The Best Hostel Packing list: Essential items for hostels
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If its your first or twentieth time staying in a hostel, its important to be prepared. Here is the BEST hostel packing list and essential packing items for hostels.
Hostels are perfect for budget backpackers, solo female travellers, and adventurous people looking to save a quick buck. Staying in hostels are also great for safety and allow solo travellers to meet new people and make friends from all around the world. But even with all the great aspects that hostels bring, its still necessary to come prepared and study an informative hostel packing list.
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What is a hostel? The Best Hostel Packing List
Budget travellers who have heavily stamped passports are most likely already educated on hostels. However, there are hundreds of people around the world checking into a hostel for the very first time every single day. It’s easy to get confused or overwhelmed on what to pack for staying in a hostel.
A hostel is like a hotel but with bunk beds. Its kind of like a huge slumber party but with strangers. There can be as little as 4 beds or as many as 18 in one room. Hostels are great for saving money while traveling. One time, I spent $6 USD per night on a hostel bed in Chiapas, Mexico which allowed me to save so much money.
Benefits of staying in Hostels: The Best Hostel Packing List
As said, a major benefit of staying in hostels is they’re amazing for meeting other people. When I traveled to Northern Greece to hike Meteora, I met a group of people going on the same hike as me and we went together. Staying in hostels are great for first time solo travellers who may be a bit nervous. I genuinely feel so much safer in a hostel when traveling by myself.
Although hostels are already at a discounted price due to sharing a room with strangers there is a way to stay in hostels for even cheaper. Having to pay for a hostel for a month or longer may seem affordable in the beginning but if you’re not a digital nomad or have an online remote job, expenses rack up quickly.
Would you believe me if I told you that its possible to stay in hostels for practically FREE via work exchange?
If you want to stay in hostels for free (or almost free), you have to get into the world of work exchange. My favorite work exchange and volunteer abroad company is called Worldpackers. They’re a reputable brand and I’ve done 4 Worldpackers opportunities in 3 countries.
The cheapest membership is $49 per year but only $39 if you use my discount code! To learn more about volunteering with Worldpackers check out my Worldpackers work exchange review and enjoy a $10 discount off an annual membership.
After staying in countless hostels in about 8 different countries, I’ve just about mastered the essentials of what to pack for hostels. Here is the best hostel packing list and essential packing items needed for a comfortable hostel stay.
1. Earplugs
Good earplugs are practically a must when staying in hostels, especially for light sleepers. They’re life savers for when two besties come in at 2:15 am loud af. Or for that one solo traveller trying to quietly zip their backpack (but it ends up being super loud) at 6 in the morning.
Or there could be a loud snorer or even worse, you’re on top of a bar that doesn’t shut down until 4 am.
Some hostels may by chance offer free earplugs but its very unlikely. When dealing with hostels, it is better to be prepared rather than sorry.
Grab a pair of high quality noise cancelling earphones and your future self with thank you.
2. Quick drying soap bag (better than bulky soap box)
Not many people are aware of this one but its saved my life on several occasions!
Some hostels graciously offer free shampoo and body wash but I’m a vegan traveller so I’m very cautious about the products I use on my skin. Whenever I travel, my African Black soap bar comes along and if you are familiar with this product, you know it gets very messy.
Chunky soap boxes are okay or homes or people checking in bags but when you’re traveling with a carryon only, space is limited. I was able to find a great product that saves space in my bag and also effectively holds my soap!
The Matador quick drying soap bag is space efficient and allows soap to actually dry without creating a big soggy mess. I’ve sworn by it for the past 3 years and will always be in my bag whether I travel check in or go backpacking.
Noice canceling Headphones
Some people snore in hostels, others talk in their sleep, many will come in loudly late at night.
For those not found of earplugs, headphones are a great alternative. Of course regular plug in phone headphones are great but noise canceling headphones are perfect for late nights in hostels.
These are also great for long noisy plane rides; I’ve worn them and have been able to actually sleep well on planes.
3. Eye mask
Eye masks are honestly great for any type of traveller but especially for those in hostel dorms.
As stated before, hostel dorms consist of multiple bunk beds in one room. Not everyone will wake up or go to sleep at the same time and lights may flicker on and off at different points during the night.
Some people need to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night and flip the light switch on and others may wake up super early to catch an early flight.
Don’t lose sleep over a little (or a lot!) light, make sure to bring a good eye mask when you’re packing for a hostel.
4. Hanging toiletry bag
Emphasis on the “hanging” part. There are plenty of quality toiletry bags available for sale but I use a specific type when I’m staying in a hostel.
I always make sure to bring a toiletry bag that unfolds and has a hook to hang up on a door or anywhere in the hostel bathroom.
Some hostel bathrooms may be super small and compact and its a bit of a struggle to take all the components out of a bag in a shared bathroom. My hanging toiletry bag is a life saver for hostels and saves me a bunch of time searching for floss or my toothbrush.
5. Micro fiber towel
Microfiber towels are a must have when packing for hostels or minimalist travel.
They’re quick drying and fold down to basically nothing. I bring 2 micro fibre towels with me when I stay in hostels. One body sized towel is for showers and another big towel is for beach days.
Even though I only travel with a relatively small 40 Liter backpack, the towels take up barely any space at all. Remember, space is precious when traveling the world in a carryon.
6. Extra pillow case
I’m a super germaphobe and always bring a pillowcase with me everywhere.
I’ve had instances where sheets and pillow cases didn’t seem to clean while staying in hostels. Pillowcases also come with me even if I’m staying at a resort or fancy hotel. Some hostels are just not up to par and no one knows what goes behind the scenes of cleaning.
I carry a satin pillow case with me that is also great for people with curly hair. The material keeps me cool at night and is easy to clean. Plus, an extra pillow case can also double as a make shift laundry bag!
7. Quality backpack
Majority of people that stay in hostels travel with backpacks. Not the back to school backpack from the Gap, a heavy duty, high quality traveling backpack.
I was skeptical about traveling with a backpack in the beginning of my solo travels. I initially wanted to bring a carryon suitcase with me and call it a day.
Backpacks make traveling in hostels and traveling in general so much easier. Lots of them had padding in the back and shoulder area and waist support to distribute weight.
The backpack I’m currently traveling with is a 40 Liter Fairpoint by a company called Osprey. Its probably one of the most popular backpacks for good reason. Its high quality, fits a lot of space, has different compartments, and opens up like a suitcase.
8. Quality Padlock
Not the cheap kind from dollar tree. I invested in a quality mini padlock because as a solo female traveller, there is only so much I can do when it comes to security.
Although we would like to think that nothing would be stolen in a hostel, not everyone is a good or truthful person. Thats just how the world goes.
Many hostels offer lockers but few actually provide locks. Being prepared for safety and security is a must in hostels because many strangers are sharing a room with each other.
I currently travel with two mini padlocks that unlock with a key but a code padlock is a great alternative. Its even better to travel with mini padlocks to protect bags while on the go and bigger padlocks for lockers in hostel.
Reusable Water bottle
Some hostels may have drinkable tap water or a designated water dispenser.
I love traveling with a reusable water bottle not only for free water, but it saves so many one time plastic water bottles.
My favourite reusable water bottle is the one liter wide mouth by Nalgene. It has a little handle when closed so I clip it onto my backpack when moving around.
Printed copies of travel documents
Nothing is more important to pack for a hostel than a passport. I mean, without a passport, its impossible to go home.
Many international hostels will also ask foreign guests for their passports as a form of identification. I’m always sure to lock my passport up when I’m out an about underlayers in my hostel locker.
When going about my day, I walk around with printed copies of my passport as well as other important travel documents. Its just a good safety measure as clothes can be replaces but passports and IDs are much harder to be replaced while abroad.
9. Foldable reusable bag/Laundry Bag
I’m specifying a foldable/reusable bag over a laundry bag because it can double as many things.
These can be used as grocery bags, hold wet clothes from the beach, and of course can be a laundry bag. I also love how they fold down to basically nothing to provide more space when packing for hostels.
10. Packing cubes
I swear by packing cubes, they’re THE best organisers and have optimal space efficiency.
My favorite type of packing cubes are the compressible kind because they save even more space in my backpack.
Its just better to have clothes sorted and separated instead of throwing everything into a backpack and wishing to the best. Packing cubes are an essential item when packing for hostels.
11. Powerbank
I honestly take a power bank with me everywhere, even if I’m at home and will be out for hours at a time. Power banks are especially useful abroad when hiking or going on a day trip adventure.
12. Fanny pack
Fanny packs are an essential part of my everyday life but especially when packing for hostels.
When I go on a day adventure, I may not feel like bringing my daypack and a fanny pack is the great size to fit a wallet, passport, keys, phone, and other small essential items.
13. Universal adapter
A must for international travellers! Coming from North America (more Specifically the US) its easy to forget about different plugs because of how big the continent is.
Its best to travel with a universal adapter because a dead phone while abroad is the worst thing EVER. Barely any hostels extension cords yet alone provide adapters. Whatever plug the country uses can be expected to be seen throughout the hostel.
Stay prepared by having an adapter that fits for all continents. Finding universal plugs in airports and stores is rare but if they’re offered, they’re typically very expensive. I have this great quality universal adapter from amazon that is great for staying in hostels and traveling abroad.
14. First aid kit
Accidents don’t only happen at home.
Whether its a simple knee scrape or a case of travellers diarrhea, its best to be prepared. I always make sure to pack a small first aid kit when staying in hostels and traveling abroad.
Bandaids, alcohol wipes, and antiseptic cream are great when little booboos happen while on the road.
I also like to put medication I may personally need such as Benadryl, pain reliever, or stomach soother.
14. Carabiner clips
Carabiner clips are great for so many different things but especially when packing for a hostel. I have a great reusable water bottle by Nalgene and clip it to my day pack when I’m walking so I can save space.
Carabiner clips come in handy in so many situations making them a great item to consider when packing for hostels.
15. Flip flops/Water shoes
All showers in dorms are shared between at leat 4 people; showering barefooted is extremely unsanitary.
Simply bring some shower shoes or regular cheap flip flops. I’ve found that when traveling with a backpack and I have limited space, its great to have day shoes that also double as shower shoes.
The Chacos hiking sandals are waterproof and are great for hostel showers as well as the Birkenstock waterproof shoes.
Heck, even Crocs are great for showering in hostels! Just bring something to protect your feet from touching the dirty hostel shower floor.
16. Headlamp/Flashlight
For those restless hostel nights when you want to crack open a book but your bunk doesn’t offer a personal light.
Depending on the country traveling to, power outages may also be a very real thing. A head lamp or a flashlight is one of those items that come in handy when least expected.
18. Kindle reader
A kindle reader is definitely not a must but its great for those who love to read and own many books.
My favorite books such as Sacred Woman by Queen Afua or Holistic African Health are well over 300 pages so traveling with them can be hard.
A kindle reader is a great alternative to stay entertained during long flights and/or bus rides and saves so much space.
Need more advice for planning your next trip?
These are travel websites I commonly use to save money while traveling and plan a successful backpacking trip or stay in a hostel
Booking hostels and cheap accommodation
- Hostelworld.com – My favorite and possibly the best place to look for hostels around the globe.
- Booking.com – Great for finding affordable private room/ hotel accommodation
- Airbnb.com – Prices may vary from luxury to budget shared dorms in hostels or private rooms
Work exchange for free accommodation while traveling
Worldpackers.com – Free accommodation via work exchange. Best way to travel the world on a strict budget
Learn more about work exchange and volunteering with Worldpackers here
How to find cheap flights
Kiwi.com – Budget airline finder website that compares prices of different airlines and combines flights
Skyscanner.com – One of the best websites to look for budget airlines, even better than Expedia!
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2 Comments
Mark
September 9, 2022 at 8:38 pm
Thanks for your blog, nice to read. Do not stop.
Tiffany
September 17, 2022 at 9:28 pm
Thank you Mark!