“Just because you are on a budget, doesn’t mean you should sacrifice comfort.”

One of my favorite accommodations are hostels. They are affordable and the best way to meet other travelers. I’ve met some really great people from all over the world of all different ages. Over the years I’ve learned how to properly choose a hostel to get the all around best experience . Follow these basic guidelines to get the most from your stay.

Read Traveler reviews and images

Hostelworld is a site that offers great prices on Hostels. Check out what other travelers say in their reviews. I keep a lookout for discussions about clean bathrooms since I am a huge stickler for that. Travelers are pretty honest about the comfort of the hostel beds, security, location and much more. Know what is important to you and READ up!  

Check the Distance from the City Centre

What are you doing in the city and how long will it take you to get there from the hostel? The last thing you want is to spend a lot of money and time traveling back and forth. Check and see if it’s located near a bus or train station. Google maps is your friend!

Check cost from the airport to hostel

Again with the Google Maps, know how long it will take you to get to and from the airport! I broke my own rule by not checking and once booked a hostel TWO hours away from the airport. Granted it was near my excursions but knowing that info I could have better accounted for that time and budget in my planning.

Look at the offered Amenities

Some budget hostels are low cost because they don’t offer certain amenities for free. Often times you will have to pay extra for a locker, towel or linens. Keep an eye on that to avoid unexpected costs.

Know the Hostel guests

Are you looking for a party hostel or quiet environment? Find out what type of hostel it is by checking the description and find out if they have a bar in the lobby, live venues or offer scheduled bar hopping. 

*Lastly, I highly recommend not booking a hostel with less than an 8.0 rating without knowing why the rating is below average.