BEGINNERS GUIDE TO HOSTELS (What to REALLY expect)

Wanna know what staying in a hostel is really like?! Mollie and I talk about the normally unspoken hostel rules, typically annoying behaviours we encounter and discuss general hostel etiquette to get to grips with when backpacking.
What do you think? Do you agree?! Share your annoying hostel experiences in the comments below.
BOOK A HOSTEL
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OUR VID ON MOLLIE'S CHANNEL ABOUT SOLO TRAVEL TIPS - • The BIG solo travel ch...
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MUSIC IN THIS VIDEO:
-KZbin Audio Library-
Kevin MacLeod - Carefree
Otis McDonald - Stay
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[@lejaders]

Once in Laos I was on the bottom bunk (which is what I prefer) and the guy above me went out drinking and fell off the top bunk in his sleep in the middle of the night, and he didn't even wake up.

[@elmegapitondelnorte]

Haha what? No way

[@erwinandres5332]

That happened to me. I was the one that fell from the top bunk and woke up with a sore back hahaha

[@katlccn]

did he ever wake up?

[@evenstaredits]

the exact same thing happened to me in koh phangan, except the guy crawled into my bed after falling down and fell asleep immediately, bleeding from his face so my sheets got all bloody.. yuck. at least we could laugh about it afterwards.

[@debbiec6253]

@@evenstaredits This is both hilarious and disgusting at the same time hahaha

[@vagiakontodima7794]

I travelled solo aged 20 for the first time to budapest and stayed at a hostel.I thought i would be alone and get bored but because people could see that i am alone they invited me to all kinds of activities all the time and i cant thank them enough because they made the whole experience much much better.

[@alexevans997]

That’s amazing!

[@ashbreault4474]

Which hostel did you stay at?

[@vagiakontodima7794]

@@ashbreault4474 oleander

[@rozemarijnbalemans4561]

I loved the fact you girls discussed the 'inviting people along for activities' soo important to me! ☝️

[@meganvalek2690]

Maybe I'm too introverted for a hostel. I wouldn't want to invite folks to things, and I actually wouldn't want to be invited either. 😂 I'm not rude, I promise. I just like doing my own thing.

[@rozemarijnbalemans4561]

@Megan Valek which is also fine! Then I are very much allowed to say no, but feeling included or considered as a solo traveler feels lovely (at least for me). But I also did a lot of stuff alone, if I wanted to see a landmark no-one was interested it. You'll just go.

[@kristinam94]

First time on this channel, 27 minute long video and I haven't skipped it, paused it or anything, it was really interesting and helpful video! Thank You both!

[@manishamanu1084]

yeah really loved it

[@lostfox27]

Yeah likewise

[@zaytona9988]

Samee

[@barse.255]

This actually answered all of my questions. Thank you! There were some untouched topics by other youtubers, like setting up alarm and top bunk vs bottom bunk.. You anwered them also, so that was pretty cool

[@mossmoss2019]

this has to be the best introductory video on this topic EVER. thank u so much for this, yall great!!

[@kaicheek]

I thought this was gonna be another click bait video telling you stuff you already know, but you guys really surprised me! Gret info, good vibe and very useful! Thanks for making the video :)

[@lydiaastanford]

Genuinely the main reason I tend to choose female dorms is because of men snoring! I’m yet to stay in a mixed dorm room where there hasn’t been a loud snoring man 😂

[@BackpackingBananas]

hahahaha omg I HATE snorers. I feel ya gurl.

[@nrg16108]

Well women snore too! I used to be married to one.

[@rafaeltorre1643]

My first snorer in a hostel was an Australian woman! Lol.

[@lenaluger9742]

The worst hostel snorrer I ever had was a woman 😂 unusually men snore worse but that woman was crazg

[@gaipa2006]

Yep we men snore a lot. I snore a lot and it used to annoy my girlfriend.

[@juanjosefermin3682]

Mollie' smile is beautiful. Great video for people like me that haven't go to a Hostel yet

[@AnomalousChloe]

Love this! I've really been loving your content recently! Great advice and awesome to see you collabing with other KZbinrs. I'd never come across most of the people before so its great to discover new travellers! ❤

[@BackpackingBananas]

Yay thanks Chloe xxx

[@Lilasnoir]

I just came back from Nicaragua and I wish I would've seen this before going to my first backpack trip! I love your videos, they're very helpful!!!

[@reallychadical]

I really felt that "I believe in you" moment, thanks! Cuz I feel SHY ALREADY about solo traveling.

[@marcusroy8185]

I'm actually a seasoned traveller and I agree with all of this. Spread the message! Esp about greeting people when entering a dorm and inviting people to things you plan to do.

[@gabmolinamma2186]

You both are truly proper backpackers. Luv it! Such a contagious laugh you have

[@cv2733]

By far the BESTTTTT video on hostels. Thank you guys!! You hit every detail of every pro and con! 👏🏽👏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽❤️❤️

[@chloerosewood]

Another tip on the aerosol spray subject I ALWAYS highly recommend going outside to spray it because if someone has Asthma it can trigger a reaction. It happened to someone in my class at school thankfully he was fine after going to the hospital 😊

[@a.n4031]

Happened to me in high school in a class room. It was severe

[@susie9893]

I don't understand why ppl would be traveling with that at all

[@rienziarevalo7915]

I’m going to Budapest for my first ever travel , and I’ve watched a bunch of other vids about first time traveling solo, but this one has been the most informative and useful video!! So thanks!

[@theexploringemily]

This was super informative! Thank you! Never thought about some of those things..

[@jtech711]

U ladies r great!! “ friendly vibes all the way around” is a great travel shirt

[@courtneylanghorne6679]

Thanks guys! I’m going travelling alone in March and staying in hostels so this is really helpful!

[@pacifictradewinds5635]

Thanks for this video! We love the hostel etiquette tips!

[@AtulKumar-xv5zu]

You girls are hilarious and informative! Thank you! Never thought about some of those things.

[@indonesiaknights4201]

Thank you guys sooooo much! You have put my nerves to rest, it's my first time in a hostel and i wasn't sure about it but with your helpful tips i know i will be safe and have lots of fun while travling

[@BackpackingBananas]

Our pleasure Chanel! Hope you have the best trip xxx

[@Keiphton27]

You ladies are a lovely slice of wonderful! Fantabulous information and hope everything is going well for you both. Cheers!

[@muradtravels]

Wait I love this video so much of this stuff has been on my mind since I never been to a hostel or solo travelled really. Y’all are amazing

[@jenohogan9254]

I'm really glad I saw this. It was super helpful. Thank you!

[@femkevanlooy]

This was so helpful, it felt the whole time like I was chatting with my 2 besties!

[@b7snammar]

great advices! this video got me even more excited for my trip! thanks!

[@PocketTrailblazer]

Great tips girls, especially about the bug spray!! loving your work, xx

[@TastySanchez]

Thanks girls! I'm going backpacking in Europe in a few months. This was very helpful

[@mscopelleti]

Thanks so much for the tips! im prepping for my trip to europe for 6 weeks and it's my first time ever traveling alone to a different continent. This has been a great help and i've been taking notes like a university class ahahaha thanks a ton!

[@tommijy]

how was it

[@TheShauNanigans]

Cage lockers under the bed are key! Every hostel I went to had those when I went to Europe and they were amazing.

[@ThisEpicLife]

Fantastic. Great, and useful advice. Much appreciated.

[@cristy7860]

This is really helpful! I and my friends love staying in hostels and your tips are really helpful 😊😊

[@aljo1641]

Nice to bump into this vlog...thank u. Enjoyed it.

[@DessertGeek]

Thank you so much for this video! I do feel like US hostels are changing so much right now, or at least Seattle's scene is changing a lot. Like there's a new-ish one in Fremont that's trying its best to be fancypants in a super family focused neighborhood, compared to the rest in the downtown core. I wonder how that'll change things in the years to come.

[@breathingplanet6038]

Great video girls! We love this. Keep up the work!

[@debbyvergoossen7610]

What a great video! Going to stay in a hostel soon for 3 days and literally all my questions have been answered. Thank you so much girls!

[@squibitbessy7382]

I’d so want to travel with you, your so much fun! I agree with the aerosols a lot of it in a confined space sets of asthma. I’m considering doing solo backpacking around Europe so this vid is really helpful thanks.

[@markclemente1503]

Your comment on inviting people to go with you places is something that I have experienced. I was staying at a hostel in Florence and I was at a hostel close to the train station. I was traveling alone and didn't know anyone around me. I met some amazing people, most of whom I became really good friends with that week and some I still keep in contact with via Facebook or Instagram. We went exploring, went to the bars, and that was the summer of the 2016 Eurocup, so we found a good place to go watch parts of the games. I remember one experience in particular...I was with a British guy and a Northern Irish guy (he's from right on the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland) and we were watching the Northern Ireland-Wales game and it was just an amazing experience being with someone who was from that country. That was also my first time hearing anyone speak Gaelic in person. Such an awesome experience.

[@sh3ll3y1990]

Such a helpful video! Currently planning a month in Europe and will be staying in hostels. I have stayed in them before but not alone and want to be considerate!

[@UbahTravels]

I wish I came across your channel before my first hostel experience but it was great anyway. I couldn’t look away. Great information, I nodded the whole through because I just experienced most of these things you talked about and such beautiful girls!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@SnelleJaapie]

Im planning on to, and almost certain I am, that I will be going to travel and backpacking through australie. I was scared about a lot of things but after watching a couple of your videos like this one, it just gave me so much more confidence! and it excites me more and more everyday to just do it! thankyou!

[@lominaaa7055]

how was it??

[@LocalGoesGlobal]

We love your videos! So informative and overall awesome. :)

[@LVJANISLV]

First solo trip next month. Great tips!

[@tommccabe1019]

This is great information for young people, common courtesy but helpful info for all!

[@chrystophs3798]

Great tips! My wife and I have stayed in a few Hostels in Australia and South Island NZ def a great experience. Planning a trip to Europe and doing some hostels and couch surfing for a month should be fun haha. Wanted to say great video!

[@BackpackingBananas]

Thank you ☺️

[@lifebylinda]

Great advice ladies - this was so helpful! Love your work :)

[@BackpackingBananas]

Life by Linda ❤️❤️

[@jamesfoodgiecalafoodgie869]

My favorite backpackers in one video ! Finally, thanks for the video

[@weareglobaltravellers]

wooohooooo!

[@JessicaStCroix]

LOVED YOUR GUYS ENERGY. Thanks for all the tips gonna be an epic first hostel experience. Basically, bring the sun and no one can rain on your parade. Lollll. 💁🏽‍♀️

[@100Bubbie]

Great video. Going to LA and Honolulu and staying in hostels for the first time...😊

[@CharmaineO1997]

Staying in a hostel in Queenstown in Feb that I booked today & I was freaking out but I feel slightly better after watching this!! Queenstown is so crazy expensive to stay in a hotel so glad I could find a hostel that actually had availability!!

[@violajosephineh]

Do more videos with Mollie!! You’re so funny together xx

[@joshuaanthonyL]

You two are hilarious and adorable. Keep it up!

[@HannahMcFarlane1029]

Loved this! I leave to go backpacking for the first time 3 weeks tomorrow so this video was great to prepare for all the fun hosteling happenings :D! I am travelling Central America, your videos from travelling around there have also been great in helping prep for the trip and I am currently having a go packing clothes into a packing cube whilst watching this video. All the fun little bits before actually going haa! Happy travels :), looking forward to your next video!

[@BackpackingBananas]

Hannah ahhh have the best time! Central America is epic 😃😃❤❤ xx

[@holliebailey2809]

Hannah1029 how was it c

[@cjexplores]

Super helpful video guys, nice collab 😉 subbed to both ✌

[@tianabantis1059]

First time I've watched your videos and I loved it! You guys are hilarious together. I'll be staying in hostels through out Europe next summer and this video really helped me prepare for that!! Thank you!

[@planetochampagne]

I hope you have a great trip to Europe!

[@Amanda-eq5tu]

Love this video!!! Both of you are awesome

[@jasminadrian189]

Very detailed and helpful video. Thanks

[@JosefandKaleigh]

I had a triple bunk bed in London actually! And there were no railings, it was terrifying!

[@Zeluron]

I don't normally comment on video's and stuff but you were very helpful and inspiring when I was planning my backpacking trip which I went on last October for 44 days and nights so thank you for that. I did Thailand and Cambodia, washed elephants, saw loads of awesome temples, tasted amazing food and visited Maya Beach which was.. amazing. I was still pretty terrible in the hostels because I find it extremely difficult to be social but I managed to make a few friends even so. I'm looking forward to doing backpacking adventure number 2 next October!

[@BackpackingBananas]

Thank you for your lovely comment! I'm so pleased your trip went well!! Lots of love xxx

[@cesarbecerrilrojas2730]

Loved the video!!!

[@troyperez76]

Love to see you doing collaborations. I have always like your tips and tricks videos most. Your how to travel Thailand is where I found you years ago and still think it is one of your best videos ever. This one is up there as one of the best so much useful information for newbies and even experience travelers. Hope that you continue putting up content here on KZbin as you have talent in not only the editing of your videos but also on connecting through the screen. Can't wait to see whats next for you.

[@BackpackingBananas]

Thank you Troy! Lots more videos like this are coming!! :)

[@endtimestraveller6634]

Thank you very much for sharing all of this! Thank you!

[@BackpackingBananas]

Pleasure 🤓

[@BNRism]

a special shout-out to you girls!! i definitely needed this one! i am leaving from italy to sydney in october!! will be solo travelling for the 1st time!! (very excited btw!)) i will look for 1 good hostel in town to book !! Thank u !!

[@trevilling]

I was in a 6 bed room with 1 guy and the rest girls and at another surfcamp a 5 bed room with 4 guys. Turned out to be the best time ever. Had so many good chats and good memory’s. Visiting my friend in Italy next month and staying in a true hostel 8 beds.... super excited 😆 thanks for this!

[@srahsunshine6708]

Thanks for sharing this this will come in handy I am saving up for my trip to India my dream trip 💙

[@biancaklein6312]

Awesome tips! going to Bali nxt week!

[@freegirl3786]

I've actually been in a boarding school for the last 5 years and always had a roommate, so many of these tips are actually day to day practice. I just realized how many things there are that other people wouldn't think of. Kinda funny😂

[@nw6070]

you forgot to mention a crucial issue: smelly bodies, shoes, towels etc. make sure you leave your shoes and towels outside to dry and make sure you bring stuff to keep your body, breath and personal items smelling fresh. nothing worse than trying to sleep with someone reeking of alcohol smoke and garlic. also be open and never judge others by appearance, you will be surprised what you can learn from people who initially seem like "not my type of person".

[@BangkokBound]

Great information !

[@sophiaalexandra7388]

you guys have such great personalities! love this

[@BackpackingBananas]

[@sauron9804]

I am going Europe for 3 weeks and this by far the best video, I have ever see for hostel tips and I really enjoyed how spontaneous you are guys, thanks for share you experience like travelers!!

[@holliebailey2809]

how was it:)

[@ohio_thunder83]

Im going to be staying in a hostel for the first time in a cpl months. Im kinda nervous but this video helped a lot. Thanks. Btw you both are very beautiful!!

[@daximil]

Thanks for this. Lots of good stuff to know. :-)

[@bobbyjames4300]

You actually cured my depression ladies..sub for life , valuable information , much love from Toronto , Canada 🇨🇦..cheers..

[@nintendolover114]

When it comes to dorms, it's majority rules for me. If more than half the room are up then the light can go on

[@Canadian_Eh_I]

Thanks ladies ! As a 35 year old guy who's back packing for the first time in Thailand I found your tips incredibly useful. ☺

[@Donna-Jayne]

how did the trip go? Im off in September :)

[@Canadian_Eh_I]

@@Donna-Jayne It was fantastic! Went for 4 months travelled all around Thailand. Get out Bangkok asap and go around the islands! Koh Lanta was amazing

[@Donna-Jayne]

@@Canadian_Eh_I ... awsome thanks for the advice hun. So glad you enjoyed it! 🤘😜

[@PeterMaaMaa]

Thank for sharing your experiences. It helps a lot :-)

[@BackpackingBananas]

[@msdenise1234567]

Mixed dorms! People in those are more friendly. I've had the weirdest experiences in female dorms (e.g. a girl changing in the middle of the room, while us roomies were there too and also everybody ignored each other). And somehow I always become instant friends with guys and not with girls, so when we hang out others join and that's a good starting point. My tip would be to bring your own pillow case, just feels clean haha.

[@siggyrockstv]

Great advice ladies xoxo I'm going on my first solo trip & Hostel experience SUPER EXCITED!

[@BackpackingBananas]

Yay have fun!! xx

[@ruochenlin7994]

Really helpful video! Nice job, ladies:)

[@lg231]

Great video, very informative! Thanks girls 😆😆 btw I'm off to LA soon sny advice?

[@CahzitaM]

Perfect video girls! Thanks 🥰

[@meif6302]

I've stayed in three hostels yet, all in the recent summer sooo, can just share some of my experience... When I went in summer (I was with two friends, one hostel in Nice, two different ones in Barcelona) I was only 17, and I was surprised that most people there weren't just two, three years older than me but more like 5 or more, so I was very young. Still had one very fun evening, when I stayed up longer in the common room, no one seemed to really care that I was quite much younger than them. about that alarm thing... it took some tries and some unhappy words from my friends until I found out it is very possible to wake up even if the alarm is at the lowest volume. I personally absolutely like the top beds but I guess that's just preference... would be afraid of bumping my head five times a day otherwise. One rather unfunny thing that happened with the lockers was that I had mine under the bottom bed, but that guy was sleeping and the matreace was in there in a way I couln't get it out without accidentaly waking him um. He reacted like I was to blame for it, in my opinion it was just not constructed very well... something that wasn't really mentioned here, I guess that differs a lot between hostels, is common rooms. In all the three hostels there were common rooms and most people were there or out most of the time and I don't think there were really people spending much time in the doorms. At least not for talking to someone, just for having some alone-time. And another thing: in my (very vast, I know :) experience hostels differ in how social they are. Like, the first two ones I was in where like, either we where by ourselves all the time or we talked a little to other people but there was nothing like people staying up forever. But in one of the hostels we at least got a mom for those few days... The woman responsible for the hostel, I don't know if she owns it or not, was taking very good care of everyone, when you left the hostel she asked where you where going, always tried to help with suggestions/things you had to concern. And she once made paella for some of the people in the hostel. Something I generally like a lot is to cook in hostels, on the one hand I cooked for the three of us, but once we came to talk to some people because of it, once we had something left and shared it with two guys who then sat down with us... and once someone said in the evening "I saw you make that frenchtoast in the morning but I didn't wanna ask if I could have one". So cooking/eating can be a great way to meet people... anyway, this video just made me relive some of those great moments from summer and also made me wanna travel again soo badly... Still think I can improve a lot with those social skills and get even more out of my trips, especially in hostels.

[@jacquelinesmurphy3473]

I love the top bunk too!

[@paolaabril9250]

Thanks Girls!I haven't gone to a hostel, but I hope my next trip I will have that experience, mostly for meeting people as I wanna go alone,the only thing that I'm kinda worried about, is safety XD. but thisis cool to try! thanks :D suscribed!

[@brynjones6398]

I know this video is really old but I'm going interrailing solo in about a week, and will be staying in hostels for the first time (i'm 18), and I just wanted to say this video has cleared up a lot of questions and "worries" I had about staying in a hostel - so cheers for that lol.

[@lozjessi]

This video was so helpful, I'm staying in my first hostel in Amsterdam in a week and its y first time backpacking.

[@jackholmes2374]

Did you stay in Meninger?

[@tacuazinful]

I am staying at stayokay vondelpark in May.. How did it go for you??? I am traveling solo too, I am a man but I am also kind of nervous tbh, specially with girl, with men I dont care

[@zaytona9988]

This is very informative. I was planning to travel solo this summer and I got suggested by my friend to try hostels. But I think I’d do it for few days to make some companions in my trip then move to a private place just because I don’t rly like the invasion of privacy.

[@snafutimes6883]

Good info. I’m going to try a local hostel to get an actual feel for it. Then I’m going to do some traveling.

[@RoamwithRach]

I'm staying in a couple hostels for my first time this year! I'm super excited. Thanks for the tips! Ps: I think I'd prefer the top bunk if I could chose haha! #teamtopbunk

[@nathantop8561]

Im going solo travelling for the first time in July, any tips you have?

[@TheOfficialTaz]

My two favourite travel youtubers wooooo

[@weareglobaltravellers]

yaaaaaaay!!!!!

[@isabellenatalya]

you girls are so cute!! lol thanks for the info:) Subscribed!

[@cosmosnomad]

A few years ago I turned up in Gent in Belgium right on the weekend when Tommorowland and Gentse feesten were both on. I was a week into my first backpacking trip and I'd been booking my first night at a hostel, then if I liked it I booked more nights even if that meant switching rooms. Obviously pretty much every single bed in every single hostel in every big city in the country was booked because Belgium was so small. I ended up going back the way I came. Which isn't necessarily a bad idea but if you know that's what you need to do then some quick research can be important. I didn't make the most of it. Knowing what events are going on is highly recommended.

[@bingboyify]

very mindful advice!

[@BackpackingBananas]

☺️❤️

[@adrianac6446]

Thank you for this video

[@hannahjones8629]

Love this video made me laugh so many times! Yes be very mindful of others it will get you a long way. Bottom bunk better I think but at the same time I'd hate people sitting on my bed and touching my things lol

[@SarahNorris]

Great video - I definitely prefer the bottom bunk! ahah 😅

[@throughtheeyesofasafariran167]

Well done Ladies that was very informative and entertaining and had to Laugh as had many of those experiences myself. I would like to reiterate that in a nutshell when it comes to backpacking and hostels and traveling just be kind, considerate and compassionate and with that approach your experience is going to be nothing short of incredible, doing my next big solo trip to Nepal to distribute bamboo toothbrushes with my project I run there and then off to , India and then most of south east Asia. I love your tip on being friendly it most definitely helps open doors and you make friends for life. Have a blessed and awesome day Om mani padme hum 🙏😊

[@BackpackingBananas]

That project sounds incredible 🤩🤩 best of luck with it all 😊

[@throughtheeyesofasafariran167]

Backpacking Bananas 😊