In beautiful South-Western France, you’ll find the town of Toulouse straddling the Garonne River. Throughout the old city, you’ll discover churches, palaces, and museums, all showcasing a side of France only known from history books.
With bridges dating back more than 500 years and museums whose exhibits will help you dive into the very fabric of French culture, there’s no better place than Toulouse to explore the heritage of this breathtaking country.
From the Basilica of Saint Sernin to the lush gardens found throughout the city, Toulouse has more than enough to draw tourists to its museums and churches.
Budget hostels, on the other hand, are not all that plentiful, meaning that the average backpacker will have to stretch every Euro they have to get through the day.
If you dream of visiting Toulouse but think you can’t afford it, breathe a sigh of relief; we’ve brought all the best hostels in Toulouse into one place!
Your adventure in Toulouse is just a few clicks away!
Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Toulouse
- Overall Best Hostel in Toulouse – La Petite Auberge de Saint-Sernin
- Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in Toulouse – Hotel Le Pastel
- Best Cheap Hostel in Toulouse – Friendly Auberge
- Best Hostel for Couples in Toulouse – Hotel La Chartreuse
- Best Party Hostel in Toulouse – Campanile Toulouse Balma
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Toulouse – Residence Thibaud
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The Best Hostels in Toulouse
If you’re wondering where you should stay in France, Toulouse is definitely one of the top spots on the list. We know you can’t wait to stroll along the river, visit the historic churches, and wander the city streets of Toulouse! But first, you’ll need to find the perfect hostel that fits how you like to travel!
Backpacking France doesn’t have to be over-the-top expensive. There are amazing hostels in the city and we’ve picked the best ones for you. With every stay a little different from the next, keep your eyes open for which hostel will make for the best home away from home!
La Petite Auberge de Saint-Sernin – Best Overall Hostel in Toulouse
Putting you right in the heart of Toulouse, Le Petite Auberge de Saint-Senin makes for the perfect place to base yourself while exploring the nearby sights of the city! Just around the corner from this backpacker’s hostel, you’ll find the bar street on Saint Pierre Square, daily markets, and even the iconic Japanese gardens.
But before you start ticking all the churches and museums off your list, you might first want to meet up with some of the other travelers at the hostel. With an inviting lounge and sunny garden, there’s no better place to crack open a few beers or enjoy some wine while kicking back and relaxing with the other guests!
Hotel Le Pastel – Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in Toulouse
Unfortunately, Toulouse doesn’t have a vast amount of hostels to choose from. If you’re after a private room but still want a hotel with the spirit of a hostel, Hotel le Pastel is calling your name! Located in the center of the old city, you’ll find the Jeanne d’Arc Metro Station and the Basilica of Saint-Sernin just down the road!
When staying at this budget hotel in Toulouse, the first thing you’ll notice is that the entire place is decorated by local artists. With classy graffiti adorning each room, you’ll still enjoy a youthful atmosphere while sleeping in 5-star comfort! With a room service breakfast and a small outdoor space to hang out at, Hotel le Pastel is a stay that will blow you away!
Friendly Auberge – Best Cheap Hostel in Toulouse
Around France, you’ll find it a bit hard to save money while staying in expensive hotels and downing a bottle of wine every night. But in Toulouse, there’s one hostel where you can stay on a budget and still enjoy the old city to the fullest. Friendly Auberge is so much more than just a cheap place to rest your head every night; it’s also one of the liveliest youth hostels in Toulouse!
With an onsite bar and restaurant, you’ll have the choice of going out to wine and dine every night or staying closer to home by eating and drinking with the other guests at the hostel. With an outdoor terrace and laid back vibes, this is one hostel where you may find yourself extending your stay night after night!
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View on Osprey View on REIHotel La Chartreuse – Best Hostel for Couples in Toulouse
Many people travel to France with the sole intention of boosting the romance in their lives. As a backpacking couple, why would you want to be divided by dorm beds? Even if you’re traveling on a budget, Hotel La Chartreuse is a place where you can enjoy a comfortable private room to cozy up in while still saving a few extra Euros.
With a shaded terrace and a bed and breakfast atmosphere, there’s no better place in Toulouse to drink a few glasses of wine by candlelight each evening. When you want to go check out the sites of the old city, you’ll find that Place du Capitole and the train station are just a few steps away from your door!
Campanile Toulouse Balma – Best Party Hostel in Toulouse
With only a handful of hostels in Toulouse, there isn’t exactly an abundance of places for party animals to get out there and drink until the break of dawn. But before you head out to one of the many bars and clubs found around Toulouse, you can grab a few drinks at the onsite bar at Campanile Toulouse Balma.
This luxurious hotel will give you all the perks and comfort of a 5-star stay while still fitting in nicely with a backpacker’s budget. Serving breakfast every morning and meals throughout the day at the onsite restaurant, you’ll never go hungry. Although you’ll be staying a few miles outside of the old city, you’ll still have all the churches and museums located a short bus ride away!
Residence Thibaud – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Toulouse
If you’re a digital nomad, you’ll need to find a budget hostel in Toulouse where you can base yourself for a few days and catch up on some work. Residence Thibaud may seem out of reach for a backpacker’s budget, but this cozy stay will surprise you with its affordable rooms that won’t bleed your wallet dry.
Residence Thibaud isn’t just a cheap stay, though; you’ll be pampered with an onsite park and a swimming pool, where you can relax between jobs.
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Hide Yo’ Money!More of the Best Hostels in Toulouse
Ibis Budget Toulouse Cité de l’Espace 1
Being a budget backpacker doesn’t mean you can’t splurge on a nice hotel every now and then. While you’re in Toulouse, Ibis Budget Toulouse 1 will give you a quality stay for a price that won’t send you straight to the ATM. Located close to the Cité de l’espace (France’s space museum), you’ll enjoy a side of Toulouse not often seen by the average tourist.
When you stay here, you’ll enjoy plenty of comforts, such as breakfast at the onsite cafe and rooms that will have you wanting to stay a few extra nights.
Hotel des Ambassadeurs
Unsure where to stay in Toulouse? Hotel des Ambassadeurs will hook you up with some of the most comfortable and cheapest rooms in Toulouse, still within a thrifty traveler’s budget! Putting you right by the SNCF Train Station, you won’t have to worry about getting lost trying to find your hotel.
With the Basilica of Saint-Sernin just a short walk away from your hotel, you’ll also have all the best sights of the old city waiting right outside your door! Start your day with a breakfast served in the dining room every morning, and you will feel right at home at Hotel des Ambassadeurs!
Hotel Victor Hugo
Travelers won’t find a more centrally located hotel in all of Toulouse than Hotel Victor Hugo! Putting you just a few steps away from the Jean Jaurès Metro Station and the SNCF Matabiau railway station, coming and going out of Toulouse from the hotel is a breeze!
If you’re arriving by plane, you’ll find there’s even an airport shuttle taking you directly from the terminal to the hotel! Other than the location, Hotel Victor Hugo also has some of the coziest rooms in the old city. There’s even a cafe serving up a delicious breakfast, so guests are sure to rethink ever leaving Toulouse!
Ad Cyber Hotel
Although you will be located a bit outside of the city center while staying at Ad Cyber-Hotel, you won’t be missing out on any of the fun! This budget hotel in Toulouse will have backpackers traveling on a shoestring cozying up in some of the cheapest rooms in town.
Ad Cyber-Hotel offers so much more than homey private rooms. This boutique-style hotel also has its very own terrace and cafe, perfect for grabbing a bite and relaxing in the fresh air. What will really have you wanting to press that “book” button is the delicious breakfast served every morning!
What to Pack for your Toulouse Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Check out my definitive Hostel Packing list for even more top hostel packing tips!
Why you should travel to Toulouse
Get your guidebooks and cameras ready; your adventure taking you through the historic streets of Toulouse is just a few steps away! Before you can decide what churches and museums to hit up first, you’ll need to find a youth hostel or budget guesthouse in Toulouse to call home.
Choosing a backpackers hostel in Toulouse is easier said than done, so if you’re still undecided about where to stay, we can totally understand. Let us help you out by giving you our recommendation on where to stay in Toulouse. For the best backpacker’s experience, be sure to book yourself into La Petite Suberge de Saint-Sernin, our pick for the best hostel in Toulouse!
FAQ about Hostels in Toulouse
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Toulouse.
How much does a hostel cost in Toulouse?
Typical dorms in Toulouse costs around $35 per bed while private rooms are around $80 per night.
What are the best hostels in Toulouse for couples?
Hotel La Chartreuse is a great hostel for couples who want to explore the bests of Toulouse. It’s just across the bus/train station. They also have a cosy patio if you feel like staying in.
What are the best hostels in Toulouse near the airport?
The nearest airport in the city is right at the city center so choosing a hostel won’t be a problem. My best recommendation however is La Petite Auberge de Saint-Sernin. The hostel is just a 12 mins ride away and have a great value for money.
Travel Safety Tips for Toulouse
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They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Over to you
The art of Musée des Augustins and the life of Capitole de Toulouse await you in Southern France. Toulouse has enough bars and restaurants to send your tastebuds to heaven, and the history of Pont Neuf and Bemberg Foundation Palace will take you back in time to explore a side of France not often found in other cities.
Deciding to pack your bags and head to Toulouse is the easy part – it’s choosing the perfect hostel that can be tricky! Do you want to hang in the lounge with other guests or enjoy a glass of wine alone on your private terrace? The place you choose to stay will set the tone for your trip to Toulouse.
If you’re planning on travelling further, check out the rest of France’s amazing hostels too. No matter where you go, there’s a comfy bed and a place to rest your head waiting for you!
If you have ever traveled to Toulouse, we’d love to hear about your trip! Let us know in the comments below if there are any great backpackers hostels we may have missed!
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in France for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the best places to visit in France covered.
- Skip the dorm and find a super cool Airbnb in France if you’re feeling fancy!
- Check out the best places to stay in Toulouse before you arrive.
- Remember to grab yourself an international sim card for France to avoid any issues.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate Europe backpacking guide.
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