Last Updated: 5/4/23 | May 4th, 2023
Warsaw might be one of the most underrated capitals in Europe. This bustling Polish metropolis of nearly 1.8 million people was nearly razed during World War II. But then a miracle happened: it was meticulously rebuilt with painstaking accuracy. It’s a beautiful place that always seems to be striving towards the future. The city seems to be on the move and I love it.
Plus, it has everything you’d find in popular Western Europe — history, museums, great food, wild nightlife — but for a fraction of the price. It’s a super affordable destination to visit for travelers and it’s a shame more don’t spend time here.
Warsaw has a lot of cool, social hostels too, making it easy to visit on a budget.
But, before you book a place to stay, here are four things you need to remember when picking a hostel in Warsaw:
- Location – Warsaw is a big enough city that you should put some effort into seeking out the part of town you like best and finding a hostel there. Otherwise, you’ll spend a lot of time in transit.
- Price – As in any city, you get what you pay for. If you pick a really cheap hostel, you’re probably going to get one that is small and cramped and doesn’t offer great service.
- Amenities – Every hostel in town offers free Wi-Fi, and most have self-catering facilities so you can cook your own meals. Some — but not all — include free breakfast, so be sure to do your research to find the one that best meets your needs.
- Staff – All the hostels listed here have amazing staff who 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 so you have staff who are helpful and friendly. They can make or break a hostel!
Below is my list of the best hostels in Warsaw. If you don’t want to read the list below, the following hostels are the best in each category:
Want the specifics of each hostel? Here’s my breakdown of the best hostels in Warsaw and why I love them:
Price legend (per night)
- $ = Under 100 PLN
- $$ = 100-140 PLN
- $$$ = Over 140 PLN
1. Kapsula Hostel
The Kapsula, or Capsule Hostel, is based on the famed capsule hotels and hostels of Japan, the first of which opened in Osaka in 1979. Each person gets their own small pod (there are shared double capsules available too). Each one is big enough to sleep in comfortably. You can close your capsule via remote control; inside there’s air conditioning, electrical outlets, and lighting (as well as blinds). There’s also free Wi-Fi throughout the hostel, plus an in-house café and lounge. There are lots of bars and cafes in the area too.
While not the best choice to meet other travelers, it’s super affordable and the capsule beds are surprisingly comfy. The showers are spacious and everything is clean and modern. It’s definitely not a very social hostel, making it a good choice for anyone wanting a quiet stay. The hostel is also centrally located and is just a 15-minute walk from the main square, Rynek Starego Miasta, in Old Town.
Kapsula at a glance:
- $
- The most affordable hostel in Warsaw
- Cozy capsule rooms for one or two people
- On-site lounge/café
Capsule beds from 69 PLN per night, double private rooms from 187 PLN.
2. Oki Doki Old Town Hostel
Oki Doki is very centrally located. If you like to spend time in pubs and bars as much as (or more than) going to museums and exploring historical sites and landmarks, then this nicely located hostel is perfect for you: the streets surrounding Oki Doki are flanked by fun drinking holes. It also has a nightly happy hour gathering too so you can meet fellow travelers.
The dorm beds are comfy and have thick mattresses and privacy curtains so you can get a good night’s sleep (the beds don’t creak either, which is a big plus). There are female-only rooms too and lockers so you can securely store your stuff (the lockers are not huge though so travelers with giant backpacks might be out of luck). Some of the rooms have AC too but you need to pay extra. Overall, it’s a lively and social hostel that makes it easy to connect with other travelers.
Okie Doki at a glance:
- $$$
- Female-only dorms/li>
- Nightly happy hour makes it easy to make friends
- Free coffee and tea
Beds from 148 PLN per night, private rooms from 277 PLN.
3. Safestay Warsaw
Safestay is a small chain of reputable hostels around Europe. They’re always a solid choice (especially if you’re a solo female traveler as they have female-only rooms). The location is great, as it’s sitting just outside the Old Town. There is a lively on-site bar and the hostel puts on a legion of activities so you can meet other travelers, such as pizza parties and game nights, as well as fun walking tours around Warsaw that cover all the main highlights.
Overall, the hostel has a cool vibe, with all kinds of art and quotes around the halls and common areas. The dorm beds have thick mattresses and privacy curtains as well as individual plugs and lamps. There are lockers available under the beds but they’re on the smaller side. The bar on the top floor has all kinds of board games if you want to just hang out and chill too.
Safestay at a glance:
- $
- Female-only dorms
- Lots of activities at the on-property bar make it easy to meet people
- Organized walking tours around Warsaw
Beds from 70 PLN per night, private rooms from 141 PLN.
4.Chillout Hostel
Chillout isn’t located smack in the center of Warsaw like some other hostels, but it is very close to the Palace of Culture and Science, the Royal Baths Park, and Nowy Swiat Street, shopping central. It has a small kitchen so you can cook your meals, and while the dorm bunks aren’t super comfy, the rooms are clean and spacious. The Warsaw outlet of the Chillout chain offers single female-only dorms as well as larger rooms for traveling families that want to stay together.
The staff here are excellent and go above and beyond to ensure you have a good stay. While the dorms are basic (the bunks creak a little and don’t have curtains), the mattresses are decent and there are lockers big enough for most travel bags. The rooms are spacious too.
Chillout Hostel at a glance:
- $
- Nearly every type of hostel dorm and private room available
- Female-only dorms
- Kitchen, so you can cook your own meals
Beds from 65 PLN per night, private rooms from 180 PLN.
5. Hostel Lwowska 11
This laid-back hostel is located just a 15-minute walk from the central train station. The dorms are basic but clean, with simple bunks but decent mattresses. There are lockers so you can store your stuff securely, an on-site kitchen, free tea, and even free laundry if you stay 4 nights. There are also lots of restaurants nearby if you want to eat out as well as a grocery store just a minute away if you plan on cooking as breakfast is not included.
Overall, the hostel has a quiet and laid-back atmosphere so it’s not a great place to meet people. However, if you just want a chill stay and to do your own thing, this hostel is a good choice.
Hostel Lwowska 11 at a glance:
- $
- Free laundry for longer stays
- Lots of restaurants nearby
- Quiet atmosphere
Beds from 97 PLN per night, private rooms from 307 PLN.
6. Hostel Centrum
Hostel Centrum is as centrally located as you can get. Location is, of course, important, but Centrum offers much more. They really want you to learn about Polish history during your visit so the walls and hallways here are plastered with images of famous Poles throughout history. Scan a QR code on your phone and you’ll get the lowdown and who this or that person is and why they’re significant to Warsaw and Poland. It’s a really cool feature and something I wish more hostels did.
Most rooms face a quiet, leafy courtyard. The dorm beds are comfy with thick mattresses (but no privacy curtains) and there are lockers available as well. There’s a small kitchen too if you plan on cooking your own food.
Hostel Centrum Warszawa at a glance:
- $
- Fun lounge and shared kitchen
- Free coffee and tea
- Friendly and welcoming staff
Beds from 79 PLN per night, private rooms from 198 PLN.
The hostel scene in Warsaw runs the gamut between very affordable large dorms to party places to quiet ones with an emphasis on privacy. You just have to figure out what you want and where you want to stay, and the Polish capital will have something that fits your style and budget.
Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and 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:
- SafetyWing (best for everyone)
- Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
- Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)
Want to Travel for Free?
Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.
Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip?
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.
Ready to Book Your Trip?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.
