Hostelling is a truly brilliant experience and there are few things quite like it. Where else do you get the chance to make new friends and connections while enjoying affordable accommodation with shared facilities that make travel even easier? Plus, what could be better than seeing more of the world for less?
If you’re new to hostelling or just want to brush up on a few unspoken rules before you book, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve all wondered about the dos and don’ts of sharing a dorm for the first time. The key is to be respectful, enjoy yourself and embrace it as part of the adventure. With that in mind, here are some top tips to help you make the most of your dorm stay with YHA.
There are plenty of hostels across England and Wales with shared rooms available. Take a look and find your next stay.
Top tips for being a great roommate in a dorm
1 - Pack your bags the night before
If you have an early start on the day you’re due to check out, it’s a good idea to pack your bag ready to go the night before. This avoids any rustling or excessive moving around whilst your fellow roomies are trying to sleep. It’s also tempting to put some clothes in plastic bags when you’re travelling (dirty clothes, am I right?). But these can be quite loud in the morning when people are trying to get some shut eye and are definitely one to avoid.
2 - Say hi to your fellow bunkmates
Hostelling is all about making those connections you wouldn’t in a hotel or Airbnb. Smile and be kind to the people you’re sharing a room with. You never know if it might be someone’s first hostel stay, if they’re having a bit of an off day or feeling overwhelmed sharing a dorm. Even if you don’t fancy having a full-blown conversation, saying “hello” never goes amiss.
With that said, not everyone wants to chat. After a long day exploring the area or travelling between places, some people might want to enjoy a bit of quiet time. Top tip: if someone’s wearing headphones, they might not want to be disturbed.
3 - Bathroom etiquette
Don’t overthink when to jump into the shower or toilet. If it’s free, just go for it. But be mindful of other people who might be waiting for the bathroom as well, so do your best to not take ages. Hostels aren’t the place to be having a 20-minute hair wash or 15 stage skincare routine.
4 - Tidy space, tidy mind
No one wants to hop over dirty socks on the floor, walk around shoes strewn across the room or avoid pants hanging off bunk beds. Whilst you’re sharing a room, try and keep your space tidy by cleaning up any dirty laundry from the floors.
5 - Keep loud noises to a minimum
If you want to chill out in the dorm, make sure you use headphones to listen to music, a podcast, TV show or film. And if you’re facetiming family or taking a phone call, either check to see if the room is empty or go to a social area outside of your hostel room. Not everyone will want to hear a detailed account of your day... no matter how interesting it sounds!
Top tip: please don’t let your alarm ring out five times in the morning. If it’s 6.00am and people are trying to get their 40 winks, you don’t want to hear the jarring sound of an alarm ringing. Once is enough!
6 - No set rules for turning the lights off
If you’re an early bird, it can be tempting to switch the light off and if you’re more of a night owl, the light being off at 9.00pm can be annoying. Is there a solution to this? To be honest, not really. The best way to deal with the big ‘when should we turn the light off’ question would be to communicate with your hostel roommates. Ask if it’s okay to turn the light off. We’d say that around 10.30pm is an acceptable time for the light to be off and if you walk into the room and it’s dark, please don’t disturb whoever is trying to sleep. There’s a light on your bunk bed to help you see your area.
Things to pack when staying in a dorm:
- Earplugs – if you’re a light sleeper and want to drown out any snorers, these are a lifesaver!
- Headphones – if you want to relax and watch your favourite show or chill out to music.
- Padlock – to secure your belongings.
- Flip flops – really useful if you need to nip out of your room for something. Or take them to the shower area in case it’s wet.
Be friendly, be yourself and be welcoming of your other roommates! Everyone who’s hostelling is there to have a good time, explore more of the world and make connections. Don’t overthink it too much, just enjoy.
Discover more about YHA.
