Are you ready to pack your bag and start a new adventure? Packing for the hostel life is easy – but let’s be honest. It’s also very easy to forget a few things that can make your life in hostels difficult. To help you out, I decided to create a list of all the things needed for hostel stays.
If you’re feeling unsure about what to bring along with you, this will surely help you.
Before we start, let’s go over some important points when it comes to backpacking abroad.
Choosing the right luggage
If you’re planning on going on a backpacking trip – most people obviously choose a backpack. It’s easier to walk around with a backpack than if you have a suitcase. I personally love having a backpack with wheels.
Basically, the idea is to be able to access your things easily. Imagine if you arrive at your hostel in the middle of the night. If you are kind and you don’t want to wake up everyone in the dorm, you would love to be able to reach your stuff easily without having to empty the whole content of your bag. Am I right?
If your answer is yes, you need to get a bag that opens at the top… and at the front. It’s going to make your life easy, trust me.
That said, I’d suggest you pick smaller luggage – a carry-on is good enough for long backpacking trips. I traveled with a carry-on only in many countries without any problems. Bonus: I saved money on luggage on low-cost airlines.
Choosing the right packing method
When I first started traveling, I used to roll my clothes to save space in my backpack. It was a great method, but for the past year, I’ve been using packing cubes and my life is easier now. I know exactly where my underwear is and believe me – it saves me some time.
How do hostels work?
If you’re planning your first stay in a hostel, you can read my tips for first-timers in hostels here. Basically, you have the option between dorms or private rooms. If you’re thinking of staying in dorms, you should definitely think of a safety measure to keep your valuables safe.
Usually, staying in a dorm means you will have a bunk bed or a pod – which becomes your personal space in the shared room. Hostels might provide lockers, linen and towels, but you must check this prior to your stay as some don’t provide towels for example.
Hostel Packing List
Now, let’s jump to the packing section. It’s time to fill up your bag with all the things you need in a hostel. This packing list aims to give you an idea of what you need apart from your clothes and other special needs.
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Padlock
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I’d recommend you get at least two padlocks with you. I usually travel with two small padlocks and it’s very useful abroad. It’s not only valuable for hostels but also if you’re going on a bus journey. Locking your backpack is a great way to avoid any theft and stolen stuff.
Earplugs
When staying in hostels, you will likely bump into snorers at some point. Having earplugs with you will ensure the quality of your sleep and this is very important if you don’t want to see the grumpiest version of yourself.
Not only you will deal with snorers, but you will likely hear alarms for early flights, party animals coming back in the dorm in the middle of the night. Earplugs are a lifesaver when it comes to hostel life.
Eye mask
Having an eye mask when staying in a hostel is another great way to have a better sleep. Imagine if your roommates decide to turn on the light in the middle of the night (sadly, it happens often). There’s no reason to wake up for people’s lack of courtesy. Your eyemask should keep you from waking up with the light.
Universal charger
When traveling abroad, you will surely encounter different types of power sockets. When picking a hostel, you should try to get one that offers power sockets for each bed (these are the best hostels out there). Imagine having your own power socket… without having the right charger. Ha. Keep your mobile charged at all times with a universal charger.
Also, I would recommend you to have a USB cable since some hostels only offer the USB option. Having a charger with multiple cables is also a great idea since you might want to charge your camera while you’re at it.
Finally, why not get a power bank too. For these sad times, where the room will have only one power socket, you might need to charge your phone with a power bank.
Quick-dry towel
While some hostels offer fresh towels to their guests, most hostels don’t. (Sometimes, you have to pay an extra fee for it.) This is why I always travel with a quick-dry towel. Whether I use it for the shower or to go to the beach – having a quick-dry towel when I travel is essential.
Now, what’s the main difference between a normal towel and a quick-dry one? Imagine if you take a shower and have to pack quickly for your next flight. Are you really willing to put your wet towel straight back in your backpack? A quick-dry towel dries quickly and this is super handy when it comes to packing.
Flip-flops
Traveling with flip-flops isn’t just great when you’re heading to a sunny destination. If you’re like me, you might not be a fan of wet floors in shared bathrooms. Having flip-flops is going to be very handy when it comes to walking on a wet floor in a busy bathroom.
I always travel with flip-flops… because I’m picky. Ha! (And I also like to travel where the sun shines.)
Toiletries bag
Having all your toiletries in a bag is very helpful. Again, when all your stuff is thrown in a backpack, it is quite hard to find everything you need. Having a toiletries bag is very handy especially in small bathrooms found in hostels. When there’s only one hook to put your clothes and your stuff, it’s great if you can just hang your bah on the door.
I also prefer it as all my personal products can fit in one bag. One bag in my left hand and my clothes and towel in the other hand, I’ll be ready to walk on that wet floor.
Pajamas
I usually don’t sleep in pajamas (this one transforms you into a unicorn, ha!), unless I’m sharing a mixed dorm. Having some extra shorts, or pajamas is a great way to feel more comfortable in a shared dorm. Then, imagine if you need to go to the toilet in the middle of the night. If you’re going to bump into people on the way there, don’t you think you will feel more comfortable if you’re wearing something more than your underwear?
Laundry bag
When it comes to backpacking, you will obviously have to handle dirty laundry at some point. Having a bag for dirty clothes is a great way to keep the rest of your stuff clean and tidy. You can either use a different packing cube for the dirty laundry or use a dry bag made especially for dirty/wet stuff.
Card games
When staying in hostels, you will meet a lot of people. A great way to break the ice is to play games. Having one card game with you should help you make new friends in hostels. Here’s a list of card games that won’t take too much room in your backpack.
