Do hostels provide toiletries?
From my experiences at hotels, I'm used to toiletries (soap, shampoo, etc.) being provided.
Do hostels also provide these, or do I need to bring my own? Do hostels provide towels as well, or will I need to travel H2G2-style?
Best Answer
Almost always, you bring your own, however...
Hostel sites like Hostelbookers often indicate whether or not items like towels are available for rent, or provided.
Some I've seen will sell toothpaste and deodorant and the like.
Personally, I bring a towel and toiletries, and almost always I've needed them. It's generally a surprise when I don't.
Pictures about "Do hostels provide toiletries?"
Do hostels usually provide towels?
A good hostel usually provides towels for free. But many hostels charge a fee or require a deposit. Therefore, it is recommended to bring along your towel. In the case that the hostel provides you a towel, use them because if you can safe time packing it and if not entirely dry, the towel will smell bad.What does a hostel include?
A hostel is a lower-priced inn of sorts that offers basic, shared accommodations. Typically, a hostel features a large room with separate beds, a shared bathroom, and a communal kitchen. Some hostels have private rooms, but the lower-cost ones generally offer bunk beds.What facilities do hostels provide?
A hostel is a type of sociable budget accommodation, where guests can rent a bed that's usually in a shared dormitory room. Most hostels offer shared lounge and kitchen facilities, and many hostels also offer private rooms at a higher rate, typically with shared bathroom.What do you need to bring to a hostel?
Here we share our top 10 hostel essentials that you should make sure you pack into your backpack before you leave for your trip.Hostel Essentials | What to pack for a hostel | Are electronic items allowed in hostel? | Vet Visit
More answers regarding do hostels provide toiletries?
Answer 2
As already mentioned toiletries are very rare. Towels depend a lot but if the hostel doesn't provide them for free they usually provide them for a fee (all the cases I've witnessed were for an affordable fee).
I was never in an hostel without toilet paper. In the worst case if you ask at the reception they will quickly solve that.
A rare case, but that you should be prepared for (check in advance) is the possibility of the hostel not providing bed linen by default. Either you have to bring it or rent it in the hostel. Sometimes sleeping bags are not accepted as a bed linen replacement.
A good source of information before traveling is www.hostelworld.com
You can find an intersting article here about what to expect from an hostel.
Here's another a bit more generic.
Answer 3
Hotels are targeting businessmen travelling with a briefcase. You usually don't carry soap or towel in your suitcase.
Hostels are targeting backpackers which are expected to bring a lot of things with them. While all the hostels I've stayed in had soap in the bathroom, and they've also provided towels (some for free, some for an extra charge). Shampoo, razors, body creams, if available, were what previous guests had left behind. So simply take your own things with you.
In case the weight is the extreme consideration (air travel) check if there's a supermarket nearby. It's hard to expect such things would be hard to purchase in the place there are hostels, maybe with the exception of German-speaking countries on Sunday ;)
The towel - you can take a little one with you. In the worst case it would be a bit harder to dry your whole body, but it's recommended to have a little towel with you always when you travel - if you'd need to clean yourself in a plane or train etc.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Kamaji Ogino, Kamaji Ogino, Mikhail Nilov, Diego Pontes