Canada has a lot to offer anybody. The biggest Francophone population outside of France, a load of culture, cool architecture, but above all: INCREDIBLE NATURE. Mountains, lakes, huge (we mean huge) national parks… This massive country has it all.
But it’s not incredibly known for its backpacking scene. We know. So the hostels here might not always be up to scratch. Or they might not be hostels at all. Lotta guesthouses and such. So we’ve decided to help you out and come up with this epic guide to the best 35 hostels in Canada.
That’s right. So with our guide, you won’t be stuck for a place to stay in any of Canada’s most visited towns and cities. It’s really going to set you up for travelling around the amazingness that is Canada.
Let’s not wait around. Here is what Canada’s hostel scene has to offer!
Quick Answer – The Best Hostels in Canada
- Overall Best Hostel in Canada – M Montreal
- Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Canada – Samesun Montreal Central
- Best Hostel for Couples in Canada – St Clair Hotel Hostel
- Best Party Hostel in Canada – Cambie Hostel Gastown
- Best Hostel in Canada for Digital Nomads – YWCA Hotel
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The 21 Best Hostels in Canada
M Montreal – Best Overall Hostels in Canada
This place… seriously, this place… It’s very cool, very stylish, massive and has basically everything you need to make your stay in Montreal the best possible.
Thanks to the design hostel vibes here we’re gonna say it’s not only the coolest hostel in Montreal, but in all Canada. The dorms alone are proper cool.
So, yeah, looks-wise alone we’re saying this is EASILY one of the best overall hostels in Canada. EASILY. Plus it’s super close to the metro and historic areas of the city. They also have events going all the time, like happy hours and live music. Top notch stuff going on here.
The Clarence Park
It sounds like a luxury hostel and TBH it’s not far off. This top hostel in Toronto also happens to be one of the best overall hostels in Canada – being in a restored building overlooking one of the city’s parks… Yep, we can’t help but love this shiz.
It’s the kinda place where you’ll be getting a freshly baked croissant in the morning. Location? It’s a top, top, top location. For example, it’s very close to The Ritz. And The Ritz doesn’t have a bad location AT ALL. All the tourist hotspots you could ever want are pretty close by.
Samesun Banff
Being one of the top hostels in Banff, you can expect this hostel to be pretty much perfect for anybody looking to get out into nature. Because it is. And if you wanna head out into Banff National Park itself the staff can also help you out with exploring as well as wilderness tips.
The dorms here are pretty spacious whilst also managing to stay cosy and warm at the same time. And there’s a bar onsite too, where you can get some warm grub and a drink after a day of exploring what nature has to offer. Live music sometimes, too. Definitely one of the best overall hostels in Canada.
Auberge Jeunesse LouLou’s Backpacker
This Quebec backpackers hostel is set in a big ol’ house, which makes it feel like you’re all just lodgers at someone’s house, which makes for a fun vibe. And though it might be set outside the city a little, the staff here do a shuttle three times daily into Old Quebec.
Easily among the best of the best overall hostels in Canada, there are bikes you can hire to go explore different neighbourhoods on your doorstep.
But the thing that really makes this place top notch is the STAFF of course. They really do make this cool Quebec hostel feel like a home away from home, it’s a great place to stay in Quebec City.
Samesun Montreal Central – Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Canada
This Montreal backpackers hostel is pretty dang central: you can walk to Notre Dame Basilica and a load of other cool places easily from here. Aside from the location, there’s a kitchen here and a nice lil’ bar where you can meet other backpackers.
Coupled with trivia nights and pina colada parties, this place has gotta be one of the best hostels in Canada for solo travellers. There are a load of different rooms to stay in here, too. This includes a couple of Jacuzzi-clad honeymoon suites if you’re feeling rich and/or romantic.
Planet Traveler Hostel
For starters, this top hostel in Toronto is set inside a restored, turn of the century building. So everything here is super modern and clean and custom designed. They even serve up a free breakfast every day until 1PM for all you late sleepers out there.
There’s a rooftop lounge with city views, it’s in Downtown, you’ll find Chinatown as well as a ton of other great places nearby. It’s pretty dang cool.
It’s gotta be one of the best hostels in Canada for solo travellers ’cause of its all-round good vibes and good security. Perks like free rice, free popcorn, plus free tea and coffee, as well as tours and karaoke, make all the difference.
Banff International Hostel
Another Banff backpackers hostel, this one is in Downtown Banff so you’ll get be able to sample all the restaurants and bars nearby. The staff here really look after travellers here, which is why it’s one of the best hostels in Canada for solo travellers. They create a super nice atmosphere.
Yep. It definitely feels like everybody enjoys being here. The hostel is pretty cute as well we gotta say: the dorms are set in little wooden cabins and there are cosy social spaces too. Events like pub crawls and parties help you to get to know all the other peeps staying here.
HI Quebec Auberge Internationale de Quebec
This place is in Quebec (obviously) and it’s absolutely MASSIVE. There are 266 beds here! 266! Seriously! It’s also an old, traditional building which we think it’s pretty cool. And even though it’s big, it’s still easy to meet people here. That’s thanks to the bar, probably, as well as the super nice staff.
The security is good here too – we’re talking keycard, which we always like. Makes us feel important. The location is ace too, being super close to Quebec’s bus and train stations. Everything goes towards making this among the best hostels in Canada for solo travellers.
Auberge du Plateau
Well, well, well, now isn’t this a fun, friendly place to stay? Yep. Set in downtown Montreal, you’ll get to meet a load of travellers here from different walks of life, which is always fun. There’s a rooftop terrace, which is buzzing in the summer, and they put on events like BBQs, parties and concerts here, too!
So yeah, it’s easily one of the best hostels for solo travellers in Canada. But location wise it’s pretty dang good too, being in walking distance to a lot of Montreal’s attractions. We also love the very tasty free breakfast.
The Only Backpackers Inn
Yep, this top hostel in Toronto is also one of the best cheap hostels in Toronto. It’s above a cafe/bar so there’s pretty much a good atmosphere here all the time. You won’t be able to miss this one: the facade is painted in all sorts of colourful murals and stuff.
There’s a free breakfast, which is always a plus, and there’s a fun patio kinda lounge area which is decent to hang out in. It’s not the most modern of places to stay in, but it definitely has a good atmosphere going on. A good option if you’re travelling solo, too.
All Days Hostel
This budget hostel in Toronto might be set in, like, a traditional kinda house, but if you’re a backpacking couple who’s travelling on a budget then this will suit you just fine. It might not be the most polished place to stay, but it’s still one of the best hostels in Canada for couples.
It’s helped a lot by the fact that the owner is super nice and really cares about guests. That’s always nice. It’s not a vibey place, but if you want a base to explore Toronto from, you can’t go too wrong booking a couple of beds (or a private room) here.
HI Lake Louise
Backpacking couple making your way to the beauty of Banff? Well then here’s one of the best hostels in Canada for couples – let alone in Banff. This is a proper cosy place to stay. Think high ceilings and open fireplaces, plus a restaurant where you can have a glass of wine or something in the evening.
The rooms here are… not that stylish TBH, but if you wanna be close to all the nature of Lake Louise then you won’t mind too much. There are private rooms here, of course. But all in all it’s a great shout for skiing and hiking.
Cambie Hostel Seymour
This party hostel in Vancouver has its own funky bar, which is good enough by itself but the happy hour just tops things off. There’s also a Mexican grill onsite where they serve up a MEAN tequila. Perfect place to get the party started before hitting the town.
Yep. The location is this place is prime too. Downtown doesn’t get any more Downtown than this. All the bars of Gastown are a stone’s throw from here. The building itself might be a little old, but it’s a fun place to stay with a decent drinky vibe. One of the best party hostels in Canada, for sure.
HI Banff Alpine Centre
This Banff party hostel is pretty dang cool. It’s surrounded by mountains for one thing, which is amazing, and secondly, they’ve got a very cool basement bar. There’s live music here, darts, pool, drinks deals, karaoke nights… The list goes on. So we reckon it’s one of the best party hostels in Canada.
Besides being a good place to return to after hitting the slopes all day (there’s an open fire too), there’s all sorts of day and night activities that make it so you never get bored. The MASSIVE industrial kitchen here is great for cookin’ up a storm if you feel like it, too.
YWCA Hotel – Best Hostels in Canada for Digital Nomads
True to its name, this youth hostel in Vancouver is kinda like a hotel. But that’s a good thing. Especially if you’re a digital nomad. You can get yourself a private room for a good night’s sleep then head to the lobby to work on your laptop, or just work in your room.
Yep. There’s a coffee bar in the lobby which is decent. One of the best hostels in Canada for digital nomads, it’s also just a couple of blocks from the Skytrain meaning you can explore the city pretty easily when you’ve had enough typing for the day.
The Alternative Hostel of Old Montreal
The Alternative Hostel of Old Montreal isn’t just a funny name: it’s one of the best hostels in Canada with private rooms. It’s also one of the coolest hostels in Montreal: it’s set in a building that dates back to 1875.
Well, maybe not the COOLEST. There’s definite, like, typical backpacker vibes here. Inexplicably bright walls and maps all over the place and stuff like that.
It’s a nice place to meet people though, it’s personable and homely and you can definitely still get to know people even if you’re staying in a private room.
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View on Osprey View on REIHI Vancouver Downtown
Not only does this youth hostel in Vancouver provide a free continental buffet breakfast – there’s also free tea and coffee going on here ALL DAY. Good value for money. Ok, so, the rooms might be a lil’ small but there’s loads of other places to hang out here. One of which is a rooftop terrace with views of the city.
One of the best cheap hostels in Canada, this place also happens to be close to a load of shops and cafes, plus the cool waterfront area, too. Renting a bike from here is a good option so you can get around the city pretty cheaply.
Auberge L’Apero
This place boasts a pretty decent location – just a few metro stops from the centre of Montreal, so you can get around pretty easily. It’s one of the best cheap hostels in Canada, but it is also pretty low-key so don’t be expecting the most poppin’ atmosphere; there are only 30 beds here.
They put on a tasty breakfast for free, which is always a plus. The building is from the 1880s, which is fine if you like history, but it is a little bit rough around the edges. But there’s a nice terrace to hang out on. A good place to stay if you wanna save money.
St Clair Hotel Hostel – Best Hostels in Canada for Couples
Set in an old building dating back to 1911 in downtown Vancouver, we reckon this is one of the best hostels in Canada for couples. Yep. So if you and your partner find yourself in Vancouver, well, you know where to stay. There’s different room options here so that helps with budgets, too.
It’s close to Gastown and the waterfront, plus the bars in Granville, too, which is always a plus. This recommended hostel in Vancouver is also nicely decorated. Think wooden floors, cool artwork… All that kinda stuff. Another lil’ perk is that there’s free tea and coffee whenever you want it.
Cambie Hostel Gastown – Best Party Hostels in Canada
Looking for the best party hostels in Canada? Here’s one of ’em. And this party hostel in Vancouver is right in the middle of Gastown, where you’ll find a load of nightlife to explore literally on the doorstep.
But you won’t have to travel far: downstairs you’ll find allegedly “the busiest bar in BC”. Loud till late. If you DO need to sleep there’s earplugs at the front desk.
And when you’ve had your fill of drinking, just go upstairs and sleep in the comfy beds. Then wake up and get a discounted breakfast downstairs (complete with veggie options), then chill the hell out in the lounge. Cute thing: there’s a hostel cat called Oreo. Nice and fluffy.
The Parkdale Hostellerie
This boutique hostel in Toronto is all like, wooden floors and things like that. It’s… not as boutique as we’d like it to be. But still, it’s pretty nice. The private rooms here have comfy double beds, seating areas, all that jazz. Plus it’s all housed in an old building. Cute.
So, yeah, it’s easily one of the best hostels in Canada with a private room. If you’re travelling with pets (um, WHY?) you can stay with them in a private room! Other than that the staff here are pretty nice and the atmosphere is good for meeting fellow travellers. Pretty decent!
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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!What to Pack for your Canada 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!
Why you should travel to Canada
There you have it – all of the best hostels in Canada! There’s a fair few to choose from so hopefully you’ve found some brilliant places to stay to help you plan your trip.
If you’re finding it hard to pick which type of hostel is best for you, its probs a good shout to go for our best overall hostel in Canada, M Montreal. It’s a properly cool place and will be a great starting point for your trip.
Travel Safety Tips for Canada
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 Canada and North America
Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Canada.
Planning an epic trip all across Canada 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 Jasper
- Best Hostels in Canmore
- Best Hostels in Tofino
- Best Hostels in Winnipeg
- Best Hostels in Edmonton
Final Thoughts on the Best Hostels in Canada
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Canada has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure. I think we can agree that the country is quite big, so make sure to check out where you want to stay in Canada before you book your accommodation. You don’t want to end up far from the things you wanted to explore.
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 Canada for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the beautiful places to visit in Canada covered.
- Skip the dorm and find a super cool Airbnb in Canada if you’re feeling fancy!
- Check out the best places to stay in Canada 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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