New Orleans is like nowhere else on Earth—it’s a vibe, a rhythm, and a never-ending parade of good times. This is where jazz seeps out of every street corner, the food is so good it’ll ruin you for life, and history lurks in every cobblestoned alley.
From the buzzing chaos of Bourbon Street to the chilled-out charm of the Garden District, New Orleans delivers culture, chaos, and character in spades. It’s unapologetically messy, endlessly fascinating, and totally unforgettable.
An evening out on the town in New Orleans is bound to be a night to remember (or not). When the party ends, where will you lay your head? Where are all of the top hostels in New Orleans hiding out?
That’s where I come. I’ve searched high and low to bring you my ultimate guide to the best hostels in New Orleans.
Whether you are trying to party hard, unwind in style, sleep cheap, or find a comfy spot to call your office, this list will sort you out.
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Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in New Orleans
- Best Overall Best Hostel in New Orleans – HI New Orleans
- Best Hostel in New Orleans for Solo Travelers – City House Hostels New Orleans Samesun
- Best Cheap Hostel in New Orleans – India House Backpackers Hostel
- Best Party Hostel in New Orleans – Madame Isabelle’s House in New Orleans
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in New Orleans – The Quisby
The 5 Best Hostels in New Orleans
Experience the vibrant home of jazz with a stay in one of my favorite hostels in New Orleans. With great bases for digital nomads, awesome places for partying, accommodations for couples, and great New Orleans backpacker hostels for solo travelers, there’s the perfect pad here for everyone.
1. HI New Orleans – Best Overall Hostel in New Orleans
- Dorm (mixed): From $34
- Private Room: From $149
- Address: 1028 Canal Street, New Orleans, USA
HI New Orleans strikes a perfect balance between hostel vibes and hotel-level comfort. The dorm rooms are spacious and come with thoughtful touches, like curtains that fully close, two pillows per bed, and key card-controlled large lockers for extra security. Bathrooms are spotless and plentiful, so you’ll never find yourself awkwardly waiting for one to free up. Electronic locks on doors and lockers add peace of mind, and the whole place is designed to make your stay as smooth as possible.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Central Location
- Chill Vibes
- Great Social Spaces
Location-wise, it’s a winner—smack bang across the street from Canal Street in the French Quarter and within a seven-minute walk to streetcars and bus stops. You can even catch a bus from the airport directly to the hostel, making it super convenient if you’ve got a jam-packed itinerary. The amenities list is endless: free breakfast, AC in the rooms, thick towels, reading lights by every bed, and a huge lobby for kicking back. The big hangout room and industrial-grade kitchen setup are ideal for cooking, socializing, or just sprawling out after a day of exploring.
With loads of space in the social areas, including comfy seating and a pool table, it’s easy to make friends or just unwind after soaking up the chaos of New Orleans. Everything about HI New Orleans feels thoughtful, spacious, and geared towards giving travelers a fuss-free and memorable stay.
2. City House Hostels New Orleans Samesun – Best Hostel in New Orleans for Solo Travelers
- Dorm (mixed): From $19
- Private Room: From $42
- Address: 129 BURGUNDY ST 2nd Floor, French Quarter (Vieux Carré), New Orleans, LA 70112, United States
City House Hostels New Orleans is the kind of place that knows how to make solo travelers feel right at home. The staff are absolute stars, always up for helping with tips, recommendations, and rallying the troops for games and events. They even lead the charge on group outings to local venues, giving you the full New Orleans experience without any hassle. It’s like having a ready-made crew to dive into the city’s nightlife with.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Central Location
- Chill Vibes
- Great Social Spaces
The location is unbeatable—right near the chaos and charm of Bourbon Street and Canal Street, making it ideal for people-watching or jumping headfirst into the party scene. Their nightly happy hour and post-drinks excursions are a great way to dive into the social scene and make some new mates.
The hostel itself is clean, comfy, and loaded with everything you need for a solid stay. From the bar and games room to a well-equipped kitchen and cozy common spaces, you’re set whether you want to mingle or chill. Surrounded by a ton of bars, cafes, and nightlife, City House Hostels New Orleans Samesun is the perfect base to soak up everything New Orleans throws your way.
3. India House Backpackers Hostel – Best Cheap Hostel in New Orleans
- Dorm (mixed): From $20
- Private Room: From $53
- Address: 124 South Lopez St, New Orleans, USA
India House Backpackers Hostel is a rare gem in the US that hits the sweet spot of budget-friendly and authentic hostel culture you’d usually expect in South America or Asia. This New Orleans favorite balances cheap stays with facilities that make it feel like home.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Chill but Social
- Friendly Staff
- Outdoor Pool
Whether you’re cooking up a storm in the shared kitchen or grabbing something quick from the café, it’s all about ease here. The location may not be dead center, but the streetcar nearby gets you where you need to be without hassle.
The outdoor terrace is a chill haven, the outdoor pool is unbeatable on a sweltering day, and the common room hums with social energy. With bike rentals and tour options, exploring New Orleans is as simple as stepping out the door. Shoutout to Claudia and Lee for their hospitality—they make this place feel like family.
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View on Osprey View on REI4. Madame Isabelle’s House in New Orleans – Best Party Hostel in New Orleans
- Dorm (mixed): From $29
- Private Room: From $75
- Address: 1021 Kerlerec St, New Orleans, USA
Madame Isabelle’s House is the real deal. Built in 1831, it’s got that classic New Orleans charm nailed, from the creaky old architecture to the tasteful décor. Staying here feels like you’re stepping into the city’s past, but with all the comforts a backpacker in the US could want.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Family Vibes
- Great Location
- Heritage Building
This place knows how to bring the vibes. There’s always something happening, from social events to chill hangouts, and the staff are absolute gems. They’ve got your back with everything from sorting out issues to dishing out a solid free breakfast.
Bourbon Street and the nightlife are just a short stroll away, and the area feels safe—especially for solo female travelers. Back at the hostel, you’ve got options: kick back in the garden courtyard, soak in the hot tub, or lounge around in one of the many chill-out spots. It’s easy to see why people end up sticking around longer than planned.
5. The Quisby – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in New Orleans
- Private Room: From $69
- Address: 1225 St. Charles Ave, New Orleans, USA
The Quisby’s got that perfect mix of fun and practicality. You can get your party on at the bar, chow down on some solid pub grub, and dive into the Tuesday night pub crawls, but there’s also everything you need for a chill stay too–think a fully equipped kitchen, lightning-fast Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, and luggage storage. It’s got that sweet balance that digital nomads are looking for in a hostel, offering a solid work environment without the chaos of a full-on party hostel.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Comfy Private Rooms
- Fully Equipped Kitchen
- Close to the Streetcar Stop
Private rooms are the name of the game here. If you’re traveling with mates, you can still snag that bunk bed vibe by booking together. While it’s not the cheapest option in town, the comfy digs and free breakfast make it well worth the splurge.
Sitting right by a streetcar stop, it’s an easy ride to unmissable Canal Street and Bourbon Street in the French Quarter—or just a 20-minute walk if you’re up for it. Plus, that downstairs kitchen comes in clutch for keeping costs down.
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Hide Yo’ Money!More Epic New Orleans Hostels
So, now that I’ve talked about the best, let’s talk about the rest! (Of the best). These are some more picks from the top New Orleans hostels to rest your weary head at when exploring the city.
Auberge NOLA Party Hostel
- Dorm (mixed): From $33
- Private Room: From $108
- Address: 1628 Carondelet Street, New Orleans, USA
Auberge NOLA Party Hostel is a CLASSIC party hostel in New Orleans. Conveniently quiet in the garden district, it’s never less than 20 minutes away by foot from downtown plus it has great transport links just outside the hostel. This hostel has it all—it’s won several awards, partly for its terrific staff members, partly for its diverse program of events, and partly for its great facilities. A fantastic home from home for any traveler, the hostel has a comfy lounge with a TV and loads of books, a well-equipped kitchen with a dining area, a lovely courtyard, and various other communal nooks where you can chat or relax in peace.
Site 61 Hostel
- Dorm (mixed): From $23
- Private Room: From $66
- Address: 3701 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70119, United States
Looking for a cozy private room? Site 61 has got you covered! Site 61 Hostel is a chic boutique youth hostel in New Orleans, with all the modern conveniences you’d expect from a classic New Orleans hotel. It’s a really cool old Southern house on the outskirts of the main area of Nola—very hipster-esque. The house manager is an absolute doll, always very sweet and accommodating.
The common areas are awesome, providing plenty of spaces to relax and bond with other travelers. This hostel features two laid-back lounges, complete with games, TV, books, and Wi-Fi, two porches, two balconies, a kitchen and dining room, and laundry facilities. What more could you need?!
If you have some extra cash to splash, consider a VRBO in New Orleans for extra privacy.
Nola Jazz House
Nola Jazz House is a great party hostel in New Orleans. The friendly and outgoing members of staff arrange frequent bar crawls, food tours, and other events, so it’s super easy to meet new friends. Tuck into a free breakfast to fight off any hangovers and cook up some home comforts in the kitchen. The patio is an ideal place to relax and there are indoor common areas, with a TV, free-to-use computer, and free Wi-Fi, too. The ten-bed dorm rooms at this youth hostel in New Orleans are spacious and there are also private rooms for various group sizes.
Garden District House
Garden District House offers tons of freebies for a comfortable stay in New Orleans. Start each day with a free breakfast, join in with a variety of fun free events, use PCs for free, and surf the free Wi-Fi. The connectivity and good places to work make this a solid place for digital nomads in New Orleans. Lockers add to your peace of mind and common areas include a large patio with a BBQ, a lounge with a TV, guitar, foosball, and board games, and a well-equipped kitchen.
IHSP French Quarter House
This Bourbon Street hostel is a laid-back and sociable backpackers hostel with tons going for it. The outdoor patio and indoor lounge are top places to make new friends, and there are heaps of cool things to do in the surrounding area.
Located in the historic French Quarter, the iconic Bourbon Square Jazz Bar and other historic sights are just a short stroll away. Breakfast and Wi-Fi are free, and the hostel has self-catering facilities and a mixture of private rooms and dorm rooms.
Getting Insured BEFORE Visiting New Orleans
Unfortunately, things can go wrong when you least expect it. This is why good travel insurance is essential before you head on your trip to New Orleans.
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 Hostels in New Orleans
Here are some questions backpackers ask about New Orleans hostels.
What to Pack for your New Orleans 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 our top packing tips!
What is the cheapest time to travel to New Orleans?
If you’re looking to save some cash on a trip to New Orleans, aim for the off-season, which runs from mid-June to September. The summer heat and humidity can be brutal, but that’s when you’ll find the cheapest flights and accommodation rates.
How much does a hostel cost in New Orleans?
The average price of New Orleans hostels can range from $27 – $131+ per night. Of course, the private rooms are on the higher end of the scale than the dorm rooms.
What are the best hostels in New Orleans with private rooms?
The Quisby has some swanky AF rooms and is only a 20-minute walk from the French Quarter. With an on-site bar, daily events, and loads of cool social areas, it’s perfect for couples and those looking for their own space.
Final Thoughts on New Orleans’ Hostels
From late-night shenanigans on Bourbon Street to soul-reviving beignets at Café du Monde, New Orleans is a place where the music never stops, the drinks keep flowing, and the good times are a way of life.
A city so magical deserves a magical hostel to soak it all up. Still unsure on where to stay? City House Hostels New Orleans Samesun is my go-to. It’s got a super chill family vibe where you can dive into the social scene with ease.
Whether you’ve partied hard on Bourbon Street, soaked up the history, or indulged in too much gumbo (no shame), this city has a way of making you promise yourself you’ll come back. Until next time, laissez les bons temps rouler.
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in New Orleans for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the best places to visit in New Orleans covered.
- Skip the dorm and find a super cool Airbnb in New Orleans if you’re feeling fancy!
- Check out the best places to stay in New Orleans 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.
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