The 8 types of backpackers you’ll see in hostels

If you’re going to backpack, you’re going to have to go to hostels. As seasoned travelers, we’ve already been through a lot, but the types you encounter in hostels never cease to amaze you. Can you guess which category we fall into?

I’VE GOT A SABBATICAL

Perhaps the largest export factor in the Netherlands: young people taking an intermediate year and going on a trip. Before or after studying, or sometimes in between: actually, there are a lot of possibilities to take an intermediate year. These young backpackers are full of energy and say yes to everything. With the lack of life experience, this type of backpacker is unfortunately a little less pleasant to share with your bunk bed: chaos is everywhere.

THE PARTY ANIMAL

Some backpackers travel purely for the parties. The party animals are the gangsters, but can be a bit disrespectful to the local customs. And our hostel experience teaches us that it’s hard to be gentle when you’re drunk, so there’s rarely anyone happy with a party animal in their dormitory. Unless, of course, it’s a party hostel.

THE PLAYER

The solo backpackers who don’t like to sleep alone, the nightmare of every other traveler. Nothing is as unpleasant as hearing nocturnal adventures from a mere two meters away.

THE PERMANENT RESIDENT

Sometimes a traveller stays too long and becomes a permanent resident of the hostel. Often they have found (temporary) work and find it fine to stay. Unfortunately, this type of person often has little interest in the ‘moving people’ and often does his own thing.

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THE HOBO

Wanderer or ultimate low-budget backpacker; this type of backpacker doesn’t even seem to have the money for shampoo or soap. With such a backpacker in your dormitory, you’d better throw open the windows.

THE WORLDER

Environmentally conscious vegan adventurer or eternal volunteer: just a selection from the range. These travellers feel personally responsible for making the world a better place. They like to talk about this too, so if you fall into a different category of traveler, maybe avoid this type in your hostel – otherwise you’ll never get back in time for your party.

THE HIPPIE

This type is not so much concerned with the environment or the well-being of others, but is mainly looking for itself. They like to come to a hostel after a quiet retreat, to recover (with alcohol) from all the revelations they have experienced with themselves.

THE SEASONED BACKPACKER

This type always makes you feel bad about your own travels. Whatever you’ve done, this backpacker has always done something tougher/interesting or seen something more beautiful. Boss over boss. You appealed to this type to ask for some tips, but leave the hostel depressed, because your travels will never be as epic as those of the seasoned backpacker.