Mixed Dormitory Rooms in Hostels: Are Coed Hostels Best for You?

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Searching for a hostel and “mixed dormitory” popped up? Mixed dormitory is another word for co-ed (males and females in the same room). Read to learn more!

Staying in a hostel is a budget-friendly way to see the world, make international friends, and experience the world outside your comfort zone.

One aspect of staying in hostels that may be out of your comfort zone is staying in a mixed dormitory room. That is, a room where men and women bunk together.

Although this concept is foreign—and perhaps uncomfortable—to many Americans, mixed dorm hostels (aka coed hostels) are quite common in Europe and many other parts of the world.

In the end, you’ll have to decide if you feel comfortable booking a mixed dorm room. If you’re not comfortable or just don’t want to, that’s totally okay! There are female-only and male-only dorms available in most hostels as well.

We’ve put together his article to help you decide if staying in a mixed dormitory room is right for you.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Mixed Dorm

First time hostel-goers may find sleeping in a mixed dorm awkward.

From experience, I can tell you that it can be! But, it can also be totally fine.

1. Women’s dorms might be cleaner

For women, one of the first things that comes to mind when potentially staying in the same room as men is the cleanliness factor.

Smelly socks and shoes, farts, and snoring are just not enjoyable things to deal with.

Ask any married woman.

For this reason alone, women may want to choose female-only dorms.

Interestingly, I’ve heard men cite the same reason for preferring mixed dorms over men’s dorms!

Before you decide, do take into account that women can be just as messy as men. Make-up, clothes strewn about, and women’s feminine hygiene items are not a nice sight, either!

2. Mixed dorms are cheaper

When you book, you’ll see the mixed dorms are typically bigger rooms with more bunks: 10-14 beds per room is not uncommon. In comparison, single-sex rooms typically contain 4-10 bunks.

Since mixed dorms often have more beds in the room (and are less likely to have an en-suite bathroom), it also makes them cheaper.

Therefore, if budget is your top concern, move forward with booking a mixed dorm room.

However, this isn’t always the case, so do your research.

3. Your own safety

Is it safe to stay in a mixed dorm?

For the most part, yes.

Most people are at the hostel to do the same thing you are: see the sights and sleep.

That being said, there’s always a chance for something to go wrong—no matter where you stay.

To protect yourself, always keep your wits about you, and trust your gut. Say something if you feel uncomfortable.

For example, if you end up being the only woman in the room, you could ask to change rooms. Staff is usually understanding, but there aren’t always open bunks. Try to head this off by requesting to not be alone with all men when you check in.

Also, accept that you may need to pay more to “upgrade” rooms or move to a different hostel. It’s okay to do this if you feel unsafe.

Hostel Tip: The biggest safety threat in hostels is actually petty theft. Get a cable luggage lock for your belongings, and keep your small valuables safe with a money pouch.

4. The bathroom and shower situation

Although you’re sharing a dorm room with the opposite sex, some hostels have gender-specific bathrooms in the hallway. (Don’t forget to bring flip flops to wear in the shower!)

Other times, the bathroom is ensuite (in the room). Obviously, it’s a little harder to keep private in this situation. But, you usually have a curtain, door, or other type of divided changing area.

If you choose a same-sex room, it’s more likely that the bathroom will be ensuite.

Learn more in our top 10 tips for staying in hostels.

5. Privacy, modesty, and personal space

You’ll quickly notice that every culture views privacy, personal space, and modesty differently.

Some are fairly liberal in that aspect, and others are more conservative.

I’m not going to lie: this can lead to some hilarious cross-cultural encounters!

Wherever you fall, pay special attention to respecting the privacy and modesty of both yourself and others when staying in a mixed room.

This includes:

• Change in the bathrooms, not in front of others in the room.
  
• Wear appropriate pajamas. (Lounge or athletic wear like comfy tops and capri pants that double as “regular” clothing work well.)
  
• Hang a sarong or microfiber towel between bunks to create some division. (See more hostel essentials here.) This works especially well when bunks are close together. Some hostels even include individual privacy curtains.

In the end, remember to respect others’ choices and culture. Although you might find someone’s sleepwear inappropriate or wish they’d stop invading your personal space, don’t worry about it. You will sleep well knowing you’ve done the best you can to make others feel comfortable in the mixed dormitory.

Reminder: Once you’ve decided on room type, don’t forget to add travel insurance to your trip planning to-do-list. It can cover injury, theft, and trip interruptions. (Check your individual policy for details). We think travel insurance is a must, no matter which type of room you choose!

6. The type of hostel

Not every hostel has lots of bunks in mixed dorms.

In fact, there are many different types of hostels.

While cheaper, budget hostels may offer rooms with 10-14 beds. Others offer private rooms, doubles, triples or even family rooms. These offerings are often akin to budget hotels.

Thus, it’s important to take into consideration the type of hostel when deciding whether or not you want to stay in a mixed dorm. For instance, the awkwardness might be different at a youth hostel than a 50+ retreat hostel, don’t you?

You might even find that under certain circumstances, a mixed dorm isn’t awkward at all!

7. Do it for the experience

Next comes your comfort level: Do you feel comfortable staying in a mixed dorm?

If so, give it a try!

If you’re nervous or morally opposed to sharing a room with the opposite sex, that’s equally valid. Go ahead: choose a same-sex room.

On the other hand, if you want to get out of your comfort zone and try booking a mixed dorm (or if there aren’t any same sex dorms available) here are a few ideas to consider:

• On lower bunks, you can drape your sarong as a privacy curtain.
• Ask for a bunk bed that faces a wall to avoid the dreaded middle-of-the-room bunk: Who wants lots of people facing you when you sleep?!
• Try a pod hotel (like the Sunset Destination Hostel in Lisbon, Portugal pictured above).

8. Choose a hostel wisely

One of the ways to avoid problems is to choose your hostel wisely.

We recommend going to a site like Hostelworld.com (largest inventory of hostels, worldwide) or Booking.com start your research.

Look for details that will help you make your decision:

• CCTV video cameras
• Amount of beds per room
• Lockers
• Cleanliness
• Electronic key cards, keys, codes, or no locks at all

Whatever is important to you or will put your mind at ease, look for. These sites have almost every detail available for you to see!

More considerations for female dormitory rooms

I prefer to book female-only dormitory rooms, but the reality is it’s not always an option. Let’s explore this a bit.

Availability of female dorms

First, female dorms aren’t always available.

For example, there are very few women’s dorm rooms along the Camino de Santiago. In that case, my only choice was to stay in mixed dorms. Fortunately, I made some friends, and we booked together for much of the trip. It made me feel more comfortable knowing at least one person in the room.

Next, if you book last minute, sometimes the only option left is a mixed dormitory room. In this case, the choice will be made for you! To avoid this, book in advance, especially during the high season.

Cultural differences

By the way, remember what I said earlier about different cultures having different perceptions of modesty? I’ve gotten a lot of surprised looks over the years that fretting over a mixed dorm is even an issue for women—from other women, too!

Then again, I’ve met people that are extremely uncomfortable with the ideas of staying in a mixed dormitory room (hence, the idea for this blog post.)

Whatever the case, take some time to do some research on the culture of the place you’re visiting. You may learn some surprising, yet useful, lessons.

Ideas for women who prefer female-only rooms

Given all this, here are some ideas for those who prefer female-only dormitories:

• If female-only rooms aren’t available, book a private room. Calculate this in your budget.
• Book early so that you can get a female dorm in a location of your preference within your budget.
• Consider a hotel or vacation rental.
• Go with a friend, or find some female friends along your journey with whom you can share a room.
• Book a female-only hostel like the Hostelle in Amsterdam (pictured above), a female-only hostel that aims to decrease the stress of your stay so that you can focus on sightseeing and enjoying Amsterdam.

If you’re a woman, especially one traveling solo, you are allowed to express concerns over staying in a mixed dorm. Don’t let anyone dismiss your feelings on the matter.

Instead, take inventory of the tips we’ve gone over, and choose the best option for yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions on Staying in Mixed-Gender Dorms

What is it like staying in a coed room in a hostel?

Staying in a coed room in a hostel can range from barely noticeable (like when you fall asleep before anyone else arrives) to a little awkward! In the end, though, you’re all there to sleep, and it’s really not that big of a deal.

What are coed hostels in Europe?

Coed hostels are open to all genders, and rooms typically have both men and women sleeping in them in bunks.

Are the hostels in showers coed?

No, the hostels in showers are not typically coed. There is usually a shower room for women and one for men. Sometimes, the sink area is co-ed or the bathroom is shared by everyone (e.g. one bathroom for four people, where you’d use it at separate times).

What is the purpose of coed hostel room?

It is cheaper to offer coed hostel rooms as proprietors can fill them up as they are booked.

What is the difference between a coed dorm vs all female hostel?

Coed dorms will have both men and women staying in them. All female hostels are becoming more common in Europe, and are for women to stay, feel safe, and network. Both options offer great opportunities for meeting like-minded travelers.

Are all hostel rooms coed/mixed?

No, not all hostel rooms are coed. Most hostels (but not all) offer coed/mixed dorm, female-only, and male-only options.

Do hostels have female only rooms?

A lot, if not most, hostels have female only rooms.

Have fun, mixed dormitory room or not

Overall, I’ve had fantastic experiences at hostels all over the world. Because that’s what they are—experiences. Ones you can cherish, shudder over, or laugh about for a lifetime.

That’s what I want for you, my friend.

I hope this article on staying (or not staying) in mixed dormitory rooms has helped you make an informed choice prior to booking.

Lastly, whether choose to stay in mixed dorms or same sex dorms, may you have an experience you’ll never forget!

Staying hostels? You may also like…

Planning a trip where you’ll stay in hostels? Check out these articles:

• Hostel Safety: 10 Practical Tips for Staying Safe in Hostels
• How Do Hostels Work: The Ultimate Guide to Staying in Hostels
• Hostel Essentials: Hostel Packing List
• 12 Types of Hostels: Which one should you stay in?

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