Hostels are a fantastic way to help you travel on a tight budget, but it can be really overwhelming and even scary to book a hostel if you aren’t familiar with the process. When I first went abroad I had no idea where to start with booking a hostel, but now two travel heavy semesters abroad later I have the process down. Here are some basic tips I have learned through my time, but at the end of the day like all parts of travel each situation will be unique and it is important to trust your gut and do your research to ensure you get the ideal experience.
1. Start the search on Hostel World. If you know that you are looking for the cheapest option on the market, it is almost always going to be a hostel. Hostel world is a trustable website that helps organize all the necessary information in an easy to take platform. Using the app can provide you with additional benefits although it is not a necessity. Groups of four or more can often find Airbnbs at similar rates to hostels, and is worth a quick price comparison.
2. Location! Aside from the price of the accommodation, location is the number one variable to look into. Hostel World has a useful map search filter that shows you where all the hostels are located across the city. Do a little research on where the activities in the city you are interested in seeing are and try to get your hostel near there. Or if you have an early or late arrival into the city book a hostel near where the transportation will be. Sometimes a Hostel will be significantly cheaper because of its poor location, be wary that a savings of $10 may seem worth it on the computer but if it takes away a lot of time from your day getting there or you will have to spend more money on public transportation the saving disappears quickly.
3. Read the Reviews! Spend some time going through a variety of good and bad reviews. While everyone prefers all 10 stars that will never be the case at a hostel. But reading what specifically people liked and disliked about the hostel will prepare you for the conditions you'll stay in and will warn you if it is too budget. For me, if I see a lot of negative reviews about the bathrooms/showers that is often my indicator to look elsewhere because I love a comfortable shower after a long day of travel.
4. Choose a room type you are comfortable with. I am a female traveler and I have solo traveled in hostels many times. When I first started traveling I only booked female only dorms because that was my comfort level. Now with more experience I would prefer to save a few dollars and often go for the largest mixed dorm. While I have always felt safe and think that hostels are a protecting community, I completely understand why many travelers prefer the added security of female only dorms or smaller room numbers. The few dollar difference is not worth putting your comfort on the line, always book what will make you feel safe and allow you to get the restful night of sleep you need.
5. Check to see if the Hostel has their own website. While I highly recommend using hostel world to choose your desired hostel, once you have decided, always do a quick google search to see if the hostel has their own website. Many big hostels have their own site and if you book directly you can often save a few dollars. Having their own website may also be a good sign of being a well established hostel. But don’t turn away an option because they don't have a website, many of my favorite hostels I booked through hostel world.
These are some helpful hints on where to start when looking for a hostel. Most importantly is to check your gut, if you don’t like the images or the vibe of the reviews then look for another option.
Renee Kowalski
Spring 2025 – GW Exchange - ESADE (Barcelona)
Fall 2023 – GW Global Bachelor's Program - Belfast Semester
Elliott School of International Affairs
International Affairs & Data Science Double Major
The Global Bachelor’s Program