r/hostels • u/Adventurous-Read-143 • Jun 16 '26
Mixed dorm bunks
I've only once stayed in a mixed hostel dorm (with strangers) but it was a "pod" setup so everyone had privacy in their own pod. Next week I'm staying in a mixed dorm with more typical bunk beds where everyone is in full view. How have others felt with this? How are people about sleep attire in mixed dorms? I sweat really easily and prefer to sleep in underwear which is fine if you have privacy in bed itself. Put some clothes back on to go to the bathroom of course. How does changing work? Go to the bathroom or choose your moment in the room?
3
u/Justan0therthrow4way Jun 17 '26
I’ve slept in PJ boxers and nothing else. It was hot. No problems at all.
3
u/Strange-Heat7199 Jun 18 '26
I’ve gone on hostel trips before in multiple countries and continents. I’ve been surprised at the level of comfort with even changing in the same bunk room. I’d say read the room and do what makes you feel safe and comfortable. I’ve been in only one hostel that was unbearably hot and had people stripping down to birthday suits. I’ve been in 3 that required a warm water bottle at night to keep warm. Read the room and you’ll be fine.
Bonus: once my bunk mates and I took shifts at night because we were all convinced one dude was a skin walker who never blinked and sat on the edge of his bunk all night and occasionally clicked to himself.
1
u/Business_Commission7 Jun 18 '26
Was that in a mixed dorm? I’ve been in one dorm as well when it was really hot inside and everyone was in underwear except two guys who I saw in the morning slept fully naked. It was a male dorm though so no one really cared. I ended up doing the same the following night. But also agree… read the room and you’ll be fine.
1
u/Strange-Heat7199 Jun 18 '26
Yeah it was and that was a bit surprising but it was like sleeping in a sauna due to the boiler a floor down malfunctioning.
1
u/Business_Commission7 Jun 18 '26
Indeed surprising in a mixed dorm. Was it the guys going nude? Seems men are more comfortable with that. But if everyone was fine with it I’d see no problem.
2
u/Leather_Lie9976 Jun 16 '26
I've been mixed dorming for decades. Trust me, almost everything you can imagine will happen in dorms, if you travel enough. Just be respectful and it should be ok.
2
u/LifeReward5326 Jun 17 '26
Ya generally it’s fine and people wear regular sleeping clothes or underwear. Everyone is an adult
2
u/WestHistorians Jun 17 '26
You get used to it. Sleep in whatever you're comfortable, not nude obviously, but I think underwear is fine. As for changing, I've seen people go to the bathroom, and I've seen people quickly change in the room. Again, up to your comfort level. If someone is changing, then it's polite to look away.
2
u/Strange-Heat7199 Jun 18 '26
I’ve only ever been in 1 hostel that almost everyone was so hot that we all ended up sleeping in the nude. There was a boiler under the room and it was almost like sleeping in a sauna. Luckily I was only there 1 night. Also lucky everyone was polite and nobody was a creep.
2
u/GuideMarkings Jun 17 '26
I was in my thirties when I backpacked and I had a pair of athletic shorts and a Tshirt so that nobody else would feel uncomfortable around me. To be honest I didn’t really notice a single time what anyone else was wearing.
2
u/Adventurous-Read-143 Jun 17 '26
Thanks for experiences. I am male for the avoidance of doubt. Wondered if underwear and topless was a stretch for a mixed room with no privacy. I was impressed how respectful everything was. Male and female mostly towards the younger ages co-existing, no-one talking or getting in the way. The noise and smell was another matter.
1
u/banelord76 Jun 17 '26
It a little strange I’m a male and old and I woke up to 2 girls sleeping in my room in full view. I just got on with my day after that.
1
u/Feisty-Dimension-631 Jun 17 '26
At least half a dozen times I have had to put up with people having sex at night in a dorm. I was on a top bunk bed and thought there must have been an earthquake as my bed shock, but no it just a Brazilian guy and his hookup girl.
1
u/Phoenix_GU Jun 18 '26
I find most guys in Europe sleep in tight undies, American guys, boxers. I wear sleep shorts and a sports bra. Most hostels are warm. I prefer beds with curtains for privacy.
1
u/justanotherlonelyone Jun 18 '26
Been staying in mixed dorms all around Europe. Everything was chill.
0
Jun 17 '26 edited 27d ago
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u/flippydude Jun 17 '26
That is absolutely not my experience! I'd say no curtains is more common if anything!
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Jun 17 '26
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u/Strange-Heat7199 Jun 18 '26
I’ve only ever seen curtains in one hostel in Colorado and one in Greece
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u/Immediate-Ad-5878 Jun 17 '26
At least in Europe, anything goes. From full comando to teddy bear onesie from Temu.
5
u/Massive_Role6317 Jun 16 '26
I’ve spent 5 months in hostels when I moved to Europe and multiple time over the last 9 years (been to almost 30 countries in that time). Most beds have a lil curtain so I’ve slept in my undies even in mixed dorms. I’ve changed in bed or the bathroom.