Key Takeaways
- People are always shocked when they find out that I still stay in hostels.
- “Don’t you actually make money? Are you still too broke for an Airbnb?”
- Even though I have aged out of dorms (I’m too light of a sleeper for that), I still love staying in hostels. They hold a special place in my heart.
Last Updated: 7/8/2023 | July 8th, 2023
People are always surprised when they learn that I still choose hostels as my go-to accommodation.
“Why would you still want to do that?”
“Don’t you actually make money? Are you really opting for a dorm instead of an Airbnb?”
Even though I’ve long passed the college-dorm phase (and admit I’m too light of a sleeper for noisy shared rooms), I continue to love staying in hostels. They hold a special place in my travel philosophy.
Despite having accumulated hotel points through strategic travel planning and no longer traveling on a shoestring budget, I regularly book hostels — not out of necessity, but by choice.
1. Unbeatable value for short stays
At their core, hostels deliver exceptional affordability — especially when you’re only using a room to sleep and shower. While private accommodations often cost several times more, a clean, safe dorm bed can be found for under $15 in many cities. That price difference adds up quickly across a trip, freeing up funds for experiences, food, or transport. Yes, sleep quality may vary — but for many travelers, the trade-off is worth it.
2. A hub for real-time, ground-level travel intelligence
Hostel staff and fellow guests are among the most informed sources for budget-friendly, off-the-radar, and hyper-local experiences. Backpackers arrive early, stay longer, and dig deeper — they know which markets offer the freshest produce at the lowest prices, where to find free walking tours, how to access hidden viewpoints, and which neighborhood cafés serve authentic meals without the tourist markup.
Unlike hotel concierges or Airbnb hosts — who often prioritize convenience over authenticity — hostel teams field hundreds of questions daily about “weird,” “local,” and “undiscovered” spots. Many hostels even host public events, open bars, or community boards where travelers exchange tips freely. You don’t need to be a guest to benefit: stop by, ask questions, and walk away with curated intel you won’t find in guidebooks.
3. Authentic connection and low-pressure community
Hotels offer privacy and quiet; Airbnbs offer comfort and home-like amenities — but hostels offer something rarer: spontaneous human connection. Common areas are intentionally designed for interaction — whether it’s sharing stories over coffee, joining a pub crawl organized by the hostel, playing pool, or teaming up for a day trip.
This isn’t about partying — it’s about belonging, even briefly. It’s the ease of finding a museum buddy, a hiking partner, or someone who recommends a tiny family-run restaurant down an alley you’d never have noticed alone. In an age of increasingly isolated travel, hostels remain one of the few places where curiosity and camaraderie still thrive organically.
Of course, balance matters. There are days when rest, focus, or solitude take priority — and that’s when a quiet Airbnb or boutique hotel makes perfect sense. But for the majority of my trips? Hostels remain my first choice — not because I’m constrained by budget, but because they enrich travel in ways other accommodations simply can’t replicate.
They’re more than just a place to sleep. They’re launchpads, classrooms, and living rooms — all rolled into one. If you haven’t given them a fair chance lately, now’s the time.
If you’re looking for some of the best hostels in the world, here’s a list of all our favorites. And this post can help you figure out how to choose the right one!
