Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Pack a small sleeping bag liner or a set of lightweight sheets. Many hostels do not provide linens or may offer linen that do not meet your sanitary preferences.
Place a small quantity of toilet paper into a zip-loc bag and keep in your travel bag. Like the linens, hostels do not always provide toilet paper. Keep a quantity for emergencies at the hostel.
Bring a small padlock or combination lock. Some hostels provide footlockers or cubbies with lock latches. Lock your belongings in these cubbies with your own lock giving an added level of security with your belongings.
Program your laptop or smartphone with the website addresses of hostel directories. As your plans change you need to find lodging. Having the websites bookmarked allows you to look up hostels as you go. In addition, many directories tell you what the hostels offer; they say if there are hot showers, fresh linen or breakfasts included.
Book your hostels online or via telephone to ensure you have lodging when you arrive in your destination city. In addition, be prepared to hand over your passport when you arrive as many hostels hold your passport until you check out. Bring another form of ID to keep on you during your stay.
Spread your sleeping bag liner out on your bed, or make your bed with your linen. Place a small note saying you are occupying the bed, or if the hostel provides markers, place that in the appropriate place indicating the bed is occupied.
Get to know the other hostelers. One benefit of hosteling is meeting other travelers and learning of their adventures. Ask what they have seen and where they have been and see if there are any "must see places" as a result of the interactions.