5 Must have items when staying at a Hostel
One of the most important and stressful parts of a trip can be finding accommodations. Hostels are a budget friendly option when traveling. Staying in a hostel is very different from staying in a hotel because you share a room, kitchen, bathroom, and common space with other guests. There are some really bad ones and some really good ones so finding one that is right for you is important. You need to consider location, price, and read reviews online or on social media. If you have never been to a hostel before, you may not know what to expect so it is best to plan ahead!
I’ve stayed in a bunch of different hostels all over the world and I have met so many amazing travelers. When I first stayed at a hostel I was pretty nervous about sharing space and sleeping in the same room with so many strangers. Over time I’ve learned the proper etiquette and a few tricks to make hostel life a little easier. But when staying at a hostel it is easy to forget that they don’t always come with all the luxuries of a hotel so here are 5 must-have items when staying in a hostel that I learned the hard way.
1. A long charging cable
Nothing is worse than getting into bed after a long day of traveling and having to leave your phone to charge on the floor or in the shared living areas. Bring a longer charger cable to give you some peace of mind by having your phone close.
2. A lock or padlock
Most hostels include lockers so it is important to keep your belongings secure by making sure that you pack a small lock. I always bring one with a code or combination so I don’t have to worry about losing a little key.
3. Earplugs and an eye mask
Sharing a room can be especially difficult if you are a light sleeper so earplugs and an eye mask or bandana are an absolute must.
4. A towel
This may seem like a silly thing to pack but bringing your own towel can help avoid rental fees or even worse, getting out of the shower and not having a towel at all! Some hostels don’t supply towels for guests so better to be safe than sorry and pack a lightweight and quick drying towel.
5. A headlamp or flashlight
Once the lights go out at night there's an unspoken rule about keeping it dark and quiet while people are sleeping. A headlamp or small flashlight is a great way to find things in your bag or catch up on some late night reading without waking up your roommates.
In my experience, hostels are an amazing and low cost option when traveling. With the wide variety around the world, from the infamous ‘capsule hotels’ to a room full of bunk beds, they are a great option to consider!