Hostels are likely to feature prominently on most RTW trips but one of the most misunderstood aspects of budget traveling. Even those who have stayed in hostels before might be worried or put off by booking hostels in the third world or outside of major cities.
In reality though, hostels vary widely and there isn’t a single “type” of hostel – just like there are good and bad hotels, there are good and bad hostels.
What Is A Hostel?
A hostel is a low budget lodging option where travelers typically stay in a shared room of 4-12 people. Hostels are found far and wide around the world and many offer services such as free wi-fi Internet, breakfast, and deals on booking tours for much less that hotels typically charge. Many backpackers stay in hostels which can be booked online from sites like HostelBookers and HostelWorld, generally up to the very last minute.
Where To Book A Hostel
Many hostels have their own websites and you can make reservations directly or through sites like HostelWorld. Another good resource is HostelBookers and you can search for hostels, get prices, and read reviews using the search box below:
Hostel Basics
Like we mentioned before, hostels vary in what they offer in terms of service, location, amenities, and accommodations. Below are just some of the things many hostels typically offer in some variety or another.
Shared Rooms and Bathrooms - Most hostels let you book rooms based on the number of people (i.e. 4, 6, 12) staying in them while others offer private rooms as well. The more people in the room the lower the price but even the most expensive rooms are almost always less than anything you’d find at a hotel.
Getting A Bed, Not A Room - Where you use sites like HostelBookers to reserve a hostel, you are really setting aside a bed, not a room. If you’re taking an RTW in a large group (of more than 4) that means you won’t always get to stay in the same room depending on how things are booked up. When there is space though getting beds in the same room is a simple request to fulfill.
A Kitchen - A lot of hostels have kitchens for you to use and cook your own meals. When you’re on your RTW you can save money by grocery shopping and enhance your cultural experience by trying local recipes. You’ll just have to label your food in the fridge and storage bins to discourage others from taking it.
Quiet Hours - Travelers and the other people in the hostel are mostly good about keeping quiet during the after hour times most hostels implement. Quiet hours usually run from about 10pm to 8am, although people tend to rise late. Get up early and you can catch breakfast and the showers before the hostel room springs to life.
Free Internet - Many offer wi-fi access for those traveling with their own laptops or using some of the best iPhone apps for travelers and many more yet at least have computers connected to the World Wide Web for their customers.
Travel Information and Tours - Hostel staff are good resources to find out local travel information, where to go, what to do, and how much things should cost. Most hostels also have deals with local tour companies and you often will save a bit of money by booking through the hostel reception.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that hostels are completely different than hotels. Frequent travelers as well as newbies, older travelers, and families all stay in hostels. There isn’t one set type of person that hostels cater to; there are hostels filling the niche of many demographics and there’s one for you along most of your RTW route.
Hostel Misconceptions
As an RTWer, you’re very likely to stay in a hostel but if fear is keeping you from booking a place to stay, tackles these misconceptions head on. You’ll save money and enhance your RTW trip by staying in hostels along your way as many are locally run and tied to the local people and culture. You can learn about individual hostels by reading the reviews on TripAdvisor or on the booking engines themselves (i.e. HostelBookers). While there are certainly “party” hostels that cater to the younger (and potentially drunker) crowds you can easily spot them in the reviews left by others who have stayed there. Depending on your inclination to party you can choose to stay or look elsewhere.
- Spend a few minutes comparing hostels before booking. There is the right hostel out there for you, it just takes a moment or two of reading to find it.
Booking Is Easy
Going online, comparing hostels, reading some reviews, and booking a place will take about 5-10 minutes depending on how particular you are going to be. As you stay in more hostels during your RTW you’ll get more adept at filtering through them. You’ll also meet a lot of other travelers at hostels who are traveling around the world who will give you good advice on where and where not to stay next.
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