THE 10 best HOSTELS IN BUDAPEST
Last Updated: 02/25/22 | February 25th, 2022
Budapest has become one of the premier backpacker destinations in Europe. Over the last five years, Budapest has gone from popular to uber-popular spot with hundreds of accommodations popping up and ever increasing crowds. Over 3 million people visited Hungary’s capital city last year!
For backpackers, the combination of a party scene, ruin bars (which are awesome), lots of sights, and cheap prices makes it irresistible to visit.
For a small city, all the crowds (don’t go in the summer, it’s too much) means that there are also lots and lots of hostels spread throughout the city.
I’ve been visiting Budapest for a decade and have stayed in dozens upon dozens of places. There are a lot of things to consider when selecting a hostel. The top four when picking the best hostel in Budapest are:
Location – Budapest can take some time to get around. pick a place that is central to the sites and nightlife you want to see. All the hostels listed here are in central locations.
Price – In Budapest, you really get what you pay for, so if you go with a really cheap one, you’re probably going to get a hostel that is small, cramped, and doesn’t offer great service.
Amenities – Every hostel in the city offers free Wi-Fi, and some have a free breakfast, but if you want more than that, be sure to do your research to find the hostel that best meets your needs!
Staff – All the hostels listed here have fantastic staff! They are super friendly and knowledgeable. even if you don’t end up staying at one of the places listed below, be sure to look up reviews to ensure you end up somewhere where the staff is helpful and friendly! They can make or break a hostel!
To help you plan your trip, here is my list of the hostels in Budapest that I like the most. If you don’t want to read the longer list below, the following hostels are the best in each category:
Best Hostel for budget Travelers: Vitae Hostel
Best Hostel for Families: Wombats
Best Hostel for Solo female Travelers: Maverick City Lodge
Best Hostel for digital Nomads: Pal’s Hostel
Best Hostel for Partying: Carpe Noctum Original
Best overall Hostel: Hostel One Budapest
Want the specifics of each hostel? Here’s my comprehensive list of the best hostels in Budapest:
Price legend (per night)
$ = Under 3,000 HUF
$$ = 3,000-6,000 HUF
$$$ = 6,000 HUF
1. Vitae Hostel
This small hostel is designed to get everyone out and socializing. The rooms are basic with metal framed beds and decent enough beds and pillows. but this place truly shines with its welcoming staff and activities offered, including nightly drinking games. There are also three common rooms, a TV, and a pool table, so you will definitely make friends here! Don’t miss the Thursday night boat party – it’s a tremendous time.
Note: you must pay for your stay in cash (Hungarian forints) upon arrival.
Vitae Hostel at a glance:
$$
Organizes tons of activities
Great place to meet people
Super social atmosphere
Beds from 4,200 HUF.
Book Vitae Hostel here!
2. Carpe Noctum Original
This is the original party hostel in Budapest, with organized trips out on the town every night. It’s a really small hostel, and it almost feels like you’re staying at a friend’s place. Unlike the other party hostels in Budapest, the rooms here are a lot nicer and more spacious. They are kept cleaner, the beds are comfier, and there’s just more space! The couch in the common room is super cozy, and there are handmade bean bag chairs for hanging out around the house too.
Carpe Noctum original at a glance:
$$
Organizes lots of events, tours, and activities
Party atmosphere makes it easy to meet people
Cleaner rooms and better beds than other party hostels in town
Beds from 4,400 HUF.
Book Carpe Noctum original here!
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3. Wombats
Wombats is a backpacker hotel with hundreds of beds and a lot of modern amenities. The rooms are spacious with new beds, reading lights, and power outlets, and en-suite bathrooms that are kept very clean. The hostel organizes events, including pub crawls and walking tours, offers a free welcome drink when you check-in, and has bikes to rent for a small fee. There’s also a fully equipped guest kitchen with a free food section! The onlydownside is that the Wi-Fi can be spotty. This is one of the bigger hostels in the city. If you’re looking for a more modern hostel, stay here!
Wombats at a glance:
$$$
Organizes lots of events and activities
Kitchen facilities (with free food section)
Spacious dorms and private rooms so you’re not crowded
Beds from 7,000 HUF, private rooms from 20,000 HUF.
Book Wombats here!
4. Maverick City Lodge
This is a cool option in the Jewish Quarter. There are fantastic large curtains around the huge bunks (perfect for privacy) and the beds and sheets are super soft. The rooms are huge, colorful, and well lit too! They also have special events throughout the week to get people to socialize; I really enjoyed the wine tasting they offered. The hostel is cash only, and there’s a key deposit you’ll get back at check out. It’s one of the best-looking hostels in Budapest!
Maverick City Lodge at a glance:
$$
Great place to meet other travelers
Privacy curtains in the dorms so you can get decent sleep
Organizes lots of activities
Beds from 5,000 HUF, private rooms from 16,500 HUF.
Book Maverick City Lodge here!
5. Hostel One
Hostel One is a cool hostel with beautifully decorated walls, a fully equipped kitchen, nice common areas, and Netflix if you’re in need of more tame activities. There are free weekly dinners and organized activities throughout the day. This is a very social (read party) hostel. most people leave for the bars after the “pre-game warm up” (drinking games).
Hostel One at a glance:
$$
Free weekly dinners
Organizes lots of activities
Fully equipped kitchen
Beds from 5,400 HUF, private rooms from 26,000 HUF.
Book Hostel One Budapest here!
6. Pal’s Hostel
This is a pretty cool place near St. Stephen’s Basilica, with easy access to all three of the city’s metro lines. All the rooms are all a bit different – some have chandeliers, some have views of the Basilica, and others are a bit plain and boring. They also offer apartments as well. There are activities each night of the week, including goulash tasting on Thursdays and movie night on Sundays. That said, this is not a party hostel so don’t worry about being kept up late into the night!
Pal’s Hostel at a glance:
$$
Organizes lots of activities
Social atmosphere (but not a party hostel)
Convenient location near St. Stephen’s Basilica
Beds from 5,000 HUF, private rooms from 28,000 HUF.
Book Pal’s Hostel here!
7. MEININGER Budapest great Market Hall
Meininger is a chain of over 30 hostels in more than 20 European cities, with their Budapest location being one of their newest. situated directly next to the great Market Hall, the central location can’t be beat for exploring the city. The 184-room hostel is huge, with all the amenities that you could possibly need during your stay, with multiple lounges and a bar for meeting new friends, as well as a guest kitchen. There are a variety of room types, including female-only dorms and family rooms with en-suite bathrooms.
MEININGER at a glance:
$$$
Guest kitchen
Great place to meet people
Brand-new, modern hostel
Beds from 6,600 HUF, private rooms from 25,000 HUF.
Book MEININGER Hostel here!
8. Spicy Hostel
Spicy Hostel is a relatively small hostel compared to others on this list, with only 20 beds total. It’s a great choice if you’d like a more relaxed place to come back to at night, with quiet hours after 11 pm to ensure a good night’s rest. The hostel does also organize a variety of social events though, so you’re sure to meet people if you stay here (it’s just not a party hostel). There is a nice communal area with free tea and coffee, along with a lot of games to play with your new friends. The fully equipped kitchen has everything you need for self-catering.
Spicy Hostel at a glance:
$$
Guest kitchen
Organizes regular events, like boat parties and pub crawls
Quiet hours after 11 pm
Beds from 4,000 HUF.
Book Spicy Hostel here!
9. flow spaces Hostel
Flow spaces is another hostel located just steps away from the great Market Hall. This is the quietest and most chill hostel on this list, with no organized social activities, a rarity among the hostels in Budapest. However, if you’re looking for a centrally located, minimal, clean, and modern place to stay, flow spaces is just perfect. There is a kitchen and a variety of private rooms, family rooms, and dorms (including female-only dorms) available.
Flow spaces at a glance:
$$
Guest kitchen
Quiet atmosphere
New, modern hostel
Beds from 5,200 HUF, private rooms from 27,000 HUF.
Book flow spaces here!
10. The loft Hostel
This is a super homey little hostel located just a few blocks from the Danube. true to its name, The loft is on the upper floor of an apartment building, with wooden eaves, floors, and walls that give it a cozy and intimate vibe. What really makes this hostel incredible is the lovely staff who go out of their way to make you feel welcomed and at home. This is a great place tostay if you’d like to meet and hang out with locals and fellow travelers in a more relaxed (not party) context.
The loft at a glance:
$$
Guest kitchen
Cozy loft atmosphere
Amazing staff
Beds from 4,500 HUF.
Book The loft here!
***
Budapest is a budget traveler’s paradise, and these hostels are the best hostels in Budapest! They will help improve your experience in one of the coolest, hippest, and most beautiful cities in Europe with tons of things to see and do. Whether you’re staying in Budapest for just a few days or longer, looking for a wild party hostel or a quiet, relaxing haven, you’re sure to find what you want with one of these hostels on my list!
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Book Your trip to Budapest: Logistical tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned!
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. My favorite places to stay are:
Don’t forget travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
Safety Wing (for everyone below 70)
Insure My trip (for those over 70)
Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage)
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Want more information on Budapest?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Budapest for even more planning tips!
Photo credits: 2 – Vitae Hostel, 3 – Carpe Noctum Original, 4 – Wombats , 5 – Maverick City Lodge, 6 – Hostel One, 7 – Pal’s Hostel, 8 – Meininger’s great Market Hostel, 9 – Spicy Hostel, 10 – flow Spaces, 11 – The Loft