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What Is A Hostel? [Traveler’s Guide, FAQ]
What Is A Hostel?
Traveling doesn’t have to be expensive.
Hostel accommodation helps make this possible. As someone who’s stayed in countless hostels around the world, I’m convinced there’s a hostel for all types of travelers - regardless of your tastes and budget.
In this guide, I’ll break down everything a traveler should know about hostels.
We’ll cover the history of travel accommodation and hostels, what hostels are and how they work, what they’re like inside, five reasons every traveler should experience a hostel (at least once), the ten types of hostels, the type of traveler that typically stays in hostels, and 10 common questions about hostel accommodation.
*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted hostel dorms (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s hostel deals, click here.
Table of Contents
Brief History Of Travel Accommodation
Humans have traveled throughout recorded history.
Initially, nomadic people survived by following the seasonal plant growth and animal migration patterns. As hunter-gatherer societies settled, they domesticated animals, learned agriculture and traded with others.
Nomadic home in Kyrgyzstan (called “yurt”)
The most famous, extensive example of inter-cultural trade was the Silk Road - a network of overland trade routes spanning from East Asia to Europe. The Austronesians were the first-known people to traverse vast seas, leaving the island of modern-day Taiwan for the Malay Archipelago (some traveled as far as Easter Island and Madagascar!).
Silk Road map (land and sea routes) - Silkroadtravel.com
Finding a place to sleep has always been an important travel logistic. During the Silk Road era (beginning 2nd Century BCE), savvy businessmen/leaders built secure lodging for caravaners transporting goods across long distances. These structures were called “caravanserais” (also called khans, hans, wikalas, funduqs, etc. - depending on the locale).
Caravans were vulnerable to bandit raids, especially when crossing deserts and steppes
Caravanserais were the original hostels. They were strategically built, such that travelers could move from one roof to the next on a reliable schedule. Terrain conditions determined a typical day’s travel distance (usually from 15 to 25 kilometers). Caravans usually included camels and/or other “beasts of burden”.
Sultan Han caravanserai (modern-day Turkey)
Caravanserais ranged in price (including taxes/duties) and amenities (such as public baths for people, fodder for animals). Some were located in major cities like Constantinople (modern Istanbul) and Cairo (urban caravanserais are called “wikala” in Arabic). Others were rurally located, like those in deserts and steppes.
Wikala of al-Ghuri in Cairo, Egypt - Khaled ElAdawy/Shutterstock
As multi-cultural societies and travel logistics evolved, so did people’s desire to explore. Adventurous souls underwent ambitious multi-year journeys to distant lands, usually funded by leaders hoping to be privy to what lay abroad. Notable explorers we still remember today include: Marco Polo, Ibn Battuta, Ferdinand Magellan and Zheng He (among others).
As travel routes became more secure (and destinations familiar) over the past 500 years or so, the industry of “leisure travel” developed. Initially, leisure travel was reserved for the wealthy - as they were people with the disposable time and resources to indulge in travel.
Athens, Greece has been popular with leisure travelers
Fast forward to the 2020s, and the avatar of what is a “modern traveler” could be just about anyone. Sure, some time and resources are required to travel, but we can all now experience adventure without traversing continents. You can get lost in a nearby city or explore the lush mountainside in your own country.
One major reason why travel has become much more accessible over the past century has been the shrinking cost of transportation and accommodation (relative to income), mostly due to technological advancements and global competition. The internet has also exposed us to cultures and landscapes in faraway corners of the world - making us more curious and empathetic.
Airlines offer round-the-clock flights and cater to all budgets
Developments in travel accommodation have resulted in various accommodation styles. Travel is no longer reserved for wealthy leisure travelers. In fact, it’s easier than ever to find lodging for any/all budgets, whether you’re seeking a villa, guesthouse, luxury hotel, bungalow or traditional bed and breakfast.
Travelers have more options than ever before
Booking sites like Agoda.com allow smaller, lesser-known properties to gain exposure online, providing travelers with a wide selection to choose from. The entire lodging sector has transformed enormously in the past few decades - and continues to do so rapidly.
*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted hostel dorms (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s hostel deals, click here.
The History Of Hostels
Communal lodging has existed for millennia, but the modern hostel concept is only a century old. In the early 1900s, Richard Schirrmann created the first “youth hostel” in Altena, Germany. He developed the hostel for his students, who were to be accountable for maintaining a productive, communal space where they could live and learn. Schirrmann intentionally avoided creating any hierarchal structure amongst the guests (students). All duties and spaces were shared.
Altena Castle was the first youth hostel (now a museum)
By the conclusion of the 1920s, Schirrmann had founded the German Youth Hostel Association - a network of hostels. Despite obstacles, including Schirrmann’s forced resignation, World War II chaos and Germany’s subsequent rebuild, GYHA survived. The GYHA network later inspired the creation of Hostelling International (HI), which is currently the largest global organization of youth hostels.
In the first half of the 20th century, hostels sprung up from Germany to Eastern Europe, the British Isles and the United States. The 1960s counterculture movement inspired a large wave of budget travelers, curious to experience lands abroad. Hostels opened all over the world in this decade, especially in Asia.
These weren’t “youth hostels” however. Instead, they became known as “backpacker hostels” - places where travelers from various backgrounds could share ideas and experiences, including food, music and culture.
Many ‘60s backpackers traveled light, with no fixed itinerary
Backpacker hostels have steadily grown in popularity since the 1960s. Many are owned by former travelers inspired to open their own hostel after returning from memorable experiences abroad. This network effect has led to the development of “hostel culture”, which encourages creating experiences and memories with fellow travelers above checking items off a bucket list.
Hostel culture encourages travelers to meet other people
By the end of the 20th century, hostels had begun to diversify greatly in appearance and amenities, and hostel standards increased significantly. This widened the demographic of travelers who would potentially consider a hostel as an accommodation option. These days, you’ll find all ages and backgrounds in hostels - including retirees, middle-aged businessmen who’ve recently sold a company, and backpackers from tiny, obscure islands you’ve never heard of before.
Hostel on the shores of Lake Titicaca, Bolivia - Jam Travels/Shutterstock
As with hostel guests, hostel properties vary widely. You’ll still find those character-filled, family-owned boutique hostels, but you can also now find modern, luxurious hostels in trendy neighborhoods, and eco-friendly bungalows where beaches meets a rainforest. You can make memories and exchange stories over a campfire or a rooftop bar - it’s all up to you.
*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted hostel dorms (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s hostel deals, click here.
What Is A Hostel? (How They Work)
A hostel is a form of budget accommodation where (most) guests rent a single bed rather than an entire room. Hostel guests also share other spaces, including the lounge, bathrooms and (usually) a kitchen. Most hostels offer mixed dorms, female-only dorms and one or two private rooms - to provide for the widest range of budget options and preferences.
But great hostels are much more than a place to sleep. Some amenities you may find in a hostel include: an on-site bar/restaurant, swimming pool, billiards table, gym and co-working space. Some hostels host events like walking tours, game nights, yoga, barbecues, wine tasting, cooking classes and surf lessons. It’s common to see minimalistic hostels in places where space is limited or expensive, like Hong Kong or New York. To read about the 10 hostel types, click here.
Hostel with a pool - Matyas Rehak/Shutterstock
Hostel cleanliness standards have improved greatly in the past few decades. Today, most hostels clean their common areas, dorm rooms, bathrooms and kitchen daily. Hostels on Hostelworld.com have a cleanliness rating (from 1-10).
Some dorm rooms have as few as two beds per room, while others have 20+. Generally, the more beds there are in a room, the lower the price per bed will be (in the same hostel). Private rooms usually cost multiple times that of a dorm bed (though sometimes they’ll cost only a little more). The number of rooms in a hostel will vary by individual property.
8-bed dorm room with curtains
While hostels exist globally, “hostel culture” is more prevalent in regions where hostels are ubiquitous and wide-ranging. Regions where you’ll find hostel culture include: Southeast Asia, Europe and South America (among others). In such regions, hostels are clustered together in “backpacker districts” or in tourist areas.
Hostel culture is often found in tropical destinations
These days, hostels cater to all tastes and budgets. You can find cheap, luxury, urban or rural. Some emphasize social/communal environment (example), while some provide seclusion in a natural setting, for guests to relax, practice yoga or surf (example).
Hostel owners will tell you that being a hostel owner isn’t the business to get into if your goal is to become passively rich. Passion is required to cultivate a hostel with a great vibe. Because of this, owners and staff are often open-minded, interesting people. Creativity and listening to guests separate great hostels from the rest.
*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted hostel dorms (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s hostel deals, click here.
Inside A Hostel (What It’s Like)
In this section, we’ll briefly cover what it’s like inside a hostel, so you will know what to expect before you arrive. Hostels vary in size and amenities/features, but you’ll typically find the same layout in hostels around the world (for the most part).
The 4 main sections of a hostel are:
Reception
Dorm Rooms
Shared Bathrooms
Common Areas
Reception
The reception desk is usually the first thing you’ll see when entering a hostel, and where you’ll go to if you have any questions or requests during your stay. Upon checking in, a staff member will typically give a brief tour of the property, then lead you to a dorm room, where you’ll be assigned (or pick) your bed.
Dorm Rooms
Dorms typically have between 4 to 12 beds per room (some as few as 2, others more than 20). Dorm beds are usually bunked (maybe three-tiered or solo). The more beds per room, the cheaper the nightly rate per bed usually is (within the same hostel). Dorm rooms are usually mixed or female-only. Some hostels offer unique dorms, like capsules (more popular in Asia).
Two-tiered bunk and a solo bed inside a dorm room
Most modern hostels provide a reading light, power socket and small shelf on the wall-side of each bed. Some attach a sliding curtain to the beds as well, for additional privacy. Curtains are becoming common in hostels globally. To learn about proper dorm room etiquette in hostels, click here.
Shared Bathrooms
If you book a dorm bed, you’ll also share a bathroom with guests. Dorm bathrooms are either attached en-suite or located outside the dorm room. Showers are usually located in the bathroom, but sometimes kept separately. To learn about shared bathroom etiquette in hostels, read the Hostel Etiquette Guide.
Common Areas
Common areas will vary by property - some hostels are minimalistic, others provide dozens of amenities. Some amenities you might find in a hostel include: a ping pong table, billiards table, bookshelf, television, board games and a computer.
Some larger hostel properties provide more features and amenities, as they have the space for things like an on-site bar/restaurant, outdoor patio, swimming pool, hammocks and more.
Most hostels have an area where guests can store food from outside, and many have at least some sort of kitchen facility for guests to cook food. In some small hostels, the kitchen is also where breakfast is served.
*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted hostel dorms (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s hostel deals, click here.
What To Bring To A Hostel
Before you book a hostel, it’s important to know what to bring to your stay. Below, I’ve included a list of 10 items every traveler should bring to a hostel stay. The first 5 are essential, the next 5 are optional. You can find all 10 items for under $100 total.
The ten things to bring are:
Lock For Your Locker [Buy Here]
Your Own Towel [Buy Here]
Your Own Toiletries [Buy Here]
Universal Travel Adapter [Buy Here]
Cash For Check-In [Learn More]
Sleep Mask (Optional) [Buy Here]
Earplugs (Optional) [Buy Here]
Flash Light (Optional) [Buy Here]
Flip Flops (Optional) [Buy Here]
Power Strip (Optional) [Buy Here]
To learn more about each of these items (along with our recommendations for quality, well-priced options on Amazon), click here.
Five Reasons To Experience A Hostel
As a traveler, there are (at least) five main reasons to experience hostel accommodation. You’ll find at least three of these to be true in most hostels around the world, while the best hostels can offer all five.
The five reasons are:
The Social Atmosphere [Learn More]
You’ll Save Money [Learn More]
Friendly Staff [Learn More]
Central/Ideal Location [Learn More]
You Can (Usually) Cook [Learn More]
To read more about these five reasons, click here.
The Ten Types of Hostels
While basic hostel features are standard (dorm beds, shared bathrooms, common areas, kitchen), hostels vary in form and atmosphere. Below are ten types of hostels you’ll find while traveling (some are a hybrid of multiple types). You’ll find all ten on Agoda.com.
The ten hostel types are:
Budget Hostels [Learn More]
Luxury Hostels [Learn More]
Boutique Hostels [Learn More]
Party Hostels [Learn More]
Beach/Jungle Hostels [Learn More]
Historic/Cultural Hostels [Learn More]
Adventure Hostels [Learn More]
Eco-Friendly Hostels [Learn More]
Uniquely-Themed Hostels [Learn More]
Youth Hostels [Learn More]
To learn more about the ten types of hostels (plus five examples of each hostel type), click here.
What Type Of Traveler Typically Stays In Hostels?
“Experiences over possessions”.
This quote sums up the sentiment felt by most guests who stay in hostels. Hostel guests tend to value new experiences (food, adventure, arts) and are often open to spontaneity (most hostel guests are traveling solo or in a small group). Generally, they enjoy meeting interesting people with unique perspectives.
Hostels generally attract a younger crowd (18 to 35), though the number of hostel guests over the age of 35 increases annually. Many professionals and freelancers prefer to stay and work remotely from hostels rather than from hotels or Airbnbs - largely for hostels’ social aspect. Some hostels even cater to “digital nomads” by providing them workspaces and high-speed internet.
A common misconception people have about hostels is that they’re for partiers. In truth, a small fraction of all hostels are “party hostels” and they’re easy to seek out or avoid. You can tell which hostels foster a party atmosphere by browsing the descriptions, photos and reviews of hostels on Agoda.com.
Another misconception about hostels is that they’re only for singles or solo travelers. In truth, traveling as a couple can be more fun and cost less (even a private room) in a hostel. For groups of five or more, a dorm room almost always costs less than a hotel room for that same-sized group. Try to book your hostel ahead of time if you’re with a large group though, as it can be difficult to find enough beds otherwise. To book for a large group (9 or more) on Hostelworld, use the Group Booking page or contact the hostel directly.
*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted hostel dorms (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s hostel deals, click here.
Ten Frequently Asked Questions About Hostels (FAQ)
Do Hostels Provide Breakfast?
Hostel breakfast varies by property. Some hostels include a buffet-style breakfast in their nightly rate, some serve breakfast à la carte, others do not provide breakfast at all. Depending on the hostel, breakfast can range from minimal (toast, fruit and coffee) to continental or local, homemade cuisine. To find hostels that include free breakfast, use the “Breakfast included” search filter on Agoda.com.
Why Are Hostels So Cheap?
Hostels seem cheap if you’re used to hotels. Hostels typically offer many more beds than hotels of the same size. For example, if a hostel sells 6 beds in a room for $10 each, it would earn the same amount as a hotel selling that same full room for $60 total. This is why hostels are usually much cheaper, but also why they rely on a higher customer volume than hotels.
How Do Hostels Make Money?
Apart from selling beds and rooms, a hostel can make money in a variety of ways, including selling food and drinks on property (breakfast, dinner, on-site bar), staff-led tours, and referring guests to other businesses (car rentals, taxis, tours, etc). There are countless ways a hostel can make money. Some hostels offer enough features and amenities that their guests can spend an entire weekend without even leaving the property.
Who Owns Hostels?
Some hostels are family-owned, others are corporate, international chains. Many were founded by travelers who felt inspired to create their own hostel after they had positive travel experiences abroad.
Who Regulates Hostels?
In most countries, hostels are classified the same way as hotels, guest houses, bed and breakfasts, etc. - as an accommodation/lodging business. In this way, hostels are usually regulated by local or national governments the same way those accommodation businesses are.
*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted hostel dorms (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s hostel deals, click here.
Where Are Hostels Most Popular?
Hostels are most popular in “backpacker regions”.
Backpacker regions tend to be relatively cheap, scenic and exotic to the traveler. Popular backpacker regions include Southeast Asia, Central America, India and South America. Most backpackers are young adults (18-30), many of whom are on a gap year or work break. By staying in hostels, backpackers can stretch their cash out longer and meet other travelers.
Hostels are also popular in expensive destinations, like Australia, Scandinavia and some major cities. Staying in hostel accommodation is one of the easiest ways to save money in an expensive destination, leaving you with more to spend on the experiences you came for.
Why Aren’t Hostels Popular In The USA?
There are multiple reasons why hostels aren’t popular in America. First off, hostel guests usually get around using public transportation, and America doesn’t have great public transportation infrastructure (outside the northeast region). This, coupled with the country’s massive size, makes road tripping a more ideal way to get around the country, especially in its popular rural destinations, like the national parks of the West.
Since the United States is so vast, it’s easier to choose a single region within the country than to embark on a coast-to-coast trip (like you can in most countries). But like in most of the world, hostels are becoming increasingly popular in the US. Most major American cities now have at least one hostel, while additional hostels continue to spring up every year.
What Are Hostels Like In Europe?
European hostels operate just like hostels elsewhere.
However, European hostels typically have a higher turnover rate (shorter average stay length) compared to other popular backpacker regions. Europe’s ground transportation is quick and efficient, making it easy to cross through multiple countries in a single train ride, or comfortably visit 5 cities within a week’s time. This can make the atmosphere inside European hostels feel more transient than hostels in other regions - as more people check in and out per day, and at various hours.
Can I Work/Volunteer At A Hostel?
Working/volunteering at a hostel is a great experience, whether it’s for a week or months. Many hostels allow foreign travelers to volunteer time in exchange for free accommodation (or more). This can be a great way to extend your trip if you’re traveling long-term and are on a budget. If you’re interested in volunteering at a hostel, check out Worldpackers.com.
Do Hostels Accept Locals Or Homeless People?
Travel hostels are not homeless hostels/shelters. While some hostels allow local (national) residents, others do not. Of hostels that allow local residents, some assign them to separate dorms than the international guests.
*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.
Hostels offer an invaluable atmosphere for travelers. While communal lodging have existed for millennia, new and creative hostels continue to pop up daily. If you’re seeking a hostel, the best place to find deals is on Agoda.com. To learn more about hostels, 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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