Top 10 Reasons to Stay in a Hostel

Hostels offer rooms to suit your budget. Stay in a shared dorm room or private room with or without an en suite bathroom. How else could you stay in the center of London, New York City, or Paris for less than $20 per night?

Hostels are no longer scummy digs for the waifs and strays. Many new hostels offer better facilities than hotels. Wi-Fi, book-exchange programs, TVs, bars, and internet cafes can often be found in hostels.

Hostel staff are usually young people with an interest in travel. They know the city well and are on hand to give great advice on things to do, what to eat, where to go, and the best way to get around. They understand the experiences that travelers are after.

Hostels are full of international travelers: You can make lifelong friends, share student travel tips, and hook up with travel companions. It’s a great place to meet interesting people. If you’re only in the city for the weekend, stay at a hostel and connect with other students.

Sharing sleeping quarters and amenities builds a great communal spirit and is part of a traveler’s adventure. Many hostels offer group activities like movie nights, pub trivia, or pool parties to encourage guests to mingle.

Be in the thick of it! Most hostels are set up in city-center locations that rival those of affordable hotels.

Hostels are much more laid-back than hotels. Feel free to have fun and roll in late. Choose to chill out alone or connect with people. There's no pressure—it’s your choice.

Hostel staff will give you loads of free advice and information, but many hostels also provide discounts and transportation. Always get the lowdown from the staff!

Hostels sometimes have guest kitchens. If you don’t have the cash to eat out every night, whip up something tasty and save a few bucks.

Lots of hostels are built into cool, old converted buildings and some offer totally unique sleeping experiences. How about sleeping in a boathouse in Amsterdam? a treehouse in Greece? a castle in Brazil? or a cave in Turkey?

Do you like to stay in hostels? Tell us in the comments!

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