Best Party Hostels
20 January 2026 · 6 min read
Skip the travel pillow. Pack a doorstop alarm, a waterproof phone pouch, and decent earplugs. The only packing list you need for party hostel travel.
The Big Three: Earplugs, Lock, and Torch
Earplugs are the single most important item for party hostel survival. Not the cheap foam ones from the pharmacy. Invest $25-30 in moulded silicone earplugs (Loop Quiet or similar) that actually block sound. You will use them every single night. They block snoring, dorm door slams, and the 4am return of the pub crawl crew.
A padlock is non-negotiable. Bring a combination lock (no key to lose) that fits standard hostel lockers. Most hostels provide lockers but not locks. A headlamp or clip-on book light is the third essential: dorm rooms are dark when you are packing at 5am or digging through your bag at 2am. Do not be the person who turns on the overhead light.
These three items cost under $50 total and solve 80% of the practical problems people complain about in party hostel reviews. Everything else on this list is a bonus.
Tech and Safety Essentials
Waterproof phone pouch ($3-5): essential for Full Moon Parties, beach bars, boat parties, and any night where drinks will be spilled. A ziplock bag works in a pinch but a proper pouch lets you use the touchscreen through the plastic.
Portable phone charger (10,000mAh minimum): dorm room power outlets are always in the wrong place or already taken. A good power bank lasts 2-3 full phone charges. Charge it during the day while you are out.
Doorstop alarm ($5): wedges under any door and sounds a 120dB alarm if someone tries to open it. Works in hostel dorms, private rooms, and budget hotels. It is the cheapest peace-of-mind purchase you can make.
Travel insurance documents (screenshot or PDF on your phone): if you need a hospital, having your policy number immediately accessible saves time. World Nomads and SafetyWing are the two most popular backpacker policies. Check that your policy covers motorbike use if you plan to ride in Southeast Asia.
Clothes: Less Than You Think
A 40-litre backpack is enough for a 6-month trip through Southeast Asia. Laundry services cost $1-2/kg everywhere on the backpacker trail. Pack 4-5 t-shirts, 2 pairs of shorts/skirts, 1 pair of long trousers, 1 light jacket, and underwear for 5 days.
One pair of shoes you can walk, hike, and go out in. Trainers or Tevas. Flip-flops for the hostel shower and beach. That is it. You do not need hiking boots unless you are specifically going trekking (rent them locally if you do). Club dress codes in Southeast Asia and most of Europe are relaxed; trainers and a clean t-shirt get you in anywhere.
Bring one outfit that makes you feel good for nights out. It does not need to be fancy. A clean black t-shirt and decent shorts or a simple dress works in every city from Berlin to Bali. You will buy cheap clothes along the way (fisherman pants in Thailand, $3; vintage band tees in Koh San Road, $2).
Toiletries and Health
Microfibre towel (not the hostel towel, which is either damp from the last person or costs $2 to rent). A large microfibre towel packs small, dries fast, and doubles as a beach blanket.
Basic first aid: paracetamol, ibuprofen, rehydration sachets (essential for hangovers and food poisoning), plasters, antihistamine cream. All of these are available in pharmacies worldwide, but having them in your bag saves a 3am pharmacy hunt.
Sunscreen (SPF 50, reef-safe if you are near coral). Insect repellent with DEET for Southeast Asia and tropical destinations. Both are cheaper bought locally than at home. One tip that saves space: buy solid toiletries (shampoo bar, solid deodorant) instead of liquids. They last longer, take up less room, and never explode in your bag.
What NOT to Pack
Travel pillow: takes up space, you will not use it. Hostel beds have pillows. Sleep on the bus with a rolled-up hoodie. Sleeping bag: hostels provide sheets and blankets. The only exception is if you are camping at festivals.
Expensive jewellery or watches: leave them at home. You will worry about losing them, and they make you a target. Hair dryer: every hostel has one (or the tropical heat dries your hair in 10 minutes). Guidebook: your phone has Google Maps, Hostelworld, and every travel blog ever written.
The golden rule of backpacking: pack everything you think you need, then remove half of it. You can buy almost anything you need along the way, usually cheaper than at home. A heavy bag is the fastest way to ruin the first week of a trip.
