I was out with a friend at PS Cheese Cafe a few days ago, where we discussed travel, and one thing that came up was hostel etiquette. Since both of us travelled quite a bit (me less), we’ve had our share of experiences when it comes to hostels, and that’s when I realized I should write about this, especially for first-timers to learn some hostel etiquette.
I’ve been travelling ever since I stood on my feet, quite literally. It was due to my dad shifting jobs and cities when I was a kid, and later, it was my love for travelling. While I don’t have a specific travel style, I’ve been solo travel for most of it, except for the Amritsar trip in 2014 and a Goa Road Trip in 2024; I haven’t done any group trips.
Travelling solo means you’re always on a tight budget, which means you cannot splurge on fancy hotels (unless of course you have the money or a credit card 😉 ), especially if you plan to use it only to sleep. Having studied in a boarding school, I wasn’t alien to the concept of hostels or hostel etiquette, but the idea of staying outside of school was unexplored for a large part of my life.
In this blog post, I’ll shed light on hostel etiquette and why it is very important for you and your fellow roommates.
What is Hostel Etiquette?
Having stayed at hostels in India, the US, and Europe, I’ve met people from different walks of life. Trust me, that more than the place and setup, it’s the people who make or break your hostel experience. So, what exactly is hostel etiquette?
Just like you wouldn’t blast your car horn at 3 AM in a residential area or chew with your mouth open at a family dinner, hostel etiquettes are those unspoken (but oh-so-important) rules that make shared living spaces work. A hostel is a temporary home where you live with strangers who could become friends – but only if everyone plays nice!
I have stayed at many hostels across cities. I was at Co-Hostel in Mumbai during my two-week-long Mumbai stay, followed by one at Hosteller in Kochi and a few other cities in India. My first international hostel experience was during my first international trip to the USA, where I stayed at Hi Chicago, The People Hostel in Paris, and Yellow Square Hostel in Rome.
Having spent nights in hostels across three continents, I’ve seen how small courtesies can make the difference between a nightmare stay and a memorable adventure. Because let’s face it – nobody wants to be that person who comes to the room late at night, turns on all the lights, and talks loudly!
Hostel Etiquettes Everyone Should Know
Common Room Courtesy
Every hostel has a common area where everyone gathers at various times of the day. While sometimes this room is separate from dormitories, the hostels are often made so that the common area is attached to the dormitory. So, having a video call with your family or loved ones on speaker only to give everyone a full update of your trip. You want to avoid that since common rooms are shared spaces where people read or work, and your call shouldn’t disturb them.
Use your headphones and move to a quieter place, or step outside to take calls. Better plan calls during less busy hours.
Silent Night Protocol
When you share a room with many others, you don’t want to mess up their experience by turning in late and making noise. Whether you’re turning in from an amazing party or just coming from your tour, you shouldn’t be turning on all the lights, rustling plastic bags, or turning your phone’s flashlight. Others are sleeping, and they might have an early morning flight, meeting, or a tour, and you don’t want to mess that up. I’ve had terrible experiences at both my Mumbai and Kochi stays, where others turned in late and ruined my sleep.
Most hostels have quiet hours. Respect them! There’s a reason they mention that, so understand the quiet hours and avoid making noise.
Packing Etiquette
Most hostels give you a locker along with your bed. These are often located close to their bed with other lockers. The worst thing you can do is pack/unpack your bag at 5 AM, zipping and unzipping repeatedly, rustling plastic bags, and whatnot. This is very irritating and disturbing.
Instead, pack the night before and keep your essentials within reach. Be a good boy/girl and let people remember you as Rancho from 3 idiots “Behti hawa sa tha woh, udti patang sa tha woh, kahan gaya use dhoondho…”
Alarm Clock Awareness
Most people I know have difficulty waking up early, so they use alarms, not one by a series of alarms. But the problem is they still don’t wake up! Setting multiple alarms starting at 5 AM, hitting snooze five times while your bunkmates silently fume.
I use alarms on my trips a lot, either to catch a sunrise or to attend a tour, etc. The best thing to do is set one alarm and wake up. If you need multiple alarms, use a smartwatch or phone vibration.
Corridor Courtesy
The saying that walls also have ears is quite valid regarding hostels. Most hostels have corridors with multiple doors leading to dormitories. The issue is when you hijack the hallway and not only hamper the movement of people but also have lengthy (and loud) conversations that affect everyone in the dorm. Remember, sound travels easily through hostel walls and doors, disrupting those trying to rest.
Best is to move conversations to common areas, use messenger apps, or keep hallway interactions brief. Again, I’ve had a bad experience in Mumbai and Kochi, but it was exactly the opposite in Paris and Rome.
Group Dynamics
The best thing about staying at hostels is socializing, but when your group of 5 people hijacks all common areas and conversations, that isn’t good group dynamics. Different people there also want to socialize with each other (and maybe even you). But if your group will occupy that couch for the entire day, it’s wrong.
I’d say, be mindful of space sharing, invite others to join, or split your group during busy hours and make good friends and memories.
Bathroom Etiquettes
Most hostels have shared bathrooms. At some places, you’ll have a huge bathroom with multiple showers and urinals, but the places that I’ve been to have just one bathroom and dumping zone. So, taking a 30-minute shower during morning rush hour while others wait to use the bathroom before their tours are unacceptable.
The best thing is to either keep your showers short or shower during non-peak hours. Or best is if you can wake up early and do your business before everyone does, or late in the evening, that’s what I do.
Kitchen Etiquettes
Hostels usually have either a full-fledged kitchen or a small kitchenette that everyone shares. I remember visiting the kitchen at my hostel in Rome and finding a few Asian girls watching a video and trying to make Pasta; it was cute! Also, they had free pasta! But, you don’t want to walk away from your pasta pan “to let it soak” – only to disappear for the next 6 hours while others need the space and utensils.
So ensure to clean as you cook, wash immediately after eating, and remember – the kitchen isn’t your personal restaurant.
Let’s Make Hostel Stays Fun Again
At their heart, hostels are more than just affordable places to sleep – they’re vibrant communities where travellers unite to share experiences and create memories. From my stays across India, Europe, and the USA, I’ve learned that the true magic of hostel life comes alive when everyone plays their part in maintaining these shared spaces.
These etiquettes aren’t complicated rules – they’re simple courtesies that transform everyone’s stay from good to great. Whether you’re planning your first hostel adventure or are a seasoned traveller, remember that your actions impact the entire community. A little consideration goes a long way in creating those unforgettable hostel moments we all love.
Share these guidelines with your travel-loving friends and help keep the hosteling spirit alive. When we all follow these simple etiquette, we’re not just being good guests – we’re creating spaces where travel stories flourish and friendships form naturally.
Here’s to better hostel stays and many more amazing travel memories! 🌍✨ That’s about it for this post. Feel free to reach out to me for any assistance. Drop your thoughts in the comments below, tweet to me at @Atulmaharaj, DM on Atulmaharaj on Instagram, or Get In Touch.