Koh Samui is one of the main stop offs that backpackers visit when travelling around Thailand and it’s not hard to see why. This beautiful island has a thriving local community, complete with buzzy night markets, beautiful beaches, and tons of restaurants. Plus, the nightlife here is pretty insane too.
Koh Samui is one of the more commercialised islands in Thailand, meaning that there’s tons of hostels to choose from. But with so many hostels, how do you know which is the best?
That’s where I come in. That’s where I come in. I’ve scoured the island, experienced the highs, survived the lows, and crafted the ultimate guide to the best hostels in Koh Samui.
Whether you’re looking to party hard in Chaweng, unwind in style, sleep cheap, or find a comfy spot to call your office, this list will sort you out.
So grab your gear, get a beer for the ride and let’s get this hostel hunt started!
Photo: @taya.travels
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Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Koh Samui
- Best Overall Hostel in Koh Samui – Lub d Koh Samui Chaweng Beach
- Best Hostel in Koh Samui for Solo Travellers – Chill Inn Samui Hostel and Restaurant
- Best Cheap Hostel in Koh Samui – Samui Backpacker Hotel
- Best Party Hostel in Koh Samui – SocialTel Samui, Chaweng Beach
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Koh Samui – KoHabitat Samui
Photo: @taya.travels
The 5 Best Hostels in Koh Samui
Here it is – the crème de la crème of Koh Samui’s hostels, neatly split into travel niches just for you. Picking a place has never been easier, so you can get out exploring the island ASAP.
1. Lub d Koh Samui Chaweng Beach – Best Overall Hostel in Koh Samui
- Dorm (mixed): From $25
- Private Room: From $145
- Address: 159/88 Moo 2, Bophut Koh Samui, Koh Samui, Thailand
Oh man. As always, Lub D is a whole lot of fun. If you’ve stayed in one of Lub D’s other hostels in Thailand or South East Asia, you’ll know what I mean here. But between you and me, Lub d Koh Samui Chaweng Beach is actually my favourite that I’ve stayed in of the chains. I might even go as far as to say that it’s one of my favourite hostels in Thailand.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Daily Events Held
- Happy Hours
- Modern and Clean Amenities
This place is more of a hotel than a hostel – I would actually argue that it is a hotel as it has a majority of private rooms with some dorms. Because who can exclude the backpackers when they’re the ones that bring the fun?
Don’t let these hotel vibes fool you though – this place is a wild party. I’m talking swim-up bars, weekly pool parties with DJs up at the pool (Ibiza who?) and pleeeeenty of opportunities to win a free bucket. It’s all easy on the wallet though, with two happy hours a day, free daily activities and a central location meaning you can save your money on Grab bikes and head out to anywhere on foot!
2. Chill Inn Samui Hostel and Restaurant – Best Hostel in Koh Samui for Solo Travellers
- Dorm (mixed): From $12
- Private Room: From $44
- Address: 59/158 Moo.5 Bophut, Koh Samui, Thailand
Chill Inn Samui Hostel and Restaurant is a gem tucked away from the tourist chaos of Koh Samui. Within walking distance of a great beach, it’s the perfect spot to embrace your inner beach bum. The staff here are absolute sweethearts, ready to hook you up with local foodie spots and recommendations for your Koh Samui itinerary.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Chill but Social Vibes
- On-site Restaurant
- Clean and Modern Amenities
With a great pool and a cosy communal area, it’s easy to kick back and relax. The beds are comfy, and the communal bathrooms are spotless. You’ll love the laid-back vibe that still lets you be social. The island chill vibes are in full swing here. Plus, the restaurant is pretty solid too.
Chill Inn strikes the perfect balance between a party hostel and a relaxed retreat, giving you the best of both worlds.
3. Samui Backpacker Hotel – Best Cheap Hostel in Koh Samui
- Dorm (mixed): From $8
- Private Room: From $31
- Address: 76/1 Moo.4, Bangrak, Samui, Koh Samui, Thailand
You’ll love Samui Backpacker Hotel! It’s got everything you need for a good time: a solid pool table, ping pong, and even free cereal in the mornings. The swimming pool is perfect for cooling off, complete with loungers, bean bags, and swing chairs for ultimate relaxation. Not to mention, it’s one of the cheapest hostels on the island!
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Ping Pong and Pool Table
- Air Conditioning
- Friendly Staff
The social area is always buzzing with fellow travellers, creating a super social and chilled-out atmosphere. The dorm rooms are spacious with big, comfy beds and plenty of room to unpack and unwind.
The location is spot-on, with some great restaurants just a stone’s throw away. It’s also super close to the Fisherman’s Village which hosts one of the best things to do in Koh Samui. The daily night market is NOT to be missed when on the island. The staff are friendly and welcoming, ready to help you with onward travel, day trips, and even scooter rentals so you can zip around the island.
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View on Osprey View on REI4. SocialTel Samui, Chaweng Beach – Best Party Hostel in Koh Samui
- Dorm (mixed): From $13
- Private Room: From $46
- Address: 168/62 Moo 2, Bo Pud, Koh Samui District, Koh Samui, Thailand
When I checked into this place I honestly felt like I was entering the Love Island villa. SocialTel Samui has flashpacker written all over it. Surprisingly though this was one of the cheapest hostels I stayed in when backpacking Thailand!
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Central Location
- Big Party Vibes
- Pink Sand!!!
With swim-up bars, DJ events, and that dreamy pink sand, you might just forget you’re on a backpacker budget. The atmosphere is lively and social, perfect for unwinding by day and partying by night. Plus, it’s in one of the best areas in Koh Samui. Just a street away from the main nightlife strip in Chaweng, it’ll make stumbling home a breeze.
The dorm rooms here are honestly unreal too. This place offers hotel-quality dorms with full blackout curtains, two pillows, and an actual duvet (a dream when the AC is cranked up!) – luxuries that make a big difference in Southeast Asia. There’s plenty of space around your bed, so you can spread out and really feel at home rather than cooped up in a dorm room.
They also do incredible private rooms as I’m pretty sure this place is technically a hotel! It’s a perfect mix of hotel comfort and backpacker budget, making sure you enjoy the best of both worlds!
5. KoHabitat Samui – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Koh Samui
- Dorm (mixed): From $10
- Address: 120/29 Moo 1 Bophut, Koh Samui, Koh Samui, Thailand
Yep, this place is like a coworking space… but on an island. It really is possible to live the dream of working remotely from a paradise island, and here you can do that to perfection. It’s literally, like actually, geared up for being a great hostel for digital nomads on this epic Thai island.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Free Wifi
- Great Working Spaces
- Dorm Beds With Curtains
The bunk beds are top-of-the-range, more like private curtained little tiny hubs of sockets and comfy mattresses than ‘bunk beds’; there’s loadsa open space with plants and dark wood for when you get your work done. Looks-wise, it’s easily one of the coolest hostels in Koh Samui. And no worries, this place doesn’t attract party animals – just a serene space to get your work done and enjoy island life.
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Hide Yo’ Money!More Epic Koh Samui 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 Koh Samui hostels to rest your weary head after a long day of exploring the island.
6. Chill Inn Lamai Hostel & Beach Cafe
- Dorm (mixed): From $9
- Address: 438/118 Moo 1, Maretม Koh Samui, Koh Samui, Thailand
If you stay at Chill Inn Lamai Hostel & Beach Cafe, you’ll be welcomed with open arms by the family that runs this place. There are sick views of Lamai Beach, I mean, it’s literally right in front of you, so how can they not be good views? It’s basically your own private beach area, which, let’s be real, is one of the top spots to hit up in Koh Samui.
It’s one of the best places for solo travellers in Koh Samui because of its awesome social spaces, communal areas, and the fact that the staff actively encourage people to get to know each other. Every night they put on a chat with the guests, letting you know about stuff to do in the area, so you never feel at a loss when you’re by yourself.
7. Ubox Hostel Samui
- Dorm (mixed): From $11
- Private Room: From $50
- Address: 162/74 Chaweng Beach Rd, Tambon Bo Put,Koh Samui,, Koh Samui, Thailand
Ubox Hostel Samui is pretty cool because you’ll be staying in a container ship. It’s pretty edgy for a tropical island, and their industrial-chic game is on point, so I’d argue that it’s one of the coolest hostels in Koh Samui.
When it comes to party credentials, this place is in the centre of Chaweng’s nightlife, close to its famous bars – and, of course, the beach. So whilst being one of the best party hostels, complete with its own bar and pool, it’s also dang cool, too.
8. P&T Hostel
- Dorm (mixed): From $7
- Private Room: From $16
- Address: 73/46-47 Moo 4, Bophut, Koh Samui, Thailand
One of the best places to stay on the island, this modern hostel is clean and has a great restaurant serving up tasty Thai food (of course), AND it’s got a travel agent on site. The ladies working here are super nice and always ready to help you out.
It’s easy (and cheap) to rent a motorbike from here, which you’ll probably want (or need) to get around the island. You can also use the infinity pool at the hotel down the street, which makes up for the otherwise busy road location. They also have great private rooms and free wifi too.
9. Aforetime Beach House
- Dorm (mixed): From $10
- Private Room: From $34
- Address: 35 Moo 3 Talingngam, Koh Samui, Thailand
This hostel is set inside a 63-year-old traditional Thai wooden house by the sea. You’ll get a super cool authentic experience all wrapped up in a relaxed, tranquil hostel vibe right next to the beach.
Pretty much in the middle of nowhere, you get to soak up traditional Samui life here, making it an experience for people looking for something other than full moon parties and lads on tour. Immerse yourself in the peaceful atmosphere of this social beach hostel and catch breathtaking sunsets over the famous Five Islands, just steps away from this rustic yet affordably luxurious spot.
10. Casa Luna
Bit of a hippy vibe going on here: patterned curtains and cushions galore. Which makes it even more perfect if you like that sorta thing. This hostel is owned by some English folk and is very good value for money.
Yep, this hostel also serves up tasty food in its onsite restaurant, including frozen cocktails which go down an absolute TREAT in the humidity of this island. It’s located near one of the main piers on the island, so you can easily get to Pha Ngan for the full moon party.
Getting Insured BEFORE Visiting Koh Samui
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 Koh Samui
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Koh Samui.
What to Pack for your Koh Samui 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 my definitive Hostel Packing list for even more top hostel packing tips!
How much does a hostel cost in Koh Samui?
Depending on the location and type of room, on average, the price starts at $10 – $19+ per night. Of course, if you’re travelling in low season or book far enough in advance you can snag a bargain.
What is the best cheap Koh Samui hostel?
You get the best bang for your buck at Samui Backpacker Hotel. For the amenities it offers, it can’t be beaten on price. Chill Inn Lamai Hostel & Beach Cafe is also a great shout too.
What are the best hostels in Koh Samui near the airport?
Lub d Koh Samui Chaweng Beach is just an 11-minute drive from Samui Airport. It also offers a shuttle bus to the airport too so getting there is a breeze.
Final Thoughts on Koh Samui’s Hostels
Koh Samui is a whole load of fun. It’s no surprise why so many backpackers continue to flock here year by year. It’s got a little piece of everything that I love about Thailand – beautiful beaches, crazy nightlife, stunning viewpoints and epic markets. Koh Samui is a great first stop if you’re debating on where to stay in Thailand as its commercialisation makes it super accessible to newbies.
Still on the fence? Go with Lub d Koh Samui Chaweng Beach. This place has it all: hotel vibes, modern dorms, a swim-up bar, and a social scene that makes making friends a breeze. Seriously, it’s got the whole package.
No matter where you decide on though, I know you’ll have a blast. The best way to explore this island is to rent a bike, hit the road and get a lil bit lost. It’s the only way!
Happy travels! And hey, if you stumble upon any hidden gems or must-try spots, drop me a comment. I’m always on the hunt for the next great find on the island.
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Thailand for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the best places to visit in Koh Samui covered.
- Check out the best places to stay in Koh Samui before you arrive.
- Remember to grab yourself an international sim card for Thailand to avoid any issues.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate Southeast Asia backpacking guide.
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