So let me guess: after a whole lot of dreaming and planning, you’re finally hitting the road as a first-time backpacker! Congrats, this decision may change your life forever in the best possible way, as it has for me and the rest of the The Broke Backpacker team.
Let me guess: you now find yourself wondering about a certain type of shared accommodation – hostels -which are all but a must if you want to travel on the cheap.
But are hostels safe?
Myself and the rest of the TBB team have spent years residing in hostels around the globe, and while there are some things to look out for, hostelling is, in general, very safe!
While you might think of sharing a dorm with a dozen other people as a dirty or dingy experience, rest assured that they have come a LONG way over years and often rival expensive hotels these days.
The amenities are unmatched and so is the ability to meet other travelers, especially if you’re exploring solo. A good hostel may even begin to feel like home – I’ve been in quite a few that gave me that vibe.
I know it’s still a big step though, so allow me to get dive into hostel safety to help you prepare for your trip:
Photo: @joemiddlehurst
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What Is a Hostel?
The answer to what is a hostel is simple: it’s a type of budget accommodation for travelers, or sometimes, students. They have dorm beds in various different forms, common rooms, kitchens, and sometimes even bars or pools. It’s a place to sleep cheap, but also somewhere to make friends on the road.
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
Hostels have long been the backbone of budget travel accommodation (along with our other secret weapons like Couchsurfing and Worldpackers) and I PROMISE you will find one you love. And while it might seem like they’re just made up of dorm beds – and some are – the majority of hostels also have private rooms if that’s how you prefer to roll.
Why Stay in a Hostel?
Aside from the very obvious fact that a dorm bed is significantly cheaper than any other accommodation you’ll come across, they’re also no doubt some of the best places to meet fellow backpackers. A high-value hostel can supercharge your trip, give you a much-needed dose of solo travel confidence, and overall: just be a damn good time!
I mean, I can even think of three specific hostels that legitimately changed my life. One is high key the reason I’m even writing this right now as it’s where I met TBB’s fearless leader Will while backpacking Pakistan.
Photo: @joemiddlehurst
And then I’ll forever be indebted to a hostel in Tajikistan’s capital city (Green House Hostel) for planting the seed that it was in fact possible to go bikepacking the Wakhan Valley, even without a proper rig.
So basically – in its simplest form, a hostel is a chill, well-decorated place to meet other backpackers and get acquainted with your destination. But at their best, they can be a very sticky place, a true home away from home that will lead you to lifelong memories and enduring relationships.
We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.
Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!
View on Osprey View on REIStaying in Hostels vs Hotels & Airbnbs
Here’s a quick breakdown of the differences between staying at hostels and other types of accommodation you’ll encounter on the road. I think you’ll agree hostels truly are the best 😉
Booking in at homestays is another option that may not be available everywhere, but could be a good choice if you’d like to see how locals really live. They’re often similar to hostels but with fewer amenities and fellow travelers.
| Hostels | Hotels | Airbnb |
|---|---|---|
| $ | $$$ | $$-$$$ |
| Usually a bunk bed/sometimes an entire room | Entire room | An entire room or entire apartment/house |
| Usually no towels/toiletries | All the toiletries you need | Towels provided |
| Share a dorm with 6-16 people | Have the entire space to yourself | Some have shared spaces while others are entirely private |
| Gives you the opportunity to meet other travelers from around the world and participate in group activities | Isolates you from the backpacker community, less opportunities to meet people | Can go either way depending on the type of Airbnb |
Why Hostels Are Safer than You Think
Move past what you’ve read or seen in a movie – the answer to “are hostels safe” IS YES!
These days, hostels are actually some of the safest and most secure places budget backpackers can crash at.
Photo: @joemiddlehurst
Hostels (usually) have:
- Security cameras
- Storage lockers that can be properly locked
- A plethora of public reviews
- Professional staff
And for these reasons, I promise you’ll actually be safer in a hostel than in a private room in a hotel, particularly if you’re exploring solo.
Reviews go a LONG way in deciding on safe and chill hostels, and I always check reviews out on every single platform I can find. Don’t sleep on Google Maps in addition to the booking sites!
Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.
It looks exactly like a normal belt except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)
Hide Yo’ Money!
Safety Tips for Hostels
A few hostel safety tips that will hopefully make you feel a bit better about heading out into the backpacking world:
1. If you’re staying in a dorm, make sure it has a locker before booking
While a whole lot of hostel dorms have lockers, it’s not quite at 100%. This info can absolutely be found on any booking site (or in the reviews) so do your diligence. If you plan to stay in a private room, make sure it has a lock too.
Pro tip: Add a solid padlock to your backpacking packing list! Then you won’t have to rent one, and you’ll have an extra level of safety anywhere you go. I travel with and can recommend this ORIA Combination Lock.
2. Make copies and scans of important documents
You never know when you might need them! You should also keep a backup of your passwords somewhere you can access them.
3. Always read reviews
I cannot stress this enough. Don’t just go by word of mouth or a word-of-mouth recommendation – get online and check out all the reviews you can find! Anything that seems suspect should be a sign to look elsewhere if you ask me.
4. If you’re a solo female traveler, look for hostels with female-only dorms
This x100000. Not only will you feel a whole lot safer, but the room will be a LOT cleaner and quieter most of the time. You can even see if there are female-only hostels around! They’re rare but they do exist 🙂
5. Do neighborhood research in advance
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
Staying in a hostel that’s in a safe area is essential. You may even want to go so far and look into quiet areas too depending on where you are – for example in New Delhi, India a lot of cheap backpacker spots are in Paharganj, but the neighborhood is absolutely mental and not the best introduction to a city.
Also: do check to see what’s within walking distance – it’s always nice to have a corner store nearby for those late-night munchies.
6. Leave non-essential valuables at home
To my fellow digital nomads and content creators, I get it: we can’t really leave much because everything we bring is essential. But regardless, if you’re not 100% sure you’ll use something, leave it at home. One less thing to worry about, am I right?
7. Be lowkey
Photo: @mariajstorey
Yes, you’ll eventually find your travel besties that you really can share almost everything with, but at first, don’t show all your cards. No one needs to know you have an expensive camera in your locker or that you have a bunch of cash on ya’. And that goes for new friends too. The overwhelming majority of hostel-goers are good people, but you never know.
8. Don’t be afraid to leave if people are sick
And I don’t mean sick from a rough night out, but like virus-y sick. I promise you your health (and the continuation of your trip!) is more important than losing money on a pre-booked hostel bed. If someone in the dorm is hacking up a lung, request to switch or just head out. Most likely you’ve only lost a few dollars.
9. Let someone know where you are
Whether it’s an epic hike or just a bit of sightseeing, make sure someone, whether it be your family/friends back home or the hostel staff, has an idea of where you’re at and when you’re planning to return.
10. Make friends!
Photo: @joemiddlehurst
If you’re traveling solo, linking up with some fellow hostel mates is the perfect way to not only enhance your trip but also to make it a bit more safe. When I found my “crew” at a hostel I stayed at long term, it really made me forget all of my solo worries.
Hostel Dos and Don’ts
Here are a few extra pieces of hostel etiquette that I try to follow whenever I’m staying in one:
- Be quiet – ESPECIALLY after lights out!
- Speaking of lights – do not wake the entire dorm up if you have an early departure. That’s what a good headlamp (or your phone’s light) is for.
- If you’re sick, get a private room. ‘nough said.
- Don’t have sex in a dorm! It’s so disrespectful to your fellow travelers, and again private options do exist!
- Get off your phone and talk to your fellow travelers in the common rooms. That’s how you actually make adventure buddies.
- Always bring your own towel! Many hostels don’t provide them, and a solid microfiber one will end up being useful in so many ways.
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Get Yours Here Read Our ReviewBest Destinations to Give Hostel Life a Try
Hostels are one of those things that are NOT the same everywhere.
Some places – like the United States – have absolutely abysmal, overpriced hostels that I really don’t recommend. Canada and Australia are similarly terrible.
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
But the following spots truly show up and out. These are the best places for backpackers anyway after all.
Here are a few places where you will quite literally be overwhelmed with epic options:
Tried and Tested: 5 Safe Hostels to Stay In!
- Tribal Hostel (Bali) – Bali’s first (and best) digital nomad hostel that is TRULY the nicest hostel I’ve ever stayed in. It even has an amazing pool, an on-site bar, plenty of workspaces, and delicious food that’s good for you too!
- LX Hostel (Lisbon) – This epic Lisbon hostel has an iconic rooftop, various different room options, and greets its guests with FREE sangria! You won’t find a better welcome to such an iconic city.
- Flying Pig Beach (Amsterdam) – This famous hostel chain operates several kick-ass backpacker abodes in Amsterdam, but the best of the best is their beach edition. Sure it might be a bit on the outskirts (30 minutes), but the vibes, views, and people are all worth a lil’ commute.
- Puerto Viejo Hostel (Mexico) – With stellar ratings from all kinds of travelers, it will be hard to find a hostel that gives you quite as much bang for your buck as this one! I’m talking free breakfast, free dinners, and even free alcohol on some nights out. Don’t miss it 😉
- Green House Hostel (Tajikistan) – This Tajikistan backpacker hostel is a bikepackers haven – and the source of never-ending adventure inspiration. I showed up thinking I would travel the country by hitchhiking and left high off an epic bicycle travel adventure.
Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance
Even though hostels are overall pretty damn safe, travel can often throw some unexpected events your way. Never hit the road without decent travel insurance to have your back if shit goes wrong.
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Are Hostels Safe FAQ
A few more things you might want to know before ya’ go…
Hostel Packing List
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems.
Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years. Check out our definitive hostel packing list for our top packing tips!
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
So, Are Hostels Safe?
I can only hope that by now you’re feeling a lot more secure (and excited!) to stay in a hostel.
Hostels can be truly magical and downright transformational – it’s an experience on the road that’s a must for both your budget and overall backpacking experience.
As long as you’ve got a lock with ya’, put in some time doing review research, and follow a few of my basic hostel safety tips, rest assured that you’re going to be just fine.
Catch you on the road – and don’t forget to report back with your hostel-life experiences!
Photo: @audyscala
- Backpackers and frugal travellers can use our budget travel guide.
- Remember to grab yourself an international SIM card to avoid any issues.
- Our in-depth backpacking packing list has all the info you’ll need for your trip.
- Sort out good travel insurance before you start your trip.
Buy Us a Coffee!
A couple of you lovely readers suggested we set up a tip jar for direct support as an alternative to booking through our links. So we created one!
You can now buy The Broke Backpacker a coffee. If you like and use our content to plan your trips, it’s a much appreciated way to show appreciation 🙂
