I've Been Staying in Hostels for 10 Years — Here Are the 11 Safety Devices I Won't Check in Without, From $9

As a solo traveler who loves to go on international trips, I firmly believe that hostels are the way to go. Don’t get me wrong; I love a glitzy suite with a view, but hostels are budget-friendly, they also provide a sense of community and camaraderie that traditional hotels can’t replicate. And contrary to what the 2005 horror film Hostel suggests, these low-cost dorms are actually pretty safe. Despite staying at international hostels for nearly 10 years, I’ve yet to have something of mine stolen (save for a granola bar I stashed in the community fridge once). 

Still, sharing a room with total strangers doesn’t exactly feel safe, and with any form of lodging, it’s important to practice caution. Below, I’ve gathered 11 travel essentials and personal safety devices I recommend bringing along for extra security while staying at a hostel. However, these Amazon products provide peace of mind no matter where you stay. From luggage-tracking Apple AirTags to rechargeable keychain alarms, these picks start at just $9 and can help you soak up all the perks of hostel life while staying safe.

Vantamo Rechargeable Personal Alarm Keychain

As a young woman who lives in New York City and loves to travel solo, I carry a personal alarm keychain on me 24/7. These small-yet-mighty keychains blast ultra-loud sirens that alert bystanders and scare off perpetrators in the event of an attack. I especially love this option from Vantamo, which is 37 percent off now. On top of its 130-decibel siren volume, it flashes a bright strobe light to confuse assailants. It has a low battery indicator and can be recharged with the provided USB-C cable, helping to keep you safe trip after trip. 

Baggallini Securtex Anti-theft Travel Backpack

When I’m staying at a hostel, I try to keep everything (except my day bag and must-have essentials) tucked away in one of the provided lockers. To protect myself from pickpockets (and the occasional nosy dorm mate), I like to travel with an anti-theft bag that has snoop-deterring zippers. This Securtex backpack from Baggallini earned the title of “Best Locking Zippers” in Travel + Leisure’s list of best anti-theft backpacks. On sale for 25 percent off, this backpack is lined with slash-proof fabric, is equipped with cut-resistant shoulder straps, and has a built-in RFID-blocking wallet.

Apple AirTag 4-pack

If you know, you know. Losing your luggage is an absolutely gut-wrenching experience. The revolving nature and high volume of guests at hostels can make you more susceptible to misplaced luggage, which is why I recommend bringing luggage trackers with you. Get this four-pack of Apple AirTags to put one each on your carry-on, checked suitcase, backpack, and even your wallet. Simply sync the small GPS tracking discs to your Apple device’s “Find My” app, and you’ll get location updates along the way. 

Lanney RFID-blocking Money Belt

If I’m kicking back at the hostel or prepping for bed, I like to lock up everything except for my phone and a few essentials. To keep everything in one secure spot, I prefer to use a money belt rather than a sling bag or fanny pack, because they are slimmer and sit flush with your body, making them nearly undetectable underneath clothing. On top of its waterproof rip-stop fabric, breathable mesh backing, and adjustable waistband, this Lanney belt also has an RFID-blocking inner lining for added security.

Shevalues Women’s Shower Shoes

Foot fungus is one travel souvenir you definitely don’t want to take home with you. Since many hostels have communal bathrooms, I make sure to pack a pair of shower shoes with me. These Shevalues slides have perforated soles that act like a drain in the shower, which helps them dry quickly, preventing mold and bacterial growth. Lightweight, bendable, and soft, they have ergonomic footbeds and an anti-slip outsole for traction.

Diyife Large Combination Padlock

Every hostel is different when it comes to their locker system. Some provide free locks you can use; some have locks you can rent or purchase; and some even have lockers that already come with their own built-in locks. No matter the hostel, however, I always bring along my own padlock just in case. I love that this Diyife combination lock has its dials on the bottom of the lock, which makes it more difficult for someone to watch as you enter your code. It is built to withstand harsh weather conditions, too.

Lighting Ever LED Flashlight

At hostels, once it’s lights out, it’s lights out. By staying in a dorm, you agree to go to bed when everyone else does, which means the lights will typically go off at a dedicated time each night. I like keeping a mini flashlight on me for late-night bathroom trips. While it’s true that smartphones come with their own flashlight function, using it— even for a short period of time — can drain your battery quickly, and every percent counts when you’re away from home. This $10 mini flashlight comes with a wrist strap and its own set of AAA batteries, so you can start using it immediately.

Hygea Natural Extra Strength Bed Bug & Mite Travel Spray

My luck with hostels has been great so far, and I’ve yet to experience one that had a bed bug problem, but ever since the Paris bed bug catastrophe of 2023, I make sure to thoroughly inspect my bed beforehand. I like to throw a bed bug spray into my carry-on as an extra precaution, and this pint-sized option from woman-owned brand Hygea Natural is perfect for travel. Formulated with just seven non-toxic ingredients, the potent spray is safe enough to spray directly onto your pillows and sheets, yet powerful enough to kill bed bugs, lice, dust mites, and fleas. 

Sure Lock TSA Luggage Locks 2-pack

It’s never a bad idea to lock up your luggage, but it’s an especially good idea when you’re staying in a high-traffic hostel. These TSA-approved luggage locks are made of hardened stainless steel and have flexible cables that can fit into the zipper openings of your bag. One five-star reviewer, who frequently stays at hostels, said they’re so great that they even gave one to a fellow hostel friend, noting they can also be used as a backup lock for lockers with smaller handles that might not be able to accommodate traditional padlocks. 

Addalock Portable Door Lock

It doesn’t matter if I’m staying in a luxury hotel suite or a remote cabin. I take extra precautions to stay safe wherever I go. If I’m booking a private room at a hostel, I’ll bring along an additional door lock for peace of mind. This Addalock portable door lock takes a matter of seconds to set up, takes up little  space in my luggage, and works with just about any inward-swinging door. It’s earned over 13,000 five-star ratings, some of which came from solo female travelers, like myself. “As a female, having this lock provides me with peace of mind when I am staying in hotels,” wrote one reviewer, while one senior solo traveler shared that they “highly recommend it for travel safety,” noting how easy installation was thanks to its simple design.

Charmast Portable Charger

Typically, shared dorms at hostels have plenty of power outlets to go around. But unless you’re lucky enough to snag a bed that’s right next to an outlet — or have an extra-long charging cable that can reach from your bed to the nearest  — charging your phone at night can be tricky. Since having a fully-charged phone is paramount for staying safe, I always pack a portable charger for times I can’t easily access an outlet. This Charmast portable charger, on sale for $25, comes with built-in cables that allow you to charge up to three devices at once. It comes with an LED screen displaying exactly how much battery is remaining, and plugs directly into an outlet when you need to recharge it. 

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