Which is best, the top or bottom bunk in a hostel dorm room? I’m here to help you decide as not all hostel beds are made equal! Your first stay in a hostel can be a daunting experience, and although a good night’s sleep unfortunately can’t be guaranteed, choosing the right hostel bed can go a long way to help! So, let’s go through which type of room you should choose, and debate whether the top or bottom bunk is better!
Hostel Room Types
Once you’ve decided to stay in a hostel instead of other kinds of backpacker accommodation, the next decision to make is what kind of room to stay in. Hostels are known for having shared dorm rooms which typically have several bunk beds, but many also have private rooms.
Hostel dorm rooms vary in size from four people (two sets of bunk beds) up to 12, 18 or even 20+ people. Generally, the larger the capacity, the cheaper a bed will be as you’re sharing with more people.
Usually, dorm rooms are mixed-gender, but it is becoming more common to have some women-only dorms available, and some men-only dorms too.
The main benefits of shared hostel dorms are cost and meeting people. It is hard to beat the price of a dorm room bed, and it is easy to make friends with the people in your dorm, you already have travel in common so it is a great way to break the ice and get some company for dinner.
However, sharing a room with others can mean you get woken up at various times during the night as people come in and out, there may be someone who snores, or who is very messy, smelly or has some other unpleasant traits!
There is also more of a security risk, especially in hostels that don’t have lockers available to keep valuables stored away.
Even when I’m backpacking on a budget, sometimes I like to splash out and treat myself to a private room, especially before or after a long trek or when I really need my own space! But this does push the cost up, so if you’re budget conscious then sharing a room is best for you.
Twin / triple / quad rooms are great if you’re travelling with friends as you can have the space for just you and your group and fewer security worries.
Of course, couples usually prefer to have a private double room so they can have alone time together, and the extra cost shared between two isn’t much more than two dorm beds.
Families would need to book a private room in a hostel, as under-18s aren’t usually allowed in hostel dorms.
Choosing the Right Hostel Bed in a Dorm
Most hostels have bunk beds in their shared rooms. Sometimes they may have single beds, and occasionally you might find a double bed in the dorm. Some even cram in triple bunk beds, so you could find yourself being metres from the floor – not ideal if you’re scared of heights!
The style of bunk bed can vary a lot – Some hostels have metal bunk beds which may deter bed bugs, but they can be squeaky and tend to move a lot as you’re climbing up and down. Wooden stand-alone beds can be a little quieter but still move around.
Fixed bunk beds which are attached the wall and floor or ceiling-like pods are much better as they don’t move and are a lot quieter. They feel sturdier and usually offer more privacy as they often have curtains attached.
Choosing the right hostel bed can make a big difference in how well you sleep, although some hostels will allocate you a dorm bed before you even arrive, so if you have any firm preference it is best to ask for it when you make your reservation. Personally, I prefer a bottom bunk bed, so I always ask if they can hold one for me. Usually, it works!
Otherwise, try to arrive as close to the start of check-in time as possible, so you have more chance of getting your first choice of bed.
Choosing the Hostel Bunk Beds Location
If you have a choice of a hostel bed, here are some things to think about before you settle on the bunk bed:
Other Beds
Are the bunk beds close together? Will you basically be sleeping next to someone or have their feet close to your head? I always choose a bed as far away from everyone else as possible to reduce disturbances during the night.
Power Sockets
Is there a power socket by your bed to charge your phone overnight? If not, then use a portable charger
Toilet / Main door
How close is the bed to the bathroom? Or the main door? People will be coming in and out of the doors all night, shutting them loudly & turning the lights on, potentially flooding your bed with bright light. Essential items for hostel stays like eye mask
Air Con
Air conditioning can be a blessing and a curse in dorm rooms. If your bed is right in front of the unit you will be blasted with freezing cold air to the extent you wished you had a blanket and a woolly hat. Or even worse, sometimes air con units drip onto the bed below so you could end up cold and wet!
Window
If there are good curtains or blinds in the room this won’t be an issue, but more often than not the curtains in hostels leave a lot to be desired. As soon as the sun comes up, a bed next to an east-facing window will get light far too early, and potentially hot if the sun comes in.
Windows also tend to be noisier than on the other side of the room as they aren’t very soundproof. However, in warm places, a pleasant breeze through the window can help keep you cool – preferably without mosquitoes coming in!
Lockers
Check the location of the lockers in the room. Avoid having someone else’s locker next to your pillow as it is a horrible way to wake up and find someone standing over you as they lock away their valuables! Metal lockers are the worst for this as they make a lot of noise at even the lightest touch.
Choose your Hostel Bed: Top vs Bottom Bunk
Once you’ve decided on the location of your bed, is a bottom or a top bunk better?
Advantages of a Bottom Bunk in a Hostel Dorm
I always prefer the bottom bunk, and here’s why:
- No worries about falling down the ladder when climbing up or down
- If you drop something out of bed it’s easy to recover
- Chilling out, putting shoes on, packing your backpack – all easier sitting down on your bed as long as it is close to the floor!
- Easy access to your belongings around you
- Under the bed can be a handy storage area
- No irrational fear of falling out of bed
- You can often strategically hang a towel from the top bunk to create a little den for more privacy & less light
Disadvantages of the Bottom Bunk
However, there are some downsides of having the bottom bunk:
- It is annoying having someone above you rolling around
- You will probably wake up every time they go up or down the ladder, potentially trampling you if you tend to spread out in bed starfish style.
- I consistently hit my head while getting in and out of bed
- Some bottom bunks don’t have enough space to sit up straight so end up being even less comfortable than the top bunk
So, in some cases, it might be best to choose a top bunk – especially where the bottom bunk doesn’t have enough space to sit up.
Want to book a hostel for your next trip? Check out HostelWorld for listings and prices
What do you think? Do you prefer bottom or top bunks, or do you always go for a private room? I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below!
Want More Hostel Posts?
Check out these blog posts to learn more about staying in a hostel, and some tips for working in a hostel as a volunteer or click here to read all of my accommodation posts.Like this post? Pin it to read later:
I usually go for the top bed because I have this (irrational?) fear of a stranger creeping into bed with me while I’m sleeping in a bottom bunk. Maybe it comes from train travel around Europe in couchettes? But the bit about creating some privacy on the bottom bunk is genius… I should try it next time!
I admit that I’ve never stayed at a hostel, but I appreciate the tips if I’m ever in a situation that I may stay in one. Good tip about the bottom bunk… Extra storage is always appreciated!
Yes, I always use the lockers – although I once had stuff stolen from a locker so sometimes I give my passport/laptop to reception to put in their safe! I prefer a private room too but sometimes budget doesn’t allow! 😀
Excellent considerations and aspects, especially for beginners! I consider myself a hostel pro and choosing a private room is always the best. Do you always use the locker in a shared room?
I’m a top bunk person. I like one that’s up against a wall, though. I’ve found that people coming in or out disturb me less when I’m up top. I agree though that it’s super important to be by a power outlet!
Great tips about staying in hostels. Must say, I agree with you about the bottom bunk. I’ve always found it easier to stay on the bottom for all the reasons you mentioned!
I am in the category of a travel couple, so we opt for our own space whenever possible, but sometimes the hostel is inevitable because of the price. If you are a light sleeper and you value sleep at all, hostels can really be a nightmare. It seems like I always end up in the ones that have a loud party in the common area until the sun comes up the next morning, with kids playing drums and or something equally loud all night long. We really don’t travel to party, which is contrary to the hostel scene in a lot of places.
As far as bed choice goes, luckily as a couple they usually give us the same bunk bed. Sometimes though, we have come in late and we end up on opposite sides of the room from each other which always feels kind of funny.
p.s. You forgot to include a picture when you said “use a portable charger like this one.”
Bottom for sure! There comes an age when climbing up and down a latter to use the restroom just doesn’t work… and I’m pass that age!
The power socket tip is invaluable! There is little worse that grabbing a great bed in a room, only to find out that there is no easy way to charge your gear!
These are great tips especially for those who haven’t tried staying at a hostel yet. And a power socket near the bed is really useful. It’s something to take note of when choosing a bed.
You’ve really thought this through. I would have never thought of looking for a bed with a power socket by it. And I love the idea of hanging up a towel or sarong to create a private space. I’d still opt for the top probably though, as it seems so much more fun.
Good tips. I would have preferred top bed but now I see the advantages of the lower bed. 🙂
The benefit of going with a twin or quad room over the more expensive private room, is that sometimes you end up getting the whole thing to yourself anyway when no one else checks-in!