Dorm Room vs Private Room in a Hostel

Dorm Room vs Private Room in a Hostel

When it comes to budget-friendly accommodation for travellers, hostels are often the standout choice. However, one common dilemma faced by backpackers and budget-conscious adventurers is deciding between dorms and private rooms. If you are reading this, you’re probably trying to work out who wins the dorm room vs private room battle! Luckily, I’ll be diving into the pros and cons of each option to help you make an informed decision for your next trip.

What is a hostel dorm room?

A hostel dorm room (short for dormitory) is a shared room with multiple beds for travellers.

This communal space is commonly filled with bunk beds or single beds to accommodate a varying number of travellers, often ranging from four to twenty or more individuals in a single dorm.

Staying in a hostel dorm offers an affordable and sociable experience for travellers, where they can connect with fellow adventurers from different backgrounds and cultures. While the facilities may be shared, including bathrooms and common areas, hostels often provide lockers or storage spaces for guests to securely store their belongings. Hostel dorms are an excellent choice for budget-conscious travelers seeking a vibrant and communal atmosphere during their journey.

What are hostel private rooms?

Private rooms in a hostel, as the name suggests, are a more secluded accommodation option. They provide a separate space exclusively for the guests occupying it.

Unlike a dormitory, a private room typically features single, double, or multiple beds (no bunks!) depending on the type of room. Depending on the hostel, rooms may come with additional amenities such as an en-suite bathroom, a desk, and sometimes even a TV.

Opting for a private room in a hostel allows travelers to enjoy the convenience and privacy of their own space while still benefiting from the social atmosphere and facilities provided by the hostel. It’s an ideal choice for travellers seeking a balance between privacy and the opportunity to mingle with fellow travelers in shared spaces like common areas or communal kitchens.

Dorm Room Advantages

Social Atmosphere

With more beds come more people (usually).

This brings the opportunity to make new friends and meet like-minded people. I’ve met some amazing people in dorm rooms, bonding over a mutual interest of travel. Some I’ve shared adventures with, some just stories with, and some have even turned into lifelong friendships!

The communal and social aspect of dorm life creates a more vibrant atmosphere and allows you to interact and network with fellow backpackers more easily. This may lead to a variety of potential benefits such as cultural exchange; opportunities to join group activities; sharing travel tips and recommendations; or even finding a travel companion for future adventures!

Cheap Accommodation

One of the best things about a dorm room is its affordability.

Hostel dorms are one of the cheapest forms of accommodation you can find. Choosing to sleep in dorms instead of private rooms or hotels is a great way to save money. By stretching your travel budget further, you can allocate more funds to fun activities or local cuisine.

Prices of a hostel dorm room can be as cheap as £2 per night in some parts of the world! However, post-pandemic the price of dorm rooms in hostels has been increasing!

More availability

Another reason why dorm rooms are great is because they offer more places to sleep. The increased number of beds provided by dorm rooms creates more availability, and therefore more chance of being able to stay in your desired location.

This is particularly valuable during the high season when there is increased demand for beds. If only privates were available, beds would run out.

Accommodates larger travel groups

The option of dorm rooms opens up various benefits for those travelling as part of a larger group. While you may not always be in the same room, it is more cost-effective and easier than finding accommodation for 10+ people!

Similarly, you might be able to fill up a dorm room with your group. Essentially transforming it into a shared private room, without paying the private room cost. For example, if there’s only one 5-bed dorm in a hostel and you have 4 or 5 people, the chances are you will get that room to yourselves.

Less chance of being locked out

Particularly in larger dorm rooms, there’s a far greater chance that someone will be in the room to let you in if you have lost your key.

Some dorm rooms don’t lock at all! Though this can be viewed as a disadvantage too.

Dorm Room Disadvantages

Social

The flip side to the social aspect of a dorm room is that you might not be a very sociable person, or might not be looking to meet new people. There have been times when I’ve arrived at my accommodation after a long travel day and not had the energy to communicate with anyone new…

Similarly, you might be doing something different to the rest of your room. Whilst they’re getting ready to party, you might be preparing for a hike. Sometimes you’re not always on the same page as your roommates.

Of course, there’s always the slim chance that the people in your dorm rooms are complete jerks (highly unlikely) or just downright weird (slightly more likely). Though, that’s the risk you take if you’re looking to meet new people.

Disturbances

Staying in shared dorms means that some things are out of your control, which makes disturbances somewhat inevitable. People come and go as they please; you just have to hope that people are considerate and follow reasonable hostel etiquette.

Some of the most common disturbances include talking, snorers, night-time packing, night-time snacking, lights on at night or if you’re really unlucky, people having sex… (oh the trauma! 🫠)

During the daytime, hostel dorms are often quiet and empty while everyone is out exploring. Whereas, disturbances are more common during the evening and nighttime as travellers return to their dorms. Noise and disruption are most common in so-called ‘party’ hostels where alcohol is involved and etiquette sometimes goes out the window!

Bunk beds

Who knows, you might prefer sleeping in bunk beds. But for most, bunk beds mean either the awkward climb up to the top bunk or being shaken around as someone else climbs…

Check out my post on top bunk vs bottom bunk to help you decide which bunk to choose in a hostel dorm.

Less secure

The vast majority of travellers in hostels are trustworthy. After all, the travel community is amazing! However, there is always the risk that something could go missing.

Some guests may leave your dorm room unlocked, while sometimes there is no way to lock the door at all! Situations such as these provide the opportunity for chancers (internal or external to the hostel) to steal your belongings.

Whilst you can lock your valuables away, lockers aren’t always big enough for everything. Fellow guests may help themselves to the minty-fresh toothpaste you’ve left around, or the towel you’ve left hanging up to dry…

Competition for communal facilities

Having shared facilities such as plug sockets, lights and bathrooms means that there is competition for access or conflict of use.

As is the way with shared living, you should be conscious that not everything is solely for you.

In a dorm with a shared bathroom, you could find yourself waiting until someone else is out of the shower. Similarly, you could be fighting (not literally) over places to charge your phone in hostel dorms where there aren’t enough plug sockets.

This competition translates across all aspects of shared hostel dorms including space, light, appliances and more. However, it varies from dorm room to dorm room. Some hostels will have facilities for everyone, whereas other more basic hostels will have fewer to go around.

Private Room Advantages

Privacy

Revolutionary I know, but private rooms are in fact private! Who’d have thought?

Having your own space in a hostel can be beneficial for a number of reasons. Whether it’s taking your time to pack without judgement; coming out of the shower and drying off in peace; or simply having a quiet and relaxed environment after a busy day of exploring.

Equally, private rooms are great for couples or travel partners. Having your own space provides intimacy and privacy, allowing you to spend quality time and enjoy each other’s company without the potential distractions of a hostel dorm.

Better sleep

If you prefer peace, personal space, and a good night’s sleep without disruptions, a private room provides the tranquility you need.

Away from the distractions of other people making noise at night, you can sleep soundly knowing someone else’s alarm won’t wake you up and without worrying about disturbing anyone else.

Comfort

This depends on the hostel, but most private rooms come with double beds. I find having the extra space to fully spread out and relax is worth it. Plus you don’t have the fear of rolling out!

Besides the bed, you are far more able to customise a private room to your liking. Unpack your bags into a space all of your own to create an environment to your liking. Plus privates are more likely to come with amenities like en-suite bathrooms or workspaces to make your life that bit easier.

Clean and tidy

The cleaners in most hostels do a fantastic job. To my knowledge, they treat private rooms and hostel dorms largely the same.

Unfortunately, there’s no getting away from the mess that backpackers create when they unzip their rucksacks and the contents explode out! If you are in a shared dorm, it’s difficult to keep the shared space tidy when it’s other people’s belongings.

I’ve entered dorm rooms where people have already been staying for over a week. What they may view as making themselves at home, is perceived as a mess from a newcomer’s perspective.

Private rooms don’t have this issue as it’s only your belongings. Though that’s not to say you won’t make a mess… I certainly do!

Security

While hostels generally have security measures in place no matter your room type, private rooms offer an additional layer of security and peace of mind.

Having a space that only you have access to means that you can securely store all of your belongings. With this control over who has access to your room, you can ensure a worry-free stay.

Private Room Disadvantages

More expensive

Privacy and comfort come at a price.

To put it simply, private rooms in hostels are more expensive than dorm rooms.

The price difference between dorm rooms and privates primarily depends on bed availability and the difference in facilities on offer. They can be anywhere from a few pounds extra to four or five times the price of a dorm room.

Removed from the hostel atmosphere

Dorms are the heart and soul of hostel culture. By staying in a private room you won’t be fully immersing yourself in the hostel atmosphere.

By nature, hostels are relatively communal. Most hostels at least start off with a dorm room and then add privates if they expand. Because of this, private rooms can sometimes feel separate from the rest of the hostel, thus missing out on some of the vibe.

How to decide between a Dorm Room and Private Room?

What is your budget?

If you’re not willing to spend the price of a private room, that immediately narrows down your options.

Decide on a case-by-case basis, considering whether a private room is worth the additional cost or what would provide you the best value. In some hostels, the main attraction is the dorm room!

Why are you staying there?

Consider the reason for your stay at a particular accommodation. Are you staying there to meet people? Are you staying there to explore? Do you intend to make friends and socialise?

Alternatively, do you want time to recover? Is this a situation where you want to prioritise good rest?

If you’re just starting out on your trip and want to meet people for recommendations and to do activities with, a dorm could be a good idea. If you are looking for some quiet time to recover after a busy few days, then a private room is a better option.

Are you volunteering? If you’re volunteering at a hostel (which is an awesome idea by the way), you will more often than not be offered a dorm room with fellow volunteers or even guests. However, there may be the rare occasion where you are offered a private room!

Consider other factors

If you are still undecided between a hostel dorm room vs private room, consider other factors such as availability or recommendations/reviews.

For example, a hostel might only have an 18-person dorm or private rooms remaining to book. If you were initially considering a small dorm, you may be swayed toward a private room.

Have you had any recommendations from friends or fellow travellers? These could be recommendations to stay at a certain hostel or even something more specific like the dorms having privacy curtains or the private rooms being great but badly located?

If not, read reviews on Hostelworld. Often guests mention specific dorm rooms or private rooms which could help your decision.

Dorm Room vs Private Room: Conclusion

On the fence answer:

The choice between hostel dorm rooms and private rooms ultimately depends on your travel style, budget, and personal preferences. As well as the individual dorm room and private room as each hostel is different. Hostel dorm rooms are ideal for budget-conscious travelers seeking social interaction and a lively atmosphere, while private rooms offer privacy, comfort, and flexibility.

Consider your priorities, the nature of your trip, and the destination’s cultural context when making a decision. Remember, both options have their merits, and the most important thing is to create a memorable travel experience that aligns with your preferences and budget.

Dorm Room vs Private Room Winner

As much as I’d like to sit on the fence, and as much as dorm rooms and private rooms both have their place in hostels, I simply couldn’t write this blog post without picking a winner!

So… The winner of the dorm room vs private room battle is the private room. This may not come as a surprise since objectively their benefits outweigh those of the dorm (hence their higher price). You just have to factor in the difference in price with the difference in quality. This is done on a hostel-by-hostel basis with your own research!

Despite this, I still opt for dorm rooms most of the time. As a solo traveller and budget backpacker, I appreciate and value the social aspect and money saving. The savings I make here allow me to enjoy other aspects of travel, or spend money on a private room when there is a big benefit.

Before you go

Thank you for reading my guide to dorm rooms vs private rooms in a hostel. I hope this has helped your decision! If guides, itineraries, and travel content like this interest you, head over to my blog page to find out more.

If you are new to Matt’s Next Steps, check out the About Me page to find out a bit more about who I am, my travel adventures, and why I wanted to become a travel writer.

Please comment below and let me know your thoughts and experiences, or if there is anything else you want information on.

Happy travelling!