6 best hostels in Philadelphia

Philadelphia should be one of your stops to trace American history. It’s the country’s first World Heritage City, home to an array of cultural sites and historic buildings. These include the Liberty Bell, which rang in the Pennsylvania State House’s tower, and the Independence Hall, the birthplace of the United States.

Whether it’s a short family getaway or a long-awaited staycation, you need to find a place to stay when exploring the city. Instead of paying for expensive hotel rooms, the hostels in Philadelphia are your ticket to a fun trip without breaking the bank. Some feature private rooms, so you can still enjoy privacy if you don’t like sharing a room with others.

Unfortunately, the city lacks hostel options, and a few have closed or are no longer accepting guests, like the City House Hostel Philadelphia. The good news is that there are budget rooms and inns offering dorm-like settings and bunk beds for backpackers, solo travelers, and groups.

We gathered the top hostels in Philadelphia and a few inexpensive accommodation solutions for all types of travelers and budgets. Although we partner with many hostels globe wide, you may not find hostels in Philadelphia with the option. If you need extra room for your belongings, use one of our safe Bounce luggage storage facilities in Philadelphia by booking through the app or website.

Apple Hostels Philadelphia

Young travelers, backpackers, and travel junkies flock to Apple Hostels Philadelphia, the most famous hostel in the city. It’s where you want to stay to see sights and major tourist spots without losing much of your savings. It is located in the Old City, Philadelphia’s Historic District, just steps from the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. You’ll also be surrounded by many excellent restaurants, nightclubs, bars, and pubs.

Apple Hostels Philadelphia has gendered and mixed dorms that can fit four, six, eight, and ten people in one room. Travelers can also choose a private room with bunk beds, a queen bed, a family room with a queen bed and a set of bunk beds.

No matter which room you pick, you can enjoy tons of freebies, including complimentary tea and coffee all day and night, free WiFi, internet computers, linens, towels, and more. It has a fully equipped kitchen and a spacious lounge for mingling. There are also no curfews or lockouts, so your vacation will always be dynamic and fun.

What makes Apple Hostels Philadelphia unique

Apple Hostels is the only hostel in the Old City and downtown Philadelphia, offering travelers countless sightseeing opportunities. It boasts a safe and clean environment, giving guests peace of mind whenever they rest at night.

If you want to venture further, the hostel is only a block from the bus and train, which will take you to numerous destinations. After your tour, you can take advantage of activities, such as free wine & cheese nights every Saturday and ghost tours on Mondays and Fridays for only $2. A free open bar is also available on Thursdays from 8-9 PM, offering a perfect chance to meet new people and chat over delicious drinks. Other seasonal events include ice skating at Penn’s Landing, free walking tours, self-guided tours through Society Hill, a visit to the Eastern State Penitentiary, etc.

Apple Hostels Philadelphia pricing

Apple Hostels is one of the cheap hostels in Philadelphia with exciting deals and discounts. But if you only plan to stay overnight, a bed in a dorm room that sleeps 18 people costs about $33.33, whereas a private room with a queen bed is $106.00 a night.

HI Philadelphia Chamounix Mansion Hostel

A short drive from the city center, HI Philadelphia Chamounix Mansion Hostel offers serene lodging for digital nomads, families, and groups. It is nestled in the heart of Fairmount Park, Philadelphia’s largest municipal park, featuring trails, adventure courses, wetlands, and historic homes — all within city limits.

Checking in this hostel means staying in the historic Chamounix Mansion, a National Historic Landmark that has been providing excellent accommodations since 1964. It can host up to 40 overnight guests with bunks beds in dorm rooms. You will love the private and quiet setting, minutes from the city’s famous tourist attractions and educational spots. Amenities include a large kitchen, a game room, a dining room, free parking, and a front & rear deck and patio.

What makes HI Philadelphia Chamounix Mansion Hostel unique

The biggest draw of this Philadelphia hostel is its peaceful and tranquil country atmosphere away from the city crowds and noise. A friendly and knowledgeable staff will welcome you to the historic Chamounix Mansion, originally built as a country home in 1802. The décor is elegant and classy, with antique furniture and wood floors. You will be surrounded by picturesque nature and outdoor activities, ideal for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

And if you want to be close to all the action, the city center is only a short drive away from the mansion. Some of its neighbors less than five miles from the manor are the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Please Touch Museum, the Shofuso Japanese House and Garden, the historic Strawberry Mansion, and more.

HI Philadelphia Chamounix Mansion Hostel pricing

An average nightly price for a group at Chamounix Mansion is $780.00, and $420.00 at the Carriage House. With these rates, you enjoy exclusive use of the building. The hostel is currently accepting group bookings only, so if you’re a solo traveler and a budget vacationer, you have to look for other cheap hostels in Philadelphia.

Modern Coed Dorm!! 15 Min Train to Center City!!

Not the most luxurious of all Philadelphia hostels, but one worth considering if you want unbeatable hostel prices and social experiences. As the name suggests, this modern coed hostel is only fifteen minutes’ train ride to the city center. It is within 5.7 miles of Temple University, about 7 miles from the Liberty Bell and the National Liberty Museum, and 8.7 miles from the Mutter Museum. It’s also only about 14 miles from Philadelphia International Airport.

Although a small hostel in Philadelphia with fifteen rooms, you’ll be surprised at how well-maintained the facility is, with bright, spacious rooms and modern facilities. It has mixed dormitories that accommodate up to six people and private budget rooms for solo travelers and couples.

What makes Modern Coed Dorm!! 15 Min Train to Center City!! Unique

This modern coed dorm lives up to its name with a contemporary design that creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere. You’ll feel at home away from home as you step inside the building. It has a lovely lounge area that welcomes guests to watch TV, read a book and relax, or chat with others.

Modern Coed Dorm!! 15 Min Train to Center City!! Pricing

This cheap hostel in Philadelphia allows you to pick from double, twin, or a bed in a dormitory. Renting a bed in a six-bed mixed dorm with a shared bathroom is about $45.00 a night. Those who want to sleep in a budget double room for one or two occupants will have to spend about $96.00 per night.

Alina & Fanny - Philadelphia Convention Center

A short walk from Pennsylvania Convention Center and the Fabric Workshop and Museum on Arch Street, you’ll discover Alina & Fanny - Philadelphia Convention Center. It’s a cozy place to rest, meet new friends, and remain productive on vacation, featuring a seating area with a TV and a work desk. It also has a dining table, a washing machine, and tea and coffee facilities.

The rooms are private, with a large double bed for two people and a shared bathroom. It’s popular among couples and solo travelers. If you’re lucky, you might get a unit with a city view.

What makes Alina & Fanny - Philadelphia Convention Center unique

It’s not the classiest Philadelphia hostel, but what makes it stand out is its convenient location right in Chinatown. It’s a stone’s throw from the colorful Chinatown Friendship Arch. It’s also near live music venues, shopping centers, markets, fashion boutiques, bars, and train and bus stations.

Alina & Fanny - Philadelphia Convention Center pricing

You’ll likely be in a private room when you check in here, with queen rooms costing about $108.00 a night.

Conwell Inn

Thanks to Conwell Inn's charming accommodations, students and visitors to Temple University don’t have to go far to look for a place to sleep. It has twenty-two guest rooms with period-style furnishings and plenty of complimentary services, such as wireless high-speed internet access to help you stay connected, afternoon tea, on-site parking, and more. It also has pet-friendly packages for those traveling with their furry friends.

Since the Conwell Inn is the only hotel on the Temple University campus, guests can expect various sporting, educational, dining, and cultural offerings nearby. You can catch your favorite Temple teams in action, use the fitness center and pool, and stop by some local eateries, such as Maxi’s Bar & Grill and the Diamond Club, for a hot lunch buffet.

What makes Conwell Inn unique

As a European-inspired inn, this hotel will give you an experience like no other. Besides the modern amenities, it has afternoon tea and cookies, leather furnishings, and a mix of a new and old-world décor. In terms of location, Conwell Inn is within minutes from world-renowned sites, like the Boathouse Row, the National Constitution Center, and the Philadelphia Art Museum. It is also easily accessible by car and public transportation.

Conwell Inn pricing

Since it’s a boutique hotel, you won’t find a room with bunk beds. Instead, you can stay in one of the private rooms with an average cost of about $149.00 a night, perfect for couples and international travelers who want their personal space.

Red Roof Inn Philadelphia – Trevose

It’s closer to Trenton City than Philadelphia, but still worth going out of Philly if you’re on a day trip or want to explore the scenic countryside of Bucks County. It is conveniently located off I-276, near malls and restaurants. It’s also a short drive from Parx Casino, Pennsylvania’s largest gaming complex, and the Neshaminy State Park, a 339-acre park offering swimming pools, picnic areas, and trails for walking.

Red Roof Inn is smoke-free and boasts ADA amenities. It’s an award-winning leader in the hospitality and lodging industry with rooms that can accommodate all visitors, whether leisure, business, short holidays or extended stays. There’s free coffee all day in the lobby, free WiFi, and a flat-screen cable TV in every room.

What makes Red Roof Inn Philadelphia –Trevose unique

Arts, entertainment, dining opportunities, and outdoor adventures await you at Red Roof Inn Philadelphia –Trevose. Try your luck at one Parx Casino’s thousands of slot machines, or spend a day exploring the acres of nature. Walk the trails, take a dip in the pool, or relax in one of the picnic areas on a warm afternoon. No matter the season, you’ll never run out of things to do and places to explore when you stay at the hotel.

Red Roof Inn Philadelphia – Trevose pricing

Select from deluxe rooms for two for about $131.50 a night, and add a few bucks if you need a space for four people. You can also book a suite king with a kitchenette with an extra-large double bed for three occupants for $153.00 a night.

Rest in the best hostels in Philadelphia

Philadelphia is more than just the home of American History, intriguing museums, and murals. Within the city limits and beyond are hidden gems waiting to be discovered and outdoor activities for thrill seekers and nature lovers. By choosing to stay in a Philadelphia hostel and budget rooms, you can spend less on a bed and more on memorable experiences.

Want to know about other activities you can do in Philly? Read our guide on 3 Days in Philadelphia. You can also check out The Best Time to Visit Philadelphia: The Ultimate Guide to learn when to plan a trip to the city.