Fort William is most obviously the gateway to Ben Nevis. This means easy access for climbing Britain’s highest mountain! But not only that, the surrounding area is well known for its hiking and is, in fact, one of the UK’s outdoor capitals.
Here you can hike, kayak, cycle, ski and generally get out and about into the spectacular scenery. And then you can top it all off with a return to one of Fort Williams lovely little pubs. Can’t beat it!
But… it’s a small place, right? And a LOT of people sure do wanna climb that mountain. So are there even any spaces at the hostels here? Are there even any hostels?
Well, of course, there are! Have been for years! And we’ve sifted through the best hostels in Fort William to provide you with a handy list to help you find the hostel that suits you the most.
So, here are the top hostels in Fort William!
Quick answer: The Best Hostels in Fort William
- Best Overall Hostel in Fort William – Chase The Wild Goose Hostel
- Best Party Hostel in Fort William – Fort William Backpackers
- Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Fort William – Loch Ossian Youth Hostel
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Fort William – Glen Nevis Youth Hostel
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Best Hostels in Fort William
Chase The Wild Goose Hostel – Best Overall Hostel in Fort William
The best overall hostel in Fort William is located a little way outta town, but after spending the day enjoying the natural scenery you’ll be able to get a good night’s sleep. It’s maybe even one of the best hostels in Scotland.
There’s loadsa space in the dining room for you to chat to fellow travellers, which is always a plus, and there’s a communal kitchen too where you can make yourself some dinner or snacks for the hike the next day. Oh, and the free breakfast is ace, too.
Fort William Backpackers – Best Party Hostel in Fort William
This youth hostel in Fort William is definitely a relaxed place to meet other backpackers. Don’t expect to be getting ultra crunk here, it’s more a place to enjoy a few drinks around the open fire than an impromptu nightclub.
There’s a really social atmosphere here, which – coupled with the drinky vibe – easily makes it the best party hostel in Fort William. Like we said though, take the word ‘party’ here with a pinch of salt. It’s definitely laid-back. BBQs in the summer are fun, too.
Loch Ossian Youth Hostel – Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Fort William
If you’re travelling by yourself and looking to meet other backpackers throughout your trip to Fort William, then you should check this place out. Like, seriously. But it is a little bit pricey.
Surrounded by literally stunning mountainous scenery and run by a warden who’s super friendly and accommodating, you’ll feel well looked after as you sit around the fire chatting about your travels. Yep, easily the best hostel for solo travellers in Fort William.
Glen Nevis Youth Hostel – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Fort William
One of the only hostels around Fort William to actually have full on, working Wi-Fi, this place really is a godsend for anyone travelling around and working at the same time. It’s been recently renovated, so it’s shiny, new and pretty sick looking.
Easily the best hostel for digital nomads in Fort William, this place is super high quality and comes complete with an open plan living space and a wood burning stove. It’s basically one of the coolest hostels in Fort William, we’d say. However, that does come at a price…
Calluna – Best Cheap Hostel in Fort William
Located in Fort William itself this place is run by a mountaineering guide and his wife, making it a great Fort William backpackers hostel for anyone wanting to tackle a bit of mountain climbing on their trip.
This place is small and basic, but with comfy beds and the amount of advice on offer, we’d definitely say that it’s the best cheap hostel in Fort William. People literally PAY to have guides like these people (not that they actually guide you, but the advice is amazing).
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View on Osprey View on REIÀite Cruinnichidh – Best Hostel for Couples in Fort William
Comfortable and friendly, this top hostel in Fort William is in the countryside and set in a converted barn, so you can imagine that it’s a pretty cute sorta place. In fact, it’s quite a romantic spot that we think works perfectly for a lil’ couples getaway.
Surrounded by mountainous scenery, of course, the best hostel for couples in Fort William also features a sauna, as well as quiet reading rooms and a communal kitchen. A chill, calm place for you and your partner to stop over in this beautiful region. Nice one. But, if you’re looking for something a bit more private, check out these stunning cabins and lodges in Fort William.
Bank Street Lodge – Best Hostel with a Private Room in Fort William
Though the private rooms here are pretty basic and a little bit… dated or maybe old-school, they still are pretty spacious, very comfy and come with things like Velux windows that let a load of light in, plus there’s space for you AND your luggage. AND an en-suite bathroom.
This place is a little haven to come back to, well it’s private rooms are, if you’ve been climbing Ben Nevis. You’ll want somewhere comfy to come back to and have a warm shower in privacy – trust us. But yeah, definitely the best hostel with a private room in Fort William.
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Hide Yo’ Money!More Best Hostels In Fort William
Some neighborhoods are more fun than others – discover which are the best areas to stay in Fort William and then book the right hostel!
Grey Corrie Lodge Bunkhouse
Definitely more like an old-school hostel than a cool hostel in Fort William, this place is all wooden bunk beds in a rural setting (in Lochaber, to be exact). If you’re unfussy or don’t care about ‘hostel atmosphere’, this one’s for you. All private bunk rooms, but book with some mates for a super cheap rate.
It’s a great base for exploring the surrounding natural beauty of this area, which should be like, number one priority for every backpacker here. It’s one of the best budget hostels in Fort William because of how no-frills it is. It’s for sleeping and showering with a roof over your head (they say).
Ossians
Informal and friendly and close to a load of things in the actual town of Fort William itself, it’s a solid choice for a budget hostel in Fort William (like, ok for a couple of nights), but it is a bit dated.
The staff here are super helpful and accommodating, and will make your stay much easier. But yeah, at this youth hostel in Fort William it’s literally as no-frills as you can get and it’s basic AF. But it does the job since you’ll be out hiking and stuff most of the time, right?
Best Budget Hotel In Fort William
And finally… here’s a little budget hotel for you if you’ve seen just about enough dorm rooms in your backpacking travels so far. Perfect for couples or those who want a bit more privacy to spread out and chill after a tough hike, here’s the best budget hostel in Fort William.
No.1 Caberfeidh
This might be only a B&B but it has pretty spectacular views. Some rooms (all nice and modern, btw) have views of the lake and come with their own en-suite bathroom. Basically, you’re getting some amazing views at an affordable price.
The people who run this place are super kind and have created a dang good base for exploring and getting around the local area. The breakfast here is REALLY big, like huge, and we love how it fills you up for a good bit of outdoorsy shizz nearby.
What to Pack for your Fort William 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 Fort William
So there you have it: the best hostels in Fort William.
A few of them still have that definitely old-school no-frills vibe, which is perfect if you’re looking for a budget hostel in Fort William and all you wanna do is be outside anyway!
But there are a lot of nice hostels here now. From places located in more rural locations, to those you’ll find in the heart of Fort William itself, there’s something for everyone.
We even included one B&B that serves up a mean breakfast – fuel for the day’s activities!
There’s a lot of choice! And if you can’t decide, we’d say just go for Chase The Wild Goose Hostel, easily our top pick for the best overall hostel in Fort William.
Now get outta here and get up that mountain!
FAQ about Hostels in Fort William
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Fort William.
How much does a hostel cost in Fort William?
On average, you can get a Dorm bed for $31 and a Private room starts at $45.
What are the best hostels in Fort William for couples?
Àite Cruinnichidh is quite a romantic spot that we think works perfectly for a lil’ couples getaway.
What is the best hostel in Fort William near the airport?
Fort William is quite far from the airport, so it is better to find the best place in a great location. I highly recommend Ossians – this is close to a load of things in the town of Fort William itself.
Travel Safety Tips for Fort William
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 Scotland and Europe
Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Fort William.
Planning an epic trip all across Scotland or even Europe itself?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!
For more cool hostel guides around Europe, check out:
Over to you
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Fort William has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure!
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 UK for a wealth of info!
- Check out the best places to stay in Fort William before you arrive.
- 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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