The Best Hostel Booking Sites
Hostels are the cheapest beds in most cities and the easiest place to meet other travellers. Most now offer private rooms as well as dorms, and the best have kitchens, tours and bars. Recent reviews matter more than star ratings: look for comments on cleanliness, security lockers and noise.
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1Hostelworld hostelworld.comVisitThe biggest hostel booking site, with a social app to meet other guests.
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2 Visit
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3 Visit
What is the best hostel booking site?
Hostelworld is the biggest hostel booking platform, with tens of thousands of hostels, detailed guest reviews and an app that lets you chat with other guests before you arrive. Hostelz compares prices across booking sites and lists hostels the others miss. Booking.com also lists many hostels with free cancellation, which is useful when your plans may change. For a guaranteed standard, the Hostelling International network and national associations like YHA run thousands of well-kept hostels, many in beautiful rural locations.
Are hostels safe?
The vast majority are. Choose hostels with recent reviews that mention security, a 24-hour reception, key-card access and lockers in the dorms. Bring your own padlock, keep valuables in the locker or with you, and consider female-only dorms if you prefer. Location matters too: read reviews for comments about the neighbourhood at night.
Are hostels only for young backpackers?
Not any more. Most hostels now offer private rooms with their own bathrooms, and design-led chains like Generator and Selina attract couples, families and remote workers as well as backpackers. Some hostels have age limits, so check the house rules if you are travelling with children or are over 35.
How to choose a good hostel
- Read the latest reviews, not the overall score; hostels can change fast.
- Decide on the vibe: party hostels and quiet hostels are very different places to sleep.
- Check for a kitchen, free breakfast and laundry if you are travelling long-term.
- Look at dorm size: 4 to 6 beds is far quieter than 16.
- Book direct with the hostel for occasional extra discounts.
Why stay in a hostel?
Beyond price, hostels are the easiest place to meet other travellers, join walking tours and pub crawls, and get honest tips from staff who live locally. For solo travellers in particular, they make a trip far more sociable.