Any backpacker traveling to Ukraine will inevitably find themselves in Ukraine’s capital Kiev. Epic, sprawling squares, impressive cathedrals and monasteries, killer fresh food markets, and oh yeah, cheap beer; this is backpacking Kiev.
In the last decade, an emerging backpacking scene has left the door open for entrepreneurial locals to cater to the backpacker crowd. This has led to MANY new hostels opening up in Kiev.
But which hostels qualify as the best hostels in Kiev? How do you know the best hostels from the downright sketchy ones?
For this very reason, I have compiled the most up-to-date travel resources available into a list of the 15 best hostels in Kiev.
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Kiev has transformed itself from the communist days of old into one of Eastern Europe’s most fascinating cities.
This in-depth guide to Kiev’s best hostels will arm you with all of the best budget accommodation options for this truly special city, so you can rock into Kiev fully prepared to have one hell of a backpacking adventure.
Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Kiev
- Overall Best Hostel in Kiev – DREAM House Hostel
- Best Cheap Hostel in Kiev – VShokoladi Kiev
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The 15 Best Hostels in Kiev
DREAM House Hostel – Overall Best Hostel in Kiev
The clue’s in the name for this top hostel in Kiev: DREAM. See? It’s even in capital letters for emphasis. Yes indeed, DREAM House Hostel definitely fits the bill for the overall best hostel in Kiev. It’s got a lively atmosphere but it’s also perfect for people who want to sleep in or nap – which is basically like the yin-yang of a perfect hostel, we’d say.
It’s also good when the team running the show is super friendly and helpful, and that’s definitely the case at DREAM. Combine that with an onsite restaurant and bar that won’t break your bank, the offer of free walking tours, bicycle hire, great location, that and the fact that it’s the biggest hostel in Kiev – well, you see what we mean.
VShokoladi Hostel – Best Cheap Hostel in Kiev #1
VShokoladi Hostel is by far not the coolest hostel in Kiev, but on the other hand, it really is the winner for best budget hostel in Kiev. And on top of the prices being ridiculously low, you’ll find that it’s very close to Kiev train station – almost on top of it, actually. Which is definitely a major plus. Don’t be expecting a chilled place to socialise, or gallons of atmosphere, though: Vshokoladi is a very cheap place to stay (think basic, utilitarian, etc.) which is, of course, attractive if you’re on a mega budget.
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View on Osprey View on REIHostel Factory – Best Cheap Hostel in Kiev #2
Despite the name, there isn’t much about Hostel Factory that implies it is in any way an industrialised process of any sort. Which is good. Far from it: the place is cool with nice art hung around the place, funky illustrations on the walls, and a coolly slapdash but not ‘too cool’ approach to interior design. This is refreshing. It’s also not directly in the city centre, which some people love. And when you’re done for the day (most sights are walkable from here), the common room is a decent place for socialising. It’s a classic Kiev backpackers hostel.
Elements Hostel – Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Kiev
Elements Hostel is one of the best hostels in Kiev and it’s pretty easy to see why: a laid-back atmosphere, staff happy to help you out with anything (within reason obviously), modern decor based on the ‘four elements’, cosy setting. Yep, it’s all there. Each room is themed on water, fire, earth and air, which explains the name.
The common area gives you the chance to introduce yourself to fellow international backpackers and travellers – here you can plan days exploring Kiev, nights out in the lively district on Elements’ doorstep, or simply chill the F out together with some video games.
ZigZag Hostel – Best Cheap Hostel in Kiev #3
Fun, fresh, friendly: the three F’s of ZigZag Hostel make it a welcoming place to arrive and a warm place to stay. A recommended hostel in Kiev, ZigZag is a relatively recent venture and has space for 62 people over two floors; each room has been designed with security and style as much as comfort in mind. It’s also pretty central, meaning that the major hotspots of the city are within walking distance, further saving you money on public transport or taxis. Helpful and engaging staff also help give this place a great atmosphere.
Ballet Hostel – Best Hostel for Couples in Kiev
The private rooms at the very centrally located Ballet Hostel have a warm and homely feeling, which is the kind of place you’d want to be staying as a couple, right? Of course! This recommended hostel in Kiev also features dorms, but all of it is accented with a strange-but-endearingly-kooky-once-you-get-used-to-it decor. Speaking of strange: the theme, if you hadn’t noticed from the name, is ballet; you can actually take ballet lessons through the hostel if you fancy it. From here it’s a few minutes’ walk to the very iconic Independence Square, which is a cool place to wander about, and also the very important center of the recent Ukrainian revolution.
Kiev Central Station – Best Party Hostel in Kiev
If you’re looking for a proper youth hostel in Kiev, here’s one for you: Kiev Central Station. Now, it’s not exactly near the central station – maybe they meant that the hostel is the central station, like the place to be. They wouldn’t be far wrong if that’s what they meant: Kiev Central Station is more like party central, with like-minded staff well up for fun times, impromptu river beach chill sessions, organised bar-hops, food tours on offer, and a ‘no couch potatoes’ policy (not officially enforced – don’t worry). Meeting new people and socialising in this Kiev backpackers hostel couldn’t be easier! This hostel is the perfect place to enjoy the best of Kiev’s nightlife!
Veselka – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Kiev
Location location location: it’s right above Zoloti Vorota metro station, making it easy to get to when you first arrive – because nobody likes lugging a hefty backpack through urban centres, do they? And as a digital nomad you’ve been in a gazillion backpacker hostels already, so here’s something: what makes Veselka interesting is that it’s used a lot of the time by locals. Sure, backpackers stay here too, but the presence of real people makes it cool. Wi-Fi in every room keeps things zippy, plus the common room is packed full of sofas, chairs and plug sockets.
Eurohostel Kiev – Best Hostel with a Private Room in Kiev
Alert! This is the second cheapest hostel on this list so if you are after a big bargain of a budget hostel in Kiev then this should be on your radar. That’s right, Eurohostel Kiev is cheap cheap cheap – and it’s got private rooms that are similarly wallet-friendly, too. But at the same time, since it’s so much of a damn bargain, you can’t expect it to have all the bells and whistles. It’s basic but decent, and it’s only a ten-minute walk into central Kiev, with other shops and various Kievan establishments nearby. The staff are friendly and helpful – they can also provide transfers in their Mitsubishi Outlander XL 4×4.
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Hide Yo’ Money!More Best Hostels in Kiev
Are you looking to stay in specific neighborhood? Check out our guide to Kiev’s best areas to stay.
Pallet Hostel
Ok, so it’s not the best hostel in Kiev, but it’s got everything you need: fully equipped kitchen and dining area, high-speed Wi-Fi, free parking (road trip anyone?), and instantaneous boilers so you don’t have to worry about being last in the showers – that water’s still gonna be nice and hot. There’s a bus stop a minute’s walk away, allowing you to bus further into the centre of town to see the sights; sometimes it’s nicer being in a part of town that isn’t at the heart of all the touristy action, right? Plus it’s pretty cheap.
Gar’is Hostel
To be the coolest hostel in Kiev doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s gotta look the part inside – sometimes it’s all about where a place is located. And Gar’is Hostel is a good one for that. It’s in the historical Pecherskyi District, which is sometimes called the ‘heart of Ukraine’ apparently, so you’ll love wandering around this famous area without having to actively travel to it. Convenience doesn’t stop there: the nearest metro stop (Klovska, 5 mins walking) goes direct to Boryspil Airport. Inside Gar’is is clean and basic, but serves its purpose well.
Magic Bus Kiev
What is magic about Magic Bus Kiev? Probably the decor, which is a somewhat mad mix of Bob Marley meets Southeast Asia in Kiev, making for an interesting sensory experience. This is a top hostel in Kiev, run by two friends with a shared love of travelling so they make for pretty good people to be running a hostel since they know what backpackers want in a place – not just a base to sleep. That said, the dorm’s got 12 beds and a balcony with a hammock, which is very Southeast Asia. They also run free walking tours.
Borscht Hostel Kiev
This place is named after borscht, you know, that beetroot-based soupy thing from Ukraine? So if nothing else it helps to remind you that you’ve gotta try that morsel whilst you’re in town. Aside from the name, this youth hostel in Kiev is nicely located within walking distance of things you’d want to see, Independence Square being one of them. The atmosphere here is nice since it’s a pretty cosy place: one dorm and two private rooms, and that’s it. So if you don’t mind a bit of close-quarters living, this one’s great value for money.
TIU Kreschatik
Well, you can’t get more central than being located on Kiev’s main street – Khreshchatyk – can you? That’s definitely one good thing about TIU Kreschatik: within just a minute of walking out the door here, you’re faced with cafes, bars, restaurants, tourist attractions – the lot. Whilst definitely, definitely a top hostel in Kiev for location, the place itself is pretty nice, too, with warm, homely decor and a friendly atmosphere, with staff who can recommend not only things to do in Kiev but other hostels in Ukraine if you’re travelling around. Side note: we never found out what TIU stands for.
Hostel Smile
Compared to the price of other Kiev backpackers hostels this one is expensive – though compared with hotels it’s still a right bargain. So that is something. Hostel Smile comes as a recommended hostel in Kiev for its majorly central location, with a load of landmarks within easy walking distance. It’s got no dorms so there’s only options for private rooms – hence the price – but with the facilities to cook your own meals, space to socialise, and again we can’t emphasise enough that LOCATION (like, seriously), it’s pretty much a great choice.
What to Pack for your Kiev 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 Kiev
Alas, our hostel exploration journey has come to an end; that’s a wrap on my best hostels in Kiev list.
You can now successfully separate the best hostels in Kiev from the bad apples (which we obviously left off this awesome list).
I hope with the information you now possess, you can book the best hostel for yourself based on your own needs and backpacking style.
Kiev is an awesome city, and getting some well earned rest at a great hostel will keep you charged up for the full-on days in front of you. If it’s something you’re into, you can also take a trip to Chernobyl too.
Still have trouble deciding? If you feel like you are swimming through a borscht soup of hostel choices and are a tad conflicted, than I recommend booking my top pick for best overall hostel in Kiev: DREAM House Hostel. Happy travels guys!
FAQ about Hostels in Kiev
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Kiev.
How much does a hostel cost in Kiev?
On average, hostel prices vary on room type and location, but you can generally expect to pay around $8 and $33 per night.
What are the best hostels in Kiev for couples?
Check out these top-rated hostels for couples in Kiev:
Globe Runner Hotel & Hostel Kyiv City Center
DREAM House Hostel
What is the best hostel in Kiev near the airport?
While there aren’t any hostels in Kiev that are particularly close to the airport, some offer airport shuttles or will help you arrange transport. Check out Gar’is Hostel, located in the historical Pecherskyi District.
Travel Safety Tips for Kiev
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 Ukraine and Europe
Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Kiev.
Planning an epic trip all across Ukraine 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 Kiev 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 Ukraine for a wealth of info!
- Check out the best places to stay in Kiev before you arrive.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate Eastern Europe backpacking guide.
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