Hostels suit solo travellers because they price for one person and put you near other people who are also travelling alone. You can choose a shared dorm for the lowest cost and the most contact, or a private room for quiet with the same social spaces. Pick one by reading recent reviews on noise, locks and the common area, then decide how social you want to be.
What a hostel actually is
A hostel is accommodation where you rent a bed or a room and share some facilities: a kitchen, a lounge, sometimes a bar. The cheapest option is a bed in a dorm, a room with several bunks. Many hostels also offer private rooms, sometimes with a shared bathroom. The mix of options is why they work for people travelling alone: you only pay for what you need, and the common spaces make it easy to see other people without a plan.
If you are not sure you want that, you can read the broader solo travel guide first and come back when you are choosing where to sleep.
Dorm, private room or something in between
This is the decision most first-timers get stuck on. Here is how the options compare:
| Option | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Large dorm | Lowest cost, most social | Noise, little privacy |
| Small dorm (4 to 6 beds) | A balance of both | Slightly higher cost |
| Female-only or women's dorm, where offered | Comfort for those who prefer it | Fewer in some places |
| Private room | Sleep and privacy | Costs more, fewer chance meetings |
If you have never shared a room with strangers, start with one night in a smaller dorm or a private room in a hostel with a good lounge. You will learn quickly whether you can sleep and whether you like the atmosphere.
How to choose a good hostel
Open the listing and ignore the photos for a minute. Go to the reviews and look at the recent ones, because staff, ownership and standards change. Look for patterns, not single complaints.
- Security. Do guests mention lockers, key cards and a staffed desk? A locker big enough for a bag is a good sign.
- Noise. Look for mentions of thin walls, street noise or late parties. A hostel with a bar is lively; decide if that is what you want.
- Cleanliness. One bad review happens. Repeated ones do not.
- Location. Near the station or a walkable centre, so you are not travelling late at night.
- Common area. Does it sound like a place you would actually sit in? Kitchens and lounges matter more than a pool table.
Compare a couple of options and book one with a flexible cancellation if possible. For more on tools that help you compare, see our list of the best solo travel apps.
What to bring so you actually sleep
Most dorm complaints are about sleep, and most have cheap fixes:
- Earplugs and a sleep mask.
- A padlock for the locker, unless the hostel provides one.
- A small headlamp or phone torch, so you can find your things without turning on the main light.
- Flip-flops for shared showers.
- A packable towel, if the hostel charges for them.
Pack your bag so the things you need at night are on top. Not waking other people is the main dorm manner, and it is also what you will appreciate from them.
Staying safe in a shared room
Hostels are common and generally ordinary, but you are sleeping near strangers, so a few habits help. Use the locker for passport, cards and electronics. Keep your phone and a small amount of cash close at night. Do not leave a bag open on the bed when you go out. If something feels wrong, ask for a different room or move on; you owe the hostel nothing for a bad feeling. Our solo travel safety tips section gives more detail, and the free solo travel checklist includes a safety step you can tick off.
This is general advice, not a guarantee. Use your own judgement and local guidance.
How to meet people without forcing it
You do not need to be outgoing. Hostels do much of the work for you: shared tables, kitchen queues and common-room seats make casual contact normal. A few small moves help:
- Sit in the common area with a book or your phone for twenty minutes instead of going straight to your bed.
- Cook in the shared kitchen and ask someone what they are making.
- Ask a simple travel question: "Where have you been so far?" or "Is there anything worth seeing here?"
- Join the free walk, pub quiz or dinner if the hostel runs one.
Most people at a hostel expect to talk. If one conversation goes nowhere, nothing is lost. If you want more ideas, the what to say tool offers short, usable openers for situations like this.
When a hostel is not the right choice
Hostels are not for everyone. If you need a quiet room, a private bathroom or a strict routine, a small guesthouse or an off-peak hotel may suit you better, even if it costs more. You are allowed to prefer comfort. The aim is to travel alone in a way you can repeat.
Using small steps to get ready
If staying with strangers feels like a big leap, break it down. Solo Era is an iPhone app that gives you small missions for doing things alone, with a before-and-after nervousness rating. Its travel category includes "Take a local heritage railway trip" at level 3 and "Visit two towns using one regional rail pass" at level 5. It has no hostel-specific mission, so use those to build the habit of travelling alone and decide separately when you are ready to share a room. It is free to download, and a subscription is required to start missions.
Solo Era for iPhone
Try it with Solo Era
Solo Era gives you one realistic mission a week, records how nervous you felt before and after, and keeps a photo journal of what you did. An iPhone app. A subscription is required to start missions; any free trial depends on the offer and eligibility shown in the app.
FAQ
Are hostels safe for solo travellers?
Many people use them without trouble, especially hostels with lockers, a staffed desk and good recent reviews. Take normal precautions and trust your instincts.
Do I have to share a room?
No. Most hostels offer private rooms as well as dorms, and you still get access to the common areas.
How do I sleep in a hostel dorm?
Earplugs, an eye mask and a bed away from the door help. Choose a smaller dorm if you are a light sleeper.
Are hostels only for young people?
No. Travellers of different ages stay in hostels, though the mix depends on the place. Reviews usually give a sense of the crowd.
What if I do not want to talk to anyone?
That is fine. Hostels do not require socialising. A private room or simply using headphones in the common area still gives you the option when you want it.
Solo Era for iPhone
Try it with Solo Era
Solo Era gives you one realistic mission a week, records how nervous you felt before and after, and keeps a photo journal of what you did. An iPhone app. A subscription is required to start missions; any free trial depends on the offer and eligibility shown in the app.
