So, you’re about to embark on your first hostel stay, and you want to be fully prepared for sleeping in a room with strangers. It might feel like an adult school camp. Although it may be weird to begin with remember you are all there for the same reason – your love of travel and exploring the world.
While I won’t promise you’ll always have the best sleep or feel the safest in terms of your belongings, based on my euro travels here are some non-essential ‘essentials’ for your hostel travels in 2024:
Prepare Tomorrows Outfits with Toiletries at the End of your Bed:
Avoid being that person rummaging through your backpack in the morning and disturbing others. Zipper sounds, though quiet during the day, can be incredibly loud in the morning.
Create a Bed Kit to Keep Under Your Pillow:Include essentials like earplugs, charger, eye mask, and a water bottle for a comfortable sleep. Having everything within easy reach is crucial for a restful night. I usually get all this organised when I first arrive in the hostel.
Lock Away All Valuables:
Even if your roommates seem lovely, you’ve just met them. For peace of mind, lock away all your important items. Stress-free travel is what we want
Pack Your Bag for Checkout During Daytime:
Be considerate and avoid waking everyone up. Prepare your bag during the day to make life easier for you and everyone else in your dorm room.
Bring Jandals for Showering:
Having a pair of shoes specifically for the shower or quick walks around the hostel is both practical and hygienic.
Use a Waterproof Bag (‘Swim Bag’) for Clothes in the Shower:
I found this one of the most useful things for hostel showers, it’s a more practical solution than the hanging toiletry bag everyone on TikTok is making sure you have. A bag to keep everything together keeps your clothes and toiletries dry in the shower.
Wishing you happy backpacking and memorable adventures in 2024!
Updated as of April 2024.
