If you’re planning your first solo trip and wondering, “Are hostels safe for solo female travelers?”—you’re not alone. Hostels can seem intimidating at first, especially if you’ve only ever stayed in hotels. But in reality, modern hostels are evolving fast, offering budget-friendly, social, and safe accommodation options for women traveling on their own.
This complete guide breaks down how to choose right hostel for female solo travelers and safety tips.
Key Takeaways:
- Safety First: Choose hostels with high safety ratings, female-only dorms, and secure lockers.
- Best Cities: Cities like Tokyo and Reykjavik are among the safest for solo female travelers.
- Hostel Features: Look for hostels with 24-hour security, keycard access, and social events.
- Solo Travel Tips: Research, trust your instincts, and connect with solo travel communities online.
- Plan Ahead: Proper planning ensures a safe and enjoyable solo travel experience.
What Is a Hostel?
A hostel is a budget accommodation where guests typically stay in shared dorm-style rooms, often with bunk beds, communal bathrooms, and shared kitchens or lounges. Unlike hotels, hostels offer a social, informal environment where travellers connect and share stories.
Modern hostels offer a range of accommodations:
- Mixed dorms
- Female-only dorms
- Private rooms (with shared or ensuite bathrooms)
- Capsule-style sleeping pods
- Common areas like lounges, kitchens, rooftop terraces, or co-working spaces
Hostels are popular among solo travelers because they’re affordable, convenient, and socially engaging. And for women traveling alone, the right hostel can offer a perfect balance of community and security.
Reasons to Stay at Hostels vs. Hotels
If you’re still on the fence, here’s why many solo female travellers prefer hostels over traditional hotels:
Affordability
- Dorm beds can cost 50–80% less than a hotel room.
- Kitchens let you cook and save on meals.
- Free walking tours, yoga classes, and social events are often included.
Female-Friendly Dorms
- Female-only dorms offer a safer and more comfortable environment.
- Some hostels even offer entire female-only floors, private bathrooms, and extra security.
Social Atmosphere
- Hostels are great for meeting other solo travellers through group dinners, pub crawls, or excursions.
- Helps combat loneliness and builds friendships across cultures.
Local Advice
- Hostel staff often give genuine local tips—better than a Google search.
Choosing The Right Hostel For Solo Female Travelers
Choosing the right hostel is half the battle in making an experience safe.
- First of all, research well before making any bookings.
- Websites like Hostelworld are great; they’ve got loads of reviews from fellow travelers. See what other females traveling solo say.
- In general, high safety-rated and women-recommended hostels are your way to go.
- Many hostels now offer female-only dorms. These can be an extra way to make you feel more comfortable and secure if it’s your first time staying in a hostel.
- Reviews on places like Reddit are incredibly helpful, also. Threads such as “Are hostels safe for solo female travelers Reddit” give you real-life insights from women who have stayed in hostels across the world.
What to Look For:
- High Safety Ratings: Look at places with high ratings for safety.
- Female-Only Dorms: This can help alleviate any anxiety.
- Read Reviews: Get the scoop from other solo female travelers.
Types of Hostels – What’s Best for Solo Female Travellers
Not all hostels are the same — and that’s exactly why solo female travellers have more options than ever. From peaceful boutique spots to energetic party hubs, here’s a breakdown of the most common hostel types, and what works best for women traveling alone.
Boutique Hostels
Boutique hostels are small, design-focused accommodations with an intimate feel. These are often women-run and tailored toward a more mature, respectful crowd.
- Stylish interiors, quiet atmosphere
- Emphasis on comfort, safety, and community
- Often provide upgraded amenities like reading lights, large mirrors, or plush bedding
Best for: First-time solo travellers, digital nomads, or those seeking a relaxed stay.
Female-Only Hostels or Female-Only Dorms
These hostels or dorm sections are designed specifically for women and offer an added layer of comfort and security.
- Lockers, hair dryers, large mirrors, and sometimes makeup corners
- Female-only bathrooms and enhanced hygiene standards
- Comfortable environment for bonding with other solo women travelers
Best for: Safety-conscious travellers or anyone seeking a more private and supportive atmosphere.
Wellness or Eco-Hostels
Focused on sustainability, relaxation, and self-care, these hostels provide a more mindful travel experience.
- Daily yoga or meditation classes
- Organic food options and eco-friendly practices
- Tranquil settings, often near nature or in small towns
Best for: Solo women seeking peace, wellness, or a digital detox.
Party Hostels
These hostels are social hubs geared toward nightlife lovers. They typically host events like bar crawls, DJ nights, and themed parties.
- Lively atmosphere, shared spaces
- Great for meeting other travellers — but not always restful
- Safety and cleanliness may vary depending on the hostel
Not ideal for: First-time solo travellers or those looking for rest and privacy.
Basic Safety Tips For Solo Female Travelers
Even in the best and safest hostels, there are some precautions one should take. Below, find some handy tips:
- Please Lock Up Your Stuff: The most important things—say, passport, money, and electronics—should always be locked up somewhere. For this reason, it might be good to bring your padlock, as some of these hostels may not provide one for you.
- Do Make Friends With Fellow Travelers: It introduces you to other travelers and, many times, enhances your experience while giving you an added layer of security. If you’re making friends, you have someone watching your back. But like all life situations, be wary of whom you trust.
- Make sure you trust your instincts: If something feels weird, don’t be afraid to act on it. Change rooms. Switch hostels. Heck, even leave a city. Stick with what feels safe and comfortable for YOU first and foremost.
- Avoid Late-Night Outings Alone: It is always safe to wander off when there is still daylight or in a group. If you have to go late at night, stick to busy and well-lit regions. Better still, get a reliable cab or ride-sharing service back to your hostel.
Types of Hostel Rooms for Solo Female Travellers
When it comes to booking hostels, the type of room you choose can make or break your experience—especially if you’re traveling solo. Female travellers often prioritize privacy, safety, and cleanliness, but budgets and social preferences also come into play. Here’s a detailed breakdown to help you choose what works best for your solo trip.
4–6 Bed Female Dorm
These smaller dorms strike a great balance between privacy and sociability. With only a few bunkmates, you’re less likely to deal with noise or overcrowding, and you’ll often have more space to store your belongings securely.
- Pros: Quieter atmosphere, quicker to build trust with a smaller group, and generally cleaner due to fewer people using shared facilities.
- Cons: Slightly more expensive than larger dorms, and you may need to book early as these rooms tend to sell out fast.
Best for: Solo travellers who want light interaction with other guests but value a good night’s sleep.
8–12 Bed Female Dorm
This is the most budget-friendly option for solo female travellers, especially in major cities where accommodation prices are high. You’ll meet more people, which is great for those looking to socialize.
- Pros: Lower cost, higher chance of meeting other travellers, more buzzing atmosphere.
- Cons: Noisy roommates, higher foot traffic, limited bathroom access during peak times, and increased risk of stolen or misplaced belongings if you’re not cautious.
Best for: Budget-conscious solo travellers who don’t mind sharing space and want to meet new people.
Private Room with Shared Bathroom
If you prefer having your own space without paying for a full hotel room, this is a smart compromise. You’ll get a private room for sleeping and relaxing, but still use shared bathrooms and kitchens.
- Pros: More privacy for changing, relaxing, and working. Still affordable.
- Cons: Shared bathrooms may not always be clean or available when needed.
Best for: Digital nomads, introverts, or solo women who want quiet time but still enjoy the hostel vibe.
Ensuite Private Room
This is the most comfortable and secure option, especially for longer stays or if you’re traveling with valuables. You’ll have your own room and bathroom, just like a hotel, but still enjoy access to hostel common areas.
- Pros: Maximum privacy, hygiene control, and peace of mind.
- Cons: Most expensive option in a hostel; may cost almost as much as a budget hotel in some cities.
Best for: Experienced travellers or those who prioritize personal space, especially during long trips or post-flight rest days.
Key Features to Look for in Any Hostel Room
Regardless of which room type you choose, always look out for:
- Lockers: Make sure they’re big enough for a full-sized backpack or suitcase.
- Individual Power Outlets and Reading Lights: These are essential if you don’t want to get up every time you need to charge a device.
- Privacy Curtains: Especially in dorm rooms, curtains around bunks provide an extra sense of safety and personal space.
- Female-Only Bathrooms: If you’re in a mixed hostel, check if they offer women-only facilities.
Are Hostels Safe For Solo Female Travelers?
Generally, the situation has very much improved as far as issues related to women’s safety are concerned. Most hostels realize the kind of concerns solo traveling women may have at their hands. Therefore, they undertake certain measures, like 24-hour security, restricted access to rooms, and strict guest policies.
But it doesn’t hurt to look one step further than that. For searching our hostel-safe Reddit or head to forums where wandering folks share their tales. This way, you can get some ideas and choose the ones prioritize safety.
What Hostels Provide to Ensure Safety:
- Provision for 24-hour Security: patrolling and maintaining the safety of the perimeter.
- Restricted room Access: one gains access except the guests with a key.
- Manifold Policies: Guiding policies for the security of everyone who stays.
Hostel Packing List for Solo Female Travellers
Unlike hotels, hostels often require a few extra essentials for comfort, hygiene, and peace of mind.
Essentials:
- Padlock: Many hostels provide lockers but not locks. Bring your own.
- Quick-dry towel: Compact and dries fast. Hostels rarely offer towels.
- Flip-flops: Use them in shared bathrooms or showers.
- Earplugs and sleep mask: Helps block out roommates who snore or keep the lights on.
- Portable charger: Outlets aren’t always accessible from every bed.
- Toiletry bag with a hook: Perfect for limited bathroom space.
- Reusable water bottle: Stay hydrated while traveling sustainably.
- Packing cubes: Keep your items organized and easy to access.
- Travel sheet or sleep sack: Adds a layer of comfort and cleanliness, especially in budget hostels.
Connect With The Solo Travel Community
Traveling solo doesn’t mean you’re alone. Great resources for connecting with other solo travelers are online communities like Solo Travel Hostel Reddit; here, you can ask questions, share experiences, and even find travel buddies.
Travelers here are full of experience in all directions, maybe about staying safe or in search of the best hostel or maximizing one’s solo trip.
Benefits of Joining:
- Get advice from those who have done it.
- You can share experiences and learn from other people’s stories.
- You can find travel buddies and meet people with similar interests.
FAQs: Hostels for Solo Female Travelers
Why Should Solo Female Travelers Stay in Hostels?
Solo female travelers often choose hostels because they offer more than just a bed—they create a sense of community, which is key when you’re exploring the world alone. Most hostels offer female-only dorms, which provide an added level of comfort and safety. They’re also great spaces to meet like-minded travelers, especially through organized tours, communal meals, or city walking events.
Unlike hotels, where you can feel isolated, hostels encourage social interaction. Whether you’re swapping travel tips in the lounge or joining a rooftop yoga class, you’ll never feel like you’re truly alone.
Bonus: Hostels often attract other solo female travelers, meaning you’ll find built-in companionship and an informal support system.
Why Are Hostels So Cheap?
Hostels are budget-friendly because they rely on shared resources. Instead of private rooms and amenities for every guest, hostels offer:
- Dorm-style accommodations (shared rooms = lower costs)
- Communal kitchens, so you can cook instead of eat out
- Self-service laundry or lockers
- Minimal staffing, cutting overhead costs
They also tend to be more flexible with check-in/check-out, and many provide free or low-cost activities that eliminate the need for expensive tours.
Despite the lower price tag, many hostels today offer stylish, clean, and even boutique-like settings. You’re not sacrificing safety or cleanliness—you’re just sharing more.
Are Hostels Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
Yes—hostels can absolutely be safe for solo female travelers, especially if you take a few key steps before booking.
Here’s what to look for when choosing a safe hostel:
- Female-only dorms or floors: These offer added peace of mind and are designed with women’s needs in mind (think more mirrors, more privacy, sometimes even extras like hair dryers or makeup stations).
- Secure building access: Key cards, pin codes, or 24-hour reception are major pluses.
- Lockers for valuables: Always ensure there’s a secure locker for your bag—ideally large enough to fit your backpack or suitcase.
- Well-lit, central location: Avoid remote or sketchy neighborhoods. Central hostels tend to be better policed and close to transport hubs.
- Verified guest reviews: Don’t just look at the star rating—read recent reviews from solo female travelers on platforms like Hostelworld, Booking.com, or Google. They’ll mention whether they felt safe, clean, and respected.
In addition to choosing the right hostel, it helps to practice personal safety habits, such as:
- Keeping your valuables in your locker when you leave
- Not oversharing personal info with strangers
- Trusting your instincts—if something feels off, change rooms or accommodations
Bottom line: With a little planning, hostels can offer solo female travelers a fun, affordable, and empowering way to see the world—without compromising on safety.
Is Hostel Safe for Girls?
Yes, hostels can be safe for girls if you select well-reviewed hostels with good security features, such as female-only sleeping halls and password-secured lockers, always research reviews before booking.
Which City is Safest for the Solo Female Traveler?
Tokyo, Japan, and Reykjavik, Iceland are always ranked among the best places women can ever go alone. The average safety and general friendly atmosphere in these cities are mostly public knowledge.
Can You Stay in a Hostel Alone?
Staying in a hostel alone is pretty safe as most hostels have proper security and many have keycard access with 24-hour reception.
Is it safe for a lone woman to travel out of the country?
For sure, many women do travel out of the country alone safely. Do your homework on the destination, always be vigilant, and respect local customs and safety rules to minimize risks.
Is the hostel too noisy?
Hostels are quite vibrant, certainly not for people who want to sleep early. Find the one with a more relaxed and low-key vibe or ask for a room that is not near the common area.
Is My Stuff Safe in a Hostel?
Your stuff can be safe if you use the lockers provided by the hostel, and having a small padlock of your own will do more good.
How Do You Protect Yourself as a Woman Traveling Alone?
To protect herself, always remain alert vis-à-vis the surroundings and do not walk alone at night. Always keep your valuables tighter. Just trust yourself and do not end up happening in anywhere-raised situations.
Final Thoughts
A hostel is a safe and rewarding experience for a solo female traveler. The golden rule is to be prepared. Please choose the right hostel, lock it properly, and be aware to enjoy your trip.
Safety First—Always. Plan and research well about your stay. Here’s how: Worry about the fun and excitement of your solo adventure. Safe travels and happy adventuring!
