7 best hostels in Bristol

Located about 120 miles west of London is Bristol, the biggest city in the southwestern part of England. The city is situated along the River Avon and River Frome and is a very active and multicultural city. It is home to many yearly festivals and celebrations including Upfest, the biggest street art festival in all of Europe. Being home to over 400 parks and gardens, Bristol is also a fantastic spot for adventure lovers and people who like to spend time outside, and there are more than enough historic sites to satisfy history buffs, too.

If you want to explore the town with like minded people and save some extra money for activities and souvenirs at the same time, we recommend staying in a hostel in Bristol. They can be a good choice instead of an Airbnb rental or hotel which are usually more expensive. Hostels are also perfect for solo travelers who want to be social and make new friends.

Before heading into town you'll need to find a safe place to store your bags in Bristol since hostels won't always have a secure spot for them. Bounce luggage storage in Bristol is your best option, and since we have multiple locations around the UK (including many popular hostels), it will be easy for you to find one close to where you're staying.

Rock N Bowl Hostel

If you're looking for a fun and unique party hostel, look no further than the Rock N Bowl hostel. The building, which dates back to the 1930s, is decorated with awesome contemporary artwork and has nice common areas where you can mingle with other guests or just relax. The hostel is conveniently located in the city centre so you'll be within walking distance to some of the best attractions in town and around the harbourside, like St Nicholas Market, Temple Meads, The Centre, and the Cabot Circus Shopping Centre.

They have dorm rooms that can sleep between 4 and 20 guests with female only rooms available, or you can book a private room with double, twin or triple bunks. Other facilities include a laundry room, TV in the lounge, free wifi, and a fully functional kitchen.

What makes Rock N Bowl Hostel unique

Although it isn't a very quiet place, this has to be the coolest hostel in Bristol because it's located over a bowling alley. Head down for a couple of rounds and stick around for a beer or cocktail and maybe some karaoke at the bar. The hostel also offers free breakfast every morning.

Rock N Bowl Hostel pricing

This cheap hostel has prices starting at only £22.00 for a bed in the dorm rooms and up to £180.00 for a private room with 4 beds.

Kyle Blue Bristol Harbour

If you want your stay in a hostel to be really different then you'll definitely want to book a few nights at Kyle Blue Bristol Harbour. There is no other Bristol hostel quite like it since you'll actually be staying on a boat. The moored barge has 9 cabins suitable for a variety of sized groups or solo vacationers making it a popular place for couples and friends to stay while traveling together. You can stay in either shared or private rooms, or if you're a particularly large group you could even rent out the whole boat.

With a central location in Wapping Wharf right on the water of the Bristol Harbour, you'll be just a few steps away from the MShed Museum as well as plenty of cafes and restaurants at The Centre, although the boat also boasts its own kitchen that you can use. There are also shared bathrooms, central heating, and free wifi throughout the barge.

What makes Kyle Blue Bristol Harbour unique

It can't get much more unique than staying on a boat! Kyle Blue also has an on site bar and plenty of places on the deck or in the common rooms where you can relax.

Kyle Blue Bristol Harbour pricing

Wondering about hostel prices on a boat? This hostel's prices are a bit higher than other properties but it's a pretty cool place to stay. To book the entire boat for yourself, the cost is £1,050.00 per night.

YHA Bristol

If you're a frequent traveler or have stayed in hostels elsewhere before, chances are that you've heard of YHA hostels. They are a big brand with properties in multiple cities including a lovely location in Bristol. This is one of the top cheap hostels and since it isn't a party hostel, you'll be able to have a good night's sleep for an affordable price. Laundry facilities and a communal kitchen are available, and each dorm and private room has power outlets, night lights, and somewhere to keep your bags.

If you're lucky enough to get a room on the top floor you can enjoy a lovely view of the city and harbour, and if not then there is no need to worry since the whole city is available to explore right outside your front door. Nearby attractions include Arnolfini Gallery, Cabot Circus and the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

What makes YHA Bristol unique

YHA Bristol has its very own cafe and bar where you can go to relax or chat with other vacationers staying there. They even have a games room that you can use in your spare time.

YHA Bristol pricing

The average nightly price for a bed in one of the dorm rooms at YHA Bristol is £35.00. You can also rent a private room starting at £90.00.

The Full Moon Backpackers

Those who are looking for a fun and upbeat place to party will love this hostel. With a great location in Stokes Croft close to Temple Church, The Centre, the Bristol Cathedral, and Cabot Circus you can enjoy all the city's top sights without having to go too far. It's a very friendly place where everyone socializes with one another making it a fantastic choice for solo travelers.

Sleeping accommodations include mixed or gendered dorms as well as private twin or double rooms, some of which have an ensuite bathroom. Each room has a spot where you can leave your things, plus there is a shared kitchen where you can make meals and plenty of common areas with board games and a TV. Other amenities include a laundry room, free wifi, and free tea and coffee.

What makes The Full Moon Backpackers unique

This is much more than just a hostel. Here, there is a pub and live music venue which gives you the opportunity to go for drinks and see some talented locals perform whenever you get back from sightseeing. There is also a lovely rooftop area where you can hang out and every week the hostel hosts the Market at Moon which brings in local traders from nearby.

The Full Moon Backpackers pricing

The prices for a standard twin room at The Full Moon Backpackers are around £65.00 per night, and a double room costs around £75.00.

The Bristol Wing

Located in an old Police Quarters turned into a hostel, The Bristol Wing is an all around solid option when looking for somewhere affordable to stay and they also do their part to help locals who are struggling through different charitable efforts. Solar panels, insulation plus other perks were added during the building's renovation making it a very eco-friendly property as well.

They have dorms as well as private rooms suitable for those traveling alone or in a group. From here you'll be close to a shopping centre, the harbourside and Cabot Circus, plus with nearby public transit options there is nowhere off limits to you. They have welcoming staff that can help you plan events plus a shared kitchen, lounge rooms with board games and TV, as well as free wifi.

What makes The Bristol Wing unique

This is one of the top youth hostels in the city and is owned by the YMCA Bristol which had graciously offered accommodation for many locals in need, including the homeless during the Covid-19 pandemic. The building, which has served many uses in the past, also has a pretty cool history that dates back to the 13th century.

The Bristol Wing pricing

The price for a single room with a shared bathroom starts at around £66.50 per night. If you're traveling as a group, you might want to book the family room with an ensuite bathroom for £133.00.

Towed Town Camping

This unique Bristol hostel in St Phillips is the perfect base for sightseers, romantic vacationers or adventurous individuals alike. Instead of staying in a bunk bed like most other properties, at this hostel, you'll get to rest in an adorable little caravan safely kept indoors. From here, you'll be a short walk away from the Bristol Temple Meads train station giving you access to the entire city centre, with landmarks like Cabot Circus and Temple Church found not too far away. The nearest Bristol airport is about 13km away.

Some of the caravans have TVs providing a real road trip feel, and there is also internet access, bike rentals, and even cereal, tea and coffee provided in the mornings.

What makes Towed Town Camping unique

Aside from the fact that you'll be staying in a caravan, this hostel also has a pub and bar plus common spaces where you can play table tennis and board games with other guests. It's the best hostel for any kind of traveler.

Towed Town Camping pricing

You can get a cute, small caravan starting at only £60.00 every night. If you want to treat yourself to an entire indoor campground it will cost you in the ballpark of £550.00.

The Clifton Hotel Bristol

Although they don't offer dorms, The Clifton Hotel is still a great place to find cheap accommodation in Bristol. It's located in a more luxurious part of town and is close to Clifton Village and the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, plus plenty of shopping, dining and entertainment options. From here you'll be within walking distance to the Bristol Zoo and the city centre.

They offer amenities like laundry facilities and luggage storage, and a private bathroom, TV, and wifi is included in each room.

What makes The Clifton Hotel Bristol unique

When you want to take some time to relax in nature you can head outside to the beautiful Clifton Hotel garden, and afterward, head down to their cellar bar and cafe with a terrace. Since they have a restaurant on site you'll never have to look far to find somewhere to eat.

The Clifton Hotel Bristol pricing

A double room will only cost you £ 148.00 per night, and the average price for a king room is about £176.00.

Staying in Bristol hostels

Bristol is a cultural hub with an endless amount of attractions to suit any kind of traveler. When you're looking for the right Bristol bed you should consider staying in one of the hostels that we've highlighted above. You'll notice that hostels are becoming a more popular way to travel, especially among those that are vacationing on a budget. Not only will they allow you to save a bit of money but they can also provide you with a fun and special experience that most basic hotels just can't offer.

When you visit Bristol make sure to stop by all of its most famous landmarks like the historic SS Great Britain, the Cabot Tower, and the beautiful Avon Gorge. Before your vacation, it's a good idea to get more familiar with the city, and you might also want to plan your itinerary in advance. To help you out we've got these other useful guides on The Best Time to Visit Bristol: The Ultimate Guide and 3 Days in Bristol: Everything You Should Know.