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Map — Best Hostels in Budapest
Overview — Best Hostels in Budapest
Budapest hostels come in various shapes and sizes, each with its own vibe, amenities, and quality. There's a hostel for everyone's taste, and they usually fall into one of five categories.
Party Hostels
- These hostels are buzzing with energy and a love for good times. Alcohol flows freely, but due to district sound-level regulations, they usually quiet down after midnight. The party crowd then typically heads to a ruin bar to keep the fun going. Expect additional activities like pub crawls and boat tours for an extra fee.
Hotel-like Hostels
- If you're looking for a no-frills, economical stay similar to a hotel, these hostels are a great choice. Ideal for those who prefer privacy over social interaction, they offer a comfortable bed and essential amenities.
Homely Hostels
- These smaller hostels, usually managed by one or two staff members, offer a cozy, home-like environment. The atmosphere is more personal and intimate than larger, commercial hostels.
Social Hostels
- Similar to a college dorm, these hostels are perfect for meeting new people without the constant party atmosphere. They foster a lively, relaxed, and energetic environment encouraging social interaction.
Digital Nomad Hostels
- Tailored for the modern traveler, these hostels boast fast Wi-Fi and dedicated workspaces. Recognizable for their minimalist, office-like design, they often feature an in-house bar or café, providing the perfect blend of work and leisure.
Things to Consider When Choosing A Hostel in Budapest
When selecting the ideal hostel in Budapest, several decision-making factors come into play:
Location
- All the hostels on the list are centrally located, offering easy access to Budapest's lively city center, nightlife, and infamous ruin bars. Prioritize hostels in quieter side streets away from noisy avenues and tram lines for a good night's sleep.
Price
- Budget-friendly shared rooms in Budapest range from 8€-15€. Private rooms suitable for solo travelers, couples, families, or groups typically cost 40€-80€ per night.
- Keep in mind, prices can rise during weekends, the high season (May-Sept), and special occasions like Christmas, New Year's Eve, or the Sziget festival.
Privacy
- Seek out hostels offering fewer beds per room, private bathrooms, and bed curtains for an added layer of privacy.
Hostel Type
- If you're a social butterfly or party-lover, the vibrant party hostels in Budapest are right up your alley. However, if you prefer tranquility and a more mature crowd, plenty of other options exist.
Amenities
- The comfort and convenience of your stay can be enhanced with features like a 24/7 front desk, shared kitchen, free bed linen and towels, complimentary food or coffee in the kitchen, private bathrooms, secure luggage storage, bed amenities (like curtains, item tray, lamp, and an outlet), and a laptop-friendly work area in the lounge.
Detailed Breakdown — The 10 Best Hostels in Budapest
1. Maverick Urban Lodge
Pros:
✔️ Affordable — Off-season rates start at just 9€ per night for a bunk bed.
✔️ Great for Long-Term Stays — Feel like you're in your own college dorm room.
✔️ Great Location — Nestled in the quieter 9th district, yet central enough to offer easy access to nightlife and public transport.
✔️ Great Rooms — Rooms are set up in a modern dorm style, with large lockers and privacy curtains.
✔️ Great Bathrooms — Shared (or private) bathrooms are well-maintained, clean and of high quality.
✔️ Low Noise — Street noise is minimal as the hostel is in a smaller street.
Cons:
❌ Kitchen — Can feel cramped during peak times. Kitchen equipment needs replacement. Gets dirty fast, but they clean it daily. Fridge constantly full and disorganized.
❌ Theft — I had a pullover and a box of nasal strips stolen. This can happen in any hostel, not just in Maverick. Always put your valuables in secure storage.
Summary & Overall Impression
🎥 Video: Watch my video review of Maverick Urban Lodge.
Read my full, first-hand review of the Maverick Urban Lodge here.
Maverick Urban Lodge is the place to be for comfort seekers looking for a short or long-term stay. It's like your own college dorm room, perfect for even month-long stays.
It's not a party hostel, but there are plenty of chances to be social and meet people.
In terms of pricing, Maverick offers exceptional value for money, with off-season rates starting from just 9€ per night for a bunk bed. I stayed here for 30 days in March for 280 euros.
Even in the high season, prices remain reasonable considering the quality of the hostel.
2. Hostel One
Pros:
✔️ Best Party Hostel — You'll have loads of fun with drinking games in the onsite bar, partying afterward in the ruin pubs, or sightseeing during the day.
✔️ Organized Activities — Hostel One organizes daytime and night activities (pub crawls, drinking games).
✔️ Perfect Location — Hostel One is in the dead-center of the city (Jewish Quarter), close to an 100e airport shuttle stop, city attractions, and the lively nightlife.
✔️ Great Rooms — The hostel offers spacious rooms with secure storage stashes and lockers. Beds provide privacy and comfort.
✔️ Low Noise — The noise levels are reasonable, with parties usually winding down around 11-12 pm.
Cons:
❌ Lack of Bedside Storage —There's no storage space on the bunk beds for personal items (earphones, wallets, and phones).
❌ Shower Issues — Water temperature in the showers can fluctuate. Also, the lights turn off due to a poorly placed sensor in the shower area.
❌ Price — Hostel One is pricier than other Budapest hostels. Still, the unique socializing opportunities and party experience offered here make it worth the extra cost.
Summary & Overall Impression
🎥 Video: Watch my video review of Hostel One Budapest.
Read my full, first-hand review of the Hostel One Budapest here.
Hostel One Budapest is an excellent choice for those who love socializing, making friends, and partying.
Regarding cost, Hostel One might be pricier than other Budapest hostels, but you get your money's worth if you value the opportunity to socialize and have an outgoing party experience.
3. Avenue Hostel
Pros:
✔️ Best Value — Off-season rates start at just 8€ per night which includes a free breakfast and a discount dinner.
✔️ Money Saver — Food inflation is high in Hungary, so you save a lot of money with the free/discounted meals here.
✔️ Staff — The staff is helpful and efficient and are available 24/7.
Cons:
❌ Quality of Life — The quality, comfort, privacy and cleanliness of the entire place were mediocre.
❌ No Free Padlock — Padlocks are not included in room lockers, but you can buy one for a reasonable price (3€).
❌ Impersonal — No social atmosphere, personal touch, or events (except in the dining area).
❌ Loud — Avenue Hostel is next to a larger intersection with trams passing by. Bring earplugs.
Summary & Overall Impression
🎥 Video: Watch my video review of Avenue Hostel Budapest.
Read my full, first-hand review of the Avenue Hostel Budapest here.
Avenue Hostel is the go-to hostel for budget-conscious travelers seeking significant savings on both accommodation and meals in Budapest.
The hostel's key selling point is its budget-friendly offerings. Starting at just 9€ per night, guests can enjoy free breakfast and discounted dinner meals with a minimum 3€ bar spend. This arrangement is particularly enticing in light of Hungary's high food inflation.
While Avenue Hostel doesn't offer luxury, it delivers practicality and affordability. Its modest offerings are balanced by its wallet-friendly pricing, making it a solid choice for budget-focused travelers
📝 Editor's note: The 10-bed "veiled" room I stayed in, along with its shared bathrooms, was not great. However, the rest of the hostel offers way nicer rooms with 4-8 or 12 beds, though they are more expensive. In this light, this hostel deserves a more favourable consideration than what I gave it here.
4. Flow Spaces
Pros:
✔️ Staff — Front desk available 24/7. Friendly and helpful reception staff.
✔️ Welcoming — Social atmosphere, easy to meet travelers.
✔️ Great Beds — With curtains for privacy, electric socket, lamp and item tray and an item box.
✔️ Secure Item Stash — Free padlock included.
✔️ Work Area — Lounge with laptop-friendly work area.
Cons:
❌ Bathrooms — Bathrooms are co-ed and communal (no privacy).
❌ No elevator — The hostel is on the 3rd floor.
❌ Hygiene — My sheet had female hairs on it although it was washed. The hostel is hygenic overall.
❌ Packed Fridges — I lost some food that I bought.
❌ Cramped Rooms — There was little space to move around.
Summary & Overall Impression
Read my full, first-hand review of the Flow Spaces Budapest here.
Flow Spaces presents a beautiful blend between a hostel's sociable atmosphere and a hotel's calm, perfect for those desiring a middle ground.
With a vibe reminiscent of a college dorm, this hostel is ideal for budget travelers seeking a balanced experience.
Starting at a wallet-friendly 9€ per night, Flow Spaces offers excellent value.
With a welcoming and sociable atmosphere, a quiet workspace, and a well-equipped kitchen, Flow Spaces offers a unique hostel experience worth considering.
5. A&O Budapest City Hostel
Pros:
✔️ Excellent Rooms — Simple, quiet and clean room, with a mind-blowing shower.
✔️ Secure Storage — They happily stored my laptop at the secure item storage at the reception.
✔️ Work Area — The lounge has a superb laptop-friendly work area.
Cons:
❌ Bed Linens and Towels— They aren't free, as they cost an additional 1150HUF (~3€).
❌ Item "Cage" — Padlock is NOT included for room item cage.
❌ Dirty Pillow — My pillow could've used a replacement, but the hostel overall is hygenic.
❌ Blank Breakfast — They serve a typical hotel breakfast for 8€ (optional).
Summary & Overall Impression
Read my full, first-hand review of the A&O City Hostel Budapest here.
A&O City Hostel is the go-to choice for budget-minded guests who value comfort and quiet over a buzzing social scene.
Starting from an affordable 7€ per night, A&O offers excellent value for money. However, keep in mind that an extra charge applies for bed linens (around 3€).
Despite a few downsides, such as the pillow cleanliness and the bed linen fee, A&O's cost-effectiveness and convenience make it an appealing option for no-frills travelers prioritizing a tranquil environment and workspace facilities.
6. Wombat's City Hostel
Pros:
✔️ Welcoming — Easy going social atmosphere, easy to meet people.
✔️ Not Noisy —The hostel is quiet despite being a party hostel. You can have a good night's rest.
✔️ Staff — Front desk available 24/7. Secure luggage storage room.
Cons:
❌ Price — The prices could be more reasonable. I didn't feel the hostel offered anything special to justify the price.
Summary & Overall Impression
Read my full, first-hand review of the Wombat's Hostel Budapest here.
Wombat's Budapest is a hub for young travelers who want to experience Budapest's nightlife. This place pulses with youthful energy and a laid-back ambiance, making it an ideal low-key party hostel.
Regarding pricing, Wombat's is considered pricier than other options in Budapest, with bunk beds starting at 17€/night in the off-season and private rooms from 65€/night.
While its prime location is a major selling point, the hostel's offerings might not entirely justify the above-average prices for some guests.
The other downside at Wombat's, other than the higher price point, is the rather mundane quality of some facilities. The bathrooms, for instance, while clean, are just ordinary.
However, the quality of the guests was a definite highlight, and the opportunity to meet and party with interesting travelers from around the globe more than made up for these minor issues.
7. Zen Hostel
Pros:
✔️ Staff — Julien was a great "1-person team" managing the entire hostel. She was friendly, helpful, and upbeat. She's the reason this hostel gets 9/10 ratings.
✔️ Welcoming — You could strike up conversations anywhere. The living room sofa was a great place to chat with others.
✔️ Feels Like Home — If you like the cozy-homely feel, this is heaven.
Cons:
❌ No 24/7 Check-In — Julien leaves at 9 pm. Checking in also took a long time.
❌ Understaffed — Julien was juggling too many balls at once - she needed at least another person with her duties.
❌ Not Secure — No lockable item stash available.
❌ Not nomad-friendly — no facilities available like a workspace with a socket.
Summary & Overall Impression
Read my full, first-hand review of the Zen Hostel Budapest here.
Zen Hostel is a delightful retreat for those seeking a small, cozy place that feels more like a home than a hostel.
In terms of pricing, Zen Hostel is slightly above average. Bunk beds start at 13€/night, while private rooms begin at 32€/night. While not the best value-for-money, those who cherish a homey vibe and prime location will find Zen Hostel to be a worthwhile choice.
8. Adagio Hostel 2.0 Basilica
Pros:
✔️ Great Bathroom — Excellent, clean private bathroom.
✔️ Excellent location — With views of St. Peter's Basilica.
✔️ Peaceful — Not as busy as some other hostels, one can have more privacy.
Cons:
❌ Noisy — The noise levels in my room were high due to the traffic.
❌ No Elevator — The hostel is on the first floor.
❌ Impersonal — No social atmosphere or personal touch.
Summary & Overall Impression
Read my full, first-hand review of the Adagio 2.0 Hostel Budapest here.
Adagio 2.0 Hostel is your place if you're all about a good night's sleep in a clean and comfortable environment.
While it might lack the wow factor or unique selling points, it's strong on providing the basics done right. All things considered, Adagio 2.0 Hostel is a solid pick for those looking for budget-friendly, minimalist accommodation in a fantastic location.
In terms of cost, Adagio 2.0 won't burn a hole in your pocket. With bunk bed rates starting at just 10€ per off-season night and private rooms from 47€ per night, it offers real bang for your buck.
9. Das Nest Budapest
Pros:
✔️ Central Location — Heart of Budapest, near top attractions and nightlife.
✔️ Friendly Staff — Welcoming, helpful, with great local recommendations.
✔️ Homely Atmosphere — Cozy, intimate setup, great for socializing.
✔️ Well-Equipped Kitchen — Fully stocked kitchen for guest use.
✔️ Local Connections — Unique access to bars, restaurants, and festivals.
Cons:
❌ Cash-Only Payments — No credit card; cash only.
❌ Potential Noise — Busy nightlife may mean noise at night.
❌ Limited Accessibility — Not fully accessible for all disabilities.
Summary & Overall Impression
Das Nest Hostel is ideal for those wanting a central Budapest experience with a cozy, social atmosphere. It focuses on friendly service, a relaxed vibe, and great access to local spots.
While it lacks conveniences like card payments, Das Nest compensates with personal touches and excellent location. It’s a good fit for those who value budget-friendly comfort and socializing over luxury.
In terms of value, Das Nest is affordable with rates that make it an excellent option for those wanting an authentic Budapest stay without overspending.
Quick Facts
🧑 Perfect for:
- Solo travelers or small groups
- Budget travelers
- Adventurous couples
🛏️ Rooms offered:
- 4 or 6-bed mixed or female-only dormitory rooms
- 1 large double-bed private rooms
🏷️ Prices:
- From 14€/night (shared room)
- From 48€/night (private room)
🧖 Most important amenities:
- WiFi
- Kitchen
- Reception
- Lockers
- Lounge
- Laundry
- Elevator
- Security
- Hot Showers
- Bicycle Parking
10. Carpe Noctem Hostel
Pros:
✔️ Social Atmosphere — Perfect for solo travelers wanting to make friends.
✔️ Central Location — Close to major attractions and public transport.
✔️ Great Amenities — Free Wi-Fi, tea, towels, and use of a fully equipped kitchen.
✔️ Friendly Staff — Passionate, live-in staff who love Budapest.
✔️ Organized Events — Nightly pub crawls and fun activities.
Cons:
❌ Age Limit — Only for guests aged 21-45.
❌ No Elevator — Hostel is on the top floor of a historic building.
❌ Cash Only — Balance must be paid in cash at check-in.
❌ Noise Curfew — Parties must move out after 9 PM due to noise restrictions.
❌ Accessibility — Not wheelchair accessible.
Summary & Overall Impression
Carpe Noctem Hostel is perfect for solo travelers seeking a sociable, lively place to stay in Budapest. If you want to make new friends, enjoy organized events, and feel part of a welcoming community, this is the spot for you.
While it’s not for everyone—especially those seeking a quiet retreat or those outside the age range of 21-45—Carpe Noctem excels in creating unforgettable experiences for those who love to socialize and explore.
In terms of value, Carpe Noctem offers excellent perks—free Wi-Fi, no hidden charges, and organized pub crawls—all in a central location. Just keep in mind that payment is cash-only and there’s no elevator.
All considered, Carpe Noctem is a solid choice for young adventurers looking to seize both day and night in Budapest.
Quick Facts
🧑 Perfect for:
- Young, solo travelers or sociable backpackers
- Adventurous travelers looking for nightly activities
- Travelers aged 21-45
🛏️ Rooms offered:
- 8-bed mixed or dormitory rooms
🏷️ Prices:
- From 51€/night (shared room)
🧖 Most important amenities:
- WiFi
- Maps
- Kitchen
- Laundry
- Lockers
- Air Conditioning
- Towels
- Transfers
- Common Room
- Housekeeping
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best hostels in Budapest for solo travelers?
All the hostels I included in the article are great options for solo travelers. However, if you're here for a few days, want to have a blast, and make friends on easy mode, go with Hostel One. This hostel is the best thanks to its lively atmosphere and social events, making it easy to meet other travelers and make new friends.
How much does it cost to stay at these hostels?
You can expect to pay around €10-€25 per night for a bed in a dormitory room and €40-€60 per night for a private room.
The hostels' prices vary depending on the time of year, room type, and other factors. However, all of them offer affordable accommodation options for budget-conscious travelers.
What criteria did you use to choose the best hostels in Budapest?
I personally visited and tested the hostels on this list and evaluated them based on location, cleanliness, comfort, facilities, price, and overall experience.
What is the best location to stay in Budapest?
If you're looking for a lively and vibrant atmosphere, stay in the 7th district (Jewish Quarter). This area is the center of the city's nightlife and is home to many bars, restaurants, and cafes. Hostel One and Wombat's City Hostel have the perfect location in this regard.
What are the best party hostels in Budapest?
- Hostel One Budapest
- Wombat's City Hostel
- Grandio Party Hostel Budapest
- The Hive Party Hostel
- Udvarom Party Hostel
What should I bring with me to a hostel?
You're asking for trouble if you go unprepared to a hostel. To have the best experience, bring these with you:
- Mandatory: ear plugs, eye cover (!)
- Basics: slippers, pajamas, phone charger, wet wipes, deodorant, toothbrush, and toothpaste
- Optional (check if it's included or not at your hostel): towel, padlock, shampoo, shower gel