Consider me the Benjamin Button of traveling. When I first started making money, I used to have a comfortable hotel as my default option for a stay. And 10 years after, I am backpacking and staying in hostels.

With my increased frequency in traveling, that has entailed more expenses in transportation and access to sites. As I ventured into Scandinavia and Western Europe, if I do not want to spend more than I earn, I’m left with no option.

And the more I see, the place I stay at becomes more functional. I spend more time outside a room than in it. So why splurge? 

With all of this in mind, I’ve stayed in a couple of hostels over the last 12 months. I’ve learned a lot along the way. Not everything was smooth. But I’ve gotten a good grip on what helps me get a functional and pleasurable experience. 

Here are 5 ways I get a hostel stay to work for me:

1. Stay as far away from the bedroom door as possible. Sleep in the upper deck if you can.

One my most “memorable” stays was in Dublin. I stayed in a 16-person bedroom. And for others to access the second 16-person bedroom, they had to pass by our room. I was at the front door…

And you can imagine 32 people were walking in and out during ungodly hours! And this is the Irish capital known for Guinness and whiskey! I won’t even elaborate on my disbelief that some people think there are discreet and subtle ways to exchange hushes and turns lights on and off during sleeping time.

In my view, taking the lower bunk bed guarantees disruption by the person climbing to upstairs. I believe it’s better to be the inconvenience than be inconvenienced.

The option is not always available. But asking upon reserving while checking in never hurt anybody. 

2. Remember to bring toiletries and towels

Most hostels charge for towels and toiletries. Considering the cost travellers pay for the location and the maintenance, I cannot fault these establishments. But one of the reasons to not stay in a hotel or a private AirBnb is to save. So… why let some of the money saved go down the drain? 

I transfer and store toiletries in airport security approved 100ml containers! Not only can I skip the need to check-in luggages. But I also avoid paying for incidental costs. And also, there isn’t much space to move around in hostels, especially with toilets and bedrooms being shared. Any space not occupied is an area to feel less cramped and less suffocated in.

The best towels are the absorbent kind. Drying doesn’t come naturally in enclosed spaces! Particularly on the last day, there’s rarely time to hang them. So I keep one handy.

3. Have a padlock to feel more secure

When I bring my laptop, I don’t like to carry it around. And since most spaces in hostels are shared, items are lying around in the open. So having a padlock is a necessity.

I am generally paranoid. So while most people have pure hearts, I do not hear “all people have pure hearts”

While most hostels have spares, they generally charge for them. But a locker is free!

And on days when I go back home or leave for my next destination late afternoon, I want to leave the luggage at the reception. In most instances, they’ll put items in common areas where security is based on trust. 

4. Sync sleep to the curfew time

I tend to please people. And nothing can evoke hate more than doing stuff during “curfew” time – fixing things, turning on the lights, coming in and out of the room, etc. 

So when I stay in hostels, I sleep at 10 or 11pm. That gives me less guilt when I perform my routines in the morning and at night. The expectations are clear and the same for everyone, including me and my deep dark secret. 

My deep dark secret is I snore. And I don’t feel as guilty when I do it during the allotted window. I would also recommend bringing earplugs if you are sensitive to sound. As Sam Smith puts it, I’m not the only one.

5. Talk to people and join the activities

Lastly, and most important for a lot, hostels are a great way to meet people. The chances I will have to make small talk with someone are 100x higher than in a hotel! I see them in my room, in the kitchen, and in the shower area! All of these areas are private in our own personal lives. And suddenly, as Beyonce puts it, all the walls are tumbling down!  If I am in need of social interactions during my solo travels, my problem is easily solved! 

And hostels tend to arrange activities. If I had no itinerary, I can rely on them to find me one. They organise walking tours, pub crawls, and game nights.

Not everyone is up for a chat or are keen to make a connection. But a lot are. And as I said, most of them have a good heart!