Travelers, Tell Me About The Wildest Hostel Experiences You Had While Backpacking Or Traveling Abroad

If variety is the spice of life, hostels are the spice of travel accommodations. Whether you're trying to meet new people, explore the world more sustainably, or save money while seeing the world, hostel hopping is an enticing option for travelers. Spending time in close quarters with strangers in new cities is a reliable recipe for adventure, so I want to hear your stories.

Entrance to a hostel at night with illuminated signs reading "HOSTEL" and "BEST LOCATION." The building has a stone façade, and the street is empty
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Maybe you were on your way to a chill night eating ramen in a communal kitchen at a hostel in Prague and ended up at an underground rave?

People dancing and holding lights at a crowded night festival, surrounded by colorful laser beams and smoke
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If you've worked at a hostel, who are the most interesting people you've seen come to stay? And who are you hoping to never meet in the common room again?

Tourists taking a room key from a host at a check-in desk inside a cozy accommodation
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Maybe you thought you would be staying in a plush queen and ended up on a cot beside a snoring stranger? Other common sleep disruptions may include drunken bunkmates arriving back at the dormitory in the wee hours of the morning and no-so-subtle couples canoodling.

A woman sits in bed covering her ears as a man lies next to her, asleep and snoring
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One rainy night at an Edinburgh hostel that looked the Gryffindor common room from Harry Potter, I met a group of Aussies, and within one night, I felt like we'd been friends for years. Earlier that day, I had been lost and homesick in a gloomy city. Hours later, I was in the back of a pub, drinking cider and dancing a jig I absolutely did not know the steps to. One of the Australians picked up a guitar with a group of locals and played all night. Turned out he was a pretty famous Australian musician! One of my favorite memories EVER!

A man with long hair and a beard plays an acoustic guitar on stage at a cozy bar, surrounded by people enjoying the music. The atmosphere is lively and relaxed

Satisfying your wanderlust without breaking the bank can lead you to some real places unknown. Whether you hope to inspire others to travel solo or tell a cautionary tale about backpacking, I want to know about it. Share your hostel stories in the comments below or anonymously using this form! Your response could be featured in an upcoming BuzzFeed Community post.

Three women relax in a hostel bunk bed area, using their phones and laptop. They have hiking backpacks beside them, suggesting travel or adventure
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