Last Updated: 1/11/24 | January 11th, 2024
Budapest has become one of the premier backpacker destinations in Europe. Over the last few years, Budapest has gone from popular to uber-popular spot with hundreds of accommodations popping up and ever increasing crowds. Almost 4 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.
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 amazing 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:
Want the specifics of each hostel? Here’s my comprehensive list of the best hostels in Budapest:
Price Legend (per night)
- $ = Under 5,000 HUF
- $$ = 5,000-8,000 HUF
- $$$ = Over 8,000 HUF
1. Onefam Budapest
Onefam 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) since there’s a bar on-site here.
Unlike most party hostels, the beds here are actually quite comfy and have thick privacy curtains, outlets, and lockers for storage. It’s my favorite hostel in the city and perfect for travelers who want to meet people.
Onefam Budapest at a glance:
- $$$
- Free weekly dinners
- Organizes lots of activities
- Fully equipped kitchen
Beds from 10,800 HUF.
2. Vitae Hostel
This small hostel is designed to get everyone out and socializing. The rooms are basic but spacious and clean. The beds are cheap bunks with no privacy curtains (as is common at party hostels) but the mattresses and decent and the pillows are thick. There’s also a small kitchen on-site and lots of cool art on the walls that give the hostel a laid-back vibe. Where this place truly shines is with its welcoming staff and activities offered, including nightly drinking games. There are also three common rooms, a TV, and a pool table, so you will definitely make friends here!
Vitae Hostel at a glance:
- $$
- Organizes tons of activities
- Great place to meet people
- Super social atmosphere
Beds from 8,000 HUF.
3. Carpe Noctem 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 Noctem Original at a glance:
- $$$
- Organizes lots of events, tours, and activities
- Party atmosphere makes it easy to meet people
- Cleaner rooms and better beds than other party hostels in town
Beds from 10,500 HUF.
4. Wombats
Wombats is a backpacker hotel with hundreds of beds and a lot of modern amenities. The rooms are spacious with new beds, reading lights, and power outlets, and en-suite bathrooms that are kept very clean. The hostel organizes events, including pub crawls and walking tours, offers a free welcome drink when you check-in, and has bikes to rent for a small fee. There’s also a fully equipped guest kitchen with a free food section! The only downside is that the Wi-Fi can be spotty. This is one of the bigger hostels in the city. If you’re looking for a more modern hostel, stay here!
Wombats at a glance:
- $$
- Organizes lots of events and activities
- Kitchen facilities (with free food section)
- Spacious dorms and private rooms so you’re not crowded
Beds from 6,400 HUF, private rooms from 23,000 HUF.
5. Maverick City Lodge
This is a cool option in the Jewish Quarter. There are amazing 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 4,500 HUF, private rooms from 21,000 HUF.
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 tastings and movie nights. In the dorms, which are only 4-bed rooms, the beds are all single beds (no bunks). There are also lockers, a reading light, outlets, and an en-suite bathroom.
Pal’s Hostel at a glance:
- $$$
- Organizes lots of activities
- Social atmosphere (but not a party hostel)
- Convenient location near St. Stephen’s Basilica
Private rooms from 21,400 HUF.
7. MEININGER Budapest Great Market Hall
Situated directly next to the Great Market Hall, the central location can’t be beat for exploring the city. The 184-room hostel is huge, with all the amenities that you could possibly need during your stay, with multiple lounges and a bar for meeting new friends, as well as a guest kitchen. There are a variety of room types, including female-only dorms and family rooms with en-suite bathrooms. The dorm beds are comfy and have decent mattresses as well as reading lights and outlets. There are no privacy curtains, but the pillows are thick and there are lockers for storing your stuff.
MEININGER at a glance:
- $$
- Guest kitchen
- Great place to meet people
- Brand-new, modern hostel
Beds from 5,800 HUF, private rooms from 22,500 HUF.
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 11pm 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.
The rooms are spacious, though the bunks are basic with no curtains and thin mattresses. There are lockers and individual reading lights, however.
Spicy Hostel at a glance:
- $
- Guest kitchen
- Organizes regular events, like boat parties and pub crawls
- Quiet hours after 11pm
Beds from 4,800 HUF.
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 too. The dorms have pod-style beds that are super cozy, with curtains, outlets, lockers, and reading lights.
Flow Spaces at a glance:
- $
- Guest kitchen
- Quiet atmosphere
- New, modern hostel
Beds from 3,950 HUF, private rooms from 16,500 HUF.
Budapest is a budget traveler’s paradise, and these hostels are the best the city has to offer. They will ensure you make the most out of your time in one of the coolest, hippest, and most beautiful cities in Europe. Whether you’re staying in Budapest for a few days or a few weeks, looking for a wild party hostel or a 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.
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 evacuation coverage)
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.
Want More Information on Budapest?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Budapest for even more planning tips!
