6 best hostels in Victoria

Victoria, the provincial capital of British Columbia and Vancouver Island’s largest urban area, is known for its many green spaces and picturesque parks, which is why it’s been dubbed Canada’s Garden City. It has a rich colonial past and British heritage that can be seen in its urban squares, architecture, English-style pubs, gardens, and museums. While some may only come as a day trip from Vancouver, once you discover its intriguing culture, year-round recreational opportunities, history, and spectacular outdoor setting, you may never want to leave.

But before you spend your holiday in Victoria, British Columbia, you have to figure out where to stay that will allow you to make the most of your trip. The hostels in Victoria are among your best options if you want to travel on a budget. They are undoubtedly cheaper than hotels or Airbnb and excellent places to make friends from around the globe and plan trips together.

However, despite the booming hostel scene worldwide, hostels in Victoria are pretty limited. But that shouldn’t stop you from staying in one of these facilities and having a classic backpacker experience.

This guide covers the top Victoria hostels, their features, and why they’re worth considering. And if you’re not aware, Bounce partners with hostels for its luggage storage service in Victoria. Our storage lockers are also found throughout the city, so if the hostel you choose isn’t a partner, you can easily find the closest one to your location or next destination through our website and mobile app.

HI Victoria Hostel

HI Victoria is a backpacker’s favorite hostel in the city’s historic downtown center. It is only a short walk from the Royal British Columbia Museum, the BC legislature buildings, and the picturesque Inner Harbour, one of the world’s most beautiful harbors. It is set in a historic building on Yates Street designed and built by architect H.O. Tiedemann as a warehouse in 1882. In 1991, it was renovated along with the adjacent building to be used as a hostel.

This youth hostel offers gendered dorms, mixed shared rooms, and private spaces for couples, families, and solo travelers. The men’s shared rooms sleep up to 44 people, while the female-only dorms have bunk-style beds for six, sixteen, and twenty occupants. The family room offers three bunk beds, one of which has a double bed on the bottom, accommodating up to seven people, while the private room sleeps up to three people comfortably. Several amenities and services include free tea and coffee and access to the library, the TV room, games rooms, a computer kiosk, and a common area.

What makes HI Victoria Hostel unique?

HI Victoria’s biggest draw is its central location, which places guests near several major attractions, restaurants, cafes, and shops. When the sun sets, you can quickly walk to the harbor area and watch the color of the sky change. HI Victoria is also a Bounce partner hostel, so you don’t have to worry about leaving your belongings while discovering the nearby sights and attractions because you know your valuables are locked in a safe locker.

HI Victoria Hostel pricing

Unfortunately, we can’t find specific information on the hostel prices, as it is not bookable. Keep on checking, though, if you plan to visit Victoria. Who knows? It may be available, and start welcoming guests on your next adventure.

Ocean Island Inn Backpackers Suites

Another charming hostel in Victoria housed in a late 19th-century building is Ocean Island Inn. It is nestled on a busy downtown street near Miniature World, the Royal BC Museum, and the historic Victorian-era landmark Craigdarroch Castle. It’s perfect for solo and budget-conscious vacationers and is one of the top hostels in Victoria to meet fellow travelers.

At Ocean Island Inn, guests have numerous options, from private rooms and dorm beds to elegant apartment-style suites. And if you want to stay for a few weeks or a month, the Ocean Island Suites in a historic character house will give you a fun group retreat. A knowledgeable and friendly staff will welcome you as soon as you enter the hostel, ensuring you have a pleasant and safe experience throughout your stay.

Get social and meet other travelers in the common areas, such as the dining room, the stylish lobby, and the lounge, featuring beer and drink specials. It also boasts a modern kitchen with all the necessary tools and equipment to prepare a delicious meal. Other amenities include free WiFi, laundry facilities, a work/study area in the Garden Suites, and more.

What makes Ocean Island Inn Backpackers Suites unique

Enjoy free 24-hour hot coffee and tea at the beverage station, complimentary local beer at the lounge, and free breakfast between 7 to 11 AM. And if you think that’s all the freebies at Ocean Island Inn, you’re wrong. From 6 PM to 8 PM, the hostel serves tasty dinners for free. You have two options each night: African Peanut Stew, Curried Lentils, Thai Coconut Curry, and more.

Ocean Island Inn Backpackers Suites pricing

For all its incredible offerings, you might think you’ll have to spend a lot every night to stay in Ocean Island Inn. But that’s not the case at all. A night in a male and coed dorm bed costs about CA$49.00 and CA$102.00 for a small queen room for two people.

Turtle Hostel

A small hostel with a big personality, Turtle Hostel is an old, quaint Victorian house partially updated to accommodate guests. It’s conveniently located in downtown Victoria, so from here, everything is within a short walking distance, including malls, beaches, the Inner Harbour, and the colorful city nightlife. It is also near Victoria Railway Station, BC Ferries, and several eateries.

Don’t come here expecting large, spacious rooms. Despite its size, it has enough beds for around 29 people. It has mixed, male-, and female-only dorms, as well as private and family rooms. The rooms are colorful and bright, some with metal bunk beds while others have wooden ones. Whichever room you choose, you are guaranteed to have a restful sleep on the comfy beds. It also has a small terrace with a street view, where you can sip tea or coffee or chat with other travelers.

What makes Turtle Hostel unique

One factor that sets it apart from other hostels in Victoria is its charming structure. It is small but stands out among the tall buildings around it. Its exterior is brightly colored, so you can’t miss it. Across the street is the beautiful 1912 St. John the Divine Anglican Church.

Turtle Hostel pricing

Economical deals await you at this cheap hostel, with seasonal rates for travelers on a budget. The standard rate for a mixed dorm is around CA$34.50 a night and CA$46.00 for a private single room. These hostel prices are subject to change depending on the season and the room availability.

Island Travel Inn

Although it doesn’t have dorm-style facilities like other Victoria hostels, Island Travel Inn deserves a spot on this list due to its location and affordable rooms. It’s a great starting point to explore Vancouver Island due to its proximity to direct public transport and BC Ferries, which serves numerous ports on twenty-five routes throughout coastal British Columbia.

Sure, it may not be as affordable as the cheap hostels in Victoria, but Island Travel Inn allows you to enjoy the comforts of a modern home in a delightful traditional setting. All rooms are private, featuring a work desk, HD TV, coffee/tea makers, high-speed wireless internet, a mini-fridge, and more, ideal for business travelers and couples. You can also book a stay in a room with a balcony. Other amenities include an ice machine, vending machines, an ATM in the lobby, coin-operated laundry facilities, a guest computer, and more.

What makes Island Travel Inn unique

Its downtown location places guests near must-visit spots in the city. These include Victoria’s Inner Harbour, the Parliament Building, Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown, Beacon Hill Park, the Royal BC Museum, and many more.

Island Travel Inn pricing

Stay in an executive suite with a bathtub and shower for CA$149.00 a night or a private room with a king bed for CA$145.00 per night.

Marketa's Bed and Breakfast

Just steps from Inner Harbour, Fisherman’s Wharf Park, and Royal BC Museum will lead you to Marketa's Bed and Breakfast, a three-star accommodation in the heart of downtown Victoria. It offers guests a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience traditional Edwardian hospitality with a European flair inside a 1912 heritage home. At Marketa's Bed and Breakfast, you can enjoy personal service in a warm and homey setting.

This stunning Edwardian facility has numerous rooms for everyone. You can opt for a budget room with a queen bed and a shared bathroom or a spacious private room with a garden view that sleeps two people. The beautifully decorated family rooms and handmade four-poster beds will make you feel like royalty.

What makes Marketa's Bed and Breakfast unique

The rooms at Marketa's Bed and Breakfast reflect class, elegance, and comfort with vintage furniture, antique charm, and sunny, spacious rooms. Then, you will wake up to a delicious and hearty breakfast consisting of eggs benedict, pancakes, eggs Florentine, and a Montreal-style bagel. After you’ve been recharged and refueled, get ready to participate in tours and day trips outlined for you. Pick your adventures from a list of day trips from Victoria, BC, and tours.  

Marketa's Bed and Breakfast pricing

This Victoria accommodation is one of the most expensive on this list, but still worth checking out if you have the budget. Stay in the original master bedroom with a queen-sized four-poster bed and wood-burning fireplace at approximately CA$215.00 a night for you and your travel companion. If you want a room with a jacuzzi, a private bath, and a hand-crafted four-poster queen bed, ready to pay around CA$272.00 a night.

Robin Hood Inn & Suites

About a five-minute drive from Victoria City Centre, Robin Hood Inn & Suites is a modern facility on Gorge Road, near famous restaurants, supermarkets, shopping malls, and breweries. Since the 60s, it has been an icon in British Columbia’s capital, providing outstanding hospitality and services to visitors.

This award-winning inn boasts spacious rooms with king and queen beds. Sofa beds are also available in certain rooms, with hypoallergenic pillows, quality linens, sheets, and pillowcases. It promises ultimate comfort and luxury and allows you to cook in apartment-style kitchens. If you’re traveling with your pet, Robin Hood Inn & Suites will let you in one of its pet-friendly rooms.

What makes Robin Hood Inn & Suites unique

Robin Hood Inn & Suites prides itself on being the gateway to the resort experience in Victoria. No matter what adventure you want to take, its friendly staff will help you organize your trip, whether touring the city on foot or bike, whale watching, or visiting Butchart Gardens. It also has a lot of freebies, including paddleboarding and kayaking, a shuttle service that will pick you up and drop you off from the inn, picnic tables, free parking, and e-bikes at certain times of the day and evening.

Robin Hood Inn & Suites pricing

Suitable for couples and business travelers, Robin Hood Inn & Suites lets you sleep in a premium queen in the ballpark of CA$189.50 a night for two guests. It’s a classic hotel room with one queen bed. For a family or a group of six, you can book a multi-bed suite with a standard rate of CA$259.00.

Book a stay in one of the best Victoria hostels

The perfect hostel for you will depend on your budget and the activities you want to do. Fortunately, most hostels in Victoria are within easy access to major public transportation and put you in the middle of many tourist spots. They are also located near restaurants, bars, and shops, so you won’t have to wander far to shop, sample local treats, and party.

Exploring Canada's westernmost capital? Venture out to the shore after reading our guide on beaches near Victoria. See the beauty of the Pacific coast from another angle.