Posted: 11/7/2018 | November 7th, 2018
New York City my be the city that never sleeps but it’s definitely hard to find a (cheap) place to sleep here.
Accommodation in NYC is not cheap – and it’s often hard to find deals.
That’s (in part) by design.
There used to be a lot of hostels in NYC, but the hotel lobby got the city to use an old law meant to block tenements that limited the number of people that could stay in a single room. This effectively shut down most of the hostels in the city, except for a few that were grandfathered in.
Now, you’re only going to find a few hostels in New York City.
Demand outstrips supply.
Even though there aren’t hundreds of hostels to choose from, there is enough to make a “best hostels in NYC” post so you know which of the hostels in the city are worth staying at as there are a few that are really terrible and to be avoided.
So, without further ado, here you are…
Best Hostels in New York City
1. Q4 Hotel
Q4 Hotel is a recently renovated hotel/hostel property with pretty basic rooms, but the beds are comfy and there’s plenty of light. The common room has a pool table and table tennis, and there’s a small kitchen for cooking. Located in Queens, this hostels is a great launching pad to exploring one of the best food neighborhoods in the city! It’s a stone’s throw from the Queens Plaza station, where you can take the E line into Manhattan.
Dorm beds from $34. Private rooms from $120.
—-> Book your stay at Q4 Hotel!
2. Broadway Hotel n’ Hostel
This hotel/hostel is close to Central Park. The dorm rooms are small and a bit cramped but the showers have great water pressure (and you can’t go wrong with that). It’s a nice place to just hang out – the hostel screens movies daily, there’s a library (with a cozy fireplace), a lounge with a Nintendo Wii system, and a kitchen. If you’re looking for a comfortable place in a more relaxed environment, this is one of the better hostels to stay in the city.
Beds from $45. Private rooms from $90.
—-> Book your stay at Broadway Hotel n Hostel!
3. The Local NYC
This hostel is known for having one of the friendliest staffs in town. They really make it their mission to get people socializing, and you’ll find the common area is regularly used for hosting events, screening movies, or showcasing artwork. There’s also a roof terrace overlooking NYC’s skyline, and a great bar with cocktails (the bartenders are generous pourers). The rooms are clean and comfortable too!
Beds from $45.49. Private rooms available, from $99.
—-> Book your stay at The Local NYC!
4. NY Moore Hostel
Located in the trendy hipster neighborhood of East Williamsburg, this hostel has a central location as well as a host of nice amenities, including free street parking (which is rare in NYC). I love how this hostel is covered in artwork and graffiti. It makes it extremely beautiful. The beds are average but it’s a cozy hostel to stay at.
Dorm beds from $48 (winter), $58 (summer). Private rooms also available.
—-> Book your stay at NY Moore Hostel!
5. Chelsea International Hostel
This is one of the largest (and most centrally located!) hostels in the city. One of the city’s first hostels, it has an outdoor courtyard, a dining area, and two kitchens. As an added bonus, all the dorms are single beds so no top bunks here! Breakfast is included, and there’s a free pizza party on Wednesdays.
Beds from $50. Private rooms also available.
—-> Book your stay at Chelsea International Hostel!
6. Blue Moon Hotel NYC
Blue Moon has an awesome location in the trendy Lower East Side neighborhood full of bars, restaurants and shops. It’s a good, basic place to sleep, but there’s no common area or communal kitchen, so don’t expect to make a lot of friends and socialize here.
Beds from $52.25.
—-> Book your stay at Blue Moon Hotel NYC!
7. HI New York City Hostel
This is one of the biggest and most popular hostels in the city. Located on the Upper West Side, there is a ton of space, an outdoor patio, free Wi-Fi, events, activities, and a huge kitchen. Lots of school groups and families stay here, too. They also hosts comedy, improv, and variety shows in the theater room. It’s the best hostel in the city.
Beds from $55.
—-> Book your stay at HI New York City Hostel!
8. Jazz Hostels
These hostels are my favorite in New York City. They both provide friendly environments, kitchens, and comfy dorms. Both places are popular for solo travelers, so you’ll find it easy to make friends. There are two locations:
- Jazz Hostel Columbus Circle – If you’re lucky you might be able to find a bed as low as $20 – but it’s rare. Private rooms also available.
- Jazz Upper West Side – Beds $65–80, private rooms also available.
—-> Book your stay at the Jazz Hostel Columbus Circle!
—-> Book your stay at the Upper West Side!
9. Harlem YMCA
There are five locations in town, but the only one worth talking about is the Harlem one. That’s the biggest and cheapest location, and it’s close to the train; it has a large common area, a courtyard, computers, and big comfy dorms. The gym, pool and group classes are included in the price of your stay.
There are only single and double rooms (with bunkbeds). Singles from $75 (winter), from $85 (summer), plus $10 resort fee per night.
—-> Book your stay at the Harlem YMCA!
10. American Dream Bed and Breakfast
This cute, family owned-hostel considers itself a bed and breakfast: all rooms are private, and breakfast is free (including the fabulous homemade waffles). Plus, it has a great location near the Empire State Building, Union Station and the Flatiron Building. The staff is very responsive and helpful.
Rooms from $94.
—-> Book your stay at the Harlem YMCA!
11. Freehand New York
This isn’t a hostel but I put it on the list because the rooms are fairly cheap for Manhattan and the place is just super cool. The décor and artwork by Bard College students give it an upscale feel. There’s a great bar and restaurant that’s popular with locals. The rooms aren’t huge but they have enough space for you to move around. They are all modern, clean, and offer incredible value.
Rooms from $99.
—-> Book your stay at the Freehand New York!
13. The Jane
This historic hotel in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District, where you’ll feel like you stepped back in time, was actually where the survivors of the Titanic were put up when they landed in N.Y.C. Now it’s also one of the best budget hotel in town, with compact single rooms, comfy beds, and shared bathrooms. There’s a café downstairs and a popular nightclub on the weekends. They even offer complimentary bikes for in-town use.
Singles from $125.
—-> Book your stay at The Jane!
14. International Student Center
This hostel on the Upper West Side isn’t just for students. It’s a comfortable place to stay with free Wi-Fi, comfortable and clean beds, kitchens to cook in, and an awesome common area. Their age restriction is 18-35, though; you’re out of luck if you’re older! The location is really the main selling point for this place.
Beds from $50.
—-> Book your stay at The International Student Center!
15. Brooklyn Riviera
A quaint, friendly hostel within walking distance to the A and C trains, as well as the #3 train. Each dorm has four beds and plenty of storage, and there’s a nice backyard area where the staff regularly hosts BBQ. The Brooklyn Riviera looks a little rundown but it’s well taken care of, and it’s comfortable enough for a short stay.
Beds from $25.
—-> Book your stay at the Brooklyn Riviera!
After traveling to (and living in!) New York for so many years, I’ve experienced a huge variety of accommodations in the city. There’s a lot of awesome places to stay but these have become my favorites because of their relatively low prices, stellar locations, and generally cleanliness. It’s a shame there’s not more cheap accommodation in the city but, out of them all, these are the best hostels in NYC. Check them and save your money for all the other things NYC has to offer when you visit!
NEXT STEP —> Get My Guide and See More of NYC for Less!
You’ll get off the beaten path, away from crowds, and see the local side of New York City visiting my favorite sights, restaurants, bars, and attractions!
Book Your Trip to NYC: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Get Your Guide
Check out my detailed guide to planning a visit to NYC with suggested itineraries, places to stay, things to do, where to eat, and how to get around. Just click here to get the guide and continue planning today!
Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- World Nomads (for everyone below 70)
- Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
Looking for the best companies to save money with?
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Looking for more information on visiting NYC?
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