Are Hostels Safe? FAQs + Tips From Personal Experience

Wondering, “Are hostels safe?” Here is my ultimate guide to hostels, why I love them, and how to find the best ones!

Hostels are a staple for any budget traveler.

I stayed in my first hostel back in 2015 on a weekend trip to Brussels, Belgium.

Since then, I’ve stayed in over 40 hostels across every continent (excluding Antarctica).

Even as I approach 30 years old, I still love a good hostel stay.

The cheap prices are what initially drew me to staying in hostels. I was a student living in London and I had very little money to spend on anything other than the essentials.

But I was determined to explore Europe while living over there. So I learned how to travel on a budget, and that’s when this blog was born! Hostels were an essential part of that journey.

Read my ultimate list of 50 Budget Travel Tips for more ways that I was able to travel affordably!

After experiencing a range of different hostels around Europe, I realized I could get so much more out of a hostel stay than just a cheap dorm bed.

Hostels create the perfect social environment for young travelers who want to meet new people and dive into the unexpected.

You can join group tours, activities, dinners, pub crawls, and theme nights. The local staff are often part of these adventures, giving you a good mix of local and international interactions.

Hostels also allow budget travelers to stay in amazing locations without spending a fortune.

I’ve made some wonderful friends in hostels, both as a guest and as a staff member. I’m always convincing people to stay in hostels face-to-face, so I figured I would do it on my blog as well!

traveler posing next to drakensberg mountains south africa — Hostels can help you see amazing parts of the world on a budget!

Are Hostels Safe? A Complete Guide To Hostels Around The World

In this guide, I’ll cover some hostel basics and address the ever-popular question, “Are hostels safe?”

I’ll also provide my own tips for staying safe in a hostel that I always use.

What is a hostel?

A hostel is a type of budget accommodation that features shared dorm rooms. Guests can book a bed in a hostel dorm room for much cheaper than a standard hotel room.

While most hostels have affordable dorm rooms in common, there are lots of other features that vary from place to place.

are hostels safe common room in south africa hostel — Inside an adorable hostel in the remote Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa

Standard hostel dorm rooms

A standard hostel dorm room has anywhere from 4 beds to 30 beds, with single-gender rooms sometimes available.

Your bunk will have clean linens, an outlet for charging devices, a privacy curtain, an individual reading light, and maybe a shelf to store some small items.

The dorm rooms often connect to shared bathroom facilities and have individual lockers for use.

Every hostel is different, but I’ve found most dorm rooms to have all or most of those amenities.

Some hostels have private rooms in addition to dorm rooms. These may be cheaper or about the same as a hotel room.

Standard hostel facilities

Outside of the dorm, most hostels have kitchen facilities, a common area with tables, chairs, or couches, and a reception desk.

Some bigger or more advanced hostels may also have a bar, restaurant, cafe, pool table, patio, pool, laundry, or co-working space.

Most hostels have knowledgeable staff or a tourism desk where you can book activities and guided tours.

Hostels can often set you up with bike hire, water sports rentals, airport shuttles, and more.

outdoor pool and seating in a nusa lembongan hostel — Nyuh Gading hostel in Nusa Lembongan, Indonesia had an outdoor pool. It only cost $11 USD per night!

Why stay in a hostel?

From my own experience, I think the main reasons to stay in a hostel are the affordable prices, the social environment, and the laid-back vibe.

Hostels have opened up the world of travel to be much more accessible. Not everyone can afford to spend $100 a night on a hotel room. Booking a dorm bed for $10 a night lets you stay in a foreign country on a tight budget!

I also love the social environment of hostels, particularly if you’re a young traveler in your 20s or you’re a solo traveler.

Read my top 22 tips for solo travel around the world!

I don’t always stay in hostels if I’m traveling with my boyfriend or with friends. But when traveling alone, hostels make it so easy to meet people and have a good time.

The laid-back vibe of a hostel has always drawn me in as well. Hotels can be a bit formal, whereas hostels have a welcoming and inclusive energy.

Hostels are often staffed by young people or other travelers. The staff will share their local tips and make you feel comfortable right away.

That’s not to say that hotels aren’t great. But throughout my 20s, I usually couldn’t afford a hotel and I grew to love the relaxed and diverse vibe that hostels provide.

thailand hostel — My best friend and I traveled Thailand for a month – we stayed in lots of hostels and met amazing people.

Average hostel costs

Here is a quick overview of what hostels cost around the world!

Note that prices may fluctuate depending on season, quality of the hostel, and exact location.

For example, I’ve listed Western Europe under mid-range hostel costs. Most hostels in Spain will be mid-range, but a nice hostel in downtown Barcelona can be on the more expensive side.

This is just a general estimate of what I’ve found hostel costs to look like in certain countries.

These costs are the price per night for a bed in a shared dorm. I’ve used USD as the currency.

Cheapest Hostel Costs – $4 – $15 per night

Places like Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, Central America

Mid-Range Hostel Costs – $15 – $35 per night

Places like Central Europe, Western Europe, South America, Japan, China, South Africa

Expensive Hostel Costs – $35 – $60 per night

Places like Scandinavia, UK, Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland

Hostels in Australia are expensive ($30 – $60 per night in the big cities of Sydney or Melbourne). But venture outside the cities and they might only cost $20 per night!

Are hostels safe?

In my experience, hostels are very safe. But there are some basic safety tips that I would recommend to any traveler who is staying in a hostel dorm room. I’ll list those shortly!

Most hostels are very secure, but some people are uneasy about the thought of sharing a room with complete strangers.

Having shared rooms with countless strangers around the world, I’ve found that the majority of people are just like me. We all just want to explore the world, stay safe, and sleep in a comfy bed for an affordable price.

Humans are usually kind and genuine. In hostels, people generally treat each other with respect.

When I walk into a hostel and see other people’s bags strewn around the room unattended, I immediately feel comfortable. If they trust me not to steal their things, I can trust them not to steal mine.

I’ve never had anything bad happen to me in a hostel.

And of course, bad things can happen. I just think the notion of hostels being dangerous because you’re sharing a room with strangers is a bit overhyped.

If anything, I would feel more unsafe in a hotel because criminals would see me walking in there and assume I have money, so I might become a target for pickpockets.

Those are just my personal opinions on the matter!

morocco sahara desert travel — I stayed in a hostel in Marrakech for about 3 weeks. It was centrally located, run by friendly locals, and I always felt safe there.

Are hostel lockers safe?

Hostel lockers are a safe way to store your valuables while staying in a communal dorm room.

I’ve never had any of my belongings stolen in a hostel. And I leave my things out in the open all the time. Again, I tend to rely on mutual respect and trust with my fellow travelers, and it’s always worked out.

However, hostel theft is possible, especially if you have attractive things like expensive cameras or laptops. So for extra security, use the hostel lockers.

Lockers normally come with their own locks, but you can also travel with your own padlock and use that.

For an extra layer of security, you can also use luggage locks on your bags!

Are hostels safe for solo female travelers?

In my experience, hostels are one of the safest places to stay for solo female travelers. Staying in the communal environment of a hostel actually makes me feel safer than being isolated in a hotel.

As a solo female traveler, I’m always looking for people to share tours, transport, and experiences with. Having a friend to explore with (even if you just met them) can make you feel safer than roaming around a foreign country alone.

Hostel dorm rooms and common areas are the perfect places to find other travelers to share your plans with!

And if anyone is concerned about safety within the hostel itself, just know that hostels are legitimate institutions. They always have experienced staff and safety measures in place for their guests.

But if you ever have a gut feeling that something isn’t right in your dorm room, chat to the staff about it. They will be willing to help you out!

are hostels safe group hiking in cape town — I was in Cape Town alone for a week and almost went hiking by myself. But I met these friends in my hostel who went hiking with me and I felt SO much safer!

8 tips for staying safe in hostels around the world

Now that I’ve covered some basics about hostel safety, here are some tips to help you improve your hostel experience.

1. Book through a reputable platform

I always book my hostels through Hostelworld! This is the most reputable and well-known hostel website out there.

Hostelworld has photos, facilities, policies, prices, and reviews for every hostel on their website (unless a hostel is brand-new, then they might not have any reviews yet).

I’ve always found the listing on Hostelworld to be very accurate compared to the actual place.

You can create a Hostelworld account for free and easily book your hostels online. Normally you pay a small deposit and pay the rest when you arrive at the property.

Find your perfect hostel on Hostelworld

2. Read reviews before you book

Reviews are the #1 thing to look for when choosing your hostel.

I tend to book places with lots of reviews. That means the hostel is well-established and has hosted thousands of travelers.

Guests can give the entire hostel a rating out of 10, and I generally try to stay at places that rank 7/10 or higher.

You can also see the specific aspects of the hostel that are rated, such as cleanliness, location, security, facilities, etc.

If you want the best hostel experience, choose a place with the best reviews. It’s as simple as that!

split croatia are hostels safe — Split Guesthouse & Hostel in Croatia is one of THE BEST hostels I’ve ever stayed in. It has a 9.4/10 rating on Hostelworld and over 2,300 reviews!

3. Research the area of the hostel

Another way to enhance your hostel experience is to see what the surrounding area is like.

On Hostelworld, you can see what other travelers have rated the location out of 10.

You can also find the hostel address or see it on a map view. I’ll often do some research about that particular area of a city to see if it’s safe, walkable, or has things to do.

For people who are asking “are hostels safe?”, a lot of this depends on the area of the hostel. I would just double-check on other websites to see if the area is actually safe.

As hostels cater to tourists, they are usually in central, safe locations. But it never hurts to check.

kingston jamaica are hostels safe — I did lots of research about Kingston, Jamaica before booking our accommodation to make sure it was safe. The research paid off because it was safe!

4. Contact the hostel with any questions

You can always contact the hostel directly if you have questions about your booking!

Most hostels have their email or phone number listed on Hostelworld. If anything is unclear online, or you just want extra info, the staff usually respond promptly and are happy to help.

I’ve done this a few times in the past when the hostel is located somewhere remote and I’m not sure about the best way to get there. The staff always email me back with detailed directions.

5. Choose a smaller or single-gender dorm if you want

If staying in a large, mixed-gender dorm room makes you uneasy, you can opt for a smaller dorm or a single-gender dorm.

Not all hostels have these options, but many do.

Smaller dorms just mean you’re sharing with less people, which creates a quieter atmosphere. And many places have female-only dorms.

These options are sometimes a few dollars more than the large mixed dorms, but the extra money is worth it if you feel more comfortable.

6. Use the lockers and lock your belongings

I’ve mentioned this already, but the easiest way to ensure your belongings are safe in a hostel is to use the lockers.

Bring your own padlock for an extra layer of security, and use luggage locks as well.

If you do leave your things out in the open, it is at your own risk.

two hikers with backpacks walking through sedona arizona — Put luggage locks on your bags if you want an extra layer of safety while traveling.

7. Avoid party hostels (unless you want to party)

The world has so many different types of hostels with their own vibe. The more you travel, the more you’ll be able to recognize “party hostels”.

Party hostels generally have a bar onsite, and they host dance parties, pub crawls, events, and more.

Guests are always drinking, dancing, and having a blast on the property. If you actually want to party, party hostels are an absolute blast!

But if you’re not in the mood to party, these places can seem loud and messy. People will be stumbling into your room at all hours of the night, and it’s just not a relaxing place to stay.

Party hostels aren’t necessarily unsafe, but the constant flow of alcohol can make people act crazy and the thumping music makes it hard to sleep.

So I recommend avoiding these unless you are in the mood for a fun, social party vibe!

If you’re unsure whether a place is a party hostel or not, read the reviews, email the staff to ask, or check the photos.

8. Get travel insurance

Everyone should have travel insurance when they go abroad, no matter what type of accommodation they choose.

Travel insurance protects you financially against anything that could go wrong.

Every policy is different and covers different things. But many travel insurance policies protect you against theft, and can reimburse you for the cost of your stolen goods.

I think theft is really the only thing you might need to concern yourself with in a hostel. So it can be a good idea to have travel insurance, just in case!

It’s also just a good thing to have in case of emergencies and unexpected medical issues.

Squaremouth Insurance is my go-to web platform for finding the best places (for US residents)!

Working in hostels

Anyone looking for an extra fun and immersive travel experience should consider working in a hostel!

Through work exchange platforms like Worldpackers or Workaway, you can find hostels around the world that accept volunteers.

You will live in a dorm at the hostel for free, and often get other perks like free meals and tours.

In exchange, you will work at the hostel around 20 hours per week. This is such an amazing way to spend longer in one area, get to know the culture, make lasting friendships, and save money while traveling!

Save $10 USD on your Worldpackers work exchange membership with code GABBY

Some hostel jobs I’ve had include:

Housekeeping / reception in a hostel in Porto, Portugal
General hospitality / tourism help in a hostel in Marrakech, Morocco
Bartending in a party hostel in Cusco, Peru
Reception work in a jungle hostel in Cape Tribulation, Australia

bartending cusco peru are hostels safe — I spent one month living in a hostel in Cusco, Peru and working as a bartender. One of my favorite travel experiences!

Comparing Hostels Vs. Hotels

The biggest differences between hostels and hotels are the price, the facilities, and the clientele.

Hostels are cheap because you can sleep in a shared dorm bed and share facilities with other travelers.

Because of the affordability, hostels attract a young crowd and often have self-catering facilities for those on a budget.

Hotels cost more because you get a private room and bathroom. You also have more upscale facilities like a gym, spa, or room service, and the clientele around you tend to be older and wealthier.

bingin beach uluwatu indonesia travel — My partner and I stayed in hotels around Bali because we wanted a quiet, relaxed, private holiday!

But there are some similarities between hostels and hotels.

Both tend to be centrally located with easy access to public transport and local attractions.

Some hostels offer similar upscale amenities to a hotel, such as private rooms and pool areas.

Both often have experienced and knowledgeable staff, though hotel staff tend to be more clean-cut and professional. Hostel staff often look and act just like you, making them feel more casual and approachable.

Stay in a hostel if you…

Want to make new friends
Don’t mind shared dorms or facilities
Need somewhere cheap to stay
Want to cook your own food
Prefer a more casual atmosphere
Prefer a younger crowd of unique individuals

Stay in a hotel if you…

Just want an escape and don’t care about making friends
Prefer privacy and security
Have more money to spend on accommodation
Don’t want to cook your own food
Prefer a more professional environment
Prefer a more sophisticated, older crowd

sydney harbour views — Hostels and hotels are both great – just think about what you want from your experience.

Are hostels worth it?

After 10+ years of traveling the world and staying in all kinds of accommodation, I think hostels are 100% worth it!

But you have to want a laid-back, community atmosphere. If you prefer the five-star service, privacy, and luxury that comes with a hotel, you should just book a hotel.

I highly recommend hostels for young travelers in their 20s.

At this stage of life, you’re generally trying to meet new people, have unique experiences, and explore on a budget. At least that’s how I traveled in my 20s.