8 Solo Travel Tips for Hostels

1. Do Your Research in Advance

Each hostel has its own unique personality and culture.
To make sure you book one that’s a great fit, do some research in advance by checking out the property websites and reading reviews. Finding the right hostel in advance is important, especially for the first few nights of your trip when you’ll still be orienting yourself with a new country, culture and city.
Once you get comfortable, you can walk around the city to different hostels and ask to see rooms (but don’t let this interfere with your time exploring the city). As you acclimate to the city, you might find that you’d prefer to stay in a different neighborhood.

2. Stay in a Dorm

Sharing a room with others breeds social interaction. It’s almost impossible not to have a conversation with the girl on the bunk above you or the guy who lends you his toothpaste. Opt for a dorm over a private room to have an easier time making friends.

3. Decide What Kind of Social Experience You Want

Every hostel has a unique personality. Before booking, decide if you want a lively, party vibe or a more chill experience.
If you want the party experience, spend time in the bar and invite your roommates to check out the happy hour specials with you.
If you’re looking for a more relaxed social atmosphere, spending time in the common room and asking others to watch movies or to cook a meal together can help you have a relaxed but communal experience.

4. Arrive During the Day

When you’re traveling on your own, arriving at night can be unsettling and unwise. Showing up during the day can help you orient yourself in an unfamiliar city and find your hostel.
Bonus: During the day, you’ll have more public transportation options and taxis usually charge a lower rate.

5. Ask About Hostel Events and Programs

Hostels host events and programs to entertain guests and introduce them to the city. Many properties host live music, comedy shows, pizza-making nights, pub crawls, city tours and more. Event boards list local happenings so you can explore the culture and easily plan outings with other hostel guests.

6. Get a Detailed Map

Most hostels provide a map of the city when you check in. Ask the staff to highlight some top local experiences and to mark areas you should avoid. With the annotated map, you can take a free self-guided tour that you know will be safe.

7. Make Your Own Dinner

Making use of the hostel kitchen (check before booking that your hostel has one) saves you money over dining out and allows you to socialize with other hostel guests during meals. Additionally, you’ll be able to invite others to cook with you for a more social meal.

8. Forget Fear

Starting a conversation with a complete stranger can be awkward. Remember, however, that you’re at a hostel where people want to meet others who share their passion for seeing the world. Interacting with strangers is part of the hostel culture, so forget fear and say hello to someone you don’t know.

source:wehostels.com