6 best hostels in Brooklyn

Situated on the western edge of Long Island, Brooklyn is one of the five boroughs of New York City and part of New York state’s Kings County. Founded in the 17th century by the Dutch, it was named after the town of Breukelen in the Netherlands and went on to become a major port city during the 19th century. Brooklyn went through a renaissance over the years and has gained a reputation as a creative and technological hub and is one of New York’s most famous destinations.

Brooklyn offers travelers a respite from the hustle and bustle of other busier areas like Manhattan without being too far away from all the action. Moreover, it's generally more affordable, which makes it a popular choice among travelers who are on a budget. If you’re looking for accommodation in Brooklyn, you’re spoiled for choice; the city is home to numerous hotels, inns and hostels that cater to all needs and budgets.

Brooklyn hostels are one of the most affordable accommodation options when coming to the city; they’re not only cheap, but they also allow for socialization and meeting new people from different parts of the world. Below are a few of our picks for the best hostels in Brooklyn in terms of value for money. In case you didn’t know, Bounce has partnered with some local hostels so that you can take advantage of our luggage storage services. In case you end up choosing a non-Bounce partner hostel, you can still store your belongings at one of our Brooklyn luggage lockers found all over the city.

NY Moore Hostel

If you're looking for a trendy and comfortable hostel that won’t break the bank, then NY Moore Hostel is one of your top options. Located in the hip neighborhood of East Williamsburg, it's a cheap hostel that has all the amenities a traveler needs, and then some; all the rooms in the hostel are clean and have air conditioning while guests get free towels, linens and blankets as well as complimentary coffee and tea.  

NY Moore Hostel also offers free Wi-Fi throughout the hostel and has free parking along Moore Street for guests who have their own vehicles. The hostel is also conveniently located within walking distance of various subway stations, making it easy for guests to commute to different parts of Brooklyn and NYC. If you don’t feel like going too far, don’t fret; the hostel is surrounded by restaurants, cafés, bars and other entertainment establishments.

What makes NY Moore Hostel unique

While travelers of all kinds will find something to love about NY Moore Hostel, it's the best hostel for solo travelers and backpackers that are looking to meet new people. The hostel is the perfect place for socialization; it has a common meeting room as well as a spacious outdoor courtyard where guests can hang out and chat with each other. The hostel regularly hosts event nights, such as stand-up comedy shows, movie nights and community games.

NY Moore Hostel pricing

The hostel offers both dorm rooms (mixed and female-only) and private rooms; the average nightly price of a single bed in a dorm is $60.00 while a private room starts at $200.00 a night.

The Brooklyn Riviera

This small and cozy hostel is often regarded as the best hostel in Brooklyn — and for good reason. Not only is it one of the cheapest hostels in the area, but it also boasts an excellent location right in the heart of the city. Featuring a homey vibe that sets it apart from big chain hotels, the Brooklyn Riviera has dorm rooms that can fit up to 4 people; guests get free Wi-Fi and free breakfast as well as access to a shared kitchen and laundry facilities.

The hostel also has a cozy outdoor patio, where guests can mingle and hang out; it's also renowned for its friendly staff, making guests feel at home and helping them with any questions they might have about the city. The hostel is well connected to multiple public transportation options too. It will take about 30 minutes to get to Manhattan, where you can find New York’s most famous attractions, such as the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center and Times Square.

What makes The Brooklyn Riviera unique

What makes this Brooklyn hostel unique is that it specifically caters to international guests (basically those without a U.S. passport). This is the reason why it's a popular choice among solo travelers and foreign backpackers that are looking to visit Brooklyn and New York City. This hostel also forges connections between their guests by hosting activities, such as BBQs and drinking games, in their backyard.

The Brooklyn Riviera pricing

This popular Brooklyn hostel offers dorm rooms that can accommodate up to 4 people; the average nightly price of a bunk bed is $35.00.

The Pod Hotels

Located in the Williamsburg neighborhood, The Pod Hotels is one of the cheapest places to stay in Brooklyn, NY. Unlike most hostels in the area, this hostel provides clean and functional rooms that have all the basic amenities you need, including free WiFi, cozy beds and power stations.

Within walking distance from renowned attractions such as the Brooklyn Bowl and Music Hall of Williamsburg, The Pod Hotels makes for the perfect hostel base for your adventures in Brooklyn and New York City.

What makes The Pod Hotels unique

The Pod Hotels is a cheap place to stay in Brooklyn and boasts a great location in the neighborhood. However, unlike other cheap hostels in the area, they have stripped down their accommodation options to the basics, allowing them to keep their costs down without compromising the guest experience. All “pods” are fully private and have ensuite facilities, including comfortable beds, climate controls, light dimmers, window shutters and smart workspaces.

The Pod Hotels pricing

The Pod Hotels has 249 private rooms that have both bunk beds and normal beds and the average nightly price is $120.00, which is the rate for the entire room.

Greenpoint YMCA

Located in the Polish neighborhood of Greenpoint, this lovely Brooklyn hostel has been in operation since 1906 and has provided accommodation for thousands of travelers from all over the world. The hostel is located just a short distance from the Grand Central Terminal, allowing guests to get to Manhattan and other parts of NYC easily; it's also within 3 miles of popular attractions such as Bryant Park and Empire State Building.

Guests of Greenpoint YMCA also get a number of perks, such as free breakfast and access to free Wi-Fi throughout the entire property.

What makes Greenpoint YMCA unique

This beloved accommodation in Greenpoint is one of the best hostels in Brooklyn in terms of value for money; the rate that you pay for a night comes with access to a range of amenities, including a full-sized indoor swimming pool, a fitness gym, a sauna and an on-site business center. Additionally, they employ a friendly, multilingual staff that can assist guests of all nationalities with anything they might need during their stay in Brooklyn.

Greenpoint YMCA pricing

The hostel offers private rooms that come in a range of sizes — from single and twin to double and rooms. The price of a room at Greenpoint YMCA starts at $69.00 per night.

Union Hotel Brooklyn

One of the most popular hostels in Brooklyn, the Union Hotel is a lovely boutique hotel situated in the neighborhood of Gowanus, one of the most vibrant areas in the city; the hotel is located near New York’s top attractions, including the Brooklyn Museum, Prospect Park, Brooklyn Bridge and Barclays Center. The hotel is surrounded by several bars, restaurants and cafés where you can eat or drink. It also has an on-site rooftop bar where you can enjoy a drink or food if you don’t feel like going out.

Union Hotel boasts 41 well-appointed rooms with a modern interior and all the amenities that one needs for an excellent stay. Each room features free WiFi, flat-screen TV with premium cable, linens, a hair dryer, a microwave and coffee and tea-making facilities. They also have their own private bath and shower, and daily housekeeping service is available upon request. All in all, guests get all the perks of staying in a regular hotel while still paying hostel prices.

What makes Union Hotel Brooklyn unique

Paying homage to the city’s industrial past, the Union Hotel features a 19th century brick-and-mortar exterior that is reminiscent of factories and warehouses that made NYC the major city that it is today. Meanwhile, the hotel’s interior was carefully crafted by NY-based designer and artist Jordan Carlyle and features a minimal but sleek design.

One of the best things about staying at Union Hotel is getting to interact with their staff; not only are they extremely friendly, but they can also assist you with anything you need during your stay, such as booking airport shuttle services and organizing tours. Furthermore, the hostel offers unique packages and promotions for its guests, such as restaurant vouchers and exclusive brewery tours.

Union Hotel Brooklyn pricing

The hotel offers private standard and deluxe rooms with bed sizes ranging from twin and queen to king size; the room price starts at $120.00 a night.

Hotel RL Brooklyn

While it's technically not a hostel, Hotel RL Brooklyn is one of the most affordable places you’ll find in the area. Part of the Red Lion hospitality chain, this hotel is conveniently located in a vibrant area near the neighborhoods of Greenpoint and Williamsburg — which is surrounded by a wide range of restaurants, bars, galleries and other establishments. There's also a subway station right in front of the hotel, which means that you can get to the city center and other parts of the city easily.

Hotel RL Brooklyn is an ideal choice for couples, families or groups of friends. They have private guest rooms equipped with amenities such as free Wi-Fi, flat-screen television, free toiletries, air conditioning, a hairdryer, an ironing board, a refrigerator and a microwave. The hotel also has laundry facilities, a game room where guests can hang out and its own bar with live music and karaoke. Despite all rooms being private, these common areas make it easy for guests to socialize and mingle with each other.

What makes Hotel RL Brooklyn unique

One of the best things about Hotel RL Brooklyn is that they have a range of accessibility features, including wheelchair-friendly rooms, Braille signages and assistive listening devices. Another thing that makes this hotel unique is the Project Wake Up Call program, which they spearheaded in partnership with The Ali Forney Center in order to combat homelessness in NYC. This means that you not only get quality accommodation during your time in Brooklyn, but you're also helping fund a greater cause.

Hotel RL Brooklyn pricing

Hotel RL Brooklyn offers private rooms that can accommodate anywhere between 2 and 4 people; the price per night starts at $90.00.

The best hostels in Brooklyn for all budgets

The list above is a collection of some of the notable hostels in Brooklyn. These options are ideal if you’re looking for a Brooklyn hostel that’s of good quality but is still reasonably priced. What’s great about these Brooklyn hostels is that they are not just affordable, but they also give you the opportunity to meet other like-minded travelers. When coming up with your travel itinerary, check out our guides on beaches near Brooklyn and romantic Brooklyn restaurants to help you with your plans.