It’s happening! Your first solo adventure and you realise… you’re nervous about staying in a hostel for the first time. Sleeping in a room with strangers. Will anyone like you? Will anyone chat to you? Will anyone snore 😴? What can you expect?
But that’s what we’re here for, as a company, we’ve spent hundreds (if not thousands) of nights in hostels combined and have all the tips to make your very first night feel like a breeze.
Step 1: Check in
This one feels easy and it should. You’ll have found your way into your hostel and simply walk up to the check in desk, easy. Just like a hotel, you’ll give your name and receive your key card (you might need to leave a key deposit, but you’ll get this back at check out). In some hostels you’ll also collect your bed sheets before you head up to your room.
Make sure you ask where to find the kitchen and what social events are on that evening. You can also ask for tips of things to do, places to eat and more. The reception staff know the area the best, so make sure you use their knowledge!
Top tip: In Australia, dorm rooms beds are nearly always allocated on a first come basis, so for your best chance of snatching a bottom bunk, aim to arrive as close to check in time as possible.
Step 2: Say hello to your room mates
This is the easiest way to make friends straight away. As soon as you get into your room, say hello 👋 to anyone who’s there, introduce yourself and ask what they’re up to, where they’re from (you get the idea…). You may get invited to head down to the hostel bar with them or head out and explore. Or you may just say a friendly hello. You’ll be surprised at how pretty much everyone you’ll meet in a hostel are in the exact same position are you, feeling the exact same emotions as you and probably also want to make friends, just like you too!
Once you’ve said hey 👋, it’s time to claim your bed, just take any bed that’s obviously free (and it will be obvious!). Pop your things on your bed, put your valuables in your locker and you’re good to go!
Top tip: Don’t forget to bring your own padlock (a few in different sizes are the best option) so you can store your valuables in the lockers.
Step 3: Join the social activities
Hostels are all about meeting fellow travellers so make the most of the social activities on offer – these could be guided walks, market trips, bingo nights, quiz nights and more!
So join in! Start by saying hello and introducing yourself, you’ll soon find a group you get along with and you’ll spend the activity getting to know each other.
There will be different activities on different days of the week, so check by reception to see what these are, the more you join the more friends you’ll make.
No activities on tonight? No fear, this is what the hostel bar is for. This is the place to make new friends. Grab a drink then choose and table and start chatting away. You’ll find a group in no time.
Yes it’ll feel awkward the first time you join a group or start chatting to someone by themselves. But everyone is the same situation. And most people are waiting for someone else to make the first move… so this is your time to shine.
Step 4: The essentials: cooking, showering and eating
After getting to know some people, you’re going to want to start using the hostel facilities and getting into a routine. Pop out to do a quick food shop and then make your way to the kitchen.
You’ll normally find massive fridges where you can put all your fresh produce – make sure you label these very clearly. It’s easiest to keep all your fridge food in a bag and tag the bag instead of each individual item. You’ll find tags, pens and instructions in the kitchen – usually you write your name, room number and check out date.
When it comes to cooking, you’ll find everything you need (sometimes with a bit of searching) from pots and pans, to plates and cutlery. They’ll be multiple stove tops and sinks, so claim a free spot and get cooking 🍳.
The biggest rule in a hostel kitchen? Clean up after yourself! That means washing up straight away and keeping the space clean and tidy for the next person. If you leave your olive oil out, it becomes a free for all for whoever’s cooking next. So this is your warning!
After some grub, head on back to the bar area for any evening events or to simply find a new friend to chat to. Most bars have happy hours 🍻 and it’d be rude not to take advantage of them. You are on holiday after all…
You’ll also be wondering, how do the bathrooms work? 🚿
Your hostel will either have ensuite dorm rooms or shared bathrooms.
The ensuite is fairly self-explanatory, you’ll have a bathroom attached to your dorm room for everyone in your dorm to use. This can sometimes mean waiting a bit in the morning while someone’s in the shower but gives you the luxury of a bathroom attached to your room.
Shared bathrooms are normally gendered and available on each floor. You’ll find separate shower and toilet cubicles and a big row of sinks. Easy as 🤙. Bring along your wash bag and take it back to your room afterwards, if you leave anything in the bathroom it’s fair game and it might not be there tomorrow…
And sleeping? 😴
Once it gets past 11pm make sure you’re considerate to anyone in your dorm who’s already asleep so don’t put on the main light or watch videos on your phone on full volume. That’s one way to make enemies really quickly. Use your torch and your headphones. Simple.
Then make yourself comfy, grab your eye mask and earplugs and settle down to your first night.
Top tip: Be considerate to other travellers, tidy up after yourself, keep noise to a minimum late at night and early morning. Especially don’t be packing at 5am with the main light on! An easy rule is to behave how you’d like others to behave.
Step 5: Check out
You’ve done it, your first hostel stay! From now on every hostel will feel like a breeze. Check out is normally at 10am – but double check with your hostel reception. Depending on the hostel, you might need to strip your bed 🛏️ and bring your sheets down to reception too. So give yourself time to do that before 10am comes around. If you’ve paid a key deposit, make sure to claim that back when you hand in your room key to reception!
If you’re not heading off straight away, you’ll be able to leave your bag 🎒 in the luggage storage room – so you’re free to explore until it’s time to leave.
Top tip: Don’t forget to collect your food from the kitchen too! Anything left after your check out date will be thrown away – either bring it with you or add to the free shelf for others to use.
