Like many recent college grads, my friends and I were interested in celebrating our milestone in a big way and three of us decided we were going to England after graduation. Money was tight, and one way we managed to squeeze a week in London out of our meager budgets was to stay in a hostel.

I’ve been a believer in them ever since.

Hostels aren’t just for kids on a gap year or recent grads though. They’ve become so popular that some cater towards families and even senior citizens. In other parts of the world, hostels don’t have any of the stigma that Americans have attached to them.

With a little preparation, most people can still have a great travel experience by opting to put their budget towards those exorbitant entry prices on tourist sites like the Tower of London rather than staying in a hotel. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your hostel experience:

1. Be aware of safety issues.

When you start talking about hostels, it’s not unusual for people to look at you like you’ve lost your mind and start telling you horror stories. Nevertheless, with a few common sense precautions, I’ve always felt safe, even when traveling alone.

Those precautions include packing a combination lock so you can use the provided lockers to keep valuables safe. Obtain a travel pouch or belt to keep your money, credit cards and passport in. This is worn against your body, under your clothes, making it very difficult to get at. When you check in, you can also ask if they have a safe you can use. You can leave your travel pouch in it at the end of each day if that makes you feel better.

Trust your instincts. I’ve had nothing but entirely un-noteworthy or pleasant roommates over the years. Some of my coolest travel experiences have come from the people I’ve met in hostels. That being said, if something feels sketchy about your roommates, ask the hostel to move you. They should be happy to accommodate you. If the hostel feels sketchy, move on. There are probably others in the area.

2. Bring flip flops.

One of the first things that skeptics mention is the state of the bathrooms. I’ll level with you: I’ve been in some scuzzy ones. However, I’ve also been in some that were cleaner than my own bathroom at home. If you’ve ever lived in a college dormitory and that experience didn’t scar you for life, you can survive a week in a hostel.

Still, be sure to pack flip flops. Showers are communal and foot fungus spreads a little too easily. A dollar pair of flip flops from somewhere like Old Navy will put the kibosh on that. I usually throw in a bottle of Tinactin too, as a preventative measure.

3. Pack headphones.

Sleeping in a room full of strangers can take a little getting used to. Some people are blessed with the “I-can-sleep-through-anything” gene. I’m not one of them. Headphones help drown out the noise of your neighbors coming and going throughout the night. You might also want to bring ear plugs along, too.

4. Pick the right room for you.

The initiated don’t always realize that there are different types of sleeping arrangements even within hostels. When you go to book one, you’ll see these options. You can dip your toe into the hostel experience by booking a private room. They often still have a shared bathroom, but you will have your own room with a lock on the door.

Other options include co-ed or single sex rooms and varying number of beds. Some rooms have as many as 20 or more beds in them and prices correspond accordingly. The more people to a room, the cheaper the rate. I’ve stayed in some hostels for less than $10 a night in a bunk bed with a dozen or more other people nearby.

5. Find the silver lining.

My first hostel experience introducing me to some great girlfriends who were also trying to see the world, just like me and my friends. I found people at the hostel even friendlier than in other locations. Everyone is usually eager to share their own travel stories and tips.

Since there are communal eating areas and communal common rooms, people seem more willing to sit and chat at the end of the day. Access to the hostel kitchen can be another great money saver. Many hostels also often offer a basic breakfast as part of your price.

So if you’ve been holding off on that trip to Asia or Europe because of the price, start checking out some of the budget-friendly options like hostels and give it a go.

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How to Save Money by Staying in Hostels originally appeared on usnews.com