Combining low-cost airline flights with budget accommodation allows travellers to go on trips more often. However, it is just not price that comes into the equation. Hostels attract different types of travellers, all wanting something different from the accommodation. So which type of traveller are you and how can you find your ideal hostel?

I once met a high-powered lawyer who loved to stay in hostels instead of unfriendly five-star hotels- Caroline Crutchley

How to book

There are search engines specifically for hostels and these three are tried and tested: hostelbookers.com, hosteworld.com and hostelz.com.

Once into a site, enter the name of the city where you want to stay along with the dates and search for availability. If it is a city such as Dublin or Barcelona where young people flock to there will be a long list of hostels to choose from.

In out-of-the-way places there may be no hostels listed, whereas a city with lots of competition will have cheaper prices. Disregard any hostels that are very cheap in comparison to others – there always will be a valid reason.

Read the reviews

Recent publicity has shown that people have been paid to write good reviews but hostels are graded by overall percentages.

Don’t be put off by one bad review if others seem OK. Look for reviews written by experienced travellers who disregard little niggles but also know what is expected of a basic hostel.

If a hostel operates a curfew and has poor reviews for socialising and a quiet location, it probably won’t be a party place. However, if you want to have a clean, vomit-free bathroom and quiet night, it may be ideal. If it rates highly on safety and cleanliness, it will be a good place for the couples.

Location

If you are just overnighting after a late flight before continuing your journey, look for a hostel that is open in the evening. Check-in times can be severely restrictive in small hostels. Look for a 24-hour check-in facility or you will be sleeping on the streets.

Find somewhere near to good transport links as a taxi ride or walking in any city late at night can be risky.

Cooking

Some hostels provide a basic breakfast but most don’t. Massive savings can be made by not eating out, especially in cities where prices are high, so look for hostels with kitchen facilities or at least a kettle and microwave. For those on long holidays, cooking facilities are a necessity.

Cleanliness

Do you squirm if you find someone else’s hair in a sink? Do you want to share a bathroom with eight unknowns? If so, hostelling may not be for you.

However, more and more hostels have eight-bed dorms with an en-suite bathroom. I prefer a large common bathroom, kept clean by staff members, as they tend to have more space. Pack flip-flops for walking around in.

Bedding and towels

These will be provided but sometimes at an additional cost so check hostels for hidden extras that add up. And put earplugs in when you go to bed – they will keep out the noise of snorers, trains, busy traffic and late arrivals.

Safety issues

Some hostels could do better on safety issues even though they should be high on everyone’s agenda.

Who has control of the main door? Some dorms are not lockable so the hostel provides lockers, although you may have to pay. If you travel midweek you may get a room to yourself.

The location of the hostel also affects safety, so look for a main street location rather than one down a labyrinth of alleyways.

Take a money belt and sleep with it on to keep your passport, tickets and money safe. If the rucksack walks, it is not the end of the world if your passport, tickets and money are safe.

Size does matter

How many dorms are housed in one building? The more beds, the more noise, and usually the larger and older the building and the tinier the rooms. I have stayed in some monsters that were like prisons. I also prefer single beds to bunks as it is noisier to have someone above you.

Gap-year travellers

The age spread of gap-year student travellers can be vast nowadays but usually they are in their late teens before starting university. Their luggage will be new and they will always have more than they need. A laptop for keeping in touch with people will be plugged in each day, so wifi is necessary.

If they are in their mid-20s they will have completed university and know the ropes in shared accommodation. Their hostel would ideally be close to bus stations in a city centre. Females often prefer single sex dorms for safety and someone to chat with.

They may change their plans if they get a good tip from a fellow hosteller and look for trips and events organised by friendly staff.

Party animals

Some under-30s leave their sense behind and just want a basic crash pad at minimum cost. They travel for a weekend of fun with a bunch of friends, appearing on a Friday night and disappearing on a Sunday after dragging themselves out of bed for checkout. They don’t seem to eat and come in at dawn.

Cities come in and out of fashion and bars with cheap booze are a big draw for this type of traveller. They seem to have little regard for other people staying there. Look for hostel with top ratings on location and no curfew – this means ‘right in the heart of a party zone, within staggering distance of the bars’.

Older travellers

Retirees love to travel to meet new people from different cultures. They will look for good common rooms to socialise in and a good kitchen for preparing food, with a supermarket close by. They will be experts at travelling light, so they will not pack much luggage.

This type includes the savvy singletons who have a route planned out.

They are happy to chat to anybody and to dispense experiences. I surely fall into that category. I once met a high-powered lawyer who loved to stay in hostels instead of unfriendly five-star hotels.

This type of hosteller also looks for good ratings oncleanliness.

Couples

Whether young or old, there are more and more couples booking hostel accommodation as private en-suite rooms become more common. They often appreciate the homely atmosphere and the kitchen even if they could afford a hotel.

Often hostels are right in the centre of capital cities and staying in a top quality hostel saves a considerable amount of money.

Extras

Check out if there are booking fees or credit card charges before you book. Hostels usually take a non-returnable deposit and guests pay the balance on arrival. Take cash as credit cards are not always accepted.

Hostels have come up in the world with some purposely built to meet the needs of today’s savvy travellers. Give it a go – it is an experience.