Are Hostels Dangerous? How to Stay Safe While Traveling

If you’ve never stayed in a hostel before, you might be wondering: Are hostels dangerous? Is it safe to share a room with strangers? 

The short answer? Most hostels are safe—as long as you take the right precautions.

I’ve stayed in hostels all over Europe—from the UK to Finland, Latvia, Hungary and others. While I can’t speak for every country (or even outside of Europe, really), in my experience, hostels in Europe are generally safe if you choose a well-rated one and use common sense.

That said, hostels are shared spaces, which means there’s always a small risk of theft, unwanted attention, or security concerns—just like in hotels, Airbnbs, or even your own apartment building. If you’re debating between a hostel or a hotel, here’s how they compare.

The reality is that most travellers in hostels are just like you—people looking for an affordable, social place to stay. But, as with any form of accommodation, it’s always a good idea to stay aware of your surroundings and take basic safety measures. If you’re new to hostels, this guide explains exactly what to expect.

In this post, I’ll cover the most common hostel safety concerns and share practical tips to help you keep yourself and your belongings secure. Because while risks exist, there are plenty of simple ways to minimize them and have a safe, stress-free stay.

How to Keep Your Belongings Safe in a Hostel

One of the biggest concerns people have about hostels is theft. It’s not super common, but it happens—especially if you leave things out in the open.

In my time staying in hostels, I can remember one incident when a guest went through others’ things and stole money. This was someone who (it turned out) had booked into multiple hostels in the city, checked in to each and went through rooms while pretending to be a guest. He was also stupid enough to try the same thing the next night in the same city and luckily was caught. I’m not telling this story to scare you, but to show you that sometimes people don’t have the best intentions – but it’s rare.

I always bring my own padlock LINK and use the hostel lockers. Some hostels provide locks, but often they are not free, so having your own is better. I prefer combination locks because I stress about losing tiny locker keys while traveling. This is also a good safety precaution when it comes to claiming possible insurance later, it might help that you tried to keep your things safe but failed!

When it comes to keeping valuables safe at night, I do one of two things:

• If the locker is big enough, I put my passport, money, and electronics inside and lock it up.
• If I don’t have a locker, I sleep with my essentials next to me—either in my pillowcase or in a small bag at my feet, or tucked away between the bed and the wall is possible. Another tip is to hang your small back from the top bed if you’re in a lower bunk.

I also never leave my phone or laptop charging in common areas unattended. It’s just not worth the risk.

There is something you can’t really avoid in hostels: food theft. This seems to happen more often, and sometimes it just doesn’t matter that you had signed your name on your pot of yoghurt (totally speaking from experience, happened to me twice in the same hostel!).

One way you can make it slightly harder for the hungry thief is to store your things in the fridge or the shelves in a bag, it makes it just that bit harder to just reach out and take it.

Want to cook your own meals in a hostel? Here’s how to do it right.

Personal Safety in a Hostel: How to Stay Secure While Enjoying the Experience

One of the best parts of staying in a hostel is meeting fellow travellers from all over the world. Most of the time, you’ll come across friendly, like-minded people who are happy to share stories, travel tips, and even a meal with you. 

For a deep dive into everything hostel-related, check out this ultimate guide.

However, just because someone is staying in the same hostel doesn’t mean you should trust them immediately.

While hostels are generally safe, it’s always a good idea to be mindful of who you trust, avoid oversharing personal details too soon, and have a backup plan in case something feels off.

Be Mindful of Who You Trust

It’s easy to get caught up in the social vibe of a hostel and feel like you’ve made instant friendships. But remember that not everyone is your friend just because you’re staying in the same place.

Most travellers are great, but occasionally, you’ll meet people who:

• Ask too many personal questions too soon.
• Seem overly pushy about making plans or going out together.
• Have strong opinions on religion or politics and want to make sure you agree.
• Make you feel uncomfortable, even if you can’t quite put your finger on why.

It’s okay to be friendly without being too trusting. Trust your gut—if someone seems off, keep your distance.

Be Smart About Alcohol: Don’t Get Too Drunk When You’re Solo

Hostel life often comes with socialising, and that sometimes includes drinks. A beer (or three) with new travel friends can be great fun, but if you’re traveling alone, it’s important to know your limits. Getting too drunk in a hostel (or anywhere while traveling) can make you vulnerable in ways you wouldn’t be back home.

Here’s why it matters:
🍺 You need to get back safely – If you’re in an unfamiliar city, finding your way home after a night out can be confusing (and public transport might not be as reliable as you’re used to).
🍺 You don’t want to lose your belongings – Drunk-you is way more likely to misplace keys, bags, or even your phone.
🍺 You need to stay aware of your surroundings – Unfortunately, not everyone in a hostel has good intentions. Being in control means you can better judge situations and people.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy a drink! Just pace yourself, keep an eye on your stuff, and know when it’s time to call it a night. And if you’re going out, make sure someone in the hostel knows where you’re headed.

Avoiding Uncomfortable Conversations in Hostels

In hostels, you’ll meet all kinds of people—which is great (and a big part of the experience for me), until someone starts forcing their political, religious, or ideological views on you. I’ve had encounters where people got angry or even hostile just because I didn’t agree with them.

Here’s the thing: You don’t owe anyone a debate.

If someone is pushing their views aggressively, the best approach is to:

• Not engage: a simple “I’d rather not discuss that” is enough.
• Change the subject to something neutral like travel or food.
• Walk away: even in the middle of a meal, it’s okay to leave.

Travel should be about new experiences, not pointless arguments. If someone makes you uncomfortable, protect your peace and move on. Knowing hostel etiquette can help you avoid awkward situations.

Also tell the staff! They are there to make sure the atmosphere stays safe and comfortable for you.

Where You Stay Matters: Checking for Safe Locations

One thing I’ve learned from staying in so many hostels is that a hostel itself can be completely safe, but its location might not be. This is especially important if you’re a solo female traveller or if you’re planning to be out late.

Before booking, I always read the reviews to see if anyone mentions the area feeling sketchy at night. Sometimes, a hostel might have great security inside, but if it’s located in a quiet alley with no streetlights or in an area where people feel unsafe walking alone, that’s something to consider.

If multiple reviews mention things like:

• “Didn’t feel safe walking back alone at night”
• “Area is a bit dodgy after dark”
• “Lots of loitering/drunk people near the entrance”

…I take that as a sign to choose somewhere else.

On the flip side, reviews might also highlight hostels in great locations, with comments like:

• “Right next to public transport, well-lit streets”
• “Safe area with cafes and grocery stores nearby”
• “Felt comfortable walking alone, even late at night”

If I know I’ll be arriving late, I also check how easy it is to get from the bus/train station to the hostel. If it’s a long walk down empty streets, I might book somewhere with better transport connections or take a taxi instead of walking alone.

A hostel can have the best security inside, but if you don’t feel safe getting to and from it, it’s not worth it.

Why I Avoid the Cheapest Hostels

Quite often, the cheapest hostels in a city—especially those with low reviews (3 to 6 out of 10)—aren’t full of travellers at all. Instead, they’re packed with local workers, job-seekers, and long-term residents who aren’t necessarily there for the hostel experience. (Wondering how long you can actually stay in a hostel? Here’s what you need to know.)

I avoid these places like the plague. They can feel unwelcoming to tourists and lack the social atmosphere that makes hostels fun. Sometimes, the staff don’t care about the traveller experience, and the facilities might be run-down, dirty, or neglected.

This is why I always filter my search results to show only hostels rated 8.0 and above on Booking.com (Choosing the right booking platform can make all the difference). A high rating usually means:

• Good security (lockers, keycard access, 24-hour reception).
• A welcoming traveller vibe, rather than a dorm full of people living there long-term.
• Cleanliness and well-maintained facilities (because let’s be honest, nobody wants a gross bathroom).

A 3-5 € difference in price per night isn’t worth staying somewhere uncomfortable and unsafe, especially when there are plenty of great hostels that are still affordable but well-run. Some hostels also have age restrictions, which can affect the type of guests you’ll find there.

Final Hostel Safety Tips

Staying in a hostel is generally safe, but it’s important to take some basic precautions:

• Always read hostel reviews before booking—especially comments about safety.
• Use lockers and padlocks to keep your belongings secure.
• Be mindful of who you trust—not everyone needs to be your friend.
• Let someone know where you’re staying—even if you don’t always do it.
• Trust your gut—if something feels off, it probably is.

Hostels can be amazing places to meet people and have fun, but it’s always best to stay aware, make smart choices, and keep yourself and your belongings safe.