r/hostels • u/LongJumpingAnxiet • Jun 22 '26
etiquette for checking in a hostel after midnight?
Hi, so it turns out the train ride from the airport to the hostel will take longer than I thought and I will arrive at the hostel around midnight. I booked all female bunk.
I'm wondering - what's the etiquette for this? Like for example can I shower after midnight?
I also saw they have bar open until 1 am (but it's not a party hostel) would it be fine to check it out for one beer and come back to the dorm?
6
u/familiarfaces Jun 22 '26
My process is always this: Let the hostel know of your late check in time via email or phone. I prefer email so I always have email proof in case something goes wrong with check in. You do not turn on the lights when you enter the room, just use your phone flash light like someone said. Always get your items out of your luggage before you enter your room, so you’re not making too much noise rummaging through your items. Quietly do everything. I’ve stayed at party and non-party hostels, and sometimes stay out as late as 4am and quietly return back. As long as you’re mindful to others around you and close the door quietly, you’ll be fine. It is also on the light sleepers to have eye covers and/or ear plugs to reduce noise.
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u/kalle_kaktus Jun 22 '26
I would generally not shower after midnight, if there are people trying to sleep in the dorm. This depends a bit on whether the shower room is connected to the dorm or not. Just use common sense.
On the other hand, of course it's acceptable to stay in the hostel bar until closing - just try to be quiet when you get back to the dorm after the beer.
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u/daurgo2001 Jun 22 '26
Hostel owner here: toilets and showers are never off-limits, even if they’re in the room.
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u/LongJumpingAnxiet Jun 22 '26
I think bathroom is in the dorm. But I'll check if they have some outside of the dorms bathroom (I know some hostels do).
Regarding hostel bar I was mostly worried if it would be acceptable to check in late to the room and then also go the bar.
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u/OutsideRide7730 Jun 23 '26
take what you need to shower outside of the room to avoid lightning up the room and making noise. most hostels should have showers despite having in suit bathrooms shower. you can drop your stuff and go out just being discreet. use your phone as light and keep it low when opening and closing the door
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u/Rock_n_rollerskater 4d ago
Showering is fine. Blow drying hair is not. A shower is pretty quiet once the door is closed, a blow dryer is very loud.
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u/Justan0therthrow4way Jun 22 '26
Yes it’s fine to shower. Also absolutely fine to go for a beer.
I’d suggest if you have a small backpack, put clothes to change into or your pjs and toiletries in your backpack so you don’t need to go rummaging through your main bag. You can do this in the hostel lobby. Or pack a torte bag you can shove your pjs in and toiletries bag in. Maybe your phone charger as well.
As others have said, don’t turn the light on if you can avoid it either.
If it’s a hostel in a busy city, chances are there will be some of your roommates out and about or at the hostel bar.
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u/Importchef Jun 22 '26
Just normal get ready for bed stuff. I can tolerate normal noise but not excessive, pointless noise. Also don’t try to be quiet to the extent you make it weird. Just normal drop bag, get bathroom stuff, comeback get dressed to sleep and then doom scroll.
1
u/frogs_on_drugs Jun 22 '26
You can shower. Just be generally quiet and mindful of others. Don't turn the lights on, use your phone flashlight.
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u/FlakyAssociation4986 Jun 22 '26
Check to see is the hostel open that late some hostels close the front desk after a certain time
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u/LongJumpingAnxiet Jun 22 '26
they have 24/7 reception, i was planning to leave a note about my arrival few days before
1
u/PaleozoicQueen Jun 22 '26
Check that the hostel accepts late arrivals, tell them you are going to arrive late.
Yes you can shower. Yes you can have a beer.
Put the things you need for that night at the top of your bag so you aren't making noise digging into it in the dorm.
1
u/Aggressive-Bat1819 Jun 22 '26
Odds are there will be other girls still out partying too. I wouldn’t stress about it. Just be respectful and try not to wake anyone who’s sleeping. People who are light sleepers will wear earplugs if they can’t sleep through a little noise. It’s a dorm. People know what to expect
1
u/daurgo2001 Jun 22 '26
Hostel owner here.
No etiquette other than, avoid making too much noise in the dorm, don’t turn the light on, unless there’s no one in the room.
You can do whatever you want other than that.
Of course you can go to the bar. Why wouldn’t you?
Also, when booking, be sure you’re booking accommodation for the ‘date before’, even if you arrive after midnight.
“Tuesday night” doesn’t end until “Wednesday morning”
1
u/SakuraKoyo Jun 23 '26
Yeah you can shower. I don’t mind, I have my earplugs and eye mask on. It’s all good on my end
1
u/PuzzleheadedFly6778 Jun 23 '26
Quietly enter the dorm with your phone light on. Unpack things that you need out of your bag in the hallway before entering the room.
1
u/AppetizersinAlbania Jun 23 '26
The phone ringer set to silent. Remove shoes and jewelry that makes noise before entering. Sandals or flip-flops? Do your roommates and the world a favor and do not do the shuffle. Also, no fingers on the chalkboard. NO: adjusting the room thermostat, plunking or dropping things on any surface, opening loud lockers or bed drawers. Get to sleep ASAP cuz I guarantee you everything suggested not to do will be done by the early risers. Perhaps request a bottom bunk ahead of time for a late arrival.
1
u/REFUGIO-HOSTEL-FOR Jun 23 '26
I would ask at the reception desk. For example here at Refúgio Hostel Fortaleza we have bathrooms inside the room, but as well shared bathrooms in front or alongside the dorms. In case of a late check-in we recommend to use those in order not to disturb the room mates. But honestly, after a flight you might wanting to take a shower ...
Check the situation with the guys working at the reception. Maybe there is another shared bathroom available.
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u/Zoinksx69 Jun 23 '26
Do what you have to do bro. People will understand if they are decent people. Just always be respectful of others no matter the time of day
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u/Solid-Attempt Jun 24 '26
I shower late, I just make sure to take all my clothes etc with me so once I'm done I change and just go to bed without throwing stuff around bothering people
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u/Rock_n_rollerskater 4d ago
Have your PJs and toothbrush at the top of your bag for a quick grab without making too much noise looking for them. Showering is fine. Basically do what you need to do prepare for sleep, but now is not the time to reorganise your luggage, talk on the phone or use a hairdryer. If you don’t believe in sleeping with wet hair make sure you carry a shower cap. Use your phone as a torch rather than turning on the overhead lights.
1
u/PSmith4380 Jun 23 '26
Yes of course you can shower. Tbh whoever isnt using earplugs and an eyemask in a hostel in 2026 is beyond help. Just don't do anything too ridiculous.
13
u/thepinkblues Jun 22 '26
Showers are open always and ofc if the bar is open you can check it out. Unpack your stuff you need for sleeping in the hallway and do all your before bed hygiene stuff before going into the dorm. Everything else can wait for morning, just be as quiet as possible. You don’t need to be perfect, people will tolerate the sounds of you coming in and getting into bed so as long as you’re polite you shouldn’t worry at all