Staying in hostels are an extremely affordable way to travel, meet others, avoid loneliness while traveling, and are also really safe. When staying in a hostel, you are sharing a room with others so complete privacy isn’t as easy to get. To help make your stay more comfortable, below is a list of essential items of what to pack for a hostel.
Disclaimer: post contains affiliate links
1. Bag
First things first – stay organized and pack your belongings in a really good bag. Staying organized is the secret to a stress-free and enjoyable stay in a hostel because it makes it easier to find your stuff! In a hostel you are sharing your room with other people. Everyone is sleeping at different times, the room might be dark and you won’t want to disturb anyone. The washroom can sometimes be down the hall which will require bringing your stuff with you.
So what’s the solution to this? Staying organized! What can help you stay organized? Packing all of your essential items for a hostel in an awesome bag with lots of compartments!
When I travel solo I will bring a backpack as my main carry-on, and a purse. Both have lots and lots of compartments to keep my stuff organized. I like to look for bags with hip straps because it helps prevent any shoulder and neck pain!
- This is the backpack I use. (It doesn’t have hip straps, but it has LOTS of compartments!)
- This is the purse I use. This can be converted as a cross-body, a shoulder bag, or can be used as a little backpack during the day. I LOVE this bag!
2. Lock
While staying in a hostel, you will usually need to store your luggage in a locker in the room. To keep your belongings safe, bring a lock. Make sure it is a lock with a code on it though! I brought a heavy duty lock with a key, and almost locked my keys in my locker! If you have a lock with a code you won’t have to worry about keeping track of a key for it.
I also like to keep my backpack locked up JUST in case someone manages to break into my locker.
The locks below are great because they will secure a locker and also fit through the loops in a backpack to really keep your belongings secure. They also don’t require a key which is a plus!
3. Travel Towel
Hostels typically do not provide towels (when they do though, it is always such a great bonus!). A microfiber towel is ideal because they can roll up small. It saves space and they dry quickly.
Another bonus to a travel towel is that you can hang it up on your bed to dry (if you’re on a bottom bunk) to provide an extra layer of privacy if your bed doesn’t have curtains around it!
Check if your hostel provide towels before you go so that you don’t pack something you may not need.
4. Eye Mask
In a hostel you will be sharing a room with other people. They will be coming and going at different times during the night, so bring an eye mask so you won’t get jolted awake by a light being turned on.
Some of the best hostels are the ones with privacy curtains around the bed. But even if you are assigned a top bunk, the light can sometimes be RIGHT above your head with no curtain to block it.
5. Ear Plugs/Headphones
With hostels comes noise. It’s pretty much unavoidable. You can research which hostels are more quiet and have less of a party atmosphere (I like to use TripAdvisor). But at the end of the day you are sharing a room with multiple people who come and go at different times.
Usually everyone is very respectful. But there is always an early morning alarm clock, or someone checking into or out of the room when you’re trying to sleep, or someone that snores really loudly. The possibilities are endless! So bringing ear plugs can always help you get a better nights sleep.
Another option to earplugs are noise-blocking headphones/ear buds that fit really tightly in your ear so that you can listen to white noise, or calming music while you sleep.
I use something similar to the picture below (click on the picture to be taken to the link)
6. Flip Flops for the shower
Since the showers are shared between many people, it’s always a good idea to wear shower shoes to avoid anything you may not want to have your bare feet touch.
7. Toiletry kit
Hostels usually do not provide toiletries in the bathroom like a hotel would. So, you will need to pack your toiletries. Packing them in a nice kit to carry them while you’re bringing them back and forth from the washroom. in also keeps them organized, an Staying organized makes hostels stays much more pleasant since you need to carry all of your stuff around with you. A toiletry kit can help you find what you need easily without disturbing others. And it’s easy to carry to the bathroom and use while you shower and get ready for the day.
8. A Journal
This isn’t a completely essential item to pack while staying in a hostel, but it is worth mentioning. If you are back for the evening and are settling down for the night, then writing about what you did that day is a great way to not only avoid loneliness while travelling, but also a great way to document your trip!
Suggested Reading: How to avoid loneliness while solo travelling
9. Long charging cable
Sometimes the plugs are REALLY far away from the bed. This can make charging your phone while laying in bed a challenge. Bringing a long charging cable will give you a better chance of being able to use your phone while it charges, or have it close to you while you sleep.
10. External Charger
An external charger is great for many reasons. If the nearest plug is across the room and you want to charge your phone while you’re in your bed (see above point). And, if you are out for the day and your phone starts to die, then this will help you keep your phone charged so that you can still find your way around a new city!
I use this external charger – it is very light compared to others I’ve used, so it doesn’t add a lot of weight to my bag. Plus it has a cute little dog print on it that indicates how low the battery is, and a carrying pouch.
11. Travel Adapter
While traveling, it’s important to actually be able to charge your phone and electronics. Bring a travel adaptor so you will be prepared for any type of outlet!
12. Packing cubes
Since rooms in hostels are usually a bit small, having packing cubes makes it easier to find your stuff if it is organized in packing cubes. Especially if it is early in the morning, or dark, and you need to find your stuff without disturbing your sleeping roommates.
13. Flashlight
If your hostel room is dark because everyone is sleeping, and you don’t want to be that person who wakes everyone up by turning on the giant overhead light, then a flashlight can come in handy! I have a little flashlight on my keychain. Some wear headlamps. Your phone’s flashlight is another great alternative too.
14. Things to hide extra money in
When traveling, keeping your money in other areas to avoid losing it all if your wallet gets stolen is really handy. A great item for what to pack while staying in a hostel is clever items to hide money in.
15. Laundry bag & detergent
A laundry bag and detergent are great items to pack for a hostel. You can pour your own detergent in a travel sized container too. A laundry bag can help keep your dirty clothes separate and organized from your clean clothes – and will be easier to carry to the washing machine when you’re ready to use it.
16. Photocopies of your travel documents
Always keep photocopies of your travel documents on hand. If your passport gets lost or stolen, the process will be A LOT faster if you already have photocopies with you.
17. A positive and open mind
It’s not a tangible item to pack, but bringing a positive and open mind while staying in a hostel (and just traveling in general!) is always a good idea. I am a believer that hostels are for any age – I’ve met people of all ages whenever I’ve stayed in a hostel!
I personally prefer all-female dorms because they are more quiet, and it’s easier to meet other solo female travelers when I stay in those dorms.
If you are unsure of whether to stay in a hostel or not: This post may help you weigh the pros and cons: Should I stay in a hostel or hotel?
What is your essential item that you would bring and pack for a hostel? Let me know in the comments below!
Liked this post? Save it for later!
