Toronto.
A legendary place where you can vending machine a book in the morning and go on a lovely walk through the sewers in the evening. Niagara Falls is reasonably near too – another draw for tourists, I’m sure.
This wonderful, densely populated Canadian city is an epic place to wander and spend some time. But cities can be daunting for broke backpackers – there should be hostels, but are there?
YES! Enter my useful guide to the best hostels in Toronto. I’m ready to dish the dirt on the hostel situation, drop that average nightly price, and even hook you up with a free coffee sorta hostel. This isn’t run-of-the-mill but coffee aside, let me turn your ‘oh my gawd, where am I gonna sleep‘ angst into sweet dreams.
Let me make more time for you to explore the Royal Ontario Museum, trip out to the infamous (and rightly so) Niagra Falls, and see Toronto. There aren’t many hostels but I’ve collated the creme de la creme so you can spend more time eating buttery croissants on rooftops. This list is for my solo travelers, fold looking for party hostels, and everyone in between.
Let’s dive into Toronto!
Photo: @danielle_wyatt
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Quick Answers: The Best Hostels in Toronto
- Best Overall Hostel in Toronto – Planet Traveler
- Best Hostel in Toronto for Solo Travelers – Samesun Toronto
- Best Cheap Hostel in Toronto – All Days Hostel
- Best Party Hostel in Toronto – The Only Backpackers Inn
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Toronto – The Clarence Park
The 5 Best Hostels in Toronto
Wonderful! It is time to get stuck into the juiciest five Toronto hostels I could lay my grubby mitts upon.
Whether you’re looking to spend a weekend in Toronto, a month, or an entire year hostelling, these are the finest lodgings money can buy…
1. Planet Traveler – Best Overall Hostel in Toronto
- Dorm (mixed): From $38/night
- Private Room: From $121/night
- Address: 357 College St, Toronto
Over the past five years, Planet Traveler has won a ton of awards for their great customer service and on-point hostel vibe – what’s not to love?! This excellent Toronto hostel cultivates a great backpacker vibe, which means you’re bound to meet some characters and generally have a loose time.
Heads up lazy bods, they serve breakfast until 1 pm, no need to set the alarm when staying at Planet Traveler in Toronto! Since there aren’t too many hostels in Toronto, and the quality of them is variable, I would sincerely recommend staying here. The backpacker vibe is true…
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Incredible Location
- On-site cafe
- Buzzing Rooftop Terrace
We can’t emphasize enough how cool the location is – Chinatown and Kensington Market are within a few blocks. This means you’re sitting on top of half the top Toronto attractions! On top of that, you’ll be living the responsible backpackers’ dream in the greenest hostel in Canada.
Their heating is geothermal and solar-powered, so you can comfortably sit inside and enjoy the cozy common room. There is also a cool rooftop terrace where you can hang out and make some buddies. It also has killer views over the CN Tower!
There are a variety of rooms to choose from. Starting with private rooms for parties of up to four with private bathrooms as well as dorm rooms that can accommodate up to six people. There’s the option of same-sex or mixed dorms and shared rooms with private washrooms and reading lights.
2. Samesun Toronto – Best Hostel in Toronto for Solo Travelers
- Dorm (mixed): From $32/night
- Private Room: From $94/night
- Address: 280 Augusta Avenue, M5T 2L9 Toronto
Is that great value for money? An excellent breakfast? Organized fun?!?!? It is all that and (of course) more at Samesun Toronto.
With a location that would bring a geographer to their knees… This hostel sits in one of the most interesting and exciting parts of town and has great access to the Kensington Market. Perfect for nailing a top Toronto Itinerary.
The hostel itself boasts a quasi-Japanese vibe, which means vibrant decoration, clear and open spaces, and a high standard of cleanliness. For the digital nomads out there, there is a great space to work in and free WiFi!
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Sign Up Sheets
- Comfy hang-out zone
- Great Location
Another aspect of this hostel worth picking up on is the activities sign up sheet. If there is enough interest, there are a bunch of trips, tours and adventures to be had! It makes it super easy to pick up some travel buddies too.
The beds are comfy, the WiFi is strong, there is a cupboard labeled free food, and female dorms are available. Bunks are equipped with reading lights (which are always so well used) and there are security lockers for making sure your stuff stays where put.
If I’m frank about this hostel, I would say that it is a “seasonal” hostel. That is, it is a potluck whether you get a dorm of amazing and friendly voyagers or some grungy locals. The vibe is also a little quiet (unless you’re lucky), so if I were a solo traveler in Toronto, I would be going for Planet Traveler if possible. Definitely mark it as a second choice though!
3. All Days Hostel – Best Cheap Hostel in Toronto
- Dorm (mixed): From $42/night
- Private Room: From $78/night
- Address: 5 Selby St, Toronto
If you’re looking for a bed in Toronto on the cheap, take a look at All Days Hostel, one of the cheapest hostels in Toronto. The All Days staff are super helpful and a great source of information. Be sure to ask them directions if GoogleMaps seems a bit confusing; local knowledge is always best (ED: Google is pretty good too though…)
As a budget hostel, All Days does its best to give itheir guests great value for money. Swing by the tours and travel desk to see what deals you can snap up.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Subways Subways Subways
- Comfy Common Room
- Fully Equipped Kitchens
A stay at All Days promises incredible value for a very affordable price. On top of that, you’ll also get the chance to exchange travel stories and make new friends in the comfy common areas.
All Days Hostel is located two blocks away from Yonge/Bloor and two subway lines, as well as just a few steps from Sherbourne subway station. With all this public transport and the fact that Toronto is pretty safe, you should have no trouble finding your way home. It’s also near many restaurants, bars, clubs, cafes, the ROM museum, and the University of Toronto.
There are quite a lot of different accommodation options to choose from with this hostel. The dorm rooms accommodate four people and have bunk beds, while the private rooms have single or double-sized beds. If you’re traveling with a group of friends or your lover, the private rooms with a capacity of two to four are a great shout!
We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.
Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!
View on Osprey View on REI4. The Only Backpackers Inn – Best Party Hostel in Toronto
- Dorm (mixed): From $40/night
- Private Room: From $101/night
- Address: 972 Danforth Ave, Toronto
If you’re looking for a wild time in Canada, be sure to book a bed at The Only Backpackers Inn. With a perfect hostel vibe and a bar downstairs, it is the complete package. As a great budget hostel, they offer guests a free breakfast, free WiFi, and free cable TV in the chill-out room too!
Their bar has over 200 beers in stock at any given time, sourced from all corners of the world. You can make new traveling pals over a cold pint on the hostel decking in one of Toronto’s finest party hostels.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Top Hostel Vibe
- Outdoor Patio
- Fantastic Selection of Beers
Out of the heart of the city, The Only Backpackers Inn offers a moment of peace in bustling Toronto. With many other savvy travelers stopping by for a cheap bed and tasty beer, you can lounge around the communal space sharing stories and making plans.
They also do a pretty substantial free breakfast, which is perfect for getting ready to unleash yourself on Downtown Toronto or the Royal Ontario Museum. With a combination of bunk and private rooms, there is a perfect bed for everyone. You don’t want to miss out on the best of Toronto’s party hostels!
5. The Clarence Park – The Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Toronto
- Dorm (mixed): From $38/night
- Private Room: From $81/night
- Address: 7 Clarence Square, M5V 1H1 Toronto
Chic and charming, the best hostel for digital nomads in Toronto is The Clarence Park. Their huge rooftop deck offers great views over Toronto and plenty of space to work from.
The hostel rooms are bright, immaculately clean, and have stylish en-suites. Then there’s the onsite cafe – Le Neuf Cafe which has mouth watering croissants and fabulous coffee. The Clarence Park is a wonderful Toronto backpackers hostel, perfect for couples who want a touch of class, great coffee, and an amazing customer service experience.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Great Central Location
- Rooftop Deck
- Comfortable, Clean Rooms
You couldn’t be more central if you tried. The Clarence Park is right in the heart of the action, just a few minutes away from the best entertainment and must-see sights of Toronto. So once you’re done with work for the day – make the most of all the delights within walking distance and stretch those legs!
It’s also got a great kitchen, meaning you can whip up a bougie dinner, or just a dirty spag bol and save some cash. Towels are included at this hostel! You will not be reusing the same dodgy towel here my fellows, that’s the sort of thing that makes you want to stay awhile, eh?
In case all of this wasn’t enough, there is also a BBQ, air conditioning, and of course, free WiFi.
Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.
It looks exactly like a normal belt except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)
Hide Yo’ Money!More Epic Toronto Hostels
If I have not satisfied your craving for hostel magic well enough (pff, never), here are some optional extras I have dragged up. Or you could turn to a nice, quiet, cozy Toronto Airbnb…
The Parkdale Hostellerie
- Dorm (mixed): From $32/night
- Address: 83 ELM GROVE AVENUE, M6K 2J2 Toronto
Straying just outside the top five is the Parkdale Hostellerie. The vibe here is classically homely, with all the comfort and quirks of a local apartment. The living area is comfortable, and relaxing, and provides great chances to meet other travelers.
Located outside the downtown, its location is a little further flung than some of the other Toronto Hostels… But there are reasonable transport connections, and actually some of the city’s top attractions are close by! There is a kitchen that comes well equipped for simple meals too.
The Palmerston
- Dorm (mixed): From $23/night
- Address: 650 1/2 Queen Street West, M6J 1E4 Toronto
The Palmerston is host to cheap backpacker accommodation right in the center of town. The Queen Streetcar is at your disposal 24 hours a day and stops pretty much at your doorstep. Can’t get much more convenient than that can it?
The rooms are cozy, clean, and comfortable. There is no living space or kitchen, so staying here really is just a bed. That being said, the bar downstairs, coupled with great access to restaurants, cafes, and nightlife, still makes it a formidable stay.
YYZ Nomads Women’s Only Hostel
- Private Room: From $63/night
- Address: 215 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4K 1N2, Canada
While the average nightly price at this fabulous female-only hostel is a bit steep – the rooms are exclusively private. They share bathrooms but you’re with women only so you know they’ll be relatively tidy, in fact, they’re notoriously clean. You’re in a sweet Greek neighborhood in Toronto with a friendly butcher next door (who does the best sandwiches) and other wonderful restaurants and cafes!
There’s a subway/metro stop within walking distance so getting around the city is easy from this calm, clean oasis in Toronto. Whether you want to see Lake Ontario or Niagra Falls, staying at this Toronto hostel guarantees you’ll be well-rested to absorb all the sights. There’s even a lush outdoor balcony at YYZ so you can enjoy the fresh air in the big smoke.
King St West and Spadina Ave
- Dorm (mixed): From $35/night
- Address: 391 King Street West, Toronto, Canada
This Toronto hostel has city views and is within walking distance (albeit a longish walk – less than 3kms) from Hanlan’s Point Beach and Sugar Beach. There is a communal lounge, a shared kitchen for self catering and an outdoor dining area/hangout too. The staff here are kind and will help with places to go and with Union Station a couple of steps away moving around is easy.
While not specifically one of Toronto’s party hostels, this Toronto hostel IS above a bar so you have easy access to a good time. This is an old property but it’s well maintained and in a fabulous location if you’re here for gigs being close to the Rogers centre too. Remember that book vending machine I mentioned? This would be a great place to park up with something from there.
Wilson Hall Residence @ University of Toronto
Ok, this one is pretty ideal for anyone who wants a private room for low prices. It is student accommodation, but you can’t have everything, right? Whilst there is no hostel vibe, it provides a comfy place to stay in a good location, for a low price.
Guests will also be allowed to use the university’s fitness center (for a small surcharge) and whack the air conditioning down to whatever temperature they choose… Add in the downtown Toronto location, which makes it super convenient for sightseeing! Check out one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World at CN Tower – this magnificent building holds the world’s tallest metal staircase.
The Two Peas Pod Hostel Toronto
Okay, so maybe I was holding this one back. The Two Peas Pod Hostel is excellently located in Downtown Toronto, near landmarks and the Entertainment District. Its facilities are second to no other hostel in the city, with a rooftop patio, two lounges, a media room, a store, and a cafe.
Each bunk consists of a memory foam mattress at Two Peas Pod Hostel, a smart TV, bamboo pillows, a charging station, and a privacy screen. It’s like being in an exceptionally social hotel really. Two Peas Pod Hostel is definitely a top Toronto hostel.
Getting Insured BEFORE Visiting Toronto
The most largely populated city in Canada, you wouldn’t want your backpack to go missing in Toronto. Get good hostel travel insurance now to soften the blow in case it does happen.
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
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.
FAQs about Toronto’s Best Hostels
Here’s what people usually ask about the cheapest backpacker accommodation in Toronto.
What to Pack for your Toronto 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!
How much does a hostel cost in Toronto?
It all depends on whether you prefer a private room with an ensuite bathroom or a bed in a shared dorm. Prices start at USD$27 for a bed in a shared dorm room, heading up to USD$43+ for a private room.
What are the best hostels in Toronto for couples?
The Clarence Park is a great hostel for couples in Toronto. It’s comfy, has a rooftop deck, and is right in the heart of Toronto.
What are the best hostels in Toronto near the airport?
The Clarence Park, is 2 km from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. If you’re coming from Toronto Pearson International Airport, they’re all quite a way away – it’s about a 30-minute drive to downtown. Get in touch with your accommodation to talk about airport transfers.
Final Thoughts on Toronto’s Hostels
While Toronto’s hostel scene is still developing, I am sure that these hostels I have laid down here will bring you right through. Toronto is a buzzing City and with Niagra Falls close by, it’s bringing more and more backpackers in. While you’ll be hard-pressed to find free coffee in a Toronto hostel, Planet Traveler will hook you up.
If you’re overwhelmed by the options I’ve presented, I get it – choosing where to stay can be tricky. If you can’t decide, check out Planet Traveler. With free breakfast, free lockers, and great reviews, it’s hard to beat.
I also really love The Clarence Park – they had me at buttery croissants. I love the French influence in Canada and I lap it up like the dork I am. Make sure you check out the CN Tower while you’re here and make the most of being in the city center.
Wherever you stay, I’m sure you’ll have a ball in Toronto – this is the most populated city in Canada and it’s diversity is electrifying.
If you think I’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit me up in the comments!
Photo: @amandaadraper
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Canada for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the best places to visit in Toronto covered.
- Skip the dorm and find a super cool Airbnb in Toronto if you’re feeling fancy!
- Check out the best places to stay in Toronto before you arrive.
- Remember to grab yourself an international sim card for Canada to avoid any issues.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
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