Hollywood. Beaches. Clubs. Sports. Food. Perfect weather. America’s second-largest city really has it all!
But with all of the pros in Los Angeles – it doesn’t come cheaply. So we put together this guide to help you get the most bang for your buck when staying in LA.
Here are the top five hostels in Los Angeles.
Organised by YOUR travel needs, this guide will help you find the best hostels in LA so you can get back to what matters – exploring this amazing and huge freaking city!
So let’s do this, team. Here are the best hostels in Los Angeles.
Quick Answer: The best hostels in Los Angeles
- Overall Best Hostel in Los Angeles – Surf City Hostel
- Best Hostel for Solo Travellers – Banana Bungalow West Hollywood
- Best Cheap Hostel in Los Angeles – The Venice Beach Hostel
- Best Hostel for Couples in Los Angeles – Orange Drive Hostel
The Broke Backpacker is supported by you. Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more.
What to Expect from Hostels in Los Angeles
There are several reasons to book a hostel over a hotel. They are much cheaper of course, and in a city like LA keeping to your budget can be tricky! But hostels also have a great social atmosphere. They’re a great way to meet other adventurers from all over the world and plan to explore Los Angeles together.
When backpacking you can expect to find multiple different types of hostels ranging from raging party hostels to quiet youth hostels. In Los Angeles, they are mostly party hostels, digital nomad hostels, and hostels good for solo travellers. But the one thing that always stands out about hostels is their incredible social atmosphere. It’s way easier to meet like-minded travellers and make new friends by staying at a hostel in LA than in other accommodations. They’re also safe!
Most of the hostels in LA combine good quality with affordability. You can expect a cheaper nightly rate in bigger dorms, and to pay more for a private room. But even a private room in a hostel is cheaper than a hotel. Your eyebrows may still jump at the higher end hostel prices here, but they’ve got nothing on some of the hotels on offer in the city of angels. Below are the average prices of hostels in Los Angeles:
- Private Rooms: $90 – $187 USD
- Mixed or female only dorms: $28 – $70 USD
When you begin your search, you can make it easier by using Hostelworld. It is a one-stop-shop to compare hundreds of different hostels and find one that suits you and your budget. Each hostel will have guest reviews and amenities listed as well as an overall score.
Most hostels in Los Angeles can be found downtown, right at the heart of the city. They are close to all the best things to do here, including the famous nightlife. There are a few different areas with good hostels though, like:
- Venice beach – for the broke ones on a budget
- Downtown LA – the best for nightlife
- West Hollywood – the coolest damn area to stay in
Finding out where you want to stay in Los Angeles is going to help you narrow down your hostel selection. Being organised always leads to a better trip, folks!
Now, into the good stuff. The best five hostels in the city of angels!
The 4 Best Hostels in Los Angeles
Los Angeles has several high-quality hostels. We’ve separated the hostels into different travel niches so you can find yourself the perfect place to stay!
Want to save money on accommodation?
We got you. For reals.
#1 Surf City Hostel | Overall Best Hostel in Los Angeles
Our choice for the overall best hostel in Los Angeles is the Surf City Hostel. It opened in 1996 and has been going strong since!
The Surf City Hostel is a great place to meet heaps of new people, relax, and experience LA’s nightlife. There is a great common area where you can mingle with other travellers, plus there’s a bar downstairs if you want to really party! It’s also right on the beach – perfect for all of you bums on your classic Californian road trip.
Why you will love this hostel:
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Free breakfast
- Location, location, location! It’s super close to great bars and restaurants
Surf City hostel caters to many types of travellers. Yes, there is the downstairs bar but there’s also cosy common areas to sit and spin travel yarns in. You can also book a room a couple of floors above so that it is less noisy.
There is free wifi here, so if you’re a digital nomad you can get work done. You can also use the library of travel guides as a source of inspiration for your upcoming travels in the USA, or beyond.
It is also one of the most affordable hostels in Los Angeles, especially if you stay in the dorms. There are mixed dorms and female-only dorms available. You can store your luggage while you explore the city, or hit up the beach. The staff here are known to be super friendly and helpful too, so hit them up with questions you may have about the area!
The hostel is right on the beach, and part of a bustling entertainment district. It is also close to public transport, so a trip to the heart of the city is a breeze!
#2 Banana Bungalow West Hollywood | Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in Los Angeles
The best hostel for solo travellers in Los Angeles is the Banana Bungalow. When travelling on your own, the social vibe of a hostel is super important. You gotta get that human interaction in somehow, right!
Luckily, meeting other travellers is easy here with the range of fun activities, including parties, BBQs, and movie nights. So if you need to burn off some goddang energy, you can have a good dance. But if you just want a quick chat (over a cheeky smoke, perhaps) you can do that here too! Que bueno.
Why you will love this hostel:
- Tiki themed courtyard
- Balcony views of the Hollywood Hills
- Free on street parking
Travellers are going to love this hostel for its social vibe. There’s a beautiful courtyard and a cosy common area, perfect for chatting and exchanging travel tips with others on the road.
The kitchen is large with multiple appliances—no need to wait hungrily in a queue or bash elbows. If you can’t be bothered cooking, though, cheap dinners are available nearby.
All dorms have their own bathroom, and the hostel has laundry facilities, free Wi-Fi, and space to work. So if you’re a digital nomad, this spot would work well for you too.
#3 The Venice Beach Hostel | Best Cheap Hostel in Los Angeles
The Venice Beach Hostel is the best cheap hostel in Los Angeles. Sociable and friendly, this is a great place to meet other folks on the road and enjoy the Californian sun.
This hostel is, in their words, 35 years young and still going strong! It is a hub for travellers and offers cheap rates that will help you save money while travelling in the US.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Close to Marina del Rey
- Bike rental available
- Homey vibe
There is a common area and shared kitchen facilities. However, it is super close to lots of restaurants if you don’t feel like cooking. Its central location makes it a good base for ticking things off on your epic Los Angeles itinerary.
Free wifi and free breakfast are available – staples for the budget traveller! Especially that free brekky. There is really no better way to start the day than a meal already included in the price of your bed.
It is mostly mixed dorms, but there are also private rooms. So it’s possible to have some privacy with your partner while still being part of a chill hostel vibe.
#4 Orange Drive Hostel | Best Hostel for Couples in Los Angeles
Welcome to Hollywood, baby! Orange Drive Hostel is our pick for the best hostel for couples. The hostel combines romantic history and top-class modern facilities.
You can get cosy with your lovebug (or whatever nickname you’ve realised you call your partner unironically now) in the same place that once lodged Marilyn Monroe and Gary Cooper. What could be more Hollywood?
What you’ll love about this hostel:
- Smoke free site
- Cosy double rooms
- Close to Universal Studios & other Hollywood sights
Stay in a former grand manor that once hosted the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Rita Hayworth, and soak up the star-studded vibe and glamour of Hollywood’s Golden Age. But do it modern-day stylez, with free wifi and round the clock security.
A relaxing LA base, Orange Drive Hostel has single-gender dorms for six and an array of private rooms. There are great common areas to socialise in, so you don’t miss out on the hostel experience even when travelling in a couple.
This hostel is super close to all the Hollywood sights, including the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Warner Brother’s Studios. If you want to be right in the heart of LA, you can’t go wrong staying here!
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 of the best hostels in Los Angeles
And, because we’re super thorough and really want you to have a top stay in the City of Angels, here are even more of the best hostels in Los Angeles:
Freehand Los Angeles
With more than everything you need for a terrific stay in LA, Freehand Los Angeles is bursting with excellent features and amenities.
Indeed, it could be the coolest hostel in Los Angeles thanks to the gorgeous rooftop swimming pool and bar, high-class restaurant, round-the-clock high-tech fitness centre.
Plus, they have chic rooms and dorms that combine comfort, practicality, and style.
A fab LA base for flashpackers, families, and couples, it’s close to the metro and some of the city’s swankiest areas.
HI Los Angeles Santa Monica
Close to the gorgeous sands and sparkling waters of Santa Monica beach, you will live the high life at HI Los Angeles Santa Monica.
In addition to a range of hostel-arranged events and activities, you can hit up the many local bars with pals old and new. Tours can easily be booked onsite through the friendly staff!
There are diverse common areas to suit different moods: a bright and spacious dining/work area with a pool table; a laid-back reading room; a cosy lounge with a fireplace; a cinema-style movie room; a sunny courtyard, and … we think you get the idea!
Other perks include free breakfast and Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, and luggage storage. It’s easy to see why this is a recommended hostel in Los Angeles.
Samesun Hollywood
One of the best hostels in Los Angeles for star-struck travellers, the Samesun Hollywood offers the ultimate views, for free! One of the coolest hostels in Los Angeles, you get to enjoy the sights of movie premier events and celebs strutting down the red carpet.
There’s a Hollywood Star right outside the front door! The metro is handy too.
Grab your new mates for a game of pool or foosball and cook shared meals in the modern kitchen. Housekeeping keeps everywhere looking spick and span and you can take care of your own necessities with the laundry facilities. Hollywood ain’t a place for scruffs!
PodShare Arts District
Perfectly located for creative travellers and backpackers who want to tap into their inner artist, the industrial-chic PodShare Arts District is just a short stroll from some of LA’s brilliant street art and galleries, not to mention trendy restaurants, shops, and bars.
The pod-like beds even have their own TV! Dorms sleep 18 but the custom-made beds ensure you don’t feel a thing from your neighbours.
The shared spaces are pretty cool too, with modern bathrooms, a kitchen, a co-working space, and a lounge.
PodShare Los Feliz
A cool co-living space and top hostel in Los Angeles, PodShare Los Feliz is a small and intimate pad with ten pod-style beds in an industrial loft.
You can cook up a storm in the kitchen and mingle in the dining room, laze in bed watching TV (yes, all beds have their own TV!), surf the free Wi-Fi or use the free computers, and catch up on all the goss while chilling in one of the comfy seating areas.
Plus, you’re able to use all the top-class facilities in all the other PodShare hostels around the city too. There’s plenty of storage space and lockers are available.
Samesun Venice Beach
Samesun Venice Beach is loaded with handy facilities. Prepare a feast in the kitchen, or grab something tasty from the restaurant. Catch up on your laundry. Book tours and rent bikes to explore Los Angeles. Pick up a good read from the book exchange. Surf the net with free Wi-Fi. Watch TV. Chill on the comfy sofas. Join in with evening activities.
There’s loads to do at this youth hostel in Los Angeles! Dorms sleep from four to seven, and there are female-only dorms and private double rooms too.
What to Pack for your Los Angeles 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 our definitive Hostel Packing list for even more top hostel packing tips!
FAQ about Hostels in Los Angeles
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Los Angeles.
How much does a hostel cost in Los Angeles?
The average price of hostels in Los Angeles depends on the room type. It ranges from $28 – $70 USD for mixed or female-only dorms, while a private room costs $90 – $187 USD.
What are the best hostels in Los Angeles for couples?
Orange Drive Hostel is our best hostels for couples in Los Angeles. It’s cosy, with complimentary breakfast, and close to Universal Studios & other Hollywood sights.
What are the best hostels in Los Angeles near the airport?
The Venice Beach Hostel, our best cheap hostel in Los Angeles, is 6.5 miles from Los Angeles International Airport. It has free wifi and free breakfast.
Travel Safety Tips for Los Angeles
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.
More Epic Hostels in USA and North America
Hopefully, you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Los Angeles.
Planning an epic trip all across USA or even North America itself?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!
For more cool hostel guides around North America, check out:
- Best hostels in San Diego
- Best hostels in New Orleans
- Best hostels in Chicago
- Best hostels in San Francisco
Over to you
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Los Angeles has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure!
While Los Angeles can be a great time, this massive city is not without its challenges.
With the help of this guide, though, booking lodging will NOT be a challenge. There’s 5 epic options, plus more!
But remember, if you can’t pick one – go with Surf City Hostel.
Or, if you didn’t quite find what you were looking for then there are loads of Airbnbs in LA to choose from.
If you think we’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit us up in the comments!
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in California for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the best places to visit in Los Angeles covered.
- Skip the dorm and find a super cool Airbnb in Los Angeles if you’re feeling fancy!
- Check out the best places to stay in Los Angeles before you arrive.
- Remember to grab yourself an international sim card for USA to avoid any issues.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate USA backpacking guide.
Buy Us a Coffee!
A couple of you lovely readers suggested we set up a tip jar for direct support as an alternative to booking through our links. So we created one!
You can now buy The Broke Backpacker a coffee. If you like and use our content to plan your trips, it’s a much appreciated way to show appreciation 🙂
