Safety Tips for First-Time Hostel Travelers
When speaking with someone who just booked a hostel for the first time, or is on the fence about booking one, one word typically comes up: safety.
Given how much of the space in a hostel is shared, it’s understandable why travelers have concerns when it comes to safety. While there are hundreds of hostels out there, and not all hostels are created the same, there are many ways that travelers can prepare themselves to be safe and make sure that their belongings are safe when staying in hostels.
Lock It Up
First and foremost, the importance of having a lock cannot be underestimated. Small padlocks are practical and can be used to secure belongings in storage lockers or even to help secure a piece of luggage. Whether you choose to go with a padlock or one that has a key, it’s vital to keep at least one lock with you at all times. Hostels often have storage lockers on-site, whether that is in the room or out in the common areas. Many hostels also sell locks, but it’s best not to assume that all do, so to save you a trip to the local convenience store, it’s best to bring your own.
Pro tip: bring multiple locks. Sometimes locks, or even keys, can get misplaced, so having a spare lock can save you in a pinch. You also never know when you might meet someone who forgot their own lock and needs to borrow one, and that could be the beginning of a new friendship.
Travel in Groups
One of the best things about hostels is how communal they are and how easy they make it to meet other travelers. As a solo backpacker, there are limitations to the experience if it does entirely alone. You might want to explore a certain part of town, check out a certain bar, or go on a certain hike, but the idea of doing it alone can be unsafe or not advisable. By being in a place where several other travelers might want to do the same thing, you can access those places by traveling in groups.
Spending time in common areas, or being chatty in the kitchen or bathroom, can be easy gateways to meeting new people and building connections that can lead to group travel. Even if you’re not a socialite, being willing to step out of your comfort zone and converse with other travelers is how you truly unlock the hostel experience, and it can help keep you safe.
Book All-Gender Dorms
All-gender dorms are popular because they can tailor the hostel experience for travelers. For female travelers, especially, having an all-female dorm as a booking option can be the difference between staying in a hostel or booking a hotel. All-female dorms are especially popular in hostels and are available in most.
All-gender dorms can create a level of comfort in the experience because you know what to expect. It can also be the place where connections begin and friendships blossom. While mixed dorms are popular and overall safe, the ability to book a bed in a room full of travelers who are the same gender is one way for travelers to be safe in hostels.
Do Your Homework
When booking a trip, it’s easy to get excited about all the possibilities of what the experience can offer. It’s important, though, to do your homework when it comes to researching the area where your hostel is booked. Hostels themselves are safe, affordable, and fun ways to travel, but it’s best to familiarize yourself with the area you’re staying in before booking. This can help prepare you by giving you an idea of public transportation routes, how walkable the area is, and also where some of the top restaurants or shops in the area are located.
By booking on a whim and not doing your homework, your experience might not be as rich and robust as it would be if you spent some time checking out the area. To get an idea of the area where your hostel is, you can even call or email the hostel directly to ask questions about what to expect. This can help make your arrival and departure smoother as well.
