✈️ Staying in Hostels? Here’s What to Pack That They Don’t Tell You

If you're planning a Euro summer or Southeast Asia backpacking trip and staying in hostels, there are plenty of blogs that will tell you to bring flip-flops, a padlock, and your best ‘outgoing but chill’ energy for making friends. And yes, those things matter.

But after years of staying in everything from dreamy surf hostels in Portugal to very questionable bunks in Vietnam… there are a few things I wish someone had told me to pack earlier. Not the obvious stuff — the random little lifesavers that make hostel life a whole lot easier (and less awkward).

So here’s what I actually recommend bringing — based on real trial, error, and "I cannot believe I forgot that" moments.

Let’s start with the big one: a good travel towel.

This is hands down the most underrated thing you’ll need. Hostels do not always provide towels, and if they do, it’s usually an extra charge — and I’m talking €3–€5 per use in some places. Plus, the towels are usually scratchy, too small, and take forever to dry. I learned this the hard way after trying to air-dry in a shared bathroom stall. Not ideal.

That’s why I now always travel with a quick dry towel — and not just any towel. I use the one I designed myself: the Nomadique beach towel with pocket. It folds up small, dries insanely fast (no smelly dampness in your backpack), and has a little zip pocket to stash your room key, lip balm, or some coins when you’re heading to the shower.

And because it’s a sand free beach towel, I can use it for beach days and hostel showers without dragging a heap of sand back to the room. It’s honestly one of those travel towels you end up using way more than you expect — like as a blanket on an overnight train or rolled up as a pillow when your dorm bunk is less than luxe.

Next up? A mini laundry setup.

You will 100% end up washing things in a sink at some point. Maybe it’s underwear, maybe it’s that one top you wore three sweaty days in a row. Hostel laundry services are sometimes great, but they can also be expensive or unavailable — especially in smaller towns.

I usually pack a couple of little laundry sheets (they’re like paper but dissolve in water), and if I forget those, I just use a bit of body wash or shampoo. I’ll fill the sink or a dry bag, swish everything around, rinse, and hang it up on the bunk railing. If I’ve got my travel towel with me, I’ll even roll my clothes inside it and press down to get out extra water. Works like magic and helps them dry way faster.

You’ll also want a way to deal with noise and light.

If you’re a light sleeper, a sleep mask and earplugs are your best friends. People will come in late. They’ll pack their bags loudly at 5am. There will be snoring. Just accept it and come prepared.

Also, pack a small power bank. Hostel power outlets are usually in weird spots — under the bed, behind lockers, or in use by someone who got there before you. A power bank saves the day when your phone is on 2% and you’re heading out.

A couple more things I always pack for hostels: a carabiner or two (to clip your towel or bag somewhere out of the way), a reusable water bottle, and a ziplock bag or pouch to keep your toiletries together. And I always bring a spare tote bag — it doubles as a laundry bag or beach bag and takes up no space.

And finally, attitude counts too. Hostels can be chaotic, social, cramped, magical, and hilarious — often all in one night. Bring a bit of patience, a sense of humour, and trust that some of the best stories come from the messiest shared rooms.

But seriously. Pack the travel towel — or better yet, a sand free beach towel that dries fast, folds small, and has a pocket so you’re never caught out.