Navigating Hostels: Tips for Feeling Safe, Comfortable, and Yourself

Hostels can be incredible - budget friendly, social, full of spontaneous adventures. But if your someone who experiences anxiety (especially social anxiety), they can also feel like sensory overload. The shared rooms, group activities, unspoken pressure to be outgoing, or even just the awkwardness of small talk... it can be a lot.

But you don't have to be the life of the party to thrive in a hostel.

Here are the ways I've learned to protect my peace and make meaningful connections while traveling.

1. Pick the Right Vibe, Not just the Right Price

The Cheapest hostel isn't always the best one. The vibe matters so much more.

When browsing:

• Look for key words like "Relaxed", "Clean" , "Cozy", or "Not and party hostel"

• Avoid places heavily promoting bar crawls or pub nights if you're not into that.

• Look for female only dorms or hostels with privacy curtains and lockers.

• Read reviews with a lens for safety, noise, and staff friendliness.

Tip: I always check reviews on hostelworld or Booking.com, and I specifically look for mentions of "quiet at night" or "felt safe as a solo female traveler.

This tiny bit of research can change everything about your stay

2. Create a Personal Bubble (Even in a Shared Room)

   
   

You might be sharing a space - but that doesn't mean you can't carve out a zone of calm.

pack these anxiety - friendly essentials;

• A sleep mask and earplugs or noise canceling headphones

• A scarf or sarong to hang on the bunk for privacy

• A small nightlight or phone safe reading lamp

• Something comforting: a book, journal, plush toy, or maybe some kind of familiar scent

I also use a calming playlist or white noise to block out late night chatter when im trying to sleep.

3. Skip the Pressure to Socialize (You're not rude - you're Recharging)

Some people thrive on hostel social life, but if you need alone time, that's completely valid.

It's okay to:

• Say a polite hello and then go read your book

• opt out of group dinners or bar crawls

• sit in a quiet corner with headphones in

Connection Tip: If you do want to meet people but feel shy, join activities like cooking classes or walking tours where conversation happens naturally.

4. Let's Talk about Drinking Culture

Here's the one thing on one warns you about: Drinking culture is huge in many hostels. It can feel like everyone is going out, everyone wants to pre-drink, and everyone expects you to join, and when you don't, it can feel awkward and isolating. You either get sucked into bad habits of drinking ALL the time to keep up with everyone else and to maintain friend groups, or you opt out.

Here's the truth: You don't owe anyone a reason to say no.

• It's okay to say. "i'm just tired tonight" or "i'm not drinking tonight"

• you're not boring. you're not antisocial. You're allowed to protect your energy.

• There are almost always others who aren't into it either - they're just quieter about it.

I've had some of my most genuine conversations over tea in the hostel kitchen while everyone else was out at the bar.

5. Prioritize Safety - It Helps Settle the Mind

   
   

When you feel physically safe, your mind can rest easier too

• Always lock your belongings - bring your own padlock

• Sleep with your passport and wallet tucked in a pouch beside you

• Trust your instincts - if a person or space feels off, Leave

• Message a friend or family member your hostel's name and location when you check in.

I've left plenty of hostels before because something didn't feel right. Don't ignore your gut just to "tough it out" there are other ways to "build character" besides forcing yourself to be uncomfortable when you've already stepped outside of your comfort zone by traveling in the first place.

5. Have a Morning and Night Routine to Ground You

   
   

You would not believe how much of an impact something as simple as having a morning routine can be while traveling, having something familiar, routine if you will, makes your trip and staying somewhere that feels so unpredictable a little more stable. When Everything's unfamiliar, familiarity is power.

• Morning: Wash face/teeth, stretch, go outside for a walk if theres time or at least 5 mins if not, to get some fresh air, before your do anything else.

• Night: Journal a few thoughts, do 2 minute breathing exercise, and listen to something you enjoy while falling asleep.

These little rhythms give me a sense of control in an otherwise chaotic space.

Final thoughts

Staying in hostels with anxiety isn't always easy- but it's 100% doable. you're not weak for needing boundaries or quiet time. You're self aware, and that's a strength.

You don't have to drink if you don't want to.

You don't have to make best friends in every room.

You don't have to perform or pretend.

You just have to be you.

And it might surprise you - sometimes the best travel moments happen after you say no to the party, yes to your peace, and hello to the quiet person reading on the bunk across from you.