Living Abroad (Without Bags of $) Part 4: Hostel

If you're like most young Americans, the word "hostel" probably conjures up 1) images of sketchy rooms full of bunk beds, occupied by dozens of the near-homeless, or 2) a bunch of un-showered hippie backpackers sitting around a common room smoking weed.

While I can't promise there aren't hostels out there fitting those descriptions, I can guarantee that with a little research (seriously, just read some reviews on Trip Advisor or something) you can find pleasant, reputable hostels in/near just about any developed city. What's more, hostels can be more than just inexpensive accommodation; if you play your cards right, you can live there for free. Read on to find out what you need to know about long-term, affordable hostel stays.

A gorgeous hostel (centermost large building) in Ambleside, Lake District, UK.

Space

What are hostels actually like? 

This is a tricky question. Hostels really are a unique option in the world of travel accommodations. Perhaps what most sets them apart from regular hotels is the extent to which they are a shared space. You and the other guests don't just share the dining room during continental breakfast and the pool for an evening swim. You share everything short of your bed. So for those of you who have never experienced hostel life before, here's a brief description (and all hostels are different, so these are "more like guidelines than actual rules").

The Rooms: 

In terms of space, hostels can range from small house- to large hotel-size. They typically have a mix of "shared" and "private" rooms, as well as twin (often bunk) and double beds. As for the number of people in a shared room, this also ranges from approximately 4 to 12. In most cases, guests share one or more hall bathrooms, which can be single-gender or co-ed. 

The Amenities: 

In addition to guest rooms, most hostels also include at least one common room (with or without TV) and a community kitchen. Many offer complimentary hot drinks/breakfast (UK hostels throw in dinner as well!), and additional services such as airport pickups, wireless internet, or transportation to the city centre. The often-surprising thing is these services are typically either free of charge or really, really cheap.

The People: 

As far as who stays in hostels, the answer once again varies. Yes, backpackers are a given (in fact, here in New Zealand, hostels are simply called "Backpackers"). But you'll also find couples, families, and older folks. Across the board, hostel-dwellers (and staff!) tend to be a kind, respectful, fun-loving bunch. Let's just say you're more likely to make friends in a hostel than in a hotel. In fact, I met my husband in a hostel... next question?

What are the pros and cons of hosteling? 

Like I explained in a recent article on hospitality jobs, pros and cons are subjective. So let's just say if the cons list sounds appealing to you, you should definitely try out the hostel life.

The Pros:

- Hostels are really inexpensive compared to just about any form of lodging other than pitching a tent. Prices vary, but you're probably looking at anywhere from $20-$50 USD per night. Plus the free food.

- Most hostels are ideally located in or near cities (so transportation won't be a worry), and they are all over the place, so if you have several destinations in mind, "hostel-hopping" is a perfectly valid option. 

- Again, the community atmosphere in hostels really is a very special thing. You will meet other young, adventurous people from all over the world, which can be a huge plus if you're traveling alone. 

The Cons:

- There isn't much privacy in hostels, even if you have a private room. So if you're the introverted type, either steer clear or plan on spending a lot of time taking walks or curled up with headphones and a book. 

- It's not the Ritz-Carlton. Staff typically keep the place nice and clean, but make no mistake – this is minimalist lodging. If you compare it to a hotel, you will probably be disappointed.

- No two hostels are the same, meaning what you get at one might be completely different from the next. Plus you always hear horror stories about bed bugs and serial killers.

Another beautiful hostel, this one a 10-minute walk from Bath, UK. 

Space

What's that you were saying about free hosteling?

Right, right, the "free" part. Here's the lowdown. Many hostels rely on volunteer staff to run the place. Thus why they are so inexpensive. Who are these volunteers, you ask? Often young travelers like us, who trade a few days of hostel management (cleaning, greeting new guests, serving food, etc.) per week for free lodging. Again, finding hostels with programs like this just requires some basic research. Look up hostels in your destination(s) of choice, shoot an email to their contact person, and ask if you can trade labor for lodging.  

Picture yourself with nothing but your suitcase/backpack to your name, sleeping on a bunk in a room with a few random strangers. You live off of cheap groceries that you cook yourself in the community kitchen. A couple days a week are spent scrubbing toilets, refilling the coffee, and pointing lost people in the right direction. In exchange, the rest of the week is yours to roam around, see the sights, even work other odd jobs, without having to worry about lodging expenses. After a month or so, you move on to the next hostel in the next city, wash, rinse, repeat.

If that picture sounds good to you, why not try the hostel life for a while? It's living (sort of) on the edge, but hey, that's why you read through this whole article in the first place.