Staying at a hostel is very different than staying at a home. Not only will you likely have to share a room with strangers, but you need to take with you certain essential items that you don’t need when staying at your home. To make a strange room your personal space you would need few item –
1. A lock for a locker
Lock
Another tip that will bring you back to school days is that you should always bring a combination lock. Most hostels provide a bed, sheets, and a locker without a lock… What good is a locker without a lock? Exactly. Which is why they try and charge you to buy one at check-in. Be a savvy hosteller and hit em’ with your own lock to keep your belongings safe when you’re not in the room.
2. A small towel
Towels
Something that most people aren’t aware of is that a hostel is not like a hotel, which means they won’t provide you with cute little soaps, shampoos, or most importantly, towels. This is another way they try and get you at check-in. You want to travel light, so we recommend bringing a medium-sized towel that’ll fit in your bag without taking up too much room (although it can double as a pillow or blanke).
3. Really good headphones or earplugs
Headphones
You’ll need a good pair of headphones if you’re roommate snores, you will get a break from this ritual. It’s always nice to have a nice pair of headphones if your roommate gets noisy.
4. Adapters and converters
Adapter
You’ll need full charge for those necessary items like cameras and phones to document your trip. Odds are, the country you’re going to won’t have the same electrical voltage or outlet as your home country. For different voltages buy a converter and for different outlets but same voltage, buy adapters. Invest in these badboys; the last thing you want is a fried phone.
5. Headlamp
Headlamp
Make sure to have a light source so that you don’t wake up your roommates if you need to use the bathroom or want to read a night. You can use a flashlight feature or app on your smartphone but this can run out your battery. Some good options include a key ring flashlight or a headlamp. A headlamp will let you keep your hands free and you can use also it when hiking or participating in other adventure activities.
6. Eye Mask
Eye mask
You might want to bring an eye mask in case your roommates stay up late or keep the lights on when you want to sleep.