WATCH THIS before you stay in a HOSTEL for the first time | Tips for beginners

Hostels can be weird and daunting but they can also be the BEST way to travel, especially if you're SOLO or on a budget.

Here's everything I learned along the way

My other hostel vids

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[kayak]

There is a special place in hell for people who don't wake up to their own alarm/s.

[kwong]

Second rule is so important! I once stayed in a hostel where a guest arrived at 2am, turned on the main light, tried to shove a too big suitcase into a metal locker and then proceeded to watch videos without earbuds on their phone in bed. 😤

[sssp]

As a person who stays at hostel almost every time I travel solo, I can guarantee these are some great tips! The points she mentioned are so on point, especially the part about starting conversation and making friends. Thank u for sharing this video, it was a great reminder of the awesome memories I made during my stay at hostels. It can be super fun and sometimes even wild if u meet the right people that u can vibe with ;)

[jenny.barter]

Glad she’s addressed the way she says hostel right from the start lol

[broccoligoddess]

I only do female-only or single rooms in hostels after my first hostel experience. I went to Amsterdam and stayed in a super lowkey place, everything else about it was great, but a straight couple decided to stay in a room with 6 beds instead of getting their own. Every night the man would come down to the bottom bunk and they would touch each other and whisper in each others ears. Couldn’t fall asleep, was so uncomfortable. Their heads were literally a foot away from mine because our beds were perpendicular to each other. I’m not a prude at all but I didn’t sign up for THAT.

[truthseeker]

Jesus I think you’ve just taught me more social skills than anyone ever has. This isn’t a backhanded compliment.

[harrykendall]

Glad she said the disclaimer at the beginning. Otherwise there would be much hostelity

[chriswyatt]

I always try and find hostels with curtains on the bunks. It’s such a big deal for me, I hate the idea of people watching me sleep and privacy is great. Just close the curtains and relax and watch some Netflix, no one will bother you. If you’re new it’s the a good way to ease into it, but also now I’ve committed to it.

[anahiaguilar]

Reminder!!! Even if it's the afternoon people travel throughout the day/night and still need to respect them. I.e. asking to turn on the light. Amongst other things it's all about respect when staying in a hostel.

[stevenvarner]

I'm 61 and will be backpacking through Britain this summer. Some of the time I'll *actually* be backpacking since I'm taking lightweight camping gear. I used to stay in hostels all the time, but now I'm afraid I'm going to be the old snoring guy that everyone hates. I booked a newly listed AirBnB in Edinburgh so far in order to avoid that issue. I'm still debating what I want to do in Inverness.... — BTW, your pronunciation of "hostel" is historically correct, even if uncommon now. The word "hostel" was revived from Middle French (same spelling) by Sir Walter Scott for his historical fiction. In modern French the word became "hôtel" with the "ô" representing a dropped "s". That came into modern English as a loan word: "hotel".

[MEL-nxlp]

Thank you so much for this video ! I relate to a lot of things that you’re saying about organizing your bag, the essentials one should bring while traveling in hostels, etc. You’re truly helping me out planning a 6 weeks long trip in Europe 🤩

[emmlaurel]

Thank you! Leaving for Europe in a few weeks and will be my first time in hostels, so this is so helpful!!!

[JohnDundee-elro]

One great tip the top of the beds always look pretty clean however always look under the mattress for anybody that's been sick or bloody covers and the bed bugs which can make you ill I worked in award winning hostels and they were always finding the white bed bugs

[bobbywolmartasmr]

Very very useful video been using hostels for a handful of years. The part about starting conversation and making friends is very accurate lol. Thanks for the video!

[מורןשלמה-הז]

Thank you for the information! I was really nervous about booking a hostel and you definitely relaxed me 💓

[thorpizzle]

Very good tips. I have been staying in hostels for over a decade at this point. I have stayed in hostels in 11 countries, all of which were in Asia, with the exception of the US. I have a few comments/additions.
First, depending on the city and the prices, private rooms can be a great way for families to save money on accommodations. I booked a private suite for myself, my sister, my brother-in-law, and my niece in Chicago for $45/night. A hotel would have easily been $100/person/night, and an Airbnb would not have been much better. We ended up canceling because of covid, but it was good to at least know my niece would not have had to shower in a shared bathroom with strangers.
Also, I was lucky enough in Mongolia to have stayed at a hostel that planned custom tours. The owner canceled one night of my stay so I could go stay in the countryside for a night. While I was away from the city, she held my valuable and my luggage and kept them safe, at no extra charge. Take advantage of stuff like that if you can.

[feer]

Thank you so much for this video!! I want to go to Vancouver but hotels are really expensive and I'll probably travel solo. I found a cool looking hostel but it would be my first time in a hostel so I was anxious about sharing the room with others BUT at the same time I wanted to meet new people. Your video really helped me to make up my mind :) I think I will give it a try <3

[dawnwarren]

I love this video! I learned so much!! Thank you!

[wadesingleton]

I'm taking off for Europe soon, so this video was very informative. Also I love your energy Jemima! Keep up the good work and safe travels!

[tessgonzalez]

thank you this was super helpful! i never rly traveled alone or honestly ever so these are great tips