What to do and what not to do to make sure you choose the right hostel for your needs and have the best trip ever, whether it’s for fun or work.

There are hostels all over the world. They are great for young groups, people who want to travel on a budget, or people who like to stay in a friendly place where they can meet new people and have fun with the other guests. But there are a lot of hostels to choose from. They are different in many ways, such as quality, space, style, culture, people, location and landscape, climate, guests’ age, gender, etc. So, it can be hard to decide. As a result, I’ve compiled a list of 14 guidelines to follow while selecting a hostel for your next trip.

People who are traveling on a tight budget tend to choose the cheapest option. But don’t try to save a dollar just for the sake of saving a dollar. The beds are often uncomfortable, the showers are often dirty, and the pillows are often thin. Pay a dollar or two more for a nicer and cleaner place to stay. Your body will thank you.

Remember that getting value is more important than being cheap.

It’s not just a matter of getting more sleep. It’s about being free to enjoy your travels. I really like being able to check out late (at 11 am or even noon). So, when I have to move quickly and move from place to place, I can pack all my things and not worry about leaving anything behind.

When I stay in hostels in Europe, breakfast is often toast, eggs, and coffee, which I don’t like. It starts at 7am and ends early as well. I don’t know who the travelers they know are, but I’ve never heard of anyone getting up that early, even for a good breakfast.

Find a place that serves a good breakfast (not just toast) or at least one that starts and ends when people are awake (breakfasts that start around 8am usually go late). Breakfast is also a good time to stock up on snacks for the rest of the day, which can help you save money on food.

A hostel that doesn’t provide breakfast while having the necessary facilities to do so is automatically disqualified from consideration on my part.

Also, keep an eye out for places that offer free coffee or tea all day or free dinners. Not only do these help you save money, but they also bring people together in the hostel.

On the other hand, it can be nice to have flexible and early check-in times. Even though I like to take it easy, I sometimes get there before everyone else. In these situations, it’s very helpful to get into the room before the usual time, which is usually 2 p.m. I don’t waste time and don’t get bored. It’s hard to find a hostel that does that, but you can find one if you look hard enough.

Most of the time, I turn down push-button showers. They are annoying, and the water pressure is often low. The water turns off in the middle of a shower, which is a bit of a pain. My rule has always been that I don’t stay in a hostel with a push-button shower.

I don’t take long showers, and I don’t think you should either, because it’s important to save water, but man, a push-button shower is annoying!

As a general rule, if you want to know about a shower, keep an eye on the reviews. There isn’t hot water in many hostels around the world (or have limited hot water). There can also be problems with the water pressure, so make sure you know what to expect.

I sometimes choose hotels over hostels because I like to keep my things safe, especially when I’m traveling with electronics. I’m sure digital nomads will get what I’m saying. How would you feel if someone stole your bags, passport, wallet, or work tools, no matter where you were (downtown New York or a small village in China)?

Because of this, I only stay in hostels with lockers big enough to fit my backpack and keep my important papers, money, computer, smartphone, and camera safe. Having a locker included in the price is a plus that makes me more likely to choose that hotel. In fact, I tend to stay away from hostels that charge extra for lockers (unless they are the only available choice).

Even though not all travelers need the Internet, a hostel with free Wi-Fi is always a plus. Even though most hostels around the world now have Wi-Fi, many still only have it in some rooms (like the lobby or common room). Before you book, make sure you know what to expect.

Also, as a general rule, I wouldn’t use any free computer terminals because you never know if they have malware or spyware that could hurt you. If you just want to surf the web, go for it! I wouldn’t use them for email, banking, or social media, though.

If you use your own phone or laptop to connect to free Wi-Fi, use a VPN to keep your data safe, especially if you do online banking.

What makes a hostel special is the way it feels and what you can do there. One important reason for this is the social side. Here are four things that can help your guests talk to each other and help you meet new people.

People can hang out at the bar, cook and eat together, share food, and talk about their travels.

A common area, which is a big room next to the bar, with many things that can bring people together and help solo travelers meet new people (pool tables, billiards, foosball table, cards, board games, video games, instruments like drums and guitars, TV/movies/streaming/Netflix/Prime Video).

Activities that are planned (BBQs, walking tours, pub crawls, sangria parties, theme nights, beer tastings, architecture tours, museum trips, yoga/workout/cocktail classes, workshops, quizzes, and many more).

Sports equipment (bikes, surfboards, snorkelling gear, and so on).

Check the list of activities and see which ones are free and which ones cost money before you book your hostel.

Every business depends on its employees, and I like hostels a lot more when the staff is helpful, knowledgeable, and friendly. A hostel is like a home, and the people there should treat you like a long-lost relative. I’ve never understood why hostels don’t realize that being a hostel isn’t about being a cheap place to stay; it’s about making a warm environment.

If you want to have a good vacation, you should avoid commuting as much as possible, unless you like being late and tired. I suggest you choose a hostel that is close to the places you want to see (the city centre, train or bus station, underground, heritage, mall, and so on). Don’t forget that you’re there to have fun and unwind—or to work. So, finding the right location for your hostel can save the day.