Packing for a Hostel: Everything You’ll Need (2023)
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If you need tips for packing for a hostel, you’re in the right place! We can help!
Quick Rundown
Packing for a hostel is different than packing for a hotel. Hotels have more amenities and are more inclusive. When you stay at hostels, which I highly recommend, there are a few extra things we need to make sure we have.
Space is important when packing for a hostel. When I travel, I refuse to check a bag, and I recommend the same. I’ve had my luggage lost too many times. Also, it’s just expensive.
Sometimes I’ll do the free bag check at the gate if the flight is crowded, but I refuse to wait around by baggage claim when I land somewhere. I want to get out of the airport right away! This packing advice is based around not checking a bag.
I’ve used a two-bag system in the past (a carry-on and a personal item, in airline terms). Now though, I’m down to one bag. This packing advice is will help you with traveling with a roller and a daypack, or just a 35-liter plus backpack.
I’ll try not to overdo the product links here. There are some that I have tried and highly recommend. I’ll post links to those products so maybe they can help you too.
Packing for a Hostel: The Hostel Life Essentials
1. Lock for Luggage and Lockers
Most hostels have lockers, but not locks. Sometimes they offer to sell them to you, but I recommend picking up a pair (one for the bag, one for the locker) of these. They’re the best ones I’ve found, and do not require a key that can be lost.
Pro tip: write the combo down on your notepad app on your phone in case you forget it.
2. Travel Towel
Another thing you won’t be offered when you stay in a hostel dorm is a towel. Again, they’ll be available for rent, but this adds up if you’re staying at multiple hostels on your trip. So pick up a travel towel that is quick-dry.
3. Ear Plugs/Sleep Mask
Hostels can be noisy. Some dorms sleep up to twenty people. Twenty people tossing and turning and getting up to use the bathroom can keep you up all night if you’re a light sleeper. Party hostels sometimes run music until 2:00 or 3:00 a.m.
A comfy contoured sleep mask that doesn’t press on your eyes, and a soft pair of earplugs can be the difference between a sleepless night and a peaceful night’s rest. This is the affordable and quality set I use and recommend.
4. Reusable Water Bottle
Usually, hostels have a place where you can fill up your water bottles. I always fill mine up when I return at the end of the day, and make sure it’s full when I leave in the morning. Occasionally, I’ll have to stop in a convenience store to buy a bottle and refill it.
In Mexico and the rest of Latin America, this is a minimal and worthwhile expense, much better than paying for water at a restaurant. This has been my favorite bottle. It fits in all the backpacks I’ve used and isn’t cumbersome to carry.
5. Shawl/Thin Blanket
Blankets always come in handy on the plane, on a long bus ride, or for making your hostel bed cozier. But a super thin blanket or shawl that doesn’t take up a lot of room in your bag will serve another purpose.
You can hang it from above your bed. It’ll act like a curtain to give you a little additional privacy in your bed. Some hostels have curtains over the beds, and some don’t. When they don’t, something like this is great to close off your space.
Don’t spend a lot of money here. This budget blanket will do just fine.
Packing for a Hostel: Tech Gear
It’s 2022, and we all have tech we need to take with us. We need our devices and we need a way to charge them. I’ll give you a few recommendations here of some of my favorite gadgets that make traveling just a tad easier.
1. Long Charging Cable (6 ft. or longer)
A lot of hostels have light and outlet setups in each bed cubby now. But, some don’t. I don’t particularly want to admit this, but it can be rough being further away from the outlet than our cables will reach.
My cable is 9 feet long and has gotten me out of some outlet proximity jams on my trip to Peru. I recommend at least a six-foot charging cable.
2. Power Bank
Power banks are essential pieces of tech now. I traveled without one for way too long before finally getting on the bandwagon. Traveling days can mean long stretches of no charging. If your phone dies when you’re out there, that means no way to take pictures, no maps, and no way to message for help.
In this tech-dependent world, we live in, we need a power bank, for at least one charge. Because we’re travelers, we want one that doesn’t take up a bunch of space in our bag. This is the one I’ve been using and am very happy with it. As a bonus, it has Android and iPhone hookups.
3. Headphones
I mainly want to mention headphones here because I recommend packing earbuds rather than noise-canceling headphones. A lot of bloggers include noise cancellers in their packing lists. I recommend you leave them at home.
Earbuds are far more packable, leaving you space to smartly pack the rest of what you need. When traveling, sacrificing your high-quality headphones for space is a sacrifice I believe to be worth making.
Earbuds are perfectly capable devices for jamming to our favorite tunes while traveling. Pack your favorite pair.
4. Universal Adapter
If you’re going somewhere, it’s a good idea to research what type of power outlets are standard there. Some countries use different types of outlets.
Even if you’ve done your research, sometimes plans change. A handy gadget to have in your bag is a universal adapter, preparing you for whatever outlet situation you might face. This one got me, or rather my European roommate out of a jam during a trip to Guatemala.
5. Multi-charging Cable
Most of us these days travel with at least a couple of devices, including but not limited to:
- Cell phone
- Laptop
- Tablet
- E-reader
- Work cell phone
- Power bank
We might as well pack a cable that can charge any and all of them. This one has all the common hookups and works like a charm.
Packing for a Hostel: Toiletries
I typically go pretty light on toiletries when I travel. In real life, I wear a suit and tie to work every day, so I relish the opportunity to run away and leave most of my grooming stuff at home. It’s a vacation, not a fashion show.
But, we still want to look and smell good. Here’s the toiletries packing list. It’s minimalistic, but I believe this is all we need.
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body Wash
- Deodorant
- Shaver (I don’t take one. I embrace the beard, but it’s not for everyone)
- Body Spray/Cologne (something small, 1 ounce or less)
- Toothbrush/Toothpaste
To save you from buying travel-sized shampoo, conditioner, and body wash for every trip, I recommend picking up a set of silicone bottles and filling them with your home products.
There are 4 bottles, two of each size, and two small containers for creams or moisturizers. Make sure to use them until they’re empty and clean them out when you get home so they don’t get gunky.
Toiletry Bag
It’s important to find one that’s packable and still has enough room for all your things without stuffing it. Toiletry bags are my least favorite things to pack. They’re cumbersome and take up more space than I want them to, but that stuff needs to come with us.
This one has been working for me. It has enough room for the bottles and organization pockets for the rest of your stuff.
Packing for a Hostel: Clothes
Rather than guess your taste in clothing and recommend specific shirts and pants, I’ll recommend how many of each to pack. I’ve got a system down for packing for my hostel trips; how much to pack and when to do laundry on the trip.
If that line about doing laundry tripped you up because you’re used to packing an outfit for every day of the trip, stop that right now! I don’t recommend taking more than a week’s worth of clothes.
There’s always a laundry service around where you can have your clothes washed and save a ton of space in your bag(s). This is what allows us to not check a bag.
1. Shirts
I usually go with 6 or 7 t-shirts, with one of them being for bed. I might squeeze one more shirt in if I want to take a button-up. Any more than this I’ve found to be unnecessary.
Only one shirt for bed? Yeah. I usually choose hostels that have curtains. If they don’t, I use the thin blanket/shawl tactic and make one.
Only one button-up? Yeah, and maybe not even that. I’m traveling, not going to work. People get that when you’re traveling you don’t have to bring your whole world with you.
2. Pants/Shorts
When I pack pants and shorts, I’ll do something like half as many pairs as shirts I’ve packed. Let’s be honest, you can wear pants more than once. If I’ve got 6 or 8 shirts, I’ll go with 3 or 4 pants/shorts.
I try to only take 2 pairs of long pants; one pair of jeans and one pair of outdoor-type pants. The rest is shorts. Unless I’m going somewhere cold, of course, then adjust accordingly.
3. Socks & Underwear
This one’s easy. When packing for your hostel trip, pack a pair of socks and underwear for every day. Don’t be gross. They don’t take up as much space in your bag, don’t be stingy here.
I’ve tried to skimp on socks before because I don’t wear them sometimes in real life. Traveling is different though. There’s more walking, more sweating. Feet stink. Pack socks.
4. Jackets
You should have at least one jacket or hoodie, something to protect you from inclement weather. I usually go with a thin jacket, not necessarily a rain jacket, but something thin and foldable.
I’ll wear it to the airport and on the plane most of the time. This does two things, saves space in your bag(s), and keeps you warm on the plane. Airplanes are almost always a bit chilly.
Once you land, roll it up and wrap the compression straps on your backpack around it.
5. Hats
Even if you’re not a hat person, it’s a good idea to throw one in. You’ll likely be spending a great deal of time outside, walking, touring, exploring, you know, flying and footstep-ing. You’ll be getting more sun than you might be used to.
Throw a hat in. Bucket hats are super packable. I usually go with a regular cap, which again, I wear to the airport.
How Should I Pack for a Hostel?
One word, smart!
I was lucky enough to go on a lot of vacations as a kid. We always packed more than we needed. We checked bags, waited at the baggage claim, the works! Full on family-vacay-mode.
When you’re traveling traveling though, it’s time to tone it down a notch. If you pack smart, you won’t need to check a bag. You can fit everything in a carry-on and backpack, or just one of them if that’s your speed. (Though, if the roller is your choice over the backpack, I recommend a sling bag also, for days out on the town.)
Let’s get into how to pack all this stuff up. There are two super important factors here.
1. Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are key for smart packing for a hostel trip. Good ones change the dynamic of your whole trip. That’s not hyperbole.
The last trip I went on without packing cubes was the last such trip for a reason. I’ve had enough of the disorganization, the dirty clothes with the clean clothes, it’s simply a disaster.
These Tripped Compression Packing Cubes are life-changing. I’ll tell you why.
- They’re made of premium materials (exactly like the Peak Design model)
- They’re affordable (half the price of said Peak Design model)
- They’re compressible (though admittedly, not as much as some other models)
- They have a second compartment for clothes as they get dirty (no, the smell doesn’t go through to the clean clothes)
- They’re made by travelers! Tim and Fin are like you and me and were tired of paying premium prices for nice travel gear just because of the premium brand names.
If you’re not a packing cube user yet, these will change your game dramatically. My one wish is that they had smaller sizes. The pair of these fully packed out will likely fill the main compartment of your bag.
Girls, you’ll have plenty of room *women’s clothes are smaller and take less space) but will probably want a little more organization than two large cubes.
Guys, the fit might get tight. You might want to divide up your stuff a bit more and have something to put smaller items in.
In a post all about packing, I can’t gush enough about these cubes and how much easier and organized they make your packing.
The Travel Backpack by Pakt
The bag you choose to travel with is the only thing more important than how you pack it. It needs to have a spacious main compartment and enough organization for all the tech gadgets, travel documents, toiletries, and souvenirs you might pick up along the way.
You need a bag that can handle it all. It needs to be comfortable, versatile, and durable. If you travel with the right bag, it is trip-changing. I’ve had uncomfortable bags that didn’t carry the weight right or made my shoulders and back sweat like a sinner. It sucks.
I have a bag that I love and want to share with you for hanging in with me through all this.
The Travel Backpack by Pakt is the ultimate backpack that I’ve been able to find and use. It has a 35-liter capacity, and just enough space for one-bag travel if you’re smart and minimalistic like we’ve attempted to be in this post.
The pack’s exterior is constructed of waterproof ballistic nylon, so this pack can go anywhere and do anything. The harness system is super comfortable. Even when it’s fully packed out, it doesn’t feel like you have your whole trip on your back.
The internal organization feels seamless and well thought out. There are pockets for all the tech, notebooks, and documents while having plenty of space in the main compartment for the bulk of your packing.
It also opens up clamshell style for easy breezy TSA checks. This is one of the best all-around bags I’ve seen.
Hostel FAQs
Is Staying in a Hostel Safe?
We’ve got a full post on hostel safety, but in summary:
I’ve stayed in some sketchy areas of town when I’ve traveled. Let me tell you, nothing beats the feeling of getting back to the safety of the hostel late at night.
Often times there’s a lock on the front door that only guests have the keys to. Other times it’s a buzzer with a camera, where the front desk person buzzes you in. There’s always a bracelet or something of the sort that you must show in order to get past the front desk.
Are these precautions completely foolproof? Probably not. But they certainly do more than most hotels I’ve stayed in. At hotels, people come and go as they please, with no check for credentials.
That isn’t so with hostels. I’ve stayed in some really good hostels and some not-so-good ones. What they all had in common were these safety precautions.
It’s the way of the hostel. Due to its budget offerings, precautions are taken to ensure the safety of the guests and the staff.
What is it Like to Stay in a Hostel?
I get asked this question a lot when I talk about my travels. The answer to the question is: it’s great!
You get to meet new people, save more than a few bucks compared to other hotels, and probably push your comfort zones. If you’re new to it, I’ll tell you that it’s different from what you’re used to.
But I’m confident you’ll love it!
Is it Easy to Sleep in a Hostel?
Sleeping in hostels isn’t always easy. Sometimes it’s hard! Our 15 tips will definitely make it as easy as possible for you to get some sleep in your hostel.
There are a lot of different types of hostels and a lot of circumstances that will come up during your different stays. If you follow the advice here, you’ll maximize your chances to sleep easily.
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. Don’t forget your earplugs and sleep mask from this 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, and what everyone’s hostel etiquette is like. 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. Pick up a lock and utilize the hostel lockers!
All Packed Up For Your Hostel Trip!
We’ve got our essentials, tech, and clothes all rolled up and compressed in our packing cubes and organized into our favorite bag(s). Now it’s time to set out!
Book the flight! Hit the pavement (or cobblestones). Track down the right hostel. It’s game time baby, you’re ready!
Have fun out there!