7 best hostels in Budapest

Budapest is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places to visit in Europe. It's home to the majestic Hungarian Parliament building, nestled on the eastern bank of the Danube River. It also boasts underground caves, grand architecture, geothermal springs, and a booming fine dining scene. Whether you’re here for a short trip or an extended vacation, you won’t run out of activities to enjoy and places to explore.

One of the things you need to do before heading off on your Hungarian adventure is to find a place to stay in Budapest. You’re in luck, as Hungary’s capital has a wide variety of accommodations for all budgets and needs, including hotels, Airbnbs, and hostels. Every type of accommodation has its unique perks, but for solo travelers, backpackers, and travelers on a budget, Budapest hostels are your best bet. They are typically less expensive than most hotels and have self-sustaining amenities like laundry facilities, a kitchen, and common areas where guests can hang out.

The best hostels in Budapest aren’t hard to find, and this guide will highlight the top ones and what sets them apart. If you’re lucky, you might find yourself in one of Bounce’s partner hostels, offering safe and secure luggage storage in Budapest. If not, don’t worry, as we have storage lockers in multiple locations throughout the city.

Maverick Hostel

Housed in a renovated mansion constructed by the Habsburg dynasty, this hostel in Budapest offers a clean and relaxing retreat after a busy day exploring the city. It's located in the heart of the capital, just less than a fifteen-minute walk from famous attractions, including the Chain Bridge, Hungarian Parliament Building, Buda Castle, and Rudas Thermal Baths.

The Maverick Hostel is a top-rated Budapest hostel offering private rooms with up to five beds and bed dorms ideal for groups and solo travelers. It's accessible via public transportation, with buses and metro station line 3 stopping next to the building.

What makes Maverick Hostel unique

There’s a supermarket nearby, which opens 24 hours, so you can go out and buy your essentials any time. Free WiFi is also available in the entire building, as well as free coffee and tea all day long! If you want to meet with other travelers, it hosts regular social events with many exciting freebies.

Maverick Hostel pricing

The hostel prices vary, depending on the room type. A deluxe studio, which sleeps up to four people on two double beds, costs €85.00 nightly, whereas the pricing for a standard double room ensuite starts at €110.00. For female travelers, occupying a bed in a six-bed female dorm ensuite is about €25.00 per night.

Maverick City Lodge

Not far from Maverick Hostel is a boutique youth hostel in downtown Budapest. It’s the ideal accommodation for anyone who wants to see the city’s sights and stroll through the eclectic streets in the neighborhood. Besides being close to numerous attractions and the Danube River, you’ll also find modern bars, the Opera House, concert venues, and restaurants serving local and international cuisine around the area.

Maverick City Lodge is a newly-built hostel in the heart of the city, perfect for couples and those traveling alone. It features high-quality and clean shared and private rooms with modern design. It’s also well-connected from Budapest Airport by public transport with nearby metro and bus stations.

What makes Maverick City Lodge unique

This hostel ensures a smoke-free environment and offers daily cleaning for all rooms. There are large common areas with a fully equipped kitchen, and expect all dorms to have reading lamps and drape curtains. Guests can also rely on helpful multilingual staff available 24 hours at the reception.

Maverick City Lodge pricing

The rate for a bed in a six-bed mixed room is around €45.00 per night. For couples who want privacy, the price of a modern and bright standard double room starts at €55.00. For solo female travelers, a bed in a ten-bed female dorm on a separate female floor can be booked at around €40.00 per night.

The Hive Party Hostel

If you want to make the most of your trip, consider staying in one of the best party hostels in Budapest. Established in 2015, the Hive Party Hostel boasts 300 beds, making it one of the biggest and most popular Budapest hostels. It’s located in the middle of everything, from world-famous spas and the Castle district to the Great Synagogue, the river Danube, and dozens of trendy restaurants and bars just around the corner.

Guests will love the large, updated rooms and spacious bathrooms. Private and shared rooms are available, as well as female dorms for female travelers.

What makes The Hive Party Hostel unique

You’ll find multiple common areas where you can gather and mingle, including the sun terrace and exclusive rooftop bar. There’s also a ping-pong table and board and card games to pass the time before your city tour. Additionally, The Hive allows guests to experience the city’s vibrant nightlife without leaving the hostel. It features a club in the courtyard where you can dance all night and watch live performances. It can also arrange sightseeing tours, spa baths, party boat cruises, or anything you want to experience in Budapest.

The Hive Party Hostel pricing

The rates per night at the Hive range from €25.00 for a 16-bed mixed dorm to a little over €110.00 for a private dorm. For female guests, an eight-bed dormitory room costs around €32.00 per night and €37.00 for a six-bed female dorm. If you book early, you’ll likely find the best hostel deals and see a significant drop in the prices for the same rooms, making it a cheap hostel for groups.

MEININGER Budapest

Immediately next to the Central Market Hall on the city’s Pest side, you’ll find one of the best hostels in Budapest, the MEININGER Budapest Great Market Hall. It combines the elements of a hotel and hostel, providing everyone with an inviting atmosphere to relax in modern rooms in a central location, with numerous tourist attractions within your reach. Guests will marvel at the Market Hall theme evident in its décor and facilities, giving it an enchanting, unique flair.

MEININGER Budapest has 184 rooms and 755 beds on seven floors, so you’ll likely find a space to sleep in and rest even during peak tourist season. It also offers a shuttle bus to the train station, so you can travel around the city center and beyond with ease.

What makes MEININGER Budapest unique

There are so many things to love about this Budapest hostel. It has a coworking space, a lounge, a terrace, a guest kitchen, and a bar where you can enjoy delicious cocktails and drinks. Breakfast is between 6:30 to 10:30 daily, so you can sleep in and enjoy a delicious breakfast before leaving town.

MEININGER Budapest pricing

The pricing for a private room at MEININGER Budapest starts at about €101.00. For shared spaces, you can choose a mix or an all-female dorm with an average cost of €25.00 to €34.00 a night.

Hostel One Budapest

Hostel One is one of the best Budapest party hostels, which boasts an incredibly social atmosphere. It may not be as big as other Budapest hostels, but it has spacious shared rooms with 72 beds. It's near Deák Ferenc Tér stop, which connects to three of the city metro lines, as well as tram and bus lines.

Several must-visit spots in the capital are within a short distance from Hostel One. These include the historic Dohány Street Synagogue, one of Europe’s largest functioning synagogues, and St. Stephen's Basilica, Budapest’s largest church. So if you want to tour these architectural gems in the city, this Budapest hostel gives you easy access to these attractions on foot.

What makes Hostel One unique

Hostel One has three common areas where you can relax, party, and work. You can head to the hostel bar if you want to meet other guests and mingle over drinks, and a range of bars and pubs are only about 300 meters away. There are also free daily tours throughout the city and night activities led by the hostel staff.

Hostel One pricing

Although most rooms are shared with six to ten people, you can expect privacy at Hostel One. Renting a bed per night will cost you about €50.00 for a ten-bed dorm and €78.00 for a six-bed dorm.

The Loft Hostel

Ideal for backpackers and nomads, The Loft Hostel is an intimate hostel housed in a classic 19th-century building. Guests at the Loft are treated to a big standard room with a massive sofa and bean bags, a library, two desktop computers, music, card and board games, puzzles, and even musical instruments. The dorm rooms are spacious and feature comfy beds, and if you’re lucky, you might stay in one with a king-sized bed.

The Loft Hostel is located in the old town of Pest. It’s in the most central location, so everything is within your reach, including the Central Market Hall, numerous tourist destinations, and the Danube banks.

What makes the Loft Hostel unique

The Loft Hostel doesn’t joke about its guests’ safety and security. You're given two security codes at check-in; without them, nobody can enter the hostel. The hostel and the historic building also have separate security locks. Apart from its facilities and maximum security, its warm, charismatic vibes set it apart from other Budapest hostels you’ll find.

The Loft House pricing

If you’re looking for a private space, a loft suite with one large double bed costs around €160.00, and the pricing for a family loft suite with a private bathroom and access to a minibar starts at around €168.00.

Avenue Hostel

Situated at Oktogon Square, Avenue Hostel gives guests access to all the main sights in Budapest. It offers different room types, including four- to twelve-mixed dorms and female dormitory rooms, and private spaces for two to eight people. It’s easy to get to, whether you’re coming from the airport or arriving by bus, train, or car.

Fast, free WiFi is guaranteed for digital nomads or those who want to keep up-to-date with their friends online while on holiday. There’s also laundry service and daily housekeeping so you can return and rest in a clean and welcoming atmosphere.

What makes Avenue Hostel unique

This chic hostel in Budapest has everything you need for a comfortable stay and ensures you feel at home away from home. It has lots of common areas, including a spacious bar area, dining, and a bright space to talk, sit, read, or surf the internet. You can also chill at the bar area while enjoying your drink and snack.

Avenue Hostel pricing

Avenue Hostel is without a doubt one of the best cheap hostels in Budapest, with a bed at a 12-bed mixed dormitory costing about €10.00 and an ensuite capsule style around €16.00 per bed a night. If you prefer more privacy, you can go for a superior twin private room for two people for €86.00.

Stay in the Best Hostel Budapest

Eliminate the hassle and frustration of finding a clean and safe place to stay. Budget-conscious traveler or not, you’ll find plenty of benefits in staying in one of the best hostels in Budapest. Not only are their cost-friendly option for travelers, but they offer unique features and services that some hotels and Airbnbs don’t. Most of these accommodation options are also great for sightseeing and touring by day and partying by night.

To help you determine which is the best season to travel to the capital, check out our guides on the Best Time to Visit Budapest. If you’re visiting for the first time and want to know what activities to add to your itinerary, learn more from our 3 Days in Budapest guide.