5 Hostel Essentials for Solo Travelers
Sleeping in a room with 5+ other people can be very annoying. It’s essentially a giant sleep over in a foreign country. And yet, it’s the best way to solo travel, or travel with friends. The people you meet along the way can easily become lifelong connections, close friends, new blossoming romances or future travel buddies. But carrying these 5 hostel essentials will drastically improve your trip and tolerance of being surrounded by others day after day.
Hotels are for the elderly and couples who need the standard comforts and aren’t interested in meeting others, which is a shame. Because socializing and meeting new people isn’t just for young single people. I’ve shared a hostel with couples in their 50s and solo travelers in their 60s and 70s, some of whom were by far the most interesting people I’ve ever met.
1. Ear Plugs
Ear Plugs, #1 on this list for a very good reason. Hostel guests have different priorities, some wake up early, others party late into the evening. Ear Plugs help you sleep through all the shuffling of people in and out. People packing their bags, talking loudly… Take them on the sleeper buses, air planes, everywhere!
Find them at the local dollar store for $1, they get dirty from use so having a few pairs helps.
- Price Range: $1.00 to 5.00 USD
- Stores: Dollar Store, Walmart, Big Grocery Stores, Drug Stores
2. Eye Mask
Most hostels have a lights out policy at around 11pm, but some lack curtains on the individual bunks. Meaning sleeping in with a hangover can be difficult. What’s worse than being woken up with a groggy headache by strangers, or the sun!
Again, like ear plugs, an eye mask doesn’t have to be fancy. In fact I have 3 or 4 since they are commonly given away on planes. Free stuff is great! Otherwise, a couple dollar should be enough to get a simple eye mask with straps.
- Price Range: $1.00 to $5.00 USD
- Stores: Dollar Store, Walmart, Drug Store
3. Combination Lock
To lock up your valuables or even all your bags. Hostels often provide lockers or lockable baskets under the beds for your stuff. I’ve even seen little wooden boxes custom made on a shelf. If a lock isn’t provided, you’ll need your own.
I hate keys, they get lost (I lose stuff a lot). So a combination lock is better, practice opening it enough to commit the numbers to memory and good to go!
Don’t buy a super cheap lock, ones that can simply be pulled open with force. Get something durable that will last.
- Price Range: $1.99 to $5.00 USD
- Stores: Dollar Store, Walmart, Drug Stores, Grocery Stores
4. Headlamp
The lighting in the hostel bunks can be pretty poor. If you plan on staying up after 11 pm, when the lights go out, having a headlamp is very handy… or hands-free.
Some rooms it’s at the guests discretion when to turn out the lights, obviously other travelers will have eye masks, but a headlamp is far less bothersome to the others.
Plus, they are very useful when camping, on multi-day hikes or finding your way back to the hostel on some questionable streets. So picking one up for $10 has pretty good value.
- Price Range: $7.99 to $25.99 USD
- Types: Battery or USB Rechargeable
- Stores: Sportschek, Mountain Equipment Co-op, Sail, Walmart, Dick’s Sporting Goods
5. Hook & Waterpoof Toiletry Bag
If you already own a good toiletry bag, then this isn’t really a necessity. But having a waterproof bag with a hook for the shower is very useful. Even a Ziplock bag with a string is actually super convenient.
In Hostels, sometimes the showers are super small with just a shower-head. Others are big, with each shower only separated by curtains. Counter space is always very limited.
I personally use a small plastic bag similar to this SqueezePod, and a soap bar case that is 100% sealed and leak-free. I like bars of soap, it’s a luxury item on my trips but worth it.
Most travelers carry more than I do… Hair gels, conditioner, cosmetics etc.. Remember that lighter is always better, so getting a big toiletry bag can be a huge waste of space and extra weight for backpackers.
- Price Range: $9.99 to $49.99 USD
- Brands: Osprey, North Face, Dakine, Peregrine
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