The Unhinged Guide to Solo Travel & Hostels (Only 2-Minute Read)

Travelling solo opens up freedom, self-discovery, and spontaneous adventures. Staying in hostels adds another layer: meeting new people, saving money, and tapping into travel experiences. I will also talk about the mindset and managing of expectations.

Here are 20 years of backpacking the world and staying in hostels, compressed in under 2 minutes:

Why Solo Travelers Choose Hostels

• Independence and flexibility: no need to coordinate plans—you can cook your own meals, often no need to pre-book months ahead.
• Built-in community: dorms, tours, and common areas make meeting people easy
• Budget friendly: shared spaces cut costs, kitchens save even more. The in-house bar is usually cheaper and so are the tours. Staying in a hostel, you save on many ends; not just sleeping.
• Best hostels for solo travelers combine social vibes with affordable options. I made many life-time friends.

How to Pick Your First Hostel

Always make your first hostel a fantastic one. Never skip this simple rule. Your first stay in a hostel sets the tone how you feel about hostels. Nothing kills momentum like a disappointing start.

Use these minimum ratings as your benchmark:

• Hostelz: at least 9.0
• Hostelworld: at least 9.0
• Booking: at least 8.5 (users here are more critical, so 8.5 is a strong score)

Follow this rule and you’ll land in a safe, social, and well-run hostel that makes solo travel instantly easier.

Hostelz.com is the #1 hostel website. They show you all prices and ratings from all hostels.

Planning Tips for Solo Hostel Travelers

• Safety first: read reviews from solo travelers; check lockers, 24h reception, secure entry
• Reading Reviews: Sort by "latest" reviews. Reviews from 2021 won't be helpful...
• Location: stay central or near transport so you can move around confidently
• Room type: small dorms (4–8 beds) are easier; private rooms help on rest days
• Social vibe: pick hostels with communal dinners, events, or walking tours (Hostelz has filters for this!)
• Smart packing: padlock, ear plugs, eye mask, and a small ice-breaker (card game)

Making Hostel Life Work for You

• Arrive early to choose a good bed and settle in. Some hostels give you a fix bed, meaning you cannot choose.
• Introduce yourself simply: “Hey, I’m __ from __”
• Join hostel events, cooking nights, or group tours. Check the black board!
• Respect others: clean up, keep quiet at night, use lockers

Staying Safe and Comfortable Solo

• Keep digital copies of passport and tickets
• Share your itinerary with someone back home
• Split cash and cards in different places
• Trust your instincts—if something feels off, leave
• Carry ear plugs, eye mask, and a travel lock for dorm comfort

How to Meet People Without Feeling Awkward

• Check hostel notice boards for “looking for travel buddy” posts
• Eat in common areas, not in bed
• Share snacks or cook a group meal
• Use travel apps to connect with locals and backpackers

Hostel Hacks Only Solo Travelers Know

• Bring a sleeping liner for hygiene and warmth
• Carry a universal adapter
• Carry a light and small portable power bank
• Download offline maps before arriving
• Use noise-blocking headphones for rest and focus
• Learn a few local phrases for quick rapport

Extra Tips for Solo Female Hostel Travel

• Book female-only dorms if it feels better for you
• Read reviews from other women for safety details
• Choose hostels with visible safety measures or female staff
• Carry a scarf for modesty or cultural respect

Pro Tip: Hostelz has a special category to find female-friendly hostels in all cities.

When Privacy Matters

• Use private rooms when sick, exhausted, or needing focus
• Reserve in advance during low season for better rates

Budget Hostel Tips for Solo Travelers

• Compare hostels across multiple booking sites and watch for hidden fees - This is what you have Hostelz.com for
• Cook in the kitchen instead of eating out
• Walk or use public transport whenever possible
• Join free walking tours and check museum free days

Mistakes to Avoid When Staying in Hostels

Here’s the truth nobody tells you:

• Not every hostel is social. Some are glorified hotels with bunk beds. Don’t assume — always check reviews. On Hostelz you have a filter for "social hostels".
• Weirdos exist — and you’ll meet them. 90% are harmless, 10% become stories you’ll tell forever. Some are best to avoid. Not everybody will be your friend.
• Community beats comfort. A creaky bed in a fun hostel is better than a boutique hotel with no soul.
• Your vibe sets the tone. Be the one who asks “want to grab food?” instead of waiting for magic.
• You’ll cut people off. Not everyone’s your tribe — and that’s fine. Walk away, no hard feelings.
• The best nights aren’t planned. They start with hostel dinners and end with sunrise on a rooftop.
• You will get woken up. Snoring, alarms, midnight arrivals. It’s part of hostel life — pack earplugs and adapt.
• Clean bathrooms matter more than pool tables. Trust me.
• You’ll overpay if you don’t use the right apps. Hostelz compares Booking + Hostelworld in one click (cheapest bed every time). The Hostelworld app is gold for meeting people before you arrive.
• Hostel staff are the real MVPs. Receptionists and bartenders know the city better than Google Maps. Ask them everything.
• Overpacking is a rookie move. You’ll regret every extra pair of shoes you drag through dorm staircases.
• Ignoring kitchen etiquette. Label food, clean up after yourself, or you’ll make instant enemies.
• Booking only one night “to see how it goes.” Good hostels sell out. If reviews are solid, lock in more nights.
• Not carrying cash. Some hostels don’t take cards, and you’ll need coins for lockers or laundry.

Hostels aren’t perfect, but they’re where the best travel stories always start.

Managing Expectations

Do not expect the world to come to you and deliver the most epic Instagram experiences. The world happens outside of Instagram — and it’s both worse and much better than what you see online. Dorm rooms are messy, travel days are tiring, and not every night is a rooftop party at sunrise.

That’s normal. THIS is travel. You will get dirty. You will sweat, you will be unhappy with certain moments. Embrace it. This is travel.

What really matters is your approach: be proactive.

Join the hostel dinner, ask someone if they want to grab food, say yes to the city walk. Waiting with an attitude of “I’m here, now entertain me” simply won’t work. The magic of hostels comes from stepping in, not standing back.

When you manage expectations, you stop comparing your trip to someone else’s highlight reel and start appreciating your own real experiences.

The less you expect, the more you’ll be surprised.

Mindset & its Shift

Hostels are amazing, but you need to find your own rhythm. Some travelers are crazy social and seem to never sit down. Others need to recharge after a few days of activity. Some love leading the group, others are happiest following along. There is no single “right” way to do hostel life.

I personally love to just follow when there’s a cool plan coming up. Why not? Solo travel is freedom—sometimes you lead, sometimes you go with the flow. Don’t pressure yourself to always be “on.” Listen to what you need.

Here’s the bigger shift: you’re not at home anymore. Solo travel lets you experiment with who you are. You can develop a new character, be more outgoing, or take on different roles like the organizer, the follower, the storyteller. Nobody knows the “you” from back home, so there are no constraints. That’s the beauty of hostels: they’re like a social playground where you can figure out more about yourself without the expectations of your usual world.

Hostels give you the chance to reinvent, test, and grow. That’s why solo travel in hostels isn’t just about cheap beds—it’s about self-discovery.

About the author: Anna Kiefer

My travels have taken me from the vibrant streets of Vietnam to the tranquil beauty of Spain, each destination adding a new chapter to my journey. For me, travel isn’t about counting countries or ticking off lists; it’s about the freedom it brings and the stories that unfold with each new adventure. At Hostelgeeks, my goal is to infuse our brand with this sense of freedom and discovery.

Whether it’s finding the perfect 5 Star Hostel or sharing a hidden gem in a bustling city, I’m here to ensure that our travelers get more than just a journey – they get an experience that resonates with the joy of exploration and the freedom of the open road.