{"id":161017,"date":"2019-01-31T09:15:24","date_gmt":"2019-01-31T14:15:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/?p=161017"},"modified":"2024-09-21T17:58:38","modified_gmt":"2024-09-21T21:58:38","slug":"stay-in-hostels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/stay-in-hostels\/","title":{"rendered":"Why I Still Stay in Hostels When I Travel"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Bunk<\/p>\n

People are always shocked when they find out that I still stay in hostels.<\/a> <\/p>\n

\u201cAren\u2019t you too old for that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy would you still want to do that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you actually make money? Are you still too broke for an Airbnb?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you even sleep?\u201d<\/p>\n

Even though I have aged out of dorms (I’m too light of a sleeper for that), I still love staying in hostels. They hold a special place in my heart. <\/p>\n

Even though I’ve gotten older, I’m no longer a broke backpacker, and I have plenty of hotel points from travel credit cards<\/a>, I still often stay in hostels. <\/p>\n

Why do I do so?<\/p>\n

Well, for three reasons:<\/p>\n

1. I\u2019m cheap.<\/a><\/strong> You can\u2019t teach an old dog new tricks. I started out \u2014 and stayed \u2014 a budget traveler because I just don\u2019t like to spend money. <\/p>\n

Especially on rooms I\u2019ll only be in for a few hours. <\/p>\n

I look at prices for hotels and private rooms<\/a> and think, \u201cWell, a dorm is only $10, so why not?!\u201d <\/p>\n

True, I often regret that decision since I also don\u2019t get a good night’s rest but money is money \u2014 and hostels are cheap! <\/p>\n

2. They provide me with on-the-ground information about what budget travelers and backpackers are doing.<\/strong> (First come the backpackers, then everyone else, I like to say.) Backpackers and hostel staff know<\/em> where to find things to do on a budget. They have lots of tips<\/a> and are a good source of information and resources I might not know about. <\/p>\n

I can learn about new apps, get hot tips, and discover places or events to check out. They know the best markets, cheap places to eat, and off-beat destinations. <\/p>\n

Hostels are where I get the information I can use to unlock the mystery of how to see a destination on a budget.<\/a> They are my source of travel trends and insider tips.<\/p>\n

In fact, I think hostels, their staff, and the backpacker crowd are an underutilized resource \u2013 regardless of your age or travel style. You don\u2019t get travelers swapping tips at a hotel bar the way you do a hostel bar. So, if you\u2019re looking for information \u2014 a hot new attraction, a cool local tour, new restaurants, a great dive bar, tips on getting around cheaper \u2014 go to a hostel. <\/p>\n

Most hostels have bars or cafes open to the public until a certain hour. Meet some backpackers. Make some friends. Learn something new! <\/p>\n

Additionally, even if you aren\u2019t staying at a hostel, you can still go inside and ask the staff questions. They field more inquiries about \u201cunique, weird, and local\u201d things to do than your Airbnb host or a hotel concierge. Take advantage of their insight!<\/p>\n

3. I like the social atmosphere hostels provide<\/strong>. While hotels do offer better sleep, they are also boring. And, while Airbnbs are a decent middle ground, they’ve been inching up in price over the years (and contributing to overtourism<\/a> along the way). <\/p>\n

Hostels, on the other hand, are full of friendly travelers. I can swap tips, have a few conversations, get some travel buddies, and generally socialize. They are perfect if I want to find people to join me as I hit the museum, the bar, and everything in between<\/p>\n

Hostels are just fun. I miss them when I\u2019m not staying at them. <\/p>\n

There\u2019s usually a bar, events going on, activities, people hanging out, a pool table \u2013 there are lots of ways to connect with other travelers in a hostel. <\/p>\n

The common areas are meant for people to interact. Even if I\u2019m not looking for a rager, it\u2019s still nice to head down, grab a beer, and chat with people for a bit. <\/p>\n

How could I ever leave that? It\u2019s way better than watching Netflix!<\/p>\n

Of course, there are days when I need to catch up on work or just want to relax after a few busy days of socializing. For those occasions, I might get an Airbnb or hotel. But for every other day? Hostels are my favorite. <\/p>\n

I may not be the most hardcore \u201cbudget\u201d traveler these days but I don\u2019t ever see myself not staying in hostels for at least part<\/em> of my travels. <\/p>\n

For me, they are home. You should make them your home too.<\/p>\n

If you’re looking for some of the best hostels in the world, here’s a list of all my favorites<\/a>. And this post can help you figure out how to choose the right one<\/a>!
\n 
\n

How to Travel the World on $75 a Day<\/span><\/h3>
\"How<\/div>

My New York Times<\/em> best-selling book to travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you\u2019ll get off save money, always find deals, and have a deeper travel experience. It\u2019s your A to Z planning guide that the BBC called the \u201cbible for budget travelers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Click here to learn more and start reading it today!<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n

\n

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks<\/h4>\n

Book Your Flight<\/strong>
\nFind a cheap flight by using Skyscanner<\/a>. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned. <\/p>\n

Book Your Accommodation<\/strong>
\nYou can book your hostel with Hostelworld<\/a>. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com<\/a> as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels. <\/p>\n

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance<\/strong>
\nTravel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:<\/p>\n