Though only one letter off and ostensibly dedicated to the exact same ambition, that of housing guests comfortably, a hotel and a hostel are in fact markedly different. Being aware of the differences can greatly improve the quality of your travels. That is, if you go to a hostel expecting a hotel, you’ll be greatly disappointed. Likewise, visiting a hotel with images of a hostel in mind will bring only frustration. Each type of lodging offers unique characteristics that will be attractive or repellent to travelers depending on their tastes and lifestyles.

The first major difference between a hotel and a hostel is privacy. The New York Loft Hostel in Bushwick, Brooklyn, for example is the rated the third best in the nation (and so is exemplary of a hostel) offers not private rooms like the nearby traditional Brooklyn hotel, the nationally recognized Hampton Inn, but instead communal dormitories. That’s right: in a hostel, you stay in a room with other people, typically strangers, whereas in a hotel, you stay in your own room, boarding only with people you know. This makes a huge difference in most people’s travel plans.

The second most important difference between hostels and hotels is price. Whereas a hotel might range from budget to luxury, almost all hostels are created with the aim of saving money. They are deal or budget oriented, intending to generate savings through the communal use of space. A hotel, on the other hand, intends to provide comfort foremost and tends to be more expensive on average. Again, this is often a huge factor in travel plans. What you can or cannot afford dictates where you can and cannot stay, clearly.

A third major difference between hotels and hostels is a direct product of the first two. That is, the combination of lower prices and communal living invites a particularly youthful, adventurous, and social atmosphere. The lack of privacy requires a certain level of risk taking, the low price is attractive to younger (or less well-off) patrons, and the communal space engenders opportunity for socializing. A hotel on the other hand usher people quietly into individual rooms tailored for the height of comfort and privacy. Again, depending on what type of travel you’re looking to experience, be it quiet and restful or vibrant and eventful, the difference between these two types of lodging can be helpful to know when planning it all out.

So, if you’re looking for privacy, avoid a hostel. If you’re looking for the cheapest lodgings, reconsider the hotel reservations. But whatever you do, think about what you want on your trip, and make sure you choose the establishment that fits your needs best.