Chiang Mai Thailand<\/em><\/p>\n You might think\u2026<\/b>\u00a0You\u2019re away from home. That pub crawl or nightclub looks fun. Everyone will be sound asleep, so who cares, right? You will probably stay out all night anyways.<\/p>\n The reality:<\/b> Yes, go out. Have fun. But be considerate. Sure, you might have had one to many bevvies, but if you were asleep you probably wouldn\u2019t want some loud, drunk person waking you up. Turn your phone light on to find your bed and try to avoid falling over anything. Being mindful (even when plastered) could save you in the morning!<\/p>\n Extra tips:<\/b><\/p>\n Why not stay in a party hostel with likeminded party animals? Bodega Chiang Mai Party Hostel<\/a> in Thailand specialises in a chaotic party atmosphere. With a massive legendary pub crawl and an onsite bar, you can unleash your wild side without having to worry about your bunkmates!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Galaxy Pod Hostel<\/a>, Reykjavik Iceland<\/em><\/p>\n You might think\u2026<\/b>\u00a0You have headphones. You can whisper to your boyfriend via Skype at 1 a.m. You think you\u2019re being quiet. This is a hostel. People can deal.<\/p>\n The reality:<\/b> Like passing out on the dorm room floor, this is a great way to make everyone in the room annoyed. Although you\u2019re all adults and can choose your own bedtime, I\u2019ve learned that most hostels have an unspoken \u201cmidnight\u201d clause. At midnight, the lights generally go out, and if you do need to stay up and do something, just make sure you\u2019re being considerate. There are usually book lights that can be used for this purpose, but also consider going into the common room. I tend to stay at outdoorsy-adventurous-type hostels, where the majority of people go to bed fairly early and get up fairly early to see the sights. Obviously, this rule may not apply to party hostels.<\/p>\n Extra tip: <\/b><\/p>\n If you want to avoid noisy roommates altogether, why not try a pod hostel? They\u2019re growing in popularity and they assure a luxurious and private night\u2019s sleep. Galaxy Pod Hostel<\/a> in Reykjavik Iceland, offers a stay that\u2019s out of this world, with space themed sleeping pods!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Yeah Hostel Barcelona<\/a>, Barcelona Spain<\/em><\/p>\n You might think\u2026<\/b>\u00a0You have a 6 a.m. flight. You need to snooze a few times to feel rested like you do when you\u2019re at home, in your own room. You must pack the morning of, and turn the lights on at 4 a.m. Just for a minute. You have to fit everything into this noisy, plastic bag. It\u2019ll just be a minute. It\u2019s OK, you are being quiet. This is a hostel. People can deal.<\/p>\n The reality:<\/b>\u00a0<\/em>We\u2019ve all experienced the early flight conundrum. Getting up early is unavoidable. But do your roommates a favour. Pack the night before and try not to turn any overhead lights on – that\u2019s what flashlights and book lights are for. Avoid plastic bags if you can, and make sure you wake up to your alarm the first time. No one needs to hear your \u201cwaves\u201d alarm more than once.<\/p>\n Extra tip:<\/b><\/p>\n If you\u2019re the noisy type all day long, look into staying in a private room if your budget can take it. Yeah Hostel Barcelona<\/a> has stylish private rooms, but their dorms also have curtains so you\u2019re less likely to wake anyone up!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jo&Joe Paris<\/a>, Paris France<\/em><\/p>\n You might think\u2026<\/b>\u00a0Hostel showers are probably just like home, you\u2019re sure you can leave your toiletries for the next night. Plus it\u2019s only a short walk back to the dorm, you doubt you\u2019ll need a change of clothes. Showering with sandals is weird. Why should you wear them?<\/p>\n The reality:\u00a0<\/b>You\u2019re sharing bathrooms with a lot of people, so it\u2019s best to be as respectable as you would be at home. Keep your belongings with you and tidy up before you leave. It\u2019s probably best not to wear your towel back to your room as there\u2019s a good chance you\u2019ll run into someone else and might make them uncomfortable. You should always try and wear sandals in the shower just as a general caution. But almost all hostels have top quality cleaning staff!<\/p>\n Extra tips: <\/b><\/p>\n If you\u2019ve never had the pleasure of using a hostel bathroom, you might be in for a surprise. There are some really luxe ones, like at Jo&Joe Paris<\/a> in the city of love!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Selina San Jose<\/a>, Costa Rica<\/em><\/p>\n You might think\u2026<\/b>\u00a0Sweet! A kitchen. You\u2019re going to make a five-course meal and leave all of your dishes in the sink for the maids to clean up.<\/p>\n The reality:<\/b>\u00a0There are no maids. This is not a hotel. You are expected to clean everything. And dry it. And put it back. Please be thorough – no one wants to have to scrub hardened quinoa off a plate! As hostel kitchens are shared, bear in mind the amount of dishes you really need to use. No one likes a pot-hogger. Hostel kitchens are the heart of the hostel, so it\u2019s a great place mingle and share food with new friends!<\/p>\n Extra tips:<\/b><\/p>\n Boy have hostel kitchens had an upgrade. Forget about the one you had in your student halls, there are some that really ooze style. Selina San Jose\u2019s<\/a> hostel kitchen has a rustic charm and will have you cooking up a storm!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jo&Joe Paris<\/a>, Paris France<\/em><\/p>\n You might think\u2026<\/b>\u00a0<\/em>You\u2019re drunk, and those muffins in the communal fridge look really good. You doubt they\u2019ll notice if you take one. Oh, that\u2019s a cute dress\u2026<\/p>\n The reality:<\/b>\u00a0If someone leaves their belongings out in the open, leave it. Always. Food is off limits. Belongings strewn on the floor are off limits. I once had a gal, who was super sweet but probably a little too forward, try on my shoes when I was in the shower. That was an awkward situation. As fun as she probably thought she was being, don\u2019t do that. It\u2019s weird. Respect other people\u2019s stuff.<\/p>\n Extra tip:<\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Nomads Hotel Hostel & Bar<\/a>, Cancun Mexico<\/em><\/p>\n You might think\u2026\u00a0<\/b>You will just sleep on your side. Besides, everyone is probably wearing ear plugs.<\/p>\n The reality:\u00a0<\/b>You probably sound like a freight train coming through the room. The walls are probably shaking. But\u2026 you can\u2019t help it. People understand that. So, if you\u2019re unable to book a private room, be sure to let your roommates know. They\u2019ll appreciate the warning. Don\u2019t forget to give them permission to throw a pillow at you if it becomes unbearable!<\/p>\n Extra tip:<\/b><\/p>\n Tell us your tips for first-timers in the comments…\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n ONCE in Cape Town<\/a>, Cape Town South Africa<\/em><\/p>\n You might think\u2026 <\/b>Everyone is super friendly, and this hostel feels more like a home! I\u2019ve got nothing to be worried about.<\/p>\n The reality:<\/b> This is definitely true \u2013 hostels are super friendly! But it\u2019s important to take care, especially if you\u2019re a solo traveller. Keep all your belongings locked away when you\u2019re not using them, and make sure your phone is well charged when going out.<\/p>\n Extra tips:<\/b><\/p>\n If you\u2019re a female solo traveller and wary about the hostel experience, try a female only dorm, or even a female only hostel! Hostelle<\/a> in Amsterdam is somewhere you\u2019ll feel safe and at home, even if it\u2019s your first time.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Wombats City Hostel Budapest<\/a>, Budapest Hungary<\/em><\/p>\n You might think\u2026 <\/b>The hostel will have my booking on file and I\u2019m sure I can pay for my stay on debit\/credit card. I\u2019m arriving in the middle of the night, but I\u2019m sure they have 24hr reception\u2026<\/p>\n The reality: <\/b>While hostels have your booking on file, its much more convenient if you can show them your booking number. It doesn\u2019t even have to be printed out, the Hostelworld app holds all this info! Some hostels, particularly small ones, take cash only, and if you\u2019re travelling to multiple countries you might not always have the local currency. Plan ahead and take it out at a currency exchange before you arrive if you can, otherwise schedule some time before check-in for this specific task.<\/p>\n There are some hostels that don\u2019t have 24hr reception, so this is something you really need to find out before you plan your trip. They\u2019ll often make you estimate your arrival time so they can organise someone to check you in. With all this, preparation is key!<\/p>\n Extra tips:<\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Room007 Chueca Hostel<\/a>, Madrid Spain<\/em><\/p>\n You might think\u2026 <\/b>Well, I\u2019m going for two weeks so I need two weeks\u2019 worth of clothes!<\/p>\n The reality: <\/b>In hostels you\u2019re in backpacker territory, where only the essentials are allowed! If you\u2019re travelling around multiple places then you definitely don\u2019t have the room for a lot of stuff. Plus, most hostels have a laundry or can recommend one nearby, so detergent is something you should bring!<\/p>\n Useful things to bring when staying in a hostel for the first time:<\/b><\/p>\n Now that you know some of the things to expect when staying in a hostel for the first time, hopefully these hostel tips can help you to go out and conquer the world! Oh, and yes, those books on the shelf are fair game. You can take them. Just be sure to leave them for someone else at your\u00a0next hostel<\/a>.<\/p>\n Still apprehensive? Once you’ve stayed in hostels you’ll never go back. If you need a helping hand, why not book a Roamies<\/a> group tour? They combine the BEST hostel stays with amazing adventure travel itineraries – with all the hard work done for you. You’ll never want to leave!<\/p>\n Tell us your tips for first-timers in the comments\u2026<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \ud83c\udf1f Hostel love stories: 5 couples who fell in love while travelling<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83c\udf1f Hostel life: how I made friends from all over the world and how you can do the same!<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83c\udf1f How to solo travel with a bad sense of direction<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n\n
2. Staying out late<\/h2>\n
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3. Staying up late<\/h2>\n
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4. Getting up early<\/h2>\n
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5. Showering in hostels<\/h2>\n
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6. The kitchens<\/h2>\n
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7. Other people’s stuff<\/h2>\n
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8. If you snore…<\/h2>\n
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9. Staying Safe<\/h2>\n
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10. Checking in<\/h2>\n
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11. What to bring<\/h2>\n
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Download the Hostelworld app to start meeting people from the moment you book<\/h3>\n
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About the author<\/h2>\n