I stayed at a travelers hostel in Mumbai; I met a smart photographer who was in his 50s, another filmmaker who was in his 40s, and people from diverse demographics and nationalities.

What exactly is a backpacker hostel?

If you have ever lived in a residential school, you will understand the concept. A residential school or college has a vast dorm room with bunk beds and shared bathrooms. This same concept has been extended to travelers, and there are even start-up hostels. Start-up entrepreneurs who are traveling on business want a place that is budget friendly with opportunities to meet new people.

Why a backpacker hostel?

The first thing that comes to mind is the price. An average cost of a backpacker hostel in Bangalore is $8 per bed for a night. Compare that to a budget hotel in a similar neighborhood that costs at least $20 a night.

A friend of mine from Europe stayed at an Airbnb for a couple of nights. He then moved to a hostel. I asked him, “Was it the price?” He said, “No, I want to meet new people.”

Being friendly on your pocket is great, but the real opportunity lies in meeting new people from all over the world.

If you are like me, I don’t travel for the place but for the people. I like meeting new people and have interesting conversations. I am more of a conversationist. I may not get excited by museums or unusual places of interest. But I do get excited by beautiful conversations with people from all over the world.

About a year ago, I visited Goa; I met people from Russia and other parts of the world, and I still remember the late night conversations.

My stay in Mumbai got me connected to people from France, India, US, and many other countries.

Some of these hostels even have parties, board game nights, and so many exciting activities. One thing is for sure; you will never be lonely. There are hostels in almost every city in the world. Even America is coming up with hostels. But yes, Europe has probably the highest number.

Not every hostel is the same. Each of them have their own vibe, ambiance, and feel. If you are a digital nomad and have the luxury of working from anywhere in the world, you could live your desired lifestyle on a budget by just traveling from place to place.

Summary

The reason you stay at a travelers hostel is – for the price and for the people.  If you prefer solitude and don’t want to be bothered, then this is not for you. But if you are an adventurer and want to meet new people, then you should try this out.

The biggest challenge when traveling is the cost of accommodation. If you can bring down the price of housing while meeting new people, that’s a fabulous deal.

Tell us about your hostel experiences in the comments section below.

After I checked out the Travellers Hostel where my friend stayed, I thought it was a great concept which is very popular in Europe but still catching on in India.

When I chose to visit Mumbai, I thought why not try out a backpackers hostel Mumbai. It would be an excellent opportunity to meet new people.

It was my first stay at a traveler’s hostel ever.

I booked my stay from hostelworld. And the price was lower than any hotel room around.

It took me a while to find the place. But once I did find the place, it didn’t look great from the outside. At least, not like in the pictures. Since I had purchased my stay already, I walked in. I was pleasantly surprised.

It was a beautiful Portuguese house transformed into a hostel. I love the old world architecture.

The guy who received me at the reception was warm and welcoming. His name was Imran. I was early, and my check-in was at 12 pm. But I sat down and had a long conversation with Imran who seemed like a friendly guy.

Before I realized, it was 12, and Imran showed me my bed.

I kept my stuff in the room and headed for a shower. The bathrooms were nice and clean, very well-maintained.

I then dressed up and headed out for my work.

In the evening, I got back to the hostel. I met a lot of interesting people. There were a bunch of kids from the US. There were quite a few Americans, and people from all over the world – Russia, France, and many others.

I then got out some of the local liquor I had purchased at the store and shared it with my new roomies. Everyone seemed to be socializing and having a great time. We drank, partied, and danced till like 2 am in the morning.  It was a beautiful experience.

The location is also fantastic, in Bandra West, close to all the pubs and nightlife.

Overall, I would give the place 5/5 for cleanliness, 5/5 for hospitality and friendly staff, 4.5/5 for the quality of guests, and 4.5/5 for the vibe and experience.

If you are considering staying at a backpackers hostel Mumbai, this one’s a good bet!