Hostel Etiquette: Do's and Dont's

Ah, the hostel experience! A melting pot of cultures, a hub for new friendships, and... a crash course in hostels unwritten rules.

I've had my fair share of hostel horror stories: from a random guy calling his wife every day at 6 am in our dorm, to someone who smelled so bad that everyone ended up sleeping in the lobby. Hostel etiquette is apparently not well known by everyone...

Thankfully, after 2 years of non-stop travels, these are the exceptions rather than the rule. Most people are actually pretty great!

If you want to be a great first time dorm-mate and avoid becoming someone else's hostel horror story, here are the Dos and Don'ts of hostel etiquette.

Hostel Etiquette 101: Do's

• Respect Quiet Hours: my favorite travel tip is to whisper if someone else is sleeping. Don't be a hostel jerk. First-time hostel guests should keep this in mind.

• Keep it Clean: No one wants to live in a trash goblin lair.

• Respect everyone's space: Personal space is sacred. Don’t be a close-talker.

• Keep Your Hands to Yourself: Everyone's culture is different, if hugging and touching while talking is normal in yours, refrain from doing that with people you don't know.

• Maintain Your Personal Hygiene: Shower and deodorant are your friends. Some of my worst experiences have come from sleeping in the same room as stink monsters.

• Sex in a hostel: If you’re feeling romantic, by all means, have fun, but get a private room.

• Lights Out: You’re not a lighthouse. Turn off the lights when it’s bedtime.

• Use Headphones: Your podcast obsession should be a solo experience.

• Hostel tip: Bring Earplugs and an Eye Mask: Expect people to snore and some people to not be mindful about turning off the lights, so equip yourself accordingly: Block out the snoring orchestra and light show. These items are essential in any hostel packing list.

• Bring Flip-Flops for the Shower: Protect your feet. Hostel showers are not the most foot-friendly zones.

• Label Your Food: Mark your snacks to avoid playing “Who stole my kimchi?” This is one of many essential hostel food hacks.

• Be Culturally Sensitive: Respect others’ customs. Not everyone finds your jokes funny. Not everyone is as laid-back as you. Understanding different cultures is key to making friends in hostels.

• Hostel etiquette Alarm: Vibrate mode is your best friend. Keep your alarm close and quiet if you can.

• Do Your Laundry: Don’t be the stinky roommate (please). Wash your clothes. This is especially important for long-term hostel travelers.

• Pack Up Beforehand if You’re Leaving Early in the Morning: Avoid the morning noise producing packing panic we all hate. Specially if you have plastic bags...

• Share the Outlets: Don’t be an outlet monopolizer. Share the power.

• Leave Reviews of the Hostel Online to Help Other Travelers: Your review can guide future travelers. Spread the wisdom. This helps others find good hostels.

• Prepare Your PJ’s + Toothbrush and Paste Beforehand: Avoid the late-night treasure hunt for your sleep essentials if you know you're going to come back late.

• Refrain From Hanging Your Stuff on the Top Bunk Railings or Ladder: Respect the top bunk dweller’s space. Don’t turn their ladder into a clothesline.

Don'ts

• Don’t Take Other People’s Food: Avoid being the food thief. It’s not a good look. Instead, try cooking your own meals with these simple hostel recipes.

• Don’t Bring Food Into Dorms: Crumbs and critters are not welcome. Keep food out of the dorm.

• Be a Loud Drunk: No one enjoys the loud, late-night party animal in dorms. Keep it quiet.

• Don’t Use the Dorm Room as Your Walk-in Wardrobe: Your fashion show can wait. Keep your clothes contained and change in the bathroom (if you're staying in a mixed dorm). This is especially important in hostels for couples.

• Don’t Take Phone Calls in Your Dorm: Step outside for calls. Your dorm mates don’t need to hear your life story, and some people might be sleeping or napping.

• Don’t Crawl Into Bed With Anyone While You’re Drunk: Stick to your own bed. Uninvited bed-sharing is a nightmare. Safety in hostels is crucial, especially for solo travelers.

• Don’t Hit Snooze 10x Before Actually Getting Up: Your snooze fest is everyone else’s wake-up call. Get up already.

• Don't Leave Dirty Dishes or Messes in the Kitchen, Bathroom or any common areasf: Clean up your mess. You’re not Cinderella, and neither are your roommates. Understanding how hostels work includes respecting shared spaces.

• Hostel Shower Etiquette: Don't monopolize the Bathroom or Shower for Extended Periods. Be mindful of others. Long spa sessions can wait.