A 24-year-old South Asian traveler planning their first solo trip is balancing party hostels in Amsterdam with beach vibes in Croatia—while worried about traveling with a suitcase instead of just a backpack.
Their anxieties, shared in detail on r/solotravel, reveal the real barriers preventing people from trying hostel travel and solo trips: not knowing the unwritten rules.
The Luggage Anxiety
"I've never stayed in a dorm before," the traveler wrote. "My biggest concern is I WILL have luggage. I can't just backpack it. I was thinking of both a big backpack and a smaller luggage suitcase. Does this make sense?"
This worry—will I look out of place with wheeled luggage?—captures a fundamental misconception about hostel culture. The reality: most hostel guests have suitcases.
The romantic image of minimalist backpackers with 40L packs is outdated. Modern hostels accommodate all luggage types, with under-bed storage designed for suitcases and dedicated luggage rooms. Experienced hostel travelers report seeing everything from massive checked bags to designer suitcases in dorms.
"Would it be weird if I kept going to the luggage room to retrieve more clothes and stuff or is this something people do?" they asked.
It's completely normal. Luggage room access is a standard hostel feature, and nobody notices or cares if you visit it daily.
The Party Hostel Dilemma
The traveler booked Amsterdam accommodations at hostels "somewhere between chill and party" but worried about intensity.
"I'd definitely like to make some friends but not sure the rowdiest party hostel is something I can handle for the first time," they wrote.
