This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Introduction: Hostels vs Hotels (and my guilty conscience)

I’ve always tried to travel without leaving a trail of destruction behind me. You know, the usual: reusable bottle, fewer flights, and pretending I’m “minimalist” while hauling three chargers and a back-up ego.

But the bigger question is this: which is greener hostel or hotel? Because if you’re going to save the planet, you may as well start with where you sleep.

Affiliate & Image Disclaimer: Just so everything’s crystal clear (and nobody thinks I’m funding a secret eco-hostel empire); some links in this post are affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you; it helps keep The Road to Timbuktu running and pays for life’s essentials, like coffee and replacing suitcase wheels. Also, a small number of images in this post were created using AI. They’re only here to help illustrate travel moments and ideas; not to pretend I’ve personally posed in every hostel dorm from London to Laos.

Your bed matters more than you think

Accommodation has a bigger environmental footprint than most travellers realise. In the hostel vs hotel environmental impact debate, hostels often come out looking surprisingly smug.

If you’re city-hopping or travelling on a budget, this actually matters. Picking eco friendly accommodation hostels vs hotels isn’t just trendy; it’s practical.

Hostels: the eco-friendly underdogs

Hostels are built around sharing stuff. Kitchens, bathrooms, lounges, even that one dodgy hairdryer that’s survived since 1998.

That shared setup usually means lower resource use per person. In plain English: a smaller hostels vs hotels carbon footprint, without you needing to hug a tree.

Sustainable travel isn’t just a buzzword

Once upon a time, hostels vs hotels for sustainable travel was mostly about price and comfort. These days it’s also about emissions; nobody wants their holiday memories to include “helped accelerate climate collapse”.

Travel has a growing environmental impact, especially through greenhouse gas emissions. Even the IPCC keeps reminding us we need deep cuts to avoid the worst warming scenarios. (Source)

---

Related Reading: Bangkok Hostels with Private Rooms: Ideal for 50+ Solo Travellers

---

What travellers actually think (not just bloggers)

Hostelworld’s research is genuinely interesting here. They found 53% of customers consider sustainability when choosing accommodation, and 82% believe hostels are more sustainable than other options.

That’s a big shift in attitude. More people now want green travel accommodation options, not just the cheapest room with a suspicious stain on the duvet.

The research that put numbers on the argument

Hostelworld teamed up with Bureau Veritas to measure the carbon impact properly. The goal was simple: work out the carbon intensity of hostels vs hotels sustainability using actual modelling and benchmarking.

This wasn’t just theory for academics who don’t pack their own bags. The research is meant to help travellers make sustainable accommodation choices with facts, not vibes.

How they calculated it (without melting anyone’s brain)

To compare fairly, they needed a hostel “average occupancy” estimate. So they used a conservative average of 3.6 guests per room, based on typical dorm-style layouts.

Then they calculated total carbon emissions per bed (tCO₂e). For hotels the median came out at 1.18 tCO₂e per bed (based on 2 pax), while hostels averaged 0.30 tCO₂e per bed using the 3.6 guest figure.

---

Related Reading: Hostels in Koh Samui with Private Rooms: Ideal for Mature Travellers

---

Results: the carbon verdict

This is where hostels start looking annoyingly virtuous. European hostels were measured at around 0.30 tCO₂e per bed, compared to hotels at 1.18 tCO₂e per bed.

So if you’ve ever wondered are hostels more eco friendly than hotels, this is your answer. They’re significantly less carbon-intensive per person; your shared bunk bed is basically doing community service. Hostelworld: Carbon Impact Analysis (2nd edition)

Conclusion: hostels win (by a lot)

In the are hostels sustainable debate, hostels take the crown. They’re roughly 75% less carbon-intensive than hotels based on the study’s findings.

And that’s only looking at carbon. Hostels often do better on waste, materials, and water use too, although those areas need more research.

So… should you stay in a hostel?

For me, the answer depends on what kind of trip I’m having. I’m introverted and budget-conscious, so I lean towards hostels with private rooms and en-suite bathrooms; I like company, just not… constantly.

The best part is the mix of privacy and social life. You meet people, swap tips, and hear ridiculous stories; hotels rarely offer that unless you count awkward lift silence.

Finding a hostel that doesn’t feel like a school trip

If you’re stuck in the hostels vs hotels sustainability dilemma, Hostelworld makes it easy to filter and compare. They list over 16,000 hostels worldwide, so you’re not limited to “12-bed dorm and regret”.

If you’re trying to travel smarter and greener, hostels are a genuinely solid option. And if you want more real-world travel advice (with less fluff), give me a follow; I’ll keep it honest.

---

Related Content: Hostels in Phuket with Private Rooms: Ideal for Mature Travellers

---

Hostels vs Hotels FAQ

What is the difference between a hotel and a hostel?

The main difference is privacy and how you “live” inside the place. A hotel is usually private rooms, private bathrooms, and minimal interaction unless you count nodding at strangers in the lift.

A hostel is more community-based. You’ll often find shared dorm rooms and shared bathrooms; although plenty now offer private rooms too, for introverts and people who enjoy sleeping.

How do hostel rooms work?

Hostels traditionally have dorm rooms with bunk beds. You book a bed, not the whole room; which means you might share with 3 to 15 other humans and one person who snores like a chainsaw.

Most hostels also offer private rooms. Some even come with en-suite bathrooms, which is basically luxury in hostel terms.

Do hostels have private rooms?

Yes; and thank the travel gods for that. Private rooms are now really common, especially in city hostels and “boutique” hostels.

If you want the social side but still need your own space, private hostel rooms are the sweet spot. You get peace, plus the option of chatting in the common area without being trapped in conversation like it’s a networking event.

Are hostels only for young backpackers?

No, that’s just an outdated stereotype that refuses to die. These days you’ll see everyone from students to retirees, digital nomads, solo travellers over 50, and people who just like saving money without sacrificing their soul.

Some hostels are party-heavy, sure. But plenty are chilled and quiet; you just need to pick the right one.

Are hostels safe for female solo travellers?

Yes, they can be; but like anything in travel, it depends on the hostel you choose. A well-run hostel with security features and strong reviews can feel safer than some cheap hotels where the reception desk disappears at 9pm.

The good news is you don’t have to “guess and hope for the best”. Hostelworld lists thousands of hostels worldwide, and you can use filters to find places with things like 24-hour CCTV, on-site security, and a 24-hour front desk.

Even better, each hostel listing includes up-to-date reviews from real travellers. That alone removes most of the uncertainty, because nothing exposes a dodgy hostel faster than someone leaving a detailed review after a bad night’s sleep and an even worse shower.

And if you’re still unsure, you’re always welcome to reach out to me. I’m happy to help you sanity-check a hostel choice; I’ve made enough questionable bookings over the years to qualify as a cautionary tale.

---

Related Reading: Koh Phangan vs Koh Samui – Which Island Is Better?

---

Why are hostels called hostels?

Because the word basically means “a place that hosts travellers”, and it goes back a long way.

The term hostel comes from the same roots as host and hospitality; all linked to the idea of welcoming strangers in from the road. It traces back through Old French hostel (meaning a lodging or guest house), which came from Latin hospitale / hospes (meaning guest, host, or stranger).

So originally, a hostel wasn’t “a bunk bed with a stranger’s sock on it”. It was simply basic traveller accommodation, often meant for pilgrims, students, or workers passing through.

Over time, it evolved into what we now call hostels: budget-friendly places with shared spaces, communal vibes, and the occasional 2am door-slammer who thinks they’re silent.

Why are hostels less popular in the USA?

Hostels are less popular in the US mainly because of a mix of culture, car dependency, and regulation (with a dash of “we’ve always done it this way”).

1) Americans don’t grow up with hostel culture

In Europe, Asia, Australia, etc., hostels are a normal rite of passage. In the US, a lot of people simply associate hostels with:

• sketchy accommodation
• party backpackers
• “sharing a room with a bloke called Björn who owns three ukuleles”

So many Americans just default to hotels or Airbnbs, even on a budget.

2) The US is built for cars, not backpackers

Hostels thrive when:

• cities are walkable
• public transport is easy
• you can hop between places cheaply

The US is often the opposite. Outside major cities, you basically need a car, which pushes travellers towards motels, chain hotels, roadside inns, and rentals.

3) Plenty of cheap motels fill the budget gap

In many parts of the US, motels have long been the “budget option”, so hostels didn’t get the same foothold. If a motel room is only slightly more expensive than a dorm bed, people go:
“Why would I share a bathroom with strangers when I can have my own?”

Fair point.

4) Legal and zoning issues make hostels harder to open

This is a big one. In many cities, hostels face:

• zoning restrictions
• licensing issues
• building code requirements (sprinklers, occupancy rules, etc.)
• neighbour complaints (“not backpackers near my property value, thank you”)

So fewer hostels get built, and the ones that do often end up pricier than you’d expect.

5) Perception of safety and privacy

US travellers (and especially families) often prioritise private space. The shared-room idea still hasn’t become “normal” in mainstream American travel the way it has elsewhere.

6) Airbnb muscled in at the perfect time

Just as hostels were expanding globally, Airbnb exploded in the US. That gave budget travellers a different option: private stays without hotel prices; and without the bunk bed lottery.

---

Related Reading: 10 Phuket Hotels With a Private Beach

---

What city has the most hostels?

There isn’t one single “official” city with the most hostels, because it depends which database you’re looking at (Hostelworld, Booking.com, Trip.com, etc.). Each one counts slightly differently; some include guesthouses, some don’t, some count “properties” not “hostels”.

That said…

The city that usually comes out on top is London

On big hostel platforms (especially Hostelworld), London consistently has one of the largest hostel selections in the world, mainly because it’s a huge tourist hub with year-round demand.

Other cities that are right up there

Depending on the platform and how they count listings, these often compete for the “most hostels” crown:

• Barcelona
• Berlin
• Amsterdam
• Paris
• Rome
• Lisbon
• Bangkok
• Chiang Mai
• Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Basically: mega tourist cities + strong backpacker scene = loads of hostels.

---

Save On Your Next Trip While Supporting Our Blog

We love sharing our travels with you! To help us keep the tips and inspiration coming, please consider using our affiliate links below for your next trip. You get access to the best deals we’ve personally vetted, and it helps keep this blog running. Thanks for being part of our journey you legend!

Flights: Booking.com or Trip.com, or
Save 90% on Flights With a Subscription at Going.com
Hotels: Trip.com or Booking.com
Hostels: Hostelworld (Most with Private Rooms)
EasyJet (UK): Solo Package Deals
Best Solo Group: GAdventures
Airport Transfers: Welcome Pickups
Tickets, Tours & Activities: GetYourGuide & Viator
Communication: eSIM & SIMs
Travel Insurance: Visitors Coverage
Asia Transport: Buses/Taxis/Ferries

View the full list of travel resources on our Trip Planning Tools Page.

---

A note on how I write: Every trip starts with a journal, filled in wherever I happen to be; on a bus, plane, train, or in a backstreet cafe that has clearly seen better days. It’s not tidy, and it’s not always legible even to me. When I get the time, I use AI to help turn those notes into something readable, organising drafts and occasionally rescuing a sentence that has wandered off without me. The experiences, the perspective, the humour and every editorial decision remain entirely mine. As for the photos, I’m not remotely fond of having my picture taken, family portraits included, so I also use AI to help visualise the places and moments I write about.