I have been to over 20 hostels around Europe, the United States, Peru, Bali, and Australia. Most experiences were positive, while others were more of a learning experience. Because of hostels, I was able to travel to as many places as I have. They also gave me the opportunity to meet individuals from around the world.   

1. Is the hostel in a safe location?

If the hostel is cheaper than the rest of the hostels in the city, there may be a reason for that. You will be traveling to and from the hostel with valuables and you want to feel safe when you go out. Either research the area or look at the safety rating on Hostelworld before booking. 

I stayed in a hostel in a sketchy area of London and my friend and I had to rush to the train and we did not feel safe going out at night. This affected our whole London trip as we did not experience the nightlife and felt unsafe with our luggage. 

1. Is it by public transport?

Research the best ways to get around. If you’re in western Europe, the answer will be public transport. You might not want to be walking 20-30 minutes to and from the train every day just to get to where you want to go. If the country does not have a good public transportation system, book the hostel that is closest to most of your activities. Even if it is the more expensive option, it can be worth avoiding the uber/taxi costs. 

1. Does it have a kitchen?

I fully understand if you want to experience the dining experience in the city you are visiting, but those costs add up and are not budget friendly. Stay in a hostel that has a kitchen and has refrigerator space so you can store your food. Go to the grocery store and buy some basics when you get to your city and label them in the fridge. These kitchens will provide cookware and cutlery, but you will have to wash what you use.

1. How many stars does it have on Hostelworld?

I will never again book a hostel lower than 9 stars again. If the hostel has bad reviews, it is bad. Also look at the ratings for location, safety, and cleanliness. I stayed in a cheap hostel in Miami that had bad reviews and it was not worth the price at all. I wouldn’t even stay there if it were free. Even if it costs $10 more per night, book the hostel with better reviews. 

1. What is the average age of the people reviewing the hostel?

If you are young, you will want to go to a hostel with young people so you can socialize and make friends across the world. If your hostel is filled with older people, it will heavily impact your experience. I stayed in a hostel in Switzerland that had very few young people and it felt more isolating than the other hostels I went to. If it specifically says youth hostel, you’re typically in the clear. 

1. Are towels included?

If you did not bring a towel on your vacation, you need to make sure your hostel provides one. If not, you're stuck trying to air dry after the shower. If you do pack a towel on your travels, make sure it is a microfiber towel so it can dry quickly before you need to pack it back up.

1. Do they have events/tours? 

Even if you have a tour booked, it is nice to have different options on your trip. In Bali, our hostels offered surfing lessons, snorkeling with the manta rays, and a volcano hike. If you are spontaneous, these events and tours can make your trip so much more fun. You can also see if they have different events at night like karaoke or salsa night. This is a fun way to meet new people especially if you do not want to go out that night. 

1. Do they have private or female-only dorms?

If you are a solo female traveler, female-only dorms are the most ideal. There is less of a chance of a big snorer and you can feel safe changing in your bunk. If you are not a solo female traveler, then you should take note of how many people you’d be comfortable sleeping around. You can see if they have private dorms or 4 person dorms if you are not comfortable with many people in the same room. 

1. How do I get there from the airport/train station?

In Venice, we had to walk a half an hour in the heat with our giant backpacks to get to our hostel. I also got lost in Portugal because I did not know how to get to my hostel. Thankfully, some random New Jersey girls helped me get there. Don’t be like me. Know how to get there. 

1. How is the nightlife near the hostel?

If you want to go out almost every night, being near the center of the nightlife is perfect. If not, it can be loud and keep you up at night. 

1. Is there a communal bathroom?

Are you sharing a bathroom with everyone in the hostel or is there a bathroom connected to your room? If you don’t feel comfortable walking down the hall in your pajamas, make sure you have a bathroom connected to your room.