Find the right one. The two most important factors in finding the right hostel for yourself is the location and price. Most hostels in New York City are in Manhattan, though there are a few in Brooklyn and Queens. Find a hostel that is close to a subway stop to save time on traveling. Most hostels in New York range from $20 to $40 a night.
Be prepared for your living arrangements. Read about your hostel before you go. Figure out if there are any security lockers and whether or not you have to bring your own lock. Bring shower shoes, as you will be sharing the bathroom with strangers. Most hostels now have Wi-Fi Internet access. Only bring a laptop computer if you think it will fit in the security lockers. If you have room in your luggage, it might be wise to bring your own pillow or blanket (see Resources below).
Bring an optimistic attitude. Don't go to your hostel thinking it will be like a nice hotel. When you get there you might be a little shocked on how hostels look. You might have to lower your expectations. Remember, you're just there to sleep. In the end, you get what you pay for.
Get to know your roommates. Take advantage of the opportunity to get know people from all over the country and the world.
Be as considerate as possible to your roommates. Everyone will most likely be on a different schedule from you, so if someone is taking a nap in the middle of the day, it doesn't give you an excuse to be loud. If you're quiet, they will probably return the favor when you sleep.
