Staying in hostels is a great way to stretch your travel budget, but you may be concerned with their safety. Read our top tips for staying safe while hostel hopping. 

The most expensive part of travelling, aside from your flights and airport transfers or transportation fares is accommodation, which can account for as much as 20% of your travel costs.

Picking a hostel rather than a hotel is a great way to minimise your lodging expenses, and it’s a popular choice with students and young folk who need to stretch their budgets as far as possible.

We’ve all heard hostel horror stories, though, and you might be questioning how safe these establishments really are. With these top tips, you can put your mind at ease and enjoy your travels without breaking the bank.

Leave your valuables at home

You want to capture all the best moments of your travels, and you want to look good while doing it, but travelling with a lot of bling or a fancy camera is a good way to make yourself a target.

Unless photography is your livelihood, leave the camera behind in favour of your phone. Go as low-tech as you possibly can. If you have to wear jewellery, go with costume jewellery that’s cheap, easy to replace, and doesn’t have sentimental value. Better yet, buy something pretty on your travels and support local artists and craftspeople while making your memories.

The rule here is: if it would make you sad to lose it – leave it at home!

Lock it up

Many (but not all) hostels will have lockers available for you to store your stuff in, but don’t usually provide a padlock. If you intend to make use of these lockers – and we highly recommend that you do – be sure to always have a couple of locks that you can use. It’s also a good idea to secure your suitcase with an additional luggage lock.

Personal lockers and luggage locks aren’t a replacement for vigilance, though. Keep your eyes peeled, and don’t leave your things unattended or unsecured.

Read the reviews

Before you book a hostel, make liberal use of the internet, and read all the reviews you can find. The easiest way to know what your stay will be like is by reading the experience of past visitors, who will either point out the flaws or rave about the highlights.

While anyone can have a bad experience and a negative review doesn’t automatically mean the hostel is unsafe, if you see the same things mentioned in several reviews, that’s definitely something to watch out for. If there’s a trend to the reviews - pay attention!

Money for Justin (Case)

Don’t keep all your money in one place. If your purse or wallet is stolen, you’ll need a bit of cash to tide you over while you’re getting things sorted. Stash a little cash in a separate pocket or somewhere safe on your person.

Trust your gut

The last tip on our list may be the simplest and most crucial of all: if something feels wrong, then something is wrong. Whether you’re travelling alone or with friends, don’t feel pressured to stay in a place or a situation that feels off to you. At the end of the day, your safety is more important than a cancellation fee.

Bonus Tip: Choosing Cheaper Airport Transfers

Accommodation isn’t your only option for saving money while travelling. When it comes to airport transfers, hoppa is the obvious choice for those looking for a cheaper option. With their extensive network of providers, you can compare thousands of options to find the best price. They have helped over 40 million customers around the world reach their destination, and hoppa is ready to help with your next ride. You can also read our blog on tips while travelling on a budget.