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The Hostel Safety Guide [What You Should Know]
Are Hostels Safe?
Staying in a hostel can feel intimidating sometimes.
Whether you’re an experienced or first-time traveler, it’s normal to feel apprehensive when considering a hostel for the first time. Booking through a site like Agoda.com can help minimize risk, but there are still things to be aware of to ensure a safe hostel stay.
In this guide, we’ll explore hostel safety.
I’ll cover how to protect personal belongings, how to choose the right neighborhood, safety for solo female travelers, how to request a dorm room change, how to book a hostel the smart way, what to do if you do not feel safe at your hostel, plus some other safety tips.
*Agoda.com is a great place to find deals on hostels. For today’s deals on hostels in any destination, click here.
Table of Contents
How Safe Are Hostels?
Hostel safety varies by property.
The vast majority of travelers will never experience a direct safety threat during a hostel stay. I’ve personally stayed in countless hostels around the world and have never been the victim of theft or violence in any of them. However, I have met a few people who have.
Hostels rely on reputation. Potential guests will look elsewhere if negative reviews/stories make a hostel appear unsafe. Generally, hostels take standard safety precautions, such as checking passports, maintaining records and (sometimes) operating security cameras. Some hostels publicly post house rules/guidelines and an inspection checklist for their guests to easily see.
A great way to ensure a safe hostel stay is to book your hostel online. The best websites to discover and book hostels are Hostelworld and Agoda.com. There, you can read previous guest reviews and ratings, browse photos, compare prices, and learn about a hostel prior to booking it. For a guide to Hostelworld, click here.
*To see today’s deals on hostels in any destination, click here.
How To Ensure A Safe Hostel Stay
It doesn’t matter which type of travel accommodation you book, there’ll always be some risk involved. With hostels, the greatest risk comes from sharing a room with strangers. In this section, we’ll cover the best ways to ensure a safe hostel stay, including:
How to use search filters to find a safe hostel
How to ensure your hostel provides lockers
How to protect your personal belongings
How to choose the right neighborhood
How to be safe as a solo female traveler
How to request a room change
Use Search Filters To Find A Safe Hostel
Booking online is the best way to distinguish the safe hostels from potentially dangerous ones. All hostels on Hostelworld have a security rating (from 1-10).
As you browse listings, check each property’s security rating, along with its photos, description and recent guest reviews. I recommend booking a hostel with a security rating of 9.0 or higher if you’re concerned about safety. For our step-by-step guide to booking a hostel on Hostelworld, click here.
*To see today’s deals on hostels in any destination, click here.
Make Sure Your Hostel Provides Lockers
Make sure the hostel you book also provides lockers.
As a hostel guest, you’re expected to bring your own lock (sometimes sold at reception). For ten things all travelers should bring to a hostel (including a lock), click here. For a high quality padlock, click here.
To ensure a hostel provides lockers, filter Hostelworld searches by clicking “Filter” under the search bar.
From there, click the “Facilities” tab, then select “Security Lockers”.
Some hostels also offer key card access to the property entrance and dorm rooms. To find hostels that do, select “Key Card Access” under the Facilities section.
Key card access isn’t a standard hostel feature, so you’ll be limiting search results by selecting this filter. Key card access is more common in modern-style hostels.
*To see today’s deals on hostels in any destination, click here.
How To Protect Your Personal Belongings
I’ve personally never had anything stolen from me in a hostel, but I’ve been inside a hostel (twice) when a guest had reported their belongings as stolen. In both cases, the hostel staff was unable to find the thief, and there were no cameras in either dorm room (typical).
The truth is, hostel staff will most likely have trouble tracking down stolen belongings, due to the transient nature of hostels. Multiple people check in and out of a dorm room daily, so the best way to prevent items from being stolen is to keep them well-protected.
Always lock your valuables up when you are not using them - whether you’re asleep, in a lobby or exploring for the day. If you prefer to keep valuables with you while asleep, consider storing them in the pillowcase. Keep expensive items (such as camera equipment and laptops) inside your bag, rather than lying around.
Before leaving your hostel to explore for the day, split your credit cards and cash between your pocket (take what you need) and the main bag in your locker. This way, you’ll have back-up in case anything happens to either. Always keep a digital copy of your passport ID.
*For the ten things every traveler should bring to a hostel, click here.
How To Choose The Right Neighborhood
Always research local neighborhoods before booking.
This will help you get a feel for where attractions are located, which restaurants you want to try, and which areas you may want to stay in/nearby. However, never assume because a neighborhood is safe, the hostels in it must be as well. Research both individually.
Whether in a European city like London, Amsterdam, Barcelona or Prague, or on the backpacking trails of Thailand or Central America, it can help to research the “areas to avoid” and “scams to be aware of”. Once you decide on a neighborhood or on a general part of town, use Hostelworld’s Map feature to find hostels in that area. Just click “Map” under the Search button.
Hostelworld’s interactive map displays hostels by price and rating. You’ll get more information regarding a particular property by clicking on it. You can zoom in or out, and move around the map.
After you’ve arrived in your destination, employ these common sense practices when walking around town:
Avoid wandering aimlessly at night (especially if you’re traveling solo).
Avoid flashing expensive belongings (including a cell phone or camera in some places).
Dress conservatively in countries and/or regions that have a generally conservative culture.
*To see today’s deals on hostels in any destination, click here.
Safety For Solo Female Travelers
Hostels can range from tranquil to rowdy.
The most important thing to do if you’re concerned about safety as a solo female traveler is to find a hostel that fosters an environment you’ll be comfortable in. You can discern the type of environment a hostel fosters by its description, photos and guest reviews.
Many females prefer to book female-only dorms, for their comfort, safety and/or friendship. If you book a female-only dorm, the guests in your dorm room will be female but the hostel’s common areas are shared by all guests. Mixed dorms are generally safe as well, and sometimes cost less (they’re often in lower demand), so the choice just comes down to personal preference.
To filter your Hostelworld search for hostels that offer female-only dorms, just click the “Room” tab below the search bar, then select “Female Dorm”.
*To see today’s deals on hostels in any destination, click here.
You Can Request A Room Change
If you ever feel uncomfortable in your room because of another guest, you can ask staff to move you to a different bed/room. Experienced staff have dealt with these types of requests before. If a guest’s behavior to you is impermissible (unwanted advances, being too intoxicated, inciting violence, etc.), the hostel might completely remove them from the property.
How To Book Your Hostel The Smart Way
By following a few smart booking practices, you can greatly reduce the risk of a negative occurrence during your stay. Just use these tips when searching for and booking your hostel on Hostelworld.com. For a step-by-step guide to booking on Hostelworld, click here.
When searching for a listing:
Establish your destination, dates and budget prior to searching
Use Hostelworld’s search filters to narrow the results based on your criteria
Only consider listings with:
Recent, positive reviews from guests
Clear photos displaying your bed/room and the property’s entrance
Security rating of 9.0 or higher (every property has a security rating)
Selecting a bed/room and finalizing your booking:
Some hostels are remotely-located. Ensure the hostel is near where you’ll spend time after arriving (each listing has a map).
Read the listing’s full description. Ensure the hostel’s amenities fit what you’ll need, whether breakfast, laundry or tours and activities. A full description shows the host put effort into creating their listing.
Read your host’s cancellation policy and double-check the price prior to booking.
You’ll receive a Booking Confirmation email from Hostelworld within 10 minutes of making your reservation.
Hostelworld offers a Best Price Guarantee on all bookings.
*To see today’s deals on hostels in any destination, click here.
What To Do If You Don’t Feel Safe At Your Hostel
If you ever feel unsafe, let the staff know immediately.
If staff is unable or unwilling to help you, which can include moving you to another room or confronting a troublemaker, contact Hostelworld. If it’s warranted, contact local law enforcement and/or your embassy. Hostels are meant to be flexible (compared to hotels) and experienced hostel staff members have dealt with all types of requests, so never feel afraid to speak up. For Hostelworld’s contact information, click here.
Helpful Hostel Safety Tips!
Before Arriving
Learn a bit about local customs in your destination, particularly if visiting a place where the culture is different than home.
Consider purchasing travel insurance that includes theft protection. Even if nothing happens during your trip, this can help with your peace of mind.
Many hostels don’t have 24/7 reception. If you think you’ll arrive late for check-in (after 8 pm), notify hostels beforehand.
Traveling with a non-flashy backpack will help you avoid unnecessary attention.
At The Hostel
Hostels usually prohibit non-guests from entering the property. Some hostels, like those with an on-site bar/restaurant, may let non-guests enter their bar/restaurant but prohibit them from guest-only areas.
As with hotels, most hostels provide an area for guests to store their bags after checkout (for pick up later that day). However, keep in mind that the storage closet is usually not monitored by staff members throughout the day.
Some guests feel safer sleeping in a top bunk and/or in a room with fewer beds.
You can ask the staff members about any local scams to be aware of.
For Groups
If traveling as a large group (9 or more), consider booking an entire dorm room via Hostelworld’s Group Booking page.
Hostels are generally safe for families - if a family knows what to expect. Always read a hostel’s description and reviews before you book. Some hostels employ age restrictions, so contact the property prior to booking if you are with children under the age of 16.
*For the ten things every traveler should bring to a hostel, click here.
Conclusion
Hopefully you found this guide helpful.
Safety is certainly one of the important factors when considering a hostel. Always research hostels and local neighborhoods before you select one. Apart from that, just follow the tips above! To learn more about hostels or Hostelworld, explore our other guides below.
Enjoy your travels!
How To Find Discounts On Hostels In Your Destination
For great deals on a wide variety of accommodation (including hostels, budget hotels, resorts, apartments, homes, guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, and unique or alternative types), use the Agoda widget below. Just input your destination and dates, then browse the results! Or to go directly to Agoda.com, click here.
Learn More About Hostels
Introduction To Hostels
Hostels vs. Hotels Comparison [Atmosphere, Price, Safety, Amenities]
Guest Houses vs. Hostels Comparison [Atmosphere, Price, Safety, Amenities]
Five Reasons Every Traveler Should Experience A Hostel [At Least Once]
Know Before You Go
Learn About Hostelworld
Common Questions & Concerns
Is Hostelworld.com Safe And Legit? [Plus How To Avoid Potential Issues]
Does Hostelworld Offer Discount Codes? [Students, Interrail, Gift Cards]
Is A Hostelworld Booking Refundable? [Refund Policy Explained]
Get Started With Hostelworld
The Complete Guide To Hostelworld.com [Find Your Perfect Hostel]
How To Book Your Hostel On Hostelworld [Search, Filters, Fees]
How To Pay On Hostelworld [Credit Card, Best Price Guarantee, Arrival]
Post-Booking Questions
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