Budget Travel Hacks in Hostels
Travelers book hostels for experiences, but they also book hostels to save money. Saving money is one of the biggest benefits of booking a bed at a hostel as opposed to a hotel room or private residential rental unit. For some, the money they didn’t spend on a hotel or private rental is put toward more experiences, like excursions or tours, better food, or even more travel. But even while staying at a hostel, there are ways to save money.
Solo Travel Tips
For starters, one of the top budget travel hacks in hostels as a solo traveler is booking a bed in a shared room with the most amount of beds. Typically, shared dorms can range anywhere from four to ten or twelve beds. It’s not unusual to see a shared dorm with 16 beds, but it’s less common. By booking the biggest room with the most amount of beds, you’re likely to save a few dollars. Rooms with fewer beds tend to be more expensive.
If you’re not traveling solo, consider booking a private room with a friend or even getting a small group together to book out an entire shared room. Depending on where you are and when you book, you can save a few dollars this way.
The time you book a hostel bed can also be a big determining factor in price. To save money, try to plan your trip during non-peak seasons. In certain cities, this is especially true. For instance, a hostel in New Orleans will cost significantly more if it is booked during Mardi Gras, as opposed to a less popular time like October or November. Part of traveling anywhere is experiencing the place to the fullest, but you’ll find plenty of windows to book when the weather is favorable, even during non-peak seasons.
As for the actual hostel experience, there are plenty of tips and hacks to save money. Bringing your own supplies, without having to buy an extra bag or carry around too much weight, is one way to save money. Locks are one item that is easy to carry around, and having one handy will prevent you from having to buy a lock at the hostel or at a local store. It’s advisable to have a lock regardless, just to ensure your valuables are safe and secure while you’re traveling.
Saving Money on Food
Food can be a tricky item to budget and plan around, but there are certain food items that you can bring with you to save money while traveling through hostels. An easy one is instant coffee. While most hostels provide free coffee, there are times when you might need that extra fix, or the hostel kitchen area isn’t open yet, and you need a cup of coffee before an early train or plane. Finding instant coffee in most grocery stores is easy, and you might even come across some delicious local roasters that offer small packages of instant coffee.
Other food items that are handy to carry around and can save money are instant oatmeal, packaged nuts, dried fruits, nut butters, and bread. As with the instant coffee, these items are usually easy to find and can be transported without adding much weight to your pack.
Carrying as many of your own items without overpacking is a delicate balance, but having your own toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, body soap, and other toiletries can save you money when you’re on the road. Hostels typically have these items for sale, or there are often stores nearby to sell them, but by having your own, you’re already ahead of the game and can think about spending that extra money elsewhere.
Other Money Saving Tips
As far as the booking process goes for saving money while using hostels, it’s always advisable to book as early as you can. Room availability can be one of the most stressful parts of planning a trip if you wait too long. In addition to the hostel booking process, transportation costs can rise significantly as time goes on. Flights and train tickets, especially, can skyrocket in a matter of weeks. There’s a thrill in booking spontaneous trips, but the farther out you plan, the more money you’re likely to save on your transportation costs.
Lastly, making friends at the hostel is one of the best hacks for saving money while traveling. By finding others to share the experience with, you can access more of the place you came to see. Someone else at the hostel may very likely want to see a certain attraction or go on a particular excursion, but is hesitant due to the cost of doing it alone. Sharing rides, meals, and planning group activities with other hostel guests is by far one of the best ways to save money on the road. You might even build friendships that open up doors to future travels somewhere else, and be invited to stay at someone’s house who lives in another country, because you met at the hostel, adding even more value to the hostel experience.
