It used to be hostels were nothing more than bare-bones dormitory buildings typically located in the center of a city. Foreign tourists from around the world flocked to the cheap rooms which offered a place to meet other like minded travelers, a safe (relatively) place to drop bags while sightseeing, and of course, a place to shower the next morning. Wash and repeat on the cheap.

Today, budget traveler’s tastes are changing. Newer, modern facilities with amenities such as on site kitchens, computer access and/or WiFi enabled buildings and attached bathrooms are more common. There can also be drawbacks to living via hostels for the duration of an India journey.

10. Hostels/Hotels: What the Difference?

Many properties advertised as hostels in India are actually budget hotels seeking to draw in the budget traveler. That can be good and not so good for the first time traveler attempting to lock up accommodations sight unseen. Travelers looking to make friends and/or find comfort in numbers, will want to look for a true hostel property.

Hostels:

Typically these buildings are smaller than a hotel with only a few rooms (although some budget hotels I have stayed in are teeny tiny). Guests will find dorm-style accommodation with bunk beds meant to house 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 people. Often there is not an attached bath. You’ll be bunking with travelers of all ages from around the world. Some locations will mix sexes within a room, others will have separate quarters.

Budget Hotels:

While I enjoy a good budget hotel as much as the next traveler, accommodations vary drastically.

Bed: Typically the beds of India budget hotels are nothing more than a foam mattress atop a wood frame.

Pillow: If you’re lucky enough to get one, the pillowcase probably hasn’t been washed in a very, very long time. Bring your own pillow and/or pillowcase.

Sheets: What sheets? At best you’ll find a blanket, albeit usually a warm heavy weight style, that as with the pillow case, hasn’t been washed in recent memory.

Toilet: Western facilities ensuite are common but you will run into shared bathrooms. Hot water can be a luxury so be sure to inquire about this option. Also, many places turn water off at night. Ask if the property offers 24 hour water access.

Budget hotels are my preference for many reasons:

•Cheap rooms without having to share.

•Usually staffed with friendly guys who will give you the low-down on the city, things to do, things to avoid, where to buy medicinal products (if that is your thing), and a list that goes on and on.

•Room service. Nothing beats ordering chai from the front desk as you check-in, only to have it delivered within minutes. With the right opening questions, your chai delivery may result in an hour long conversation full of laughs and a little more appreciation for India. Also, some of the best and cheapest food comes by the hands of these guys.

9. Who Stays There?

Trekkers & backpackers, businessmen, families, young and young-at-heart, male and female…the background of guests staying in hostels runs a broad range. The clientele is mostly foreign but travelers can expect to find many Indians taking in a bit of sightseeing of their country.

The probability of rooming with the opposite sex is high unless you find a female only location or book a private room (at additional expense). Should a property not be able to offer same sex only rooms at the time of booking, ask upon check-in as travel plans for others change daily. Female travelers will find male counterparts are generally adept at hostel life and thus will not pose a problem.

Shared bathrooms is a given unless staying in a private room. Flip flops are a must for basic hygiene. Rise early for the cleanest of toilets and hottest of shower water.

8. Age Restrictions: That’s so 80′s!

Hostels used to cater to a younger, budget-conscious traveler on break from college. These days, hostels know their client base is the budget-minded traveler of any age bracket. With few exceptions, hostels are open to men and women of all ages. Whether you’re traveling as a single, couple or as a group, hostels offer a convenient and cheap way to stay.

7. Women Travelers: Look for Women Friendly Hostels

Some hostels/hotels now have special rooms designed with the female traveler in mind. Rooms are stocked with irons, hair dryers and may even be situated in the safer part of the hotel or hostel, not in some isolated area.

In the largest metro areas of India, female travelers can find exclusive women only properties. Be sure to inquire about rules and regulations with individual locations before booking.

6. Reserving/Paying/Cost

If you have a set itinerary before arriving in India, there are several online reservation hostel booking services which operate just like hotel reservation sites. Travelers can view properties, find what amenities are (or are not) offered, where the location is, and of course, room cost. Hostelworld is one of the leading online hostel booking sites with detailed reviews of individual properties. Travel guide books can offer a great source for locating reputable names in the most popular cities of India. Tripadvisor is another good source for locating a decent hostel based on traveler reviews. Avoid touts at train stations promising good cheap rooms nearby. With few exceptions, most travelers have an unfortunate tale to tell about this option.

Some hostels may require a deposit or the entire booking fee upfront while others may generate a confirmation number. Not all hostels accept credit cards so be sure to ask before arriving empty handed. Don’t forget to haggle on the price. Cash payment always ensures a lower room rate. If you have a youth discount card, remember to ask if any discounts apply. You may be asked to leave your passport upon initial check-in which will be returned shortly after the proper paperwork has been completed.

Cancellation policies are generally firmly adhered to. You’ll risk losing a deposit and more if any reservations are not canceled before the appropriate time. Check with individual locations before submitting payment online and be sure to write down the policy on a printed copy. This way, if you’re on the run and need to cancel, you’ll know the exact deadline.

Cost for a single bed/bunk with a share bathroom can be as low as Rs 100 ($2.25) up to Rs 400 ($9). Any hostel charging more than Rs 400 for a shared room is worth skipping as you can find decent private rooms at budget hotels for as low as Rs 350 and up.

5. Rooms

At some hostels you can request a single sex room (all male or all female) or a co-ed room (both genders share a room). Some hostels offer both types, some offer only one type. You can also request a 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 person room or a large dorm room (10+ person room). Some hostels only assign rooms with guests picking from available beds while other properties assign beds. Unless your reservation is pre-paid, always ask to see the room in person before making payment.

TIP: Bring your own bed sheet and towel.

4. Sleeping

Getting a good nights rest in hostels can prove difficult. Guests come in and out of shared rooms at all hours. International flights arrive in the wee hours of the morning in India which means new arrivals are banging through the hallways and stumbling into bed around 3 or 4 A.M. Trains depart the major metro stations at sleep deprived early hours of the morning. This means fellow bunk mates are rising anywhere from 4 to 6 A.M. Group tours can include activities which run late into the evenings resulting in fellow roommates not returning until well after the lights went off. If you’re a light sleeper, a shared room may not be for you. Consider paying up a bit for a private room or pooling your money with another traveler who is on the same schedule.

Be prepared for snoring, lights on and off in the middle of the night, couples interested in extra curricular activities, and more. Bring ear plugs, eye masks, a good pillow, and your own sheet.

3. Eating

Bare bones hostels will have nothing more than a place to sleep and shower. But you’ll find other places are starting to offer self serve kitchens where you can store food and make light meals. Other locations may serve cheap meals or actually include breakfast in the room rate. Check online or ask in person what the eating options and policies are. The popular budget chain Hotel Ginger, a TATA company, does not allow food in guest rooms. They do however have in-house cafeterias located off each location’s main lobby. Food cost is a la carte.

Inexpensive food is always within easy walking distance nearly anywhere in India.

2. Laundry

Dealing with dirty clothes while staying on the hostel route is simple. Although laundry facilities are still a foreign concept to most locations across India, I recently wrote about 4 ways to do laundry which compliments the hostel life.

1. Security/Curfews

Because of the arrival times of flights and trains, as well as the general activities of Indian travel, it’s not common to find curfews in place at hostels in India. Security varies based on location. Night guards are posted in heavily populated hostels. City centers will find lockers or locker rooms where luggage can be safely stored while smaller, rural locations are nothing more than individual rooms with door keys.

Leave backpacks/luggage on or underneath beds during the day. All valuables (money, camera, passport, etc.) should be with you at all times. If you don’t leave items behind that will tempt thieves, theft shouldn’t be an issue. It’s never a bad idea to travel with your own combination locks for zippered pockets that need protecting. Travel with a waist wallet or neck pouch for money, passport, etc.

Be sure to ask before booking what curfews might be in place. Keep your key handy or drop off at front desk for safe keeping while you’re out.