Booking Your First Hostel

Use a reputable aggregator like Hostelworld to filter by rating and read recent reviews. Focus on hostels with a 'social' tag if you want to meet people or 'quiet' if you prioritize sleep, and always book a bed in a room with fewer than 8 people for your first stay.

1. Set your filters. On the search site, filter by 'Rating 8.5+' to ensure cleanliness and safety. Select 'Dorm' as the room type, but always look at the number of beds; stick to 4 or 6-bed dorms to minimize noise and traffic.
2. Read the last 10 reviews. Ignore the star rating and look at the most recent 10 reviews. You are looking for mentions of bed bugs, noise levels at night, and how helpful the staff are. If the last review is older than three months, skip it.
3. Check the facilities. Confirm the listing includes free lockers. You must bring your own padlock, but you need to know there is a secure place to store your bag. Check for an on-site kitchen if you plan to save money on food.
4. Secure the booking. Pay the deposit online to lock in your bed. Print your confirmation or save the PDF offline; do not rely on your phone's data working when you arrive at the hostel door.

Are hostels safe?

Yes, provided you use the provided lockers for your passport and electronics. Most hostels have 24-hour reception and key-card access.

Do I need to bring my own sheets?

Almost all hostels provide linens. If they don't, it will be clearly stated in the 'Policies' section of the booking site.

Can I request a bottom bunk?

You can add it as a 'Special Request' when booking, but it is never guaranteed. If you arrive early for check-in, you have a better chance of asking the front desk to assign you one.