Going on a solo journey can be one of the most memorable experiences of your life. It challenges you, leads to learning freedom, and reaches wonderful people and places. Hostels, in particular, are good hubs for single travelers – they are cheap, social, and often in central areas. But living with strangers means being alert to security.
A lot of hostels are well secured and welcoming; there are always some important precautions to take to have a stress-free and hassle-free visit. Whether you’re a first-time traveler or not, the following tips will ensure that you are safe in a hostel and will fully enjoy your stay.
1. Choose the Right Hostel
Your safety starts long before you check in; it begins with selecting the right place to stay. Research in this situation is your friend. Take time to review or browse on solid websites like Hostelworld, Booking.com, and Google Maps.
Look closely at the opinion about the atmosphere and location of security, sanitation, and employees’ attitude.
If you are going to Canada, it is best to book the best hostels in Banff, a top destination for solo travelers, with its best views and vibrant backpacker culture. The right hostel in Banff will offer safety and an excellent social experience, so it is worth getting right.
A safe hostel usually offers a lot of features such as 24/7 customer service, secure lockers, key access, and a well-built environment. It is also worth seeing that the hostel offers a private room or a female-only dorm; this would make you feel more secure.
Avoid hostels that focus more on parties than on hostels if it is not aligned with your comfort level, especially when traveling alone.
Consider the area as well. Close to public transport, a restaurant, and a convenience store in the middle of action, how safe and comfortable you feel can be a world of difference in this context.
2. Secure Your Belongings
Hostels are shared places, so it is necessary to take responsibility for your precious goods. While it is unusual, losing your valuables can occur, especially in a busy dormitory. Most hostels consist of lockers, but not every time, so to be sure and be safe, bring your own strong padlock.
Valuables that you’re not using, such as your passport, money, camera, and gadgets, should be in your locker. If your room is unattended, reach out to the front desk to see if there is a safe or storage area for your important things.
Pack the simple items in a small pack, including your phone, wallet, and all travel documents, and possibly sleep with it, ideally under your bed or pillow.
In public areas, keep your belongings with you. Even if it is only in the bathroom or kitchen, it is safe to carry your phone or laptop with you.
3. Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Hostels are generally relaxed, social places, but don’t let your guard down completely. It is easy to create good conversation and get along with people, but focus on maintaining a sense of awareness.
Keep your personal information private with those people you have just met, such as your travel plans, if you’re alone traveling, and when you will be out of your hostel.
Pay attention to how others behave. If someone becomes very curious or makes you uncomfortable, it is clear whether the conversation is to be changed in a different direction. Trust yourself and remember that “no” is a complete sentence – you do not give someone clarification or time.
In addition, pay attention to who has access to your dorm room and whether the hostel regularly changes the code or key. If something is felt, talk to the employees. Most hostels want their guests to feel safe and happy, and to address concerns.
4. Meet People—But Trust Your Instincts
The great experience of staying in a hostel is talking to other people from different places. You can make a lifetime friendship at the morning breakfast, on a guided walking tour, or at a communal kitchen at dinner. As it can be, always be aware of your tendency.
Stay in public and busy places while meeting strangers, and look out for oversharing very quickly. If you are asked to go out or travel with them, spend some time getting to know them first.
Plan a group program with other guests or meet somewhere like a busy restaurant instead of going alone to an unknown destination.
You don’t have to get crazy, just selective. You will meet amazing people, but it’s perfectly okay to say no or excuse yourself if something doesn’t feel right.
5. Secure Your Bed Area
Even in a shared room, you can make yourself a small private area that makes you feel safe. If you are on a bed, cover it with a light scarf or sarong that will give you a feeling of privacy as a curtain and keep your eyes from peeping.
Some travelers also carry an ultra-light travel sheet or sleeping bag with pockets to keep their phone or wallet.
If you’re in a private room, a doorstop alarm or portable travel lock can add peace of mind, especially if you stay in smaller or less conventional hostels. They are less expensive and do not weigh too much, which makes them very useful for a solo traveler.
Develop a habit of keeping your essential things like a headlamp, cell phone, ID, and water bottle, reachable, in case you need to leave in a hurry or change positions in the room without harassing other people.
6. Limit Alcohol Intake
Hostels usually have an active social scene, such as bar hopping, good theme nights, or roof parties. This is the best experience to meet other people, but always be careful, and do not drink a lot, especially when you are alone.
Hold your personal drink, and if you are approached by a stranger, do not take it. Respect your personal space, and make sure you can return to your hostel safely and securely. If you go out, tell a reliable person where you are, or go out with a group of people you know.
Drinking responsibly is not a hindrance in your way; This simply keeps you safe.
Related: Sober travel curious? This way please!
When you’re exploring different places alone, it doesn’t mean that no one should know your whereabouts during your journey. When exploring new places, make sure to share your itinerary, including the hostel’s name and contact information, with a family member or a reliable friend.
No need to share all the information, but sometimes giving updates to them can make both you and your family feel more comfortable..
You can also send location in real-time through apps like Google Maps, and if you are going to follow someone for some time, applications like Life 360 or WhatsApp Live Splash are very useful.
Making a travel folder in the cloud space with duplicate copies of your passport, visa, and insurance is a great step, just in case anything is stolen or lost.
Final Thoughts
Exploring the world alone helps you find out about yourself along your journey. The hostel can provide a welcoming, community-focused environment that makes friends and foreign cities feel like your own home.
Although most of the trips are stress-free and hassle-free, putting on extra awareness and good planning ensures your journey is safe and memorable.
Always be smart, believe in yourself, and enjoy the journey. Bring a good mentality and some safety guidelines to your pocket, and you will be ready to explore the world with confidence.
