Seasoned travelers understand staying in hostels is totally different from a typical hotel stay. This hostel kit will be your all in one hostel packing guide for staying in any hostel. Unlike a hotel, there are so many items that hostels simply don’t provide. For first-time travelers, hostels may seem daunting but it really doesn’t have to be. Here I’ll do my best to address all the things you need to pack while staying in a hostel.
Hot Tip: Write down the hostel address and always keep it handy. You may go out to a bar club and if you can’t find your way back, no need to worry you’ll have the address in your back pocket.
Make sure to read my post on Staying In A Hostel | What You Need To Know in guiding you in choosing the best hostel to stay in.
Must have travel essentials while staying in a hostel:
Eye Mask: Just because you want to go to sleep at 11 pm doesn’t mean your dorm mates will be turning their lights out. The eye mask you want is one that’s comfortable and will block out all light allowing you to sleep.
My personal favorite is the molded eye mask, not only does it block out light your eyelashes won’t brush up against the fabric when you blink. They’re like wearing a bra for your eyes! These are just kick-ass!
A simple padlock + key will do or you can take a look at cable locks as well.
- 100% Blocking Light: Human engineering contour can improve 99% lightproof performance, to achieve a total darkness, perfectly match nose of any height.
- 3D Contoured Design: NO pressure on the eyes, allows you to blink freely, and don’t touch your eye makeup, increase REM sleep (Silk eye masks will rub against eyes and eyelashes).
- Improved Adjustable Buckle: Gentle, pain-free, easy-to-adjust headband won’t tangle hair or snag pillow. Fully adjustable strap from 18.5 inches to 27.5 inches.
Padlock: Never stay in a hostel without a padlock. Not everyone is honest and someone may want a 5-finger discount on your stuff. Some hostels may provide you with a lock but not all.
- TSA approved luggage lock enables screeners with the ability to inspect and relock luggage without…
- Set your own three-digit combination luggage lock; TSA lock is best used as a luggage lock or…
- Travel lock is constructed with a metal body for durability and a vinyl covered cable for resistance…
- MOST DURABLE TSA RECOGNIZED AND ACCEPTED TSA LOCK. Forge TSA appproved locks are designed from the…
- EASY TO SET 3 DIGIT COMBINATION. Our combination locks have an easy to use lever mechanism to set…
- SECURITY WITH THE FLEXIBILITY OF A CABLE LOCK. Cable locks can handle situations that normal lock…
Flip flops: Hostels have dorm-type showers so you don’t know who may have a case of nasty athletes’ foot or toe fungus. Seriously just wear flips flops when using hostel showers I can’t imagine catching athletes’ foot while traveling.
Hot Tip: You can double your flip flips for the shower and beach outing as well.
Power bank: I’ve covered this before; you NEED a power bank. Frankly speaking, these can be a lifesaver and it doesn’t matter where you’re staying.
Power banks are never wasted space in your backpack, also when all the sockets are used in the hostel you’ll have your power bank ready to charge your devices.
- Widely Compatibility Power Bank with Built-in Cables: N6 USB C portable charger has 4 built-in cables (iOS, Type C, USB A, Micro) and 3 Charging ports (USB A 1/2, Type C), compatible with almost all types smart devices on market such as iPhone 16 15 14 13 12 11 Series, XR, XS Max, Samsung S22, S21, S20, A52, A32, Z fold series, Z flip series, and Google Pixel series, and other Android phones, iPad, tablets, etc…
- All in One Portable Charger: Portable powerbank has 6 outputs and 2 inputs, you may charge 6 devices max at the same time and recharge battery pack easily with 2 options (USB A cable, USB C port), which is great for multi electronic devices users. The Upgrade USB C interface serves as both input and output, perfectly fit your new iPhone, iPad and all upcoming USB C devices. No longer need to carry a variety of cables on the road, say goodbye to the trouble of messy charging cables!
- 35,000mAh Huge Capacity with Remarkable Compact Design: Must the high-capacity charger be big and heavy? No, N6 subverts your imagination! Using the new high-density polymer battery, it has a larger capacity under the same volume. Our 35000mAh portable battery is 151*73*20mm (5.95*2.87*0.79in), and weighs 335g (11.8oz), close to the size of the iPhone 15. The super compact and portable design allows you to easily place it in your backpack, handbag, or pocket. Ideal for those who need quick and reliable charging on- the-go.
Ear plugs: There are bound to be snorers, believe me I know, I’m that guy that snores. Stay away from foam earplugs, your ear canal will be sore if you leave them in overnight. I prefer the ones that are silicon and mold to your ear.
- THE ORIGINAL AND #1 SELLING – USA’s original and #1 selling moldable silicone ear plugs. Provides safe, non-toxic, non-allergenic waterproof protection and protects hearing from loud noises.
- THE ULTIMATE IN EARPLUG COMFORT – Mack’s soft moldable silicone putty molds very comfortably to the unique contours of any ear. These multi-use earplugs are great for sleeping, snoring, swimming, studying, bathing, travel, loud events, concerts, flying discomfort, motorcycles, etc. Lab tested and proven to help relieve airplane ear pressure and pain due to flying.
- #1 BRAND FOR SNORING – Mack’s is the #1 Doctor Recommended Brand to get a good night’s sleep when sleeping with a snoring spouse. Mack’s Earplugs have been saving marriages since 1962.
Collapsible Tupperware: This is for travelers planning to stay in a hostel for several days and will be cooking meals. You can go out to the local market get some food and cook in the kitchen. This is a great option because you can then save the leftovers for the following day saving you money.
Just remember to label the tupperware with your name so no one takes your food.
- 【DIMENSION】The collapsible food container can hold 1000ml food. In the expanded stage, 20.5(L) x 13cm(W) x7.5cm(H)(Expand); After collapsed, its height becomes 3.2cm.
- 【Food-Grade Material】The collapsible lunch container is mainly made of food safe silicone, which is stable in freezer and microwave. The maximum temperature is 120 degrees. (Please remove the lid while microwaving)
- 【Space Saving】The silicone food container can be folded into about half in height, that will fit for many small place, like RV, backpack, cabinets, etc..You can reduce burdens for preparing lunch, especially in travel.
Detergent (powder): There may be a time when you want to do some sink laundry at the hostel so don’t feel deterred from doing so. Many of the larger hostels I’ve been to have laundry rooms so it makes it so much easier. All you need is some SinkSuds laundry soap and you’re good to go.
- USE THEM ANYWHERE: SinkSuds were designed to be taken anywhere and used anywhere; they are a travel must have! Wash clothes on-the-go no matter your amenities – sink, bathtub, or washer. Phosphate free and biodegradable.
- SINKSUDS, IT’S SIMPLE: Simply mix the packet in water, wash your garments, and hang dry. Use 1 packet for 2-3 garments and 4 packets for a full load of laundry. Includes 12 unscented, 0.25 fluid ounce packets and 2 sink stoppers.
- PERFECT SIZE: This portable laundry soap is premeasured for your convenience. We created these laundry detergent packets to be TSA compliant and fit right in your carry-on or backpack.
Pillow Case: You may be asking ‘Why?’. Are you 100% sure that the pillow case the hostel provides has been washed? Just saying, just bring your own with you and use that pillowcase instead.
Laundry Bag: There will be days when the activity has you sweating like a pig and your clothes will begin to stink. Perhaps you can’t do laundry right away so you need to separate your stinky clothes from your clean clothing.
- KEEP WATER IN: With military-grade filament fiber CORDURA fabric and secure seams, our dry bag ensures water stays where it belongs. Perfect for separating wet gear in your bag or backpack after water sports sessions.
- KEEP WATER OUT: Don’t let heavy rain ruin your outdoor fun. Our dry bag protects your clothes and valuables from water until you reach your destination.
- IDEAL FOR TRAVEL: Easy cleaning and fast drying, it’s the perfect travel companion as a laundry bag, swim bag, gym bag, shoes bag, etc… the possibility of use is endless. Roll up our Dry Bag 10L and always keep it in your luggage or backpack. It’s so small and space-saving, you’ll want to have it handy for all your trips. Easy to fold and compress to carry in any pocket.
Quick Dry Towel: Most hostels don’t provide you with a towel so you need to bring your own! I recommend a quick dry towel over a typical bath towel because they’re lightweight, pack smaller and dry quickly. The Rainleaf Travel Towel will be your best choice.
- Microfiber
- SUPER ABSORBENT – Absorbs water 5 times of its own weight. FAST DRYING – Dry in no time by hanging it with the snap loop.
- ULTRA COMPACT & LIGHTWEIGHT – Easy to pack, minimising luggage space and weight. CARRY BAG – Reusable, with ventilation holes.
Clothing line: Many hostels will have these but not all. This can be any cord or thick string to hang some of your laundry you may be doing in the sink (socks, underwear, bra).
Hot Tip: Use the clothing line and quick dry towel as a curtain for your bunk for some privacy.
Pajamas: For us guys, it’s very simple, it can be a simple tank top + shorts for warmer destinations or full-length bottoms + t-shirt to sleep. Ladies I’m sure you have your own sleepwear you feel most comfortable with.
Remember you’ll be in a hostel dorm setting so going to bed in just your undies may seem a little weird. Yeah, don’t be a weirdo and free ball it, especially in a mixed dorm.
Bonus Item for your Hostel Kit
Packing cubes, personally I can’t praise these time and space savers enough. Don’t forget to check out my post Top 5 Packing Cubes For Travel
Final Thoughts On Hostel Kit Packing List
There you have it fellow travelers! This above list is pretty much everything you need while staying at a hostel. Feel free to add some other items that you NEED but the above list is your essential hostel packing list.
I encourage you to download this FREE Hostel Kit so you can have it handy.
Just remember organization is the name of the game so don’t over-pack! To really make your hostel stay far more memorable say YES to all the activities (most are free) be friendly, and have fun while doing so.
