Sleeping in a Hostel: How to Sleep in a Hostel

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Are you struggling sleeping in a hostel while backpacking? Then this post is packed full of hostel tips and tricks on how to sleep in a hostel!

Sleeping in a hostel can be really difficult at first, especially if you’ve never done it before.

I know when I’m backpacking and travelling it always takes me a good two weeks before I get into the groove of sleeping in a hostel again. It really can take that long.

After travelling the world for more than 10 years and sleeping in countless hostels, I feel I can give some good advice on how to sleep in a hostel.

When I first started travelling, I just couldn’t sleep in a hostel at all. But over the years I’ve started getting into a pattern. Trust me, these are tips that are work because I use them all the time.

So, if you’re struggling sleeping while on the road, these are my top tips for sleeping in a hostel.

Looking for some more sleep advice? Then check out my guides on how to sleep on a plane and how to sleep in an airport for other tips and tricks.

How to Sleep in a Hostel

1. Choose your bed wisely

If you’re the first person in your room, choose your bed wisely. You want the one furthest from the door, and if your room has an en suite, furthest from the toilet too. This way you’ll avoid people disturbing you when they leave the room or go to the toilet in the night.

2. Face the right way

If you’re on the lower bed of a bunk bed (which is definitely the best choice), your feet should be at the end of the ladder. Why? Because when Shamus from Ireland stumbles in at 3am and slips off the ladder he’s less likely to kick you in the face. This really is key for sleeping in a hostel.

3. Make yourself a cave

If you’re staying in the same hostel for a few nights or you really need a good night’s sleep, consider making yourself a cave. How do you do this? Easy. Get your towel and tuck it under the mattress of the bunk above allowing it to hang down. All of a sudden you’ve got a curtain that not only creates a dark little cave where it’s easier to sleep, but basically says “Do Not Disturb”.

4. Have ear plugs / earphones to hand

Every now and then you’ll come across a snorer or a moaner, so make sure you have your ear plugs / earphones (I’d recommend these ones) to hand to drown any sound. I often put my earphones in straight away and fall asleep to music just in case anyone is making a noise. I find having good ear buds really important when sleeping in a hostel.

5. Don’t be afraid

If someone is snoring or moaning, don’t be afraid to say something. If you can hear it, so can everyone else. That also counts when people are having sex. Trust me, it’s better to say something than have to put up with it.

6. Don’t be a dick

If you’re in a hostel, it means you’re a backpacker or traveller (or whatever you want to call it). What this means is you’re all in this together, so don’t be a dick. When I say that, there’s some hostel etiquette that you HAVE to follow:

• If someone is trying to sleep, don’t talk loudly and certainly don’t turn your music on. Curfew time – around 10:30 / 11ish.
• If you’re leaving super early in the morning (anything before 8am), don’t do what I’ve just mentioned. Also, if you need to repack your bag, do it outside the room. And no rustling!
• Unless it’s an absolute emergency, don’t go for a shit in the middle of the night. Instead, use the main hostel toilets.

Basically, with hostel etiquette it’s all about being a good person. All common sense really.

7. Hide your possessions under your pillow / mattress

Instead of getting stressed out and losing sleep with worry that someone’s going to come in and nick your stuff, hide all of your valuables (phone, passport, wallet, etc) in the furthest corner under your pillow or your mattress. That means if anyone is really intent on stealing your stuff they’ll have to lean over you, which probably isn’t the best idea.

8. Get ready to crash out

If you know you’re going out for a big one, get everything you need ready for bed so when you come back you don’t need to rummage around to find your stuff. For guys this usually involves a toothbrush and toothpaste. I think for girls it involves other stuff too.

9. Use natural sleeping pills

If you’re really struggling to sleep in a hostel use natural sleeping pills. Any good supermarket or pharmacy will have these, and they really do work. Alternatively, if you’re not one for natural sleeping pills, sling back a few beerios before you go to bed. That should do the trick.

So there you have it, some hints and tips on how to get the best night’s sleep sleeping in a hostel.

What are your secrets of the trade? If you think you’re a master in the art of sleeping in a hostel, let me know in the comments below; as ever I would love to hear from you!