Hostel vs. Airbnb: A round-by-round clash

Round 1: Location

When it comes to choosing between staying in a hostel or an Airbnb, one of the main things you should consider is location, location, location. Ideally, you’ll be staying in an area that’s walkable to most attractions and is close to the city’s nightlife. There is nothing worse than making lodging arrangements only to discover that you’re staying a lengthy train, bus, or Uber ride away from the happening spots in town.

In most cities, there are countless hostels scattered throughout, with downtown locations pretty easy to find. The problem is, you don’t just want to stay in any hostel. Because hostels can widely vary in quality, location, and overall experience, it may be difficult to find ideal lodging in the perfect location. More times than not, you’ll find yourself having to cave on one of the two. However, hostels that are inconveniently located will almost always provide an acceptable solution for getting where you need to go.

When it comes to Airbnbs, location is a huge benefit. Because you’ll be staying in a local’s residence, there are usually several great options located all around the city. Much like hostels, make sure to do your due diligence when it comes to finding quality housing. Don’t put yourself in a situation where you’re located in the perfect spot but live in fear of bugs or rodents. With Airbnb, it’s pretty easy to strike a nice balance between location and quality.

Round 1: Airbnb, but it’s close.

 

Round 2: Amenities

What’s nice about hostels is that you typically don’t need to bring much. From blankets to showers, you’re pretty much covered...for the most part. Some hostels will nickel and dime you wherever they can, from a €2 towel rental to a €3 bedsheet charge. If you’re looking to cook your own meals to save money, hostels are hit or miss. Many do not offer kitchen access, and the ones that do are often lacking. Moving on, most backpackers value having the ability to take a warm shower after a long day of exploring. The best shower situation you’ll find in a hostel is an “ensuite” room, which means 4-8 people will be sharing a bathroom as opposed to 16+. If you’re willing to tough it out, bring some flip flops and a good attitude. On a positive note, the kicker is that many hostels offer their very own bar, which is a fun way to kick back with friends and meet new travelers. Tired from a long day of traveling? Grab a drink at the hostel bar and call it a night. Looking to meet some friends? Head to the hostel bar and strike up a conversation. The bar acts as the hostel’s melting pot and is a unique feature they have to offer.

Airbnb’s, on the other hand, function as a true residence and are much homier. From the bedrooms to the kitchen, it’s easy to quickly feel as though you own the place. The showers are often larger and more plentiful, allowing for a more relaxing start to the morning. Additionally, you can expect a decent kitchen as the full-time residents must have some way to cook. The beds are bigger, the water is warmer, and the towels are free, giving Airbnbs the easy dub in this category.

Round 2: Airbnb...it’s not close.

 

Round 3: Meals

If you see that a hostel offers a “family dinner”, it’s usually a hostel you should look into booking. Not only does this save you a ton of money (most hostel dinners are just a couple euros), but it also means that the hostel does a nice job of creating community. Eating dinner at your hostel can be a fun way to meet fellow travelers while putting a little beer money back in your pocket. Much more commonly, hostels will offer either a free or inexpensive breakfast to fuel you up before a day of exploring. For a free breakfast, you can expect toast, Nutella, and some OJ. If you pay a few euros for the “deluxe”, you’ll probably get some bacon, eggs, and pastries in there too. This is typically a game-time decision that you don’t want to make before seeing what the hostel has to offer.

Food is completely on you when staying at an Airbnb. Come prepared with groceries and snacks, as there will not be any meals provided for you. While this may sound like a negative, it’s often a fun way to experience cooking with your friends. If you do it right, you may be able to save some money while eating a nice, healthy meal. If you don’t do it right, you may find yourself hangry while munching on whatever you snagged from the local convenience store.

Round 3: Sometimes you just don’t feel like cooking after a long day in the city. And it’s nice to have a cheap breakfast available for you as you start your day. I’ll give this one to hostels.

 

Round 4: Atmosphere

At hostels, you’ll find a lively atmosphere filled with travelers, games, and booze. Whether it’s at the pool table, the common room, or the bar, there’s always something fun going on that you can jump right into. You’re guaranteed to meet some really cool people, and there is often an immediate sense of community that forms among a hostel’s residents. One of the coolest things many hostels offer is a bar crawl for travelers choosing to stay with them. No, these bar crawls aren’t exceptional for the drink specials (“free shot” = 95% juice), but they’re a great way to hang out with the people you have enjoyed meeting around the hostel. Plus, if you and your friends are looking for an easy, pre-planned night out, you really can’t beat this.

At an Airbnb, you create the atmosphere. Whether you’re with 2 friends or 10, it’s literally just you. While this is a ton of fun with a big group, it’s less ideal for smaller groups who are interested in meeting other travelers. In an Airbnb, the atmosphere is 100% determined by the vibe of the group. Pick wisely.

Round 4: This one depends on how you look at it. I’ll pick hostels for the simple fact that a big part of what makes traveling great is meeting new people.

 

Round 5: Price

Hostels and Airbnbs are pretty difficult to compare price-wise, as the amount you’ll pay for an Airbnb largely depends on how many friends you’re splitting the cost with. However, I’ll break it down based on my experiences abroad.

Hostels typically cost somewhere in the $18-$30 range depending on location, room size, and quality. You can find cheaper hostels, and you can certainly find more expensive ones. But I’d say that most of the time, you can bet on them landing within that range.

Airbnb prices, on the other hand, vary much more dramatically. It’s difficult to put a price point on these as you could be staying in anything from a small apartment to a houseboat. Additionally, a house split 3 ways is going to be a much different story than you and 10 friends cramming into an apartment. I will say, however, that I’ve enjoyed time with my friends in some amazing Airbnb’s for less than what I would have paid for at a hostel. The bottom line is that the two are comparable, and there are affordable ways to stay at both.

Round 5: Hostels. It’s very close, but hostels tend to be less expensive and more consistently priced from city to city.

 

Round 6: Privacy

Privacy is one of the biggest differentiators between hostels and Airbnbs. In a hostel, you can expect to be sleeping in a room with anywhere from 3-23 other people. Some hostel rooms sleep even more than that. If you’re looking for privacy, this ain’t it chief. Unless you are traveling with a large enough group to reserve a full room, you’re going to be sleeping just inches away from snoring randos. The silver lining, however, is that many hostels offer private lockers where you can keep your belongings. This at least gives you a sense of security in a setting where almost everything is shared.

One of the most coveted benefits of staying in an Airbnb is the privacy it offers. Unless you’re simply booking one room in an apartment, you have the whole place to yourself. As a result, you can relax knowing that you have a little more breathing room and you don’t have to sleep on top of your valuables. This goes a long way, and is often a big deciding factor between the two.

Round 6: Airbnb. You just can’t beat that “home” feeling.

 

Round 7: Booking

The good news is, it’s pretty easy to book both Airbnbs and hostels. To book a hostel, all you need to do is visit Hostelworld.com and select from the options available on the nights of your stay. You can checkout as a guest, and there are only a few pieces of information you are actually required to enter. If the hostel is available, you’ll have your spot reserved in a matter of minutes.

Airbnbs, on the other hand, require a little bit more information and you will need to create a profile. Additionally, many hosts will not allow you to instantly book their residence. Their is typically a wait period of up to 24 hours when you put in a reservation request. During this time, the host will evaluate your profile and decide if they are willing to entrust their home to you. Form a bad track record and you may find yourself out of luck when it comes to making Airbnb reservations in the future.

Round 7: Hostels. Booking a hostel is quick and seamless. While Airbnbs are easily reserved as well, the process as a whole is a bit more complex.

---

Round 8: The Verdict

Round 1, Airbnb

Round 2, Airbnb

Round 3, Hostels

Round 4, Hostels

Round 5, Hostels,

Round 6, Airbnb,

Round 7, Hostels

So now that we’ve broken down down the main differences between the two, it’s time to make a decision. One of my pet peeves is when people declare a “tie” or say “it depends” instead of declaring a clear winner in situations such as this one. However, I am about to do both of these things. While hostels won a majority of the 7 rounds, it is important to make this comparison from a bird’s eye view and to decide which option better suits you as a traveler.

A hostel can often make or break your backpacking experience. On the one hand, they can be upbeat, friendly, and exciting. There is no easier way to connect with fellow travelers, and you are guaranteed to encounter some interesting personalities. Between the common areas, the family dinners, and the bar crawls, there is no shortage of entertainment and activity when you stay at a hostel. On the other hand, hostels can be much more packed and fast-paced than other housing options. When staying at a hostel, you are in and out of the room pretty frequently and are likely not spending too much time lounging around. It is a much more nomadic experience, but is a great way to enjoy a fun weekend in the city while meeting new friends.

Airbnbs are unique, comfortable, and private. There is something about staying in a local’s residence that adds to the experience of visiting a new city. Each Airbnb has its nuances, and it’s really eye-opening to see the differences between how individuals in each city live. At times, Airbnbs can be isolating in that there is no easy way to meet other backpackers. However, they are a great option for larger groups looking to kick back and spend quality time with each other in a brand new city.

Therefore, from start to finish, I think Airbnb’s offer a better experience. Some of my favorite memories have come from spending time with my closest friends in a tiny apartment that we got to call our own, even if just for a few days. When you have a group of 4 or more people, I think your first priority should be finding an affordable, well-located, unique residence available for booking on Airbnb. If you’re able to find the right balance between the three, pull the trigger.

However, if you are a group of 3 or less, it makes a lot of sense to go the hostel route. With such a small group, hostels are the perfect spot to call home base while meeting new people and taking in everything the city has to offer. I am confident that solo travelers, duos, and trios would be making a great decision by choosing to stay at a hostel.

VERDICT:

1-3 people - HOSTEL

4+ people - AIRBNB