Best Party Hostels
28 January 2026 · 7 min read
How to choose party hostels as a solo female traveller. Security features to check, cities that stand out, and practical safety tips from women who travel alone.
Party Hostels and Solo Female Travel: The Real Picture
Party hostels are often the safest type of accommodation for solo female travellers, not the riskiest. They have 24-hour reception, security cameras, lockers, key-card access, and a built-in social group. Compare that to a cheap hotel or Airbnb where you are on your own with no front desk and no one who notices if something feels off.
The social structure of a party hostel also provides safety in numbers. Pub crawls mean you go out and come home with a group. Staff know where the group went and when to expect them back. Other guests notice if someone does not return. This is exactly the support network that solo travellers need.
That said, not all party hostels are equal. Some are well-managed with trained staff and clear safety policies. Others are just noisy dorms with a bar. Here is how to tell the difference.
Security Features That Matter
Female-only dorms: the single most important feature for solo female travellers who want a party hostel experience but more privacy at night. Most quality party hostels offer mixed and female-only dorm options at the same price. Book the female-only dorm and socialise in the common areas and bar.
24-hour reception with staff on duty (not just a night porter who sleeps in the back). Key-card access on bedroom doors, not just the main entrance. Individual lockers large enough for a backpack, not just a phone and wallet. Well-lit corridors and outdoor areas.
Check Hostelworld's 'security' sub-rating specifically. Above 8.5 on security is the minimum standard. Read recent reviews from solo female travellers (filter by 'solo female' on Hostelworld if available). Their experiences are the most relevant data point.
Cities That Stand Out for Solo Female Travellers
Lisbon, Portugal: compact, walkable, well-lit streets, and a hostel scene that is heavily female-friendly. Yes Lisbon Hostel and Home Lisbon Hostel both score 9.0+ with specific mentions of solo female safety. The bar scene in Bairro Alto is pedestrianised and easy to navigate.
Melbourne, Australia: one of the world's safest cities for solo travellers, with a strong hostel culture. United Backpackers and Nomads Melbourne are well-rated party hostels in safe central locations. Public transport runs late and is reliable.
Chiang Mai, Thailand: the most commonly recommended city in Southeast Asia for solo female travellers. Small enough to feel safe, big enough to have nightlife. The old city moat area is walkable and well-lit. Stamps Backpackers and Hug Hostel have strong female safety reputations.
Budapest, Hungary: the ruin bar district is heavily policed and feels safe until late. Walking between bars is on well-lit, busy streets. Carpe Noctem Original and Maverick City Lodge are both popular with solo female travellers.
Practical Safety Tips from Women Who Travel Solo
Share your location with a friend or family member via WhatsApp or Google Maps live sharing. Takes 10 seconds and runs in the background. Update it when you move to a new city.
On pub crawls: stick with the group, watch your drink being poured, and tell at least one other person where you are staying. Most hostel pub crawl guides are trained to keep the group together and will notice if someone goes missing.
Trust the hostel staff. They see hundreds of solo female travellers every month and know the city's safe areas, reliable taxi apps, and which bars to avoid. Ask them directly: 'Is it safe to walk back from the bar district at 2am?' They will give you an honest answer.
Carry a doorstop alarm ($5 on Amazon). It wedges under a door and sounds a 120-decibel alarm if anyone tries to open it. Works in hostels, hotels, and Airbnbs. Probably the single most useful safety item for solo travellers beyond a phone and travel insurance.
