TOP 5: Choosing a hostel

From the information gathered I have compiled a top five things backpackers go by when choosing a hostel.

TOP 5 THINGS BACKPACKERS GO BY:

1. Word-of-mouth recommendations from other backpackers
2. Location to nightlife
3. Location to sights
4. Knowledgeable Staff
5. Bar on the premises



Summary:

Backpackers are very communal and try and steer others to have positive experiences as well. This is why word of mouth tops the list.

Nightlife is important, but it must also be remembered that many parts of the world can be dangerous and this only heightens during the nighttime hours. Most sights are not visible at night so why not stay close to the areas that you want to be during the nighttime hours (plus taxis and transit have a trend of becoming more expensive as the night goes on).

A knowledgeable staff can be a vital part of the hostelling experience. Travel guides can be expensive and internet limited so having local experts around can help backpackers find areas that might have gone unnoticed by even the most in-depth of travel guides.

Finally it was found that many individuals liked to unwind at the end of the day with a drink and the hassles of going out in a foreign land were sometimes daunting.