Travel Tips

First things first: If your idea of what goes on in a hostel is based on the movie of the same name, then you’re wildly off the mark. Such a statement is bound to evoke disappointment amongst a few and relief among others depending on your memories of that particular movie, for staying in a hostel does not guarantee a) really hot sex with a slew of Eastern European women or b) a series of strange and agonising tortuous rituals for all inhabitants of the hostel.

For those of you who haven’t seen the movie, then you’re all the better; it was awful (in my opinion). If you are new to hostel life, however, it is worth noting that it can be entirely different to your normal travel experience.

Some modern hostels are as close as you will get to a three star hotel, with facilities and security to match. Others, however, are similar to a house party totally out of control, with the furniture resembling some twisted piece of art and unknown people slung all over the place in various states of consciousness.

With so many hostels around these days though, there’s a good chance you’ll find what you’re looking for, whether it’s a wild place where you can meet fellow revellers, or somewhere to relax for a night before continuing on your travels. Here are a few pieces of advice to follow before you go.

Book in Advance

Some would say just turning up in some random town and finding some place to stay is all part of the fun; then they wake up the next day with a dog licking their ear and their legs covered in bed bites. For the modern budget traveller, booking a hostel these days couldn’t be easier with a string of websites dedicated to hostels around the world.

Hostelworld.com (www.hostelworld.com) and Hostels.com (www.hostels.com) are among the best and with ratings based on user reviews, travel blogs, travel guides and other various titbits of advice; you’ll more than likely find the type of place you’re looking for. A small credit card deposit is usually required to ensure your reservation, which can be paid fully on arrival.

Listen to other travellers

Unless you happen to encounter the guy/girl who’s been somewhere better than you, who’s done something more adventurous than you, or who’s partied harder than you (Believe me there’s plenty of folk like that out there) most of the fun in a trip comes from meeting with other travellers and exchanging shared experiences.

Just as they will tell you of where to go and what to see, often they will tell of you places to stay, places that might not be well known but still have plenty to offer whether it be in terms of comfort, atmosphere or value for money. Word of mouth is often the best piece e of advice to digest on the road.

Keep an open mind

Although you’ve read the reviews and heard so much about the place, don’t go into a hostel expecting to be blown away. If you’ve heard that it will be quiet and then you’re woken by fellow dormers at 4 in the morning, don’t kick up too much of a fuss; after all most people staying in a hostel are young, carefree and entitled to go in search of a good time.

Similarly, if you’ve heard that a hostel is renowned for its party atmosphere and you are greeted with an empty bar on arrival, don’t be too glum. Your hostel experience all depends on a number of factors such as the time of year or the clientele staying in a hostel at a particular time. Try and have an open mind whatever the situation.

Mix it Up

OK, I understand, you like your privacy and staying in a room with seven or eight other strangers makes you a little queasy. But if you’re on a long trip and are constantly staying in private rooms and keeping to yourself, what fun is that going to be?

Stay in a multi-bed dorm every now and again, or, if you are going to stay in a private room, at least go to the common room in the hostel and try and blend in. Everyone you encounter mightn’t be your cup of tea but chances are you’ll have a laugh, make some friends, or who knows, even meet the love of your life amongst your fellow travellers.

Main picture courtesy of hostelmanagement.com

Conor Heneghan