6 best hostels in Vancouver

Vancouver is a coastal city in southwestern British Columbia famous for its scenic beauty, laidback vibe, outdoor activities and a thriving art and music scene. Surrounded by the coast Mountain Range and the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver is home to many interesting and vibrant areas, making it an excellent vacation destination. Over 8 million tourists visit Vancity annually and it's no surprise why.

Luckily, Vancouver has accommodations to fit every style, need and budget, from 5-star hotels and luxury resorts to more affordable hostels and guesthouses. Unlike most hotels in Vancouver, especially Vancouver downtown, hostel prices in Vancouver are surprisingly affordable, starting at only CAD $25.00 a night for a dorm room. Budget travelers have all the reasons to look for cheap hostels and save money on accommodation rather than food and sightseeing tours. Below we've picked the best hostels in Vancouver for your budget trip so it's easier to find the one that suits you the best.

Moreover, Bounce often partners with Vancouver hostels for their luggage storage service, making your stay enjoyable and convenient from day one. If the hostel you pick is not our partner, you can always find another Bounce Vancouver luggage storage spot conveniently located across the big city.

SameSun Vancouver

SameSun Vancouver is one of the best hostels in Vancouver for socializing and meeting other travelers from all around the world. The hostel is conveniently located in Granville Entertainment District near Granville Island, English Bay Beach, and the Skytrain and within short walking distance from shops, pubs, bars, breweries, restaurants and the best clubs in the big city.

Guests can mingle in the hostel's bar, named the Beaver Bar, where fun nightly events take place every night and enjoy a free breakfast in the on-site restaurant the following morning. Those who prefer to cook can utilize the shared kitchen and those in a hurry can get a quick bite to eat from the vending machine.

You can choose from dorm rooms that sleep between 4 to 8 people, either mixed or female only. All dorms have pod beds fitted with their own light, shelves and power plugs. You can also book a private room, ideal for couples and solo travelers who prefer their privacy. All private rooms are equipped with a mini fridge and TV with Netflix. Also, as a Bounce partner, this hostel can store your luggage safely while you're out sightseeing.

What makes SameSun Vancouver unique

Besides its superb central location in downtown Vancouver, this party hostel is also greatly appreciated for its cool bar, fast free wifi and free breakfast. On top of that, the hostel helps organize tours for the guests so they can make the most of their stay in Vancouver.

SameSun Vancouver pricing

The pricing at the SameSun Vancouver starts at CAD $72.00 a night for an 8-bed mixed dorm with a shared washroom. There are not many hostels in Vancouver that are centrally located, top rated and affordable, so make sure to book your bed in advance.

HI Vancouver Jericho Beach

Another Bounce partner location is Hostelling International Jericho Beach Hostel, located a little off-the-beaten-track, right by the beach and just a few minutes walk from Jericho Beach Park. Your luggage will be safely stored in our lockers so you can play beach volleyball any time of the day.

Most Vancouver hostels in this guide are centrally located, but the HI Vancouver Jericho Beach is surrounded by parkland and beaches, half an hour's ride from downtown Vancouver. So if central location is your priority, this isn't the smartest choice for you. However, if you're visiting Vancouver for outdoor and sports adventures, this is definitely your spot.

Like most Vancouver hostels, this place too offers free wifi, laundry service, a fully-equipped kitchen, free linen, towels and free city maps. Bike rentals can be acquired at the front desk, which operates 24 hours. You can choose from shared-dorm style rooms that sleep between 4 and 18, but you can also book a private room for more convenience.

What makes HI Vancouver Jericho Beach unique

This hostel excels in many things, including its relaxed location, beachy vibe, amazing staff, and clean, quiet and spacious areas. It's also one of the cheapest hostels in Vancouver that offers private rooms too.

HI Vancouver Jericho Beach pricing

Pricing at the HI Vancouver Jericho Beach starts at CAD $28.00 a night for a bed in a 14 or 18-bed mixed dorm. Families of four or a group of friends can take advantage of the hostel's 4-bed family rooms with an ensuite bathroom.

Cambie Hostel Seymour

Cambie Hostel Seymour is a great hostel in Vancouver downtown, close to BC Place and Rogers Arena. The hostel offers all the basic facilities and amenities for a comfortable stay, from hot showers and free wifi, to comfy beds and a shared kitchen. Set in a heritage building that's more than 120 years old, the Cambie needs a little renovation. But if a convenient location in Vancouver is your priority, then this is the right place.

Guests can get $5.00 off breakfast at the Cambie Bar, which is in the Cambie Hostel Gastown sister hostel down the road. If you don't want to walk too far to eat, the Malone's Restaurant and Chihuahuas Mexican Grill are just below the hostel. Although super convenient for lunch or dinner, these two are the culprits for the noise in the hostel.

In the Cambie Hostel Seymour, you can take your pick from dorm rooms that accommodate between 2 to 4 people or a private room with a shared bathroom.

What makes Cambie Hostel Seymour unique

Besides its Vancouver City Centre location and proximity to tourist attractions, shops, bars and restaurants, this Vancouver hostel is a good choice for travelers who also want to save money on food, as the hostel offers a 20% discount voucher to guests who want to eat in Malone's Restaurant.

Cambie Hostel Seymour pricing

The average nightly price for the Cambie Hostel Seymour is CAD $52.00 for a basic 2-bed male or female room. And if you like your privacy, it'll cost you around CAD $120.00 a night for a basic private twin room with a shared bathroom. There are many basic but good hostels in Vancouver, and this is one of them.

Cambie Hostel Gastown

Looking for a hostel in Vancouver with great prices and an even better location? Located in Gastown, a hip neighborhood in Vancouver downtown, the Cambie Gastown is the perfect short-stay accommodation for solo travelers or friends who don't mind being around a furry animal. Yes, the hostel has a cat, so if you're allergic, make sure to bring your meds.

The Cambie Hostel is one of the best party hostels in Vancouver. Locals often make a stop in the hostel's bar, so it can get a little noisy. But if you prefer some quiet time, chill in the common area upstairs or check with the front desk service for free earplugs. The hostel features a fully equipped kitchen, and a basic but delicious breakfast is served at a discounted price to guests.

Guests can choose from mixed and female-only dorm rooms that sleep between 4 and 8 people, as well as private rooms with a shared bathroom.

What makes Cambie Hostel Gastown unique

Though pretty basic, the Cambie Gastown hostel is in a great location, making it the perfect choice for travelers who don't want to walk too far to be in the center of everything.

Cambie Hostel Gastown pricing

The average price per night is around CAD $49.50 for a bed in an 8-bed mixed dorm with an ensuite bathroom or CAD $120.00 for a private twin room with a shared bathroom. Despite the basic facilities and amenities, Cambie Gastown sells out fast, so make sure you have secured your spot way in advance.

YWCA Hotel

This Vancouver hostel-hotel type has everything you need for a pleasant stay. Its perfect location and private rooms make it an excellent choice for families and couples looking for some peace and quiet in the concrete jungle that is downtown Vancouver. The hostel is a stone's throw from Queen Elizabeth Theatre and Robson Street, making it a great spot for shopaholics and near the YWCA Health and Fitness Center, which has a gym, studio, hot tubs, steam rooms and an ozone pool.

All of the private rooms are air-conditioned and have a desk, mini-fridges, free wifi and cable TV. You can select from a single to a quint room depending on your budget and preference. There are 3 guest kitchens, a coffee shop and a vending machine on-site.

What makes YWCA Hotel unique

YWCA is one of the best Vancouver hostels for location, helpful staff, and facilities and it's a great value for your money.

YWCA Hotel pricing

YWCA is not the cheapest hostel in Vancouver, but it has everything you need and more to make the most out of your stay. The average nightly price for a standard double bedroom with a shared bathroom is CAD $124.00, depending on the selected date of travel.

Pacific Spirit Hostel

Pacific Spirit Hostel is one of the cheapest hostels in Vancouver, located on the University of British Columbia campus, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. But this doesn't mean the hostel is secluded. Being on campus means there are plenty of shops, attractions, facilities and restaurants nearby that will make your stay in Vancouver even more enjoyable.

The hostel is also close to some of the best beaches in Vancouver and some of the city's best hiking trails. Vancouver International Airport and downtown Vancouver are within a 25-minute ride. The rooms in the hostel have wired internet for a small fee, but there is fast free wifi across the campus and in the lobby. Other facilities and amenities include laundry, towels, soap and linen, and 24-hour reception. The hostel doesn't have a curfew.

What makes Pacific Spirit Hostel unique

Guests appreciate the Pacific Spirit Hostel for its great location, excellent staff, cleanliness and value for money.

Pacific Spirit Hostel pricing

Pricing at the Pacific Spirit starts at CAD $50.00 a night for a budget single room or CAD $110.00 for a budget double room, depending on the date of travel. Keep in mind that for your check-in date, there is a minimum length of stay of 2 nights.

The best hostels in Vancouver for every budget-conscious traveler

Vancouver is a metropolis, and as with most cities of that size and grandeur, it attracts more than 8 million visitors a year. Oddly enough, as big as it is, it's not easy to find hostels that will check all your boxes, whether you're backpacking, on a weekend getaway, or traveling on a budget.

When looking for the best hostels in Vancouver, there are a few things to consider, such as location, price, cleanliness, food, and whether or not they have quiet hours, curfew and private rooms. The latter comes in handy when you're a couple traveling on a tight budget or just prefer your privacy full stop. Though there are few cheap hostels in Vancouver, the more expensive ones can be worth every cent, so think twice before you make your choice.

And if this is your first time in Vancouver and you want to get familiar with the city, check out our very handy guides, Best Time to Visit Vancouver: The Ultimate Guide and 3 Days in Vancouver: Everything You Should Know.