11 Surefire Tips for Making Friends in a Hostel (2023)

Making friends in a hostel might be easier than you think!

Quick Rundown

If you’re searching for ways of making friends in a hostel, you’re probably a lot like me, introverted. Extroverts have no trouble making friends, in a hostel, or anywhere else for that matter. They don’t need advice on this. In fact, it probably never even crosses their mind that this is something people think about.

But here we are, you and I, learning how to make friends together. Before my first solo trip, before staying in my first hostel, I was extremely nervous about meeting new people and putting myself out there.

Let me tell you, I’m so glad I did! I feel like I found my true self while I was traveling. I learned so much, not just about making friends, but about myself too. There’s this energy inside me that I didn’t know I had. I discovered this whole other side of me that comes out when I travel.

It all started because I pushed my comfort zones and opened myself up to making friends in my first hostel.

Is it Easy Making Friends in a Hostel?

You’ll be relieved to know that in my experience, making friends in a hostel is easier than making friends anywhere else in the world. The people that stay in hostels all have so much in common, no matter where they’re from in the world.

You’re all at the hostel because you want to see the world and save a few dollars doing it. The goals are the same. Most everyone has seen or wants to see the same things. You’re all visiting from somewhere abroad.

It might not seem like much, but that gives you a LOT to talk about. There are also a lot of solo travelers, so people are likely to want to talk to each other. Everyone there knows hostels are largely shared spaces. There you all are, so share away!

If you’re intimidated, I promise you’re overthinking. Try to be open-minded. It’s much easier than you’re thinking.

Let’s get into the tips!

How Do You Socialize at a Hostel?

1. Take Tours

When you travel, there are lots of chances for group activities. There are lots of different kinds too. Tours are a great way to be around people, see some sights, and sometimes eat some good food too.

As I’ve said before, I’m not a huge advocate of tours. I like to find my own way. However, there are usually sites that are more easily accessible by tour. I always try to take a couple of tours when I go somewhere. It’s a great chance to meet people. You’re all on the tour for the same reasons, that’s a great base for conversation.

A great icebreaker is to ask someone or a group of people if they want you to take their picture. People almost always accept and are very grateful for the offer. They’ll usually take one for you too. This can easily lead to more conversation.

Walking tours are great for making friends too. If the hostel doesn’t offer one, they’ll surely be able to direct you to one. These are great because it’s usually a fairly small group of people. Best of all, it’s usually free (don’t forget to tip the guide).

Make comments and conversations along the way with people. When the tour is over, ask if anyone wants to grab a coffee or a bite to eat. It’s likely you’ll end up around a table with several new people.

2. Hostel Activities

A large percentage of hostels offer some type of activity on the premises. Hostels with a bar will always have social events at night. Sometimes there’s even a free drink, an icebreaker if you will. Bars and clubs are not my scene at all, so even these are a little tough for me.

I’ve found though, that if I go, and am open to talking with people, I’ll usually get absorbed into a group or a conversation. Travelers are amazing people. When they see someone sitting by themselves, the inclination is almost always to say hello and include them. I try to do this too, but bars and loud music still make that tough for me.

It’s always a good idea to ask the receptionist if there are any activities or parties. There almost always are.

3. Use the Common Areas

Obviously, you can’t just go go go the entire day. You’re going to need to take breaks. The inclination might be to lie down in your bed since it’s your only space.

I suggest taking your breaks in the common areas of the hostel. It’s also a good idea to spend some time in the morning and before bed hanging out in the common areas. You’re bound to come across someone doing the same.

These common areas come in a lot of forms. Sometimes it’s a sitting area similar to a living room, a theater, or a restaurant.

I’m usually on my phone or my laptop, researching what I might want to do the next day. Ask someone around you if they’ve done it yet and if they have, how they liked it. If they haven’t, ask them what they did that day, or what they’ve liked so far.

4. Befriend the Staff

The hostel staff members are some of the nicest people I’ve met on my trips. Making friends with them is a great idea. Befriending the staff is also a good show of hostel etiquette.

They know what’s around, where the deals are, and where the fun happens. If you’re nice to them, they’re sure to help you out with some great recommendations.

Usually, they’re super easy to talk to. It’s their job to talk to people, and they have to be nice. Feed off of that. Absorb that energy (that hurt me to type). You might even click with them and end up hanging out later and finding some cool local spot for food or some drinks.

5. Talk to Your Roommates

You’re going to bump into your roommates. Maybe not literally and physically (though it’s possible!), but you’ll cross paths with them for sure. That’s hostel life. Don’t be afraid to ask them where they’re off to next, or where they’ve just come from.

If you’re an introvert like me, you’ll be shocked at how easily the conversation flows. Soon you’ll find yourself talking about activities and sites where you are. Maybe they were born somewhere that’s interesting to you. That’s always a good base for a conversation.

The important thing is being open to interactions. This means sharing the information you have too. If you took a tour or ate at a restaurant you loved, tell them about it. In a hostel, everyone is a foreigner. We all need recommendations.

6. Offer to Include People in Your Plans

If you find yourself clicking with one of your roommates, invite them along for your plans. Tell them you’re going to eat in a little while and tell them they’re welcome to join you. Maybe you talked about wanting to see the same site. Tell them when you’re going and that they can come with you.

It’s important to note here that sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in making friends and developing new relationships. Remember though, this is YOUR vacation. Don’t go changing your plans around for someone you just met.

Don’t get talked out of doing something you really wanted to do. It’s likely you’ve put a lot of thought into your trip and what you want to do. Don’t start missing out on things you planned on doing just because you’re making friends at the hostel.

7. Sit at the Bar

This goes for any bar; the bar in the hostel, the bar down the street. Wherever it is, pull up a stool. If you don’t drink, order water or juice and bite to eat.

As we all know, or will soon know, traveling can be tiring. It’s easy to go back to the room and take a nap. Sometimes, that’s necessary. But, I make a real effort to only sleep at night and spend my downtime in the common areas at the hostel, or at a café or bar.

I think it’s the best way to utilize that downtime every day. There will almost always be someone to talk to, even if it’s just the bartender. I’ve befriended quite a few bartenders when I traveled. The same conversation tactics that work in the hostel work in the bar.

• Where are you from?
• What did you do today?
• What have you enjoyed here?
• Have you been to (fill in the blank) yet?

With a drink or two in you, or even without, you’ll find yourself making fast friends.

8. Attend the Hostel Breakfast

If you’ve followed my advice on choosing a hostel, you’ve chosen a place that offers a free breakfast. This will be offered for a few hours in the morning in one of the common areas. Everyone loves a free breakfast, even if it’s nothing special.

It’s worth it to wake up and start your day with the hostel breakfast. Grab a bite to eat and a coffee and hang out in the common area. You’ll surely run into some roommates or people you’ve seen around. Ask them where they’re going that day, or any of our other conversation starters that you’re surely getting the hang of by now.

Usually, the hardest part about this is remembering that you’ve got plans for the day and breaking away from the conversation. This is a good time to offer to include someone in your plans.

9. Use the Kitchen

We all love eating out when we travel. Restaurants are one of the best parts of getting to travel. Some days though, especially if you’re trying to travel on a budget, it’s better to cook. This is a cool thing about hostels. They always have a kitchen with a few pots and pans laying around.

When you’re out wandering the markets, it’s a good idea to buy some fresh fruits or veggies. Whether you plan to cook or not, it’s always good to try the local produce. I also like to stop in a supermarket and buy a packet of pasta or something that’s super easy to cook.

It won’t be gourmet, but if you’ve ever been in a kitchen before, it should be manageable. Cooking a few meals like this will cost a fraction of the price of going out to even a reasonably affordable restaurant.

There are almost always a few people puttering around the kitchen area if it’s anywhere close to mealtime. Even if it’s just the hostel staff, whom we’ve already befriended, remember?

10. Take a Class

I’ve had great experiences taking classes when I traveled. It’s a great way to get involved in the local culture and learn something new. Spanish classes, cooking classes, and dance classes; should all be on your to-do lists to begin with.

These types of classes are meant to be social experiences and are always fun! If you go in open-minded and contribute to conversations and have a good time, I can virtually guarantee that you’ll find yourself making friends.

Sometimes, the hostel will offer these types of classes. I stayed at a hostel once that even offered a ceviche-making class, where we made three different types of ceviche. If you keep your eyes and ears open, you’ll be able to find the perfect class for you. Before you know it, you’ll be making more friends, whether at the hostel or outside of it.

11. Smile!

I remember when I decided to make a conscious effort to smile more. It was more of a social experiment than anything. Let me tell you, what a difference it makes. When you meet someone new, or when someone is talking to you, let yourself smile.

At work, I’ve always had this reputation for looking serious or being all business. For me, I had to focus hard on letting myself smile. It was like it wanted to happen, but I had to allow it. Once I did, I realized how natural it feels, and how different people respond.

I’m not a doctor, a therapist, or a body language specialist, but I’m telling you, smiling more changed my interactions with people in a big way!

Hostel FAQs

Is It Dangerous to Stay in a Hostel Alone?

No. In fact, most people that stay in hostels are traveling alone. Couples usually stay in hotels for privacy. Friend duos or groups will stay in hostels sometimes for the experience, but it can be close to the same price to split a room sometimes.

Most of the people you’ll see and meet at the hostel are other solo travelers. People trying to see the world and not break the bank. That’s the hostel lifestyle.

Don’t forget what we went over above. Oftentimes hostels have more security rules and precautions than regular hotels.

Is staying in a hostel dangerous if you’re alone? Absolutely not. In fact, it’s ideal. We even have a whole post about hostel safety!

Are Hostels Scary?

This one might seem silly to you. I hope it does, actually. This question is like the warning label on products that everyone wonders why it’s even there. Because believe it or not, there are people that need it.

I’d be embarrassed to tell you the number of times I’ve mentioned staying in a hostel and someone responded with, “Isn’t that scary?”

No! It’s not scary at all. Usually, when you walk into a hostel, you’re greeted by a receptionist and see the common area immediately. Since it is the first impression, hostels put a great deal of effort into making sure the common area is clean and welcoming.

You’ll see a few people scattered around with laptops and earbuds working. Or maybe they’re grouped together and talking about the day they had and comparing experiences. Sometimes there’s even a theater room where everyone can gather to watch a movie.

Does that sound scary? I think not!

What Are the Advantages of Staying in a Hostel?

If you want a deep dive into the advantages of staying in a hostel, check out our post about how hostels compare to hotels.

We’ll touch on them here too since you’re here. When you stay in a hostel the advantages are:

• Breakfast – If you’ve followed our advice on choosing a hostel, you’ve chosen one that includes breakfast. Take advantage of this even if it’s not exactly what you want in the morning. It’s a good chance to meet people or plan out your day over a coffee.
• Price – Hostels are the most budget-friendly way to travel, hands down. There are reasons for that, of course, but if you’re trying to travel on a budget (even if you’re not), stay in a hostel.
• Meeting People – The opportunities to meet people and make friends while staying in a hostel will be more than any other lodging choice you can come up with. With all the shared spaces you won’t be able to help but make some new friends
• Activities – When you stay in a hotel, you get recommendations aimed at tourists. These will always be the most expensive options. When you stay at a hostel, they’ll give you budget-friendly recommendations and even help you find the best deals.

What Are the Disadvantages of Staying in a Hostel?

Are there some disadvantages? Sure. I think the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages, but we should mention them in the interest of covering everything.

• Privacy – This is the big one. There are a lot of shared spaces, spaces we’re used to having to ourselves. This takes a bit of getting used to.
• Can be Noisy – Some hostels have bars where music plays late into the night making it hard to sleep if you go to bed early. One of our 15 tips for sleeping in hostels is don’t forget your earplugs and sleep mask from our hostel packing list to give you the best sleep possible.
• Shower Time – Sometimes it can be hard to catch a shower, depending on how many people are sharing it. I’ve grown to not plan my showers, but instead to take one whenever I get the chance.
• Easier to Lose or Misplace Items – In a hotel, you just dump your stuff wherever and pick it all up when you check out. In a hostel though, I find it easier to keep everything sort of packed and only take out what I need when I need it. This can make it easier to lose or misplace something. Not to mention, if you do, there’s the chance someone else will pick it up. Grab a lock and utilize the hostel lockers!

Summing Up Making Friends in a Hostel

The first time I arrived at a hostel, making friends wasn’t something I was sure I would or could do. By the end of my second day, I found myself talking to people, sharing meals, signing up for activities, and really loosening up.

If you’re an introvert like me and have trouble opening up, consider traveling to be a fresh start. Nobody knows you, and you’ll never run into them in your normal life. Out of everyone you will meet or run into in your travels, not one of them holds any power of judgment over you. You can be whoever you want to be.

I said at the beginning I discovered a new side of myself when I started traveling, and I stand by that and double down on it every chance I get. Traveling is an escape from everyday life; from the people, the job, the routine, all of it. It can be an escape from introversion too if you’re open to it. Don’t forget to allow yourself to smile.

Go make some friends!

Have fun out there!