Hostels are great, low-cost options for budget and solo travelers alike. The crowd will definitely be on the younger side and the amenities fewer, but the built-in community often provides free travel advice, new friends, and even a few amenities (like a kitchen!!) that you’ll rarely get at a hotel. So what are the extra items you should (or shouldn’t) bring to a hostel?
Just want the checklist? Jump to the end.
Hostel Must-Haves
Saftey Basics
Hostels are generally very safe environments, but you are generally sharing a room with strangers and there’s no guarantee for your valuables. If you book a private room, this doesn’t really apply to you, but better safe than sorry.
Nearly every decent hostel will provide lockers to store these items and will definitely have this posted as an amenity online, so double check before you book! These lockers vary in size, from hotel-like safes that will only fit small electronics and documents, to full-size luggage lockers that can fit a backpack or carry on suitcase.
What they generally won’t provide is the actual lock. Make sure you bring your own. Generally, the average gym locker padlock will do just fine. And if you find yourself in a place without lockers, luggage locks are usually a good backup. If you get a bad vibe from the place though, make sure you (securely) carry items like your passport with you when you’re out and about.
Community Items
Staying in the community environment of a hostel provides lots of advantages, but also a few downsides, both of which you’ll want to prepare for. On the positive side, small games such as a deck of cards will help solo travelers easily meet new people. And on the other side, items for sleeping in a group environment, such as ear plugs and eye masks, may save you if you’re a light sleeper. There’s no guarantee everyone will be on your same sleep schedule, so be prepared. And if you know you may be the one with the super early departure time, consider using the silent alarm feature found on FitBits and other step trackers to spare your bunkmates.
Checklist Maybes
Linens (Towels, sheets, etc.)
The need to bring your own towels and/or sheets will vary by hostel and should be posted on their website. However, when they require you to bring your own, you can often rent linens directly from the hostel as well for a small fee. But if you don’t want to take the risk, bring your own. Compact, quick-drying towels will help save space and musty clothes when you shower right before departing. And while sheets are more commonly provided, there are essentially sleeping back versions of sheets you can pack up tightly and not take up too much space.
Soap: Toiletries and More
You’ll almost always need your own soaps, body and clothing alike. Hostels won’t be providing you those tiny bottles of shampoo you’re used to from hotels, so make sure you have all your toiletries packed ahead of time. Baby shampoo is a great solution since you can use it for hair, face, and body.
However, this one ends up in the maybe section since it’s often easier and cheaper to buy these items at your destination. Especially if you’ll be traveling for longer periods of time, just buy a normal sized bottle upon arrival rather than worrying about things exploding in your bag along the way.
Also for long(er) term travelers, you’ll want to bring (or buy!) your own laundry detergent. There’s no way you can pack a fresh set of clothes for a month so just accept you’ll be doing laundry and come prepared for it. Some hostels will have laundry facilities, but those without will be able to point you in the right direction.
Hostel Luxury
Want to be everyone’s new best friend? You can bring a few extra items that will win you over with the crowd.
Social Butterfly: Games
One of the biggest perks of staying at a hostel is the social environment. Since the rooms are small and shared, common spaces are the focus. Here you’ll find residents spending most of their spare time if they’re not out exploring, working, cooking, or looking for friends. Make those awkward introductions less painful by bringing small games with you. A deck of cards is the simplest option, but they make lots of travel versions of games now you can bring along as well. Once you get one or two to play, you’ll find it’s easy to say “want to join?” or even get it in return.
Cooking Extras
The other great feature of your average hostel is the ability to cook your own food. Not only will it save you lots of money while traveling, it’s also a great opportunity to naturally interact with other hostel residents, without that forced “please be my friend!!!” feeling; “Do you know where the mixing spoons are?” is a much easier intro. The problem with cooking abroad is suddenly your everyday ingredients might not be so every day. Just try to make something spicy in Europe and you’ll see what I mean. To make sure you’ll always have something tasty, try bringing a few of your essential spices with you (best to bring a fresh, unopened packet when going through an airport though). Not only will you have a taste of home on the road, but sharing your ingredients or dishes will quickly make you the most popular resident.
The Checklist: Hostel Add-Ons
Use this add-on checklist with our other lists to build your ultimate hostel packing checklist. Recommended with: Basics, International, and Multi-Purpose
Baby shampoo/bar soap & shampoo
Detergent
Deck of cards
Special Seasonings
