Hostel Etiquette Guide

Hostels have important (mostly unwritten) rules.

These rules allow hostels to maintain their enjoyable communal atmosphere, which is why they’re typically more laid-back than hotels. By following these simple rules, you can improve your own experience and the experience that your fellow guests have.

In this guide, we’ll cover important hostel etiquette you should know.

We’ll cover dorm room etiquette (how to order/hang your belongings, when to wear headphones, when room lights should be turned/kept off, your morning alarm, returning drunk, checking out early), shared bathroom etiquette (shower length, organizing your toiletries) and common area etiquette (such as kitchen maintenance and breakfast rules).

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General Hostel Etiquette Rules

The rules in this guide generally apply to all hostels.

If you’ve had roommates before, you might consider much of it to be common sense. If you’re ever unsure how to behave in any certain situation, remember the golden rule - treat others how you like to be treated.

*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted hostel dorms (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s hostel deals, click here.

Dorm Room Etiquette

As a guest, you’ll likely spend much time in the dorm room. It’s important that you feel comfortable here, but also important to keep your space tidy and clean enough for the other guests to also feel comfortable.

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Keep Your Belongings Tidy

Ideally, you can store all belongings in your locker.

If you can’t, or if you prefer keeping items outside, at least store your largest bag there. The next best places to store belongings is under your bed or on your bed shelf. If you can’t find space there, place the things on the floor beside your bed. But do not block a walking path or put any items directly below the bunk stairs.

Dorm rooms with many beds can feel cramped, since they have less space and more people and bags inside them. If you’re in a dorm where space is very limited, just maximize what fits into your locker and do your best with the rest!

How To Hang Your Towel/Clothes

Many hostels provide wall or door hooks for guests to hang their towel and/or clothes. If your hostel doesn’t provide this, try hanging these in your locker. If you can’t find space there, hang them on the perimeter of your bed frame.

Do not block the stairs or lay items on another guest’s bed. If you must hang something on the bunk stairs, do not let it impede a neighbor’s walking path. For the 10 items you should consider bringing to a hostel stay (including a towel), click here.

When To Wear Headphones

If you aren’t alone in your dorm, it’s courteous to wear headphones when listening to audio. This is especially pertinent at night, or when another guest is asleep. Ensure the volume is never so loud that it bleeds out.

Noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs can help you sleep better in a hostel. For quality noise-cancelling headphones on Amazon, click here. For reliable and comfortable earplugs, click here.

Lights Off Between Midnight And 9 AM

Most hostels don’t enforce “dark hours” in the dorms.

As a rough guideline, room lights should be kept off between midnight (earlier if someone is asleep) and 9 am. Usually, one of the first guests to bed will shut off the room light. If you notice someone trying to sleep, ask if they prefer the light off (or turn it off for them).

While travelers’ morning schedules vary, 9 am (or the breakfast time) is generally a reasonable time to turn the main room light back on. If you’re one of the only people awake and the room is dark, use a phone light or flashlight to navigate the room. For an adjustable, water-resistant flashlight on Amazon, click here.

*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted hostel dorms (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s hostel deals, click here.

Don’t Snooze Your Alarm

If you’ve set an alarm to wake up, don’t press snooze.

Because hostel guests sleep near each other in dorms, it’s inconsiderate to let your alarm ring multiple times - especially at early hours. But it’s fine to use an alarm, just keep the volume low. Also, mute your phone’s notifications before going to bed.

Don’t Be The Disruptive Drunk

Maybe the quickest way to make enemies in a hostel is to ruin other’s sleep. While it’s fine to enjoy nights out when traveling, know when to “switch off” in a hostel. Whether you drink at your hostel or in town, turn your voice down in the hallways at night.

Once in your dorm, avoid stumbling about. Chances are, you’re louder than you think. If you prefer a party environment over a tranquil one, book a party hostel. They offer a lively environment where you won’t need to worry (as much) about being a little noisy at night.

Check Out Early Without Disturbing Others

Try your best to be quiet when checking out early!

If you’re checking out early (before 8 am), pack bags and lay your outfit out the night prior. This way, you can easily grab your belongings and go. This is much quieter and less rushed than last-minute packing. The sound of zippers and shuffling can seem loud in dead-silent rooms. If you must go through bags in the early AM hours, take them outside the dorm room (into a hallway or lobby) to do whatever you need to do.

Consider Packing Cubes

Travelers’ packing preferences vary - some separate all items categorically, some toss their things around with no organization. But regardless of personal preference, packing cubes can help. They’re much quieter than plastic bags and very handy in separating clean and dirty clothes. For a quality packing cube set available in multiple colors on Amazon, click here.

*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted hostel dorms (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s hostel deals, click here.

Shared Bathroom Etiquette

As a hostel guest, unless you book an ensuite private room, you’ll likely be sharing a bathroom with other guests (sometimes ten or more). Some bathrooms are directly connected to one or more dorm rooms, while others are only accessible by hallway. Regardless of the setup, shared bathroom etiquette remains the same.

Organize Your Toiletries

Hostel guests are expected to bring toiletries.

This includes toothpaste, shampoo and shower soap (some hostels provide shower soap). You could store your toiletries in the bathroom, if there’s room. If not, store them in your locker after you’ve used them.

The best way to organize toiletries while traveling is with a toiletry bag. Most bags have a hook, allowing them to hang in a bathroom, bedside or inside your locker. Toiletry bags are easy to transport and store.

For Men: For a water-resistant, reliable toiletry bag with multiple compartments and available in multiple colors on Amazon, click here.

For Women: For a water-resistant, reliable toiletry bag with multiple compartments and in multiple color options on Amazon, click here.

Avoid Long Showers

Showers are busiest during mornings and evenings.

If you’re showering during these hours, be aware that other guests might need to shower as well, especially around checkout time - when people are most likely to be in a rush. Be quick if you notice another guest waiting. The best time to take a longer shower in a hostel is during the mid to late afternoon hours.

*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted hostel dorms (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s hostel deals, click here.

Common Area Etiquette

Great hostels have a warm, welcoming common area. After dorm rooms, this is where hostel guests usually spend most of their time. Since common area spaces and belongings are communal, certain rules can help ensure the environment remains pleasant for all.

Care For The Kitchen

Many hostels provide a kitchen and/or refrigerator all guests can use to cook or store food. If you bring food from outside, store it in a bag labeled with your name and checkout date. This helps the staff know what to keep or throw out. In my experience, hostels usually provide a marker guests can use in the kitchen.

Wash what you use (utensils, pots, pans, etc.). Place dishes where they belong and don’t store items in the sink. Some hostels have a “free shelf” with items left behind by previous guests. If you’re unsure whether something is free to use, just ask the staff. Never eat another guest’s food without their permission.

Follow The Breakfast Rules

Breakfast rules vary by hostel property.

Some hostels provide a free, standard breakfast to all guests, some offer a breakfast menu, while others do not provide breakfast at all. Breakfast may be served buffet-style, à la carte, or a combination of the two.

For buffet-style breakfast, it’s common for hostels to expect guests to rinse their dishes after eating. Ask or observe the situation in your hostel. If other guests are taking dishes to the sink and rinsing, so should you.

*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted hostel dorms (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s hostel deals, click here.

10 Extra Hostel Etiquette Tips!

Here are ten more etiquette tips to remember:

Do not bring open food into your dorm room.
Do not sleep naked in the dorm (underwear at minimum).
If you snore loudly, book a private room for the sake of others.
Only use the bed that was assigned to you.
Take your phone call outside the dorm room if other guests are sleeping.
Avoid conversing loudly if guests are sleeping.
Dorm rooms, bathrooms and common areas are usually cleaned daily.
Do not use another guest’s personal belongings (including any toiletries sitting in the shower or on the sink counter).
Share/alternate power outlet access if there is a limited number of sockets. Consider traveling with your own power strip. For a reasonably-sized power strip on Amazon, click here.
If you’re traveling as a large group, you can book an entire dorm room on Agoda. This way, your group has more privacy and can freely converse without worrying about disturbing others.

*For the ten things every traveler should bring to a hostel, click here.

What If Another Guest Is Disruptive?

If you spend enough time in hostels, you’ll eventually encounter selfish guests who make stays less enjoyable (but most guests are considerate people). If a guest is being disruptive in your room or in a common area, politely tell them to stop, or notify hostel reception.

If you feel your personal safety, or the safety of others, being threatened at a hostel, notify staff immediately. If you booked through Hostelworld, use this page to contact customer support. To learn more about hostel safety, read the Hostel Safety Guide.

*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted hostel dorms (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s hostel deals, click here.

Conclusion

Hopefully you found this guide helpful.

If you’ve lived in a communal atmosphere or have had roommates before, hostel life will not be a shock. But if you’re new to the experience, just follow these tips! To learn more about hostels or Hostelworld, explore our other guides below.

Enjoy your travels!

How To Find Discounts On Hostels In Your Destination

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Learn More About Hostels

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Common Questions & Concerns

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Taz Zaidi [Author]

Taz Zaidi is an American travel writer and the founder/creator of TRVLGUIDES.com. Connect with him on Instagram (@tazzaidi) or on his personal website, at tazzaidi.com.

The Hostel Etiquette Guide [Know Before You Go]

Hostel Etiquette Guide

*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted hostel dorms (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s hostel deals, click here.

Table of Contents

General Hostel Etiquette Rules

*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted hostel dorms (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s hostel deals, click here.