Whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, when you stay in hostels, it’s inevitable that you’ll meet new people on your travels. And if that’s part of the allure of hostelling for you, chances are you’ve wondered how to turn those people into friends. I’ve stayed in over 40 hostels during my travels over the years, so I’ve got some practice answering this question. In fact, some of my longest friendships are from my very first solo trip to Italy in May 2017. On that trip, I stayed in an all-female hostel in Rome, and one night a group of us snuck out and went to the Coliseum in the middle o ..read more

Let’s face it: romance and hostels probably don’t immediately come to mind at the same time. However, I’m of the firm opinion that a romantic vacation doesn’t have to be just a privilege for those people who can afford (and want) to stay in an expensive, fancy hotel. Believe it or not, it is possible to have a fun, affordable, and yes, even romantic, stay at a hostel. My partner and I frequently stay in hostels together. We just spent the last two years traveling full time, and during that time we stayed in many hostels. We had fun meeting other people and joining group events, but sometimes w ..read more

“How old is too old to stay in a hostel?” It’s a question I used to ask myself all the time, back when I was working and living in hostels abroad full time with a milestone birthday just around the corner. I’d often wonder how long I could reasonably keep up the lifestyle, which I loved, without suddenly feeling like the odd one out in a sea of 19-year-olds. That was more than 10 years ago, and while I no longer call hostels home, I still spend much of my time talking about them working for HI USA. The questions I get about hostels these days, from people I meet at parties or conferences, are ..read more

If you’re like me, you probably spend longer deciding where to book your accommodation than planning any other aspect of your trip. These days, there are so many different kinds of places to stay… but how do you choose? I often find myself torn between a hostel or a private home rental, like an Airbnb –two options that are affordable, unique, and can connect you with a local community. How do you choose between two great options? To help you decide whether to book a hostel or a homeshare, like Airbnb, it’s important to consider both your travel style and your expectations for your trip. Once y ..read more

If you’re thinking about staying in a hostel for the first time, I fully understand how the idea of staying in a shared dorm room with people you’ve never met before could sound scary. Just a couple of things that might go through your mind: What about the fear of “stranger danger” we get instilled in us from young age? Is it really a good idea to trust strangers, especially when it comes to your belongings? And what about privacy? Well, I myself have stayed in over 40 hostels, and I’m here to tell you the truth about what it’s like to stay in a hostel shared room. It Can Feel Like a Big Sleep ..read more

As a Travel Channel-addicted child, I used to spend countless hours perusing booking websites to compare hotels in all the cities I wanted to visit. A strange habit for a kid, I know, but I learned a lot that still helps me out when I’m planning travel today. Lodging options can vary wildly, even in the same city, so it’s not always clear what you’re signing up for when you click that “book” button. And when it comes to hostels, finding the right one can be a particularly mysterious process for many Americans, who may only have a vague idea of what that kind of travel entails. So, how do you k ..read more

A last-minute opportunity had presented itself: the chance to attend Outdoor Retailer, the largest outdoor industry trade show in North America, known for its amazing exhibits, floor parties and fortuitous deal-making vibes. A work colleague had a sudden conflict, and that extra badge could be mine. As a partnerships manager in the travel space, I jumped at the chance, visions of slacklines, jam bands, and signed contracts dancing in my head. Then I looked up hotel rooms. All booked up. Unless I wanted to pay a fortune or post up an hour away, I was out of luck. So, I turned to a tried-and-tr ..read more

Anyone who’s stayed at a hostel before knows about a particular kind of magic that has to do with timing and chance. The combination of the right travel date, the right check-in time, the right moment to walk into the kitchen during the free breakfast – it can lead you to the people who will end up making your trip memorable. Out of all the great things to love about hostelling (including the aforementioned free breakfasts), the best one has to be the chances it gives you to build instant connections with fellow travelers.   In the real world, we may be a part of all kinds of communities ..read more

When I moved to Los Angeles three years ago from my small Ohio town, I had never once thought about staying at a hostel. My familiarity with the concept began and ended with the film Hostel – not ideal for inspiring a real-life visit. I was hesitant to spend my time in a dorm full of strangers, sharing my living spaces and keeping my most prized possessions in a locker. But, I’d also decided to move across the country with no plan, so I knew I would have to be brave. So when I arrived on the west coast, I lived in various hostels for two months while searching for a full-time job and apartment ..read more

The first time I was ever in San Francisco, it was December, and I stayed in a hostel on a hill in North Beach. I think I met Ally (name changed) in the large common room, but like with most memorable friendships, the beginning is always the part I forget. She was from Australia and I’m from South Africa, so we connected over our first-ever winter Christmas and became hostel buddies; or rather, we dove into that relationship you form with another person when you’re traveling solo and you cling to each other so that you have someone to do stuff with.  We joined some hostel activities toget ..read more