Sex in a hostel sounds like everybody’s wet dream come true but there are limits. How can you have sex in a hostel without waking everybody up? Maybe there are certain hostels you should deliberately book. Or even those to avoid if you want to increase your chances of sex in a hostel.

We feel your frustration and think it’s about time we figure out the best approach. When you’re in a hostel, sex can sometimes be more awkward than if you were in a regular hotel. Even when people don’t intentionally cock block you and you have a partner already.

Hostel bathrooms are often communal, you might have a mixed dorm or not have an en-suite room. How do you navigate needing to go to the bathroom afterwards if you have to head down the hallway? Or if the hostel only has mixed dorms, does this mean that all nooky is off the table?

We’ve quizzed friends and the Sugarcookie team while brainstorming the best way to have sex in a hostel. No one wants to get caught, get blacklisted or wake everyone up!

#1 How to choose a hostel

Choosing the right hostel can be a challenge at the best of times. Not knowing whether it’s going to be clean enough, have decent facilities, good food or just be a decent atmosphere is a guess. While you can read through reviews for hostels online, not many will tell you about your odds of getting lucky.

If mingling with new people is on your mind, choosing a mixed hostel makes sense. After all, going to an all blokes retreat probably is more Brokeback Mountain than Babes Station. As a single guy, being able to meet girls is a necessary requirement!

But if you’re already attached and going to a hostel with your significant other, privacy might be useful. Depending on whether you’re flying solo or going with friends will influence your pick. When you want some alone time though, the extra $$$ spent will be worthwhile!

Sex in a hostel is more likely if you can get some degree of privacy. So when choosing, regardless of whether you’re single or attached, factor in what style hostel is best. Maybe somewhere that’s totally communal isn’t the best choice. Or a place that’s super busy won’t give you any chance to relax discreetly.

Balance out what suits your trip and budget with what’s convenient. Maybe a mixed dorm is going to work if you have access to a private bathroom. Paying extra for a private room and shared bathroom could suit you better when going as a couple. Plus if you meet more than one girl, the extra space might allow that threesome fantasy to become a reality!

Quieter hostels can sometimes be better for getting alone time but equally might make it more likely to be discovered. Any noise could disturb other guests more easily than at a hostel which is busier in general. You need to decide what suits you and your beau.

#2 Are mixed or single dorms better to have sex in a hostel?

While it might sound wicked to sleep on a mixed dorm to increase your chances of meeting a girl, reality can be tough. Not only might you feel like you’re more on display and lack privacy. But being on such close quarters with your room mates might be a bit awkward.

Plus if you travel in a mixed group, it may be harder to get away with any discreet fun. Where your fellow guys might turn a blind eye to hanky panky, girls are possibly more likely to notice any indiscreet action. We all know that women like gossip so if you’re keeping it on the down low, single sex dorms might be the way to go.

The benefit of single sex dorms are obvious. In the way that the men’s changing room is sacred by following a bro code, so too should be a dude’s chamber. Everybody wants to let off steam and if you know the people you’re sharing with, surely you can ask for an hour’s privacy? It’s nothing a few beers can’t buy you…

One major downside of sex in a hostel is if you go into a single sex female dorm and get discovered. Complaints about guys being in a female only room are more likely than the reverse. So when it comes to this, bringing her back to your room or finding a convenient bathroom or neutral space might be safer. No one wants to be a sex pest.

#3 Private room vs Shared room

Whether you have a private room or share with others is personal preference. Both your budget and your mates will have a large influence on this. People often opt for hostels because it’s cheaper, travellers or larger groups like them and sometimes it’s more flexible than hotels.

All of the reasons people might prefer a hostel may well put them off the expense and planning of a hotel. When you just want to crash briefly or grab a shower, spending a small amount on checking into a hostel is better value than a hotel. Often also being more convenient than going to a gym or similar place if you just need to use the facilities.

But when you’re likely to spend multiple nights somewhere, you don’t want to compromise too much. Spending more on a private room will give you a better chance of getting frisky without interruptions. And when you do get naughty, you want to have a great time without any mistakes!

After all asking a girl to head back to your dorm might remind you of college but could be awkward in practice. Having a room to yourself allows you more freedom, privacy and the luxury of a longer time to relax. Rather than having to rush the action, keep quiet or rummage around under the covers and hope nobody notices.

#4 Bathrooms

When you’ve scored, having a bathroom available might not seem like a big deal. But after the main event, you’re going to need to freshen up. This is where having an en-suite can be a godsend. No need to awkwardly shuffle across the landing or run down the hallway.

Being able to clean up once you’ve got dirty is pretty essential. Even if you don’t mind walking to a communal bathroom to freshen up, your lady might. So private bathroom access or at least being close to the bathrooms can be helpful.

Even if you don’t mind sharing a bathroom, you can think about shower sex. There are some cases where sex in the shower might be more convenient than in the bedroom. Or perhaps it’s your only opportunity for privacy if you’re in a shared dorm. Any kind of alternative activities such as period sex may need more clean up afterwards too.

Now is when you need to think what will really work for you if getting frisky is on the cards. Unless you want to recreate Pitch Perfect with Anna Kendrick discovering you naked… (We can dream can’t we?)

#5 Staying safe

As with any kind of sex, safety is an important feature. Making sure the hostels you choose to stay in is legitimate should be a concern. Both for the hygiene rating and to make sure your money is secure and not a scam.

When meeting someone new while travelling, it’s even more important that you play it safe. After all, it might be hard to reconnect with her after you’ve moved on or sexual health clinics might not be nearby. Or even open when it’s convenient for you if it’s on a weekend.

Meeting a new girl should always encourage you to use condoms and to get health checks regularly to protect against STIs. Equally though, you don’t want to end up in conflict by getting involved with the wrong girl. Or put yourself at risk of accusations against you by being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Though sex in a hostel is an epic fantasy, following the rules is a good call. You can always find new places to have sex. But keeping everything above board is sensible too – you don’t want to be caught with your trousers down. Literally. What are your tips for having sex in a hostel?