Filled with a mix of cultures, surrounded by sea and mountains, the port city of Vancouver has a wealth of things to do, see and eat. From its extra-large Chinatown to its nearby outdoor activities, there’s a whole host of reasons that makes Vancouver one of Canada’s most exciting places to visit.
But where in this metropolis of glass and steel are you going to find an affordable place to stay? What’s the hostel scene like in Vancouver – are there even any to choose from?
The answer is yes! And we’ve done the hard work for you, selecting the best hostels in Vancouver so you can find one that’s right for you.
So let’s dive into the world of this multicultural city and see what it has to offer!
Editor’s note – Seen all Vancouver has to offer? Check out our 15 best day trips from Vancouver!
The Best Hostels in Vancouver: Round-up
Best Overall Hostel in Vancouver – HI Vancouver Downtown
Best Party Hostel in Vancouver – Cambie House Seymour
Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Vancouver – HI Vancouver Central
Best Hostel near Jericho Beach – HI Vancouver Jericho Beach
Best Hostel near Gastown – Cambie Hostel Gastown
Best High-end Hostel in Vancouver – Samesun Vancouver
Best Cheap Hostel in Vancouver – St Clair Hotel Hostel
Best Hostel with a Private Room in Vancouver – YWCA Hotel
10 Best Hostels in Vancouver
Best Overall Hostel in Vancouver
• HI Vancouver Downtown •
Why we like Ocean Blue Hostel…
We always like a place that serves up a free breakfast, but there’s more to this cool Vancouver hostel than its tasty food. Located in a safe residential neighbourhood, there’s lots of choice for eating out nearby and the staff will be more than happy to let you know about hidden local gems nearby.
Ocean Blue Hostel is perfect for…
Being the best overall hostel in Vancouver, this place is perfect for travellers who don’t like staying in dorms with loads of other people. The dorm rooms here only ever have four beds in them and are really secure with key card access and lockers. It’s also located to the gay-friendly neighbourhood of Davie St. which is a fun and vibrant area to hang out in.
Best Party Hostel in Vancouver
• Cambie House Seymour •
Why we like Cambie House Seymour…
If you are looking for the best party hostel in Vancouver then look no further. We like this place for its laid-back ethos and the tap bar downstairs with really good happy hour deals. Not to mention the Mexican food and tequilas they serve as well – you’ll never be hungry or thirsty if you stay here!
Cambie House Seymour is perfect for…
This is a top Vancouver backpackers hostel that is the perfect choice for people who like to socialise. The bar shows live sports and good music, and once you’ve had enough of partying, you can head up to your room and chill out with the hostel’s resident Cambie cat.
Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Vancouver
• HI Vancouver Central •
Why we like HI Vancouver Central…
We like this cool Vancouver hostel has a big focus on comfort and security. This hostel really knows what it’s guests want; to have a good time in the nearby bars and clubs but return to a safe environment. They make it easy to meet other travellers with tours and pub crawls, making it the best hostel for solo travellers in Vancouver.
HI Vancouver Central is perfect for…
Solo travellers, of course! This is the perfect hostel in Vancouver for people who want to meet and mingle with fellow guests. The fun common room and helpful staff make travelling by yourself stress-free. The location, in the middle of the action and close to transport links is also great for those who want to explore the city.
Best Hostel near Jericho Beach
• HI Vancouver Jericho Beach •
Why we like HI Vancouver Jericho Beach…
For travellers who want to experience a different side of Vancouver, staying near the beach will bring a little more relaxation to your trip. This is one of the coolest hostels in Vancouver for its amazing location next to the beach. We like the simplicity of this place and the laid-back, no-frills atmosphere
HI Vancouver Jericho Beach is perfect for…
Perfect for people who don’t want to be in the middle of all of the action, this is the best hostel near Jericho Beach. You can easily catch the bus into the city centre or spend days surrounded by the beauty of the natural landscape. The hostel isn’t about luxury, but is clean and the beach is on the doorstep.
Best Hostel near Gastown
• Cambie Hostel Gastown •
Why we like Cambie Hostel Gastown…
We really like this cool Vancouver hostel. Not only do they set out to make sure all of their guests have the best stay in the hostel, there’s also a really fun bar downstairs to grab a drink or two and play a game of pool after a busy day. And we like the sound of that!
Cambie Hostel Gastown is perfect for…
We think this is the best hostel near Gastown for its fun-loving atmosphere. Located in the middle of this busy district means it’s perfect for people who love city life and don’t mind staying somewhere that can get a little noisy. They also have a cat called Oreo, so if you like cats this has to be the hostel for you!
Best High-end Hostel in Vancouver
• Samesun Vancouver •
Why we like Samesun Vancouver…
Sometimes we like a bit of the high-life. It’s nice to be surrounded by cool design and clean things and this is why we like Samesun Vancouver. The best high-end hostel in Vancouver, the new dorm beds feel very private and the shared bathrooms have been newly decorated and are super modern.
Samesun Vancouver is perfect for…
The perfect top hostel in Vancouver for flashpackers who want to stay somewhere nice which also has its own bar. There’s a fun and friendly atmosphere which makes it a comfortable place to stay. It’s also perfect for people on a budget because they offer a free breakfast and there’s communal kitchen so you can make your own meals.
Best Cheap Hostel in Vancouver
• St Clair Hotel Hostel •
Why we like St Clair Hotel Hostel…
Tucked away in Downtown, we like this hostel for its really helpful staff. Always available and willing to help out guests, the hostel might be the best cheap hotel but the service and location close to the public transport makes it seem like it should be a lot more expensive.
St Clair Hotel Hostel is perfect for…
Housed in a historical building, the rooms might be a little small and the common rooms in need of a little bit of love, but this place is the perfect choice for travellers on a budget. One of the best budget hostels in Vancouver, the hostel is kept really clean and feels secure which we think all adds up to great value for money
Best Hostel with a Private Room in Vancouver
• YWCA Hotel •
Why we like YWCA Hotel…
If you are looking for the best hostel with a private room in Vancouver, look no further. This hostel has a whole range of room types to choose from to suit different travellers’ needs, as well as a guest kitchen and a coffee bar – which is one of the main reasons why we like it.
YWCA Hotel is perfect for…
Perfect for people who want to stay in a recommended hostel in Vancouver which is close to public transport, the sky train is two blocks from this place. If you want to use your legs, some of the top neighbourhoods are in walking distance, which is great for saving money. And if you want to do a spot of shopping, Robson Street is just around the corner.
More Best Hostels in Vancouver
• Ellison House •
Why we like Ellison House..
This place makes our list of best hostels in Vancouver for its welcoming, friendly atmosphere. If you want a glimpse into local life in the city, then staying here offers a fantastic opportunity to get to know the local community and still soak up the city sights, too.
Ellison House is perfect for…
Perfect for travellers who don’t want to stay somewhere that is all about drinking and late night parties, this hostel is located in a peaceful enclave between Downtown and the city parks. A clean and cheap place to rest if hiking and cycling in the surrounding nature sounds like you.
• Dunbar Home •
Why we like Dunbar Home…
Somewhere between a hotel, guest house and a hostel, this recommended hostel in Vancouver features shared toilets and private rooms. Because it’s essentially a home, the hosts offer a personal service, which can include lifts to the airport, which is something we like about this place. It’s a little slice of home.
Dunbar Home is perfect for…
If you like being away from the centre of a city, Dunbar Home is the place for you. The surrounding area is filled with nice restaurant options, so it’s great for those who love to explore more local areas. That said, the centre of Vancouver is an easy ride away via bus or skytrain.
Conclusion to the best hostels in Vancouver
PS – traveling in Canada? Check out the best hostels in Toronto!
There you have it – the best hostels in Vancouver!
We love that so many of them come complete with bars, making it easy to have a good time and meet your fellow travellers.
Whether you stay in the historic core of Gastown or want somewhere closer to the culinary delights of Gastown, we hope you’ll find a hostel that’s right for you.
But if you can’t decide – don’t worry! There’s always our top pick for the best overall hostel in Vancouver, HI Vancouver Downtown, which is a great choice for anyone. Have a great trip!
