As a broke student who loves to travel, I’d much rather spend my limited budget on experiences and good food than a bougie hotel. That’s to say I’m no stranger to a hostel. Whether it’s in a spaceship-like pod in Tokyo, a rickety bunkbed in a tiny Polish village, or fighting off mosquitoes on a tropical beach in Mexico, I’ve spent my fair share of nights sleeping surrounded by other young travellers.
One particularly vivid memory of a hostel comes from a trip to Portugal a few summers ago. After quite a stressful flight to Lisbon, my friend and I bonded with our new French bunkmates over a deck of cards. I have to say, trying to learn a new card game with the rules explained to you in a language that you only half understand makes for quite an experience. They introduced us to the game ‘President’. After a few rounds of watching and a mixture of rough translations with exaggerated gestures, we started to get the gist of things. That moment made me realise the power a simple deck of cards can have when meeting new people and has become an essential in my luggage ever since. Just remember to have a game up your sleeve and be ready to explain the rules in simple terms.
The next morning, we made plans with our new ‘amis’ to visit the Feira da Ladra market. Whilst searching for the perfect souvenir, we practised our French skills and helped them with their English. We then trekked over to a small restaurant tucked away in one of the hidden side streets next to the Lisbon Cathedral called Tu e Eu. The hostel staff had recommended it to us, but we had heard that it might be difficult to get a seat due to its limited tables. Luckily, we were able to grab a table and continued our ‘Franglish’ conversations over the delicious food which was followed by a complimentary shot of ginjinha to wrap up our meal.
I wouldn’t have these memories had we stayed in a private hotel, which goes to show that hostels are much more than just a place to sleep. They provide many more opportunities to enhance your travels both culturally and socially, and by making the most of their facilities and local knowledge, you can unlock another side of your holiday. If you’re looking to party, many hostels often host events such as pub crawls and bar nights. But once you’re done dancing, many free walking tours are often available. These tours can help you acclimatise with the city and get the inside scoop on the best places to eat. On top of that, they often run activities like surf trips, sightseeing tours, cooking classes and much more!
In addition to being full of insider tips and tricks, youth hostels also create an environment where you’re surrounded by like-minded travellers, great way to meet international friends to share your travel stories with. The flexibility of hostels allows you to follow these new friends on spontaneous adventures, something that isn’t possible when you’re tied down to expensive, pre-booked hotels.
Another key aspect to consider when booking a trip is the environmental impact. In today’s world, where sustainable travel matters more than ever, hostels generally have a significantly smaller carbon footprint than large hotels. They also tend to be less disruptive to the local communities and avoid promoting unsustainable tourism.
Of course, nightmarish hostel stories aren’t uncommon, and admittedly, I have had a few blips along the way. However, using trusted hostel websites like Hostelworld can help ensure your trip goes smoothly. It is also wise to check ahead for facilities like luggage lockers, women-only dorms, and ensuite bathrooms to make your holiday feel more secure and comfortable, especially for first-time travellers.
Ultimately, I believe that hostels can transform a holiday into a rich cultural experience. You might even pick up a few unexpected friendships along the way! So, when booking your next holiday, whether that be a quick city break or a trip further afield, consider booking a hostel. Just remember to take things with a pinch of salt, and to pack an eye mask and earplugs!
Words by Leila Warren
Photo by Shobhit Sharma on Unsplash. License found here https://unsplash.com/license
