I think that hostels have such a bad reputation in the United States because they are foreign and confusing. I'm here to tell you why hostels are the absolute best and bust those misconceptions you may have! Let start off with what a hostel is, they are an inexpensive alternative to hotels when traveling in Europe or Asia. Unlike hotels where you pay for a private room, when you stay at a hostel you just pay for one bed. The bed is usually a bunkbed in a room that you share with others. The bathroom and living space are also communal. This may seem intimidating to stay with strangers but it creates a unique environment that allows you to meet amazing new people.

This information has been gathered from my experience, I cannot guarantee that all hostels are the exact same but generally this is the case. The bunkbeds almost always have a shade that wraps around your bed. This allows you to have some privacy while you sleep. If you are concerned about safety, most hostels provide lockers to protect your luggage so your stuff will but make sure you pack your own lock.

The number one best thing about hostels is that they are so cheap. It is much more cost effective to stay in a hostel and put the money you save towards daytime excursions or another trip. If you choose to travel alone hostels make it so much easier to connect with others along the way. It is much more of an authentic travel experience and so much fun so you should try it at least once.

There are many amazing sites out there for finding the best hostel for you. I usually go to hostelworld.com when I start my search. I only will stay at hostels that have amazing ratings in order to protect myself and ensure the trip is enjoyable.