The infamous Los Angeles is no hidden gem, infact… most people in the world know about it, but it is a gem and it sure does shine. Home to dazzling beaches, iconic sports and clubs, delicious food, idyllic weather and of course, the glitz and glam of Hollywood! America’s second-largest city (after New York) is rightfully celebrated as one of the most famous in the world.
But with all of the pros in Los Angeles – it doesn’t come cheaply. But never fear, my friend. That’s where I come in!
I’ve pulled an all-nighter to make sure you know where to stay and how to get the most bang for your buck during your time in Los Angeles. I’ve compiled the top five hostels in Los Angeles (plus, a couple of extras) and organised them by your travel needs.
So, without further ado – let’s get down to business!
Photo: Samantha Shea
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Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Los Angeles
- Best Overall Hostel in Los Angeles – ITH LA Beach Hostel
- Best Hostel in Los Angeles for Solo Travelers – Banana Bungalow West Hollywood
- Best Cheap Hostel in Los Angeles – The Venice Beach Hostel
- Best Hostel in Los Angeles for Couples – Orange Drive Hostel
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Los Angeles – HI Los Angeles Santa Monica
The 5 Best Hostels in Los Angeles
Los Angeles has several high-quality hostels. I’ve separated the hostels into different travel niches so you can find yourself the perfect place to stay!
1. ITH LA Beach Hostel – Best Overall Hostel in Los Angeles
- Dorm (mixed): From $48
- Private Room: From $125
- Address: 26 Pier Ave, Hermosa Beach, Los Angeles, USA
My choice for the overall best hostel in Los Angeles is the ITH LA Beach Hostel. It opened in 1996 and has been going strong since!
The ITH LA Beach Hostel is a great place to meet loads of new people while traveling Los Angeles, relax, and experience LA’s nightlife. There is a great common area where you can mingle with other travelers, plus there’s a bar downstairs if you want to really party! It’s also right on the beach – perfect for all of you bums on your classic Californian road trip.
Why you will love this hostel:
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Free breakfast
- Location, location, location! It’s super close to great bars and restaurants
Surf City hostel caters to many types of travelers. Yes, there is the downstairs bar but there are also cozy common areas to sit and spin travel yarns in. You can also book a room a couple of floors above so that it is less noisy.
There is free wifi here, so if you’re a digital nomad you can get work done. You can also use the library of travel guides as a source of inspiration for your upcoming travels in the USA, or beyond.
It is also one of the most affordable Los Angeles hostels, especially if you stay in the dorms. There are mixed dorms and female-only dorms available. You can store your luggage while you explore the city, or hit up the beach. The staff here are known to be super friendly and helpful too, so hit them up with questions you may have about the area!
The hostel is right on the beach, and part of a bustling entertainment district. It is also close to public transport, so a trip to the heart of the city is a breeze! You’ll be a stone’s throw from some of the best places to visit in Los Angeles.
2. Banana Bungalow West Hollywood – Best Hostel in Los Angeles for Solo Travelers
- Dorm (mixed): From $31
- Private Room: From $116
- Address: 603 N, Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, USA
The best hostel for solo travelers and partying in Los Angeles is the Banana Bungalow West Hollywood. When traveling on your own, the social vibe of a hostel is super important. You gotta get that human interaction in somehow, right?
Luckily, meeting other travelers is easy here with the range of fun activities, including parties, BBQs, and movie nights. So if you need to burn off some goddang energy, you can have a good dance. But if you just want a quick chat (over a cheeky smoke, perhaps) you can do that here too! Que bueno.
It’s a party hostel – so come prepared to meet new friends, enjoy a couple of drinks, and go dancing!
Why you will love this hostel:
- Tiki-themed courtyard
- Balcony views of the Hollywood Hills
- Free on-street parking
Travelers are going to love this Los Angeles hostel for its social vibe. There’s a beautiful courtyard and a cozy common area, perfect for chatting and exchanging travel tips with others on the road.
The kitchen is large with multiple appliances—no need to wait hungrily in a queue or bash elbows. If you can’t be bothered cooking, though, cheap dinners are available nearby. All dorms have their own bathroom, and the hostel has laundry facilities, free Wi-Fi, and space to work. So if you’re a digital nomad, this spot would work well for you too.
3. The Venice Beach Hostel – Best Cheap Hostel in Los Angeles
- Dorm (mixed): From $26
- Private Room: From $71
- Address: 716 Washington Boulevard, Venice, CA 90291, Los Angeles, USA
The Venice Beach Hostel is the best cheap hostel in Los Angeles. Sociable and friendly, this is a great place to meet other folks on the road and enjoy the Californian sun.
This hostel is, in their words, 35 years young and still going strong! It is a hub for travelers and offers cheap rates that will help you save money while traveling in the US.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Close to Marina del Rey
- Bike rental available
- Homey vibe
There is a common area and shared kitchen facilities. However, it is super close to lots of restaurants if you don’t feel like cooking. Its central location, close to the Venice Beach boardwalk, makes it a good base for ticking things off on your epic Los Angeles itinerary.
Free wifi and free breakfast are available – staples for the budget traveler! Especially that free brekky. There is really no better way to start the day than a meal already included in the price of your bed.
It is mostly mixed dorms, but there are also private rooms. So it’s possible to have some privacy with your partner while still being part of a chill hostel vibe.
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View on Osprey View on REI4. Orange Drive Hostel – Best Hostel for Couples in Los Angeles
- Dorm (Male/Female): From $37-45
- Private Room: From $90
- Address: 1764 North Orange Drive, Hollywood, Los Angeles, USA
Welcome to Hollywood, baby! Orange Drive Hostel is my pick for the best hostel for couples. The hostel combines romantic history and top-class modern facilities.
You can get cozy with your lovebug (or whatever nickname you’ve realized you call your partner unironically now) in the same place that once lodged Marilyn Monroe and Gary Cooper. What could be more Hollywood?
What you’ll love about this hostel:
- Smoke-free site
- Cozy double rooms
- Close to Universal Studios & other Hollywood sights
Stay in a former grand manor that once hosted the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Rita Hayworth, and soak up the star-studded vibe and glamour of Hollywood’s Golden Age. But do it modern-day style, with free wifi and round-the-clock security.
A relaxing LA base, Orange Drive Hostel has single-gender dorms for six and an array of private rooms. There are great common areas to socialize in, so you don’t miss out on the hostel experience even when traveling as a couple.
This hostel is super close to all the Hollywood sights, including the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Warner Brothers Studios. If you want to be right in the heart of LA, you can’t go wrong by staying in Hollywood!
5. HI Los Angeles Santa Monica – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Los Angeles
- Dorm (mixed): From $53
- Private Room: From $153
- Address: 1436 2nd Street, CA 90401, Los Angeles, USA
Close to the gorgeous sands and sparkling waters of Santa Monica beach, you will live the high life at HI Los Angeles Santa Monica. In addition to a range of hostel-arranged events and activities, you can hit up the many local bars with pals old and new. Tours can easily be booked onsite through the friendly staff!
There are diverse common areas to suit different moods: a bright and spacious dining/work area with a pool table; a laid-back reading room; a cozy lounge with a fireplace; a cinema-style movie room; a sunny courtyard, and … I think you get the idea!
Why you’ll love his hostel:
- Plenty of places to work.
- Good Wi-Fi!
- Free breakfast
- Games room
HI Los Angeles is my top pick for the best hostel for digital nomads in LA – why? Well, because the Wi-Fi is top-tier and there are plenty of places in the common areas where you could perch up and smash out some work.
Other perks include free breakfast and Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, and luggage storage. It’s easy to see why this is a recommended place to stay in Los Angeles.
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Hide Yo’ Money!More Epic Los Angeles Hostels
And, because I’m super thorough and really want you to have a top stay in the City of Angels, here are even more of the best hostels in Los Angeles:
Freehand Los Angeles
- Dorm (mixed): From $55
- Address: 416 West 8th Street, Los Angeles, USA
With more than everything you need for a terrific stay in LA, Freehand Los Angeles is bursting with excellent features and amenities. Indeed, it could be the coolest Los Angeles hostel thanks to the gorgeous rooftop swimming pool and bar, high-class restaurant, and round-the-clock high-tech fitness center.
Plus, they have chic rooms and dorms that combine comfort, practicality, and style. A fab LA base for flashpackers, families, and couples, it’s close to the metro and some of the city’s swankiest areas.
Samesun Hollywood
- Dorm (mixed): From $38
- Private Room: From $159
- Address: 6820 Hollywood Blvd, Los angeles, Los Angeles, USA
One of the best hostels in Los Angeles for star-struck travelers, the Samesun Hollywood offers the ultimate views, for free! One of the coolest hostels in Los Angeles, you get to enjoy the sights of movie premier events and celebs strutting down the red carpet.
There’s a Hollywood Star right outside the front door! The metro is handy too.
Grab your new mates for a game of pool or foosball and cook shared meals in the modern kitchen. Housekeeping keeps everywhere looking spick and span and you can take care of your own necessities with the laundry facilities. Hollywood ain’t a place for scruffs!
Samesun Venice Beach
- Dorm (mixed): From $49
- Private Room: From $165
- Address: 25 Windward Ave, Venice Beach, Los Angeles, USA
Samesun Venice Beach is loaded with handy facilities. Prepare a feast in the kitchen, or grab something tasty from the restaurant. Catch up on your laundry. Book tours and rent bikes to explore Los Angeles. Pick up a good read from the book exchange. Surf the net with free Wi-Fi. Watch TV. Chill on the comfy sofas. Join in with evening activities.
There’s loads to do at this youth hostel in Los Angeles! Dorms sleep from four to seven, and there are female-only dorms and private double rooms too.
PodShare Los Feliz
- Dorm (mixed): From $60
- Address: 4534 Fountain Avenue, Los Angeles, USA
A cool co-living space and top hostel in Los Angeles, PodShare Los Feliz is a small and intimate pad with ten pod-style beds in an industrial loft.
You can cook up a storm in the kitchen and mingle in the dining room, laze in bed watching TV (yes, all beds have their own TV!), surf the free Wi-Fi or use the free computers, and catch up on all the goss while chilling in one of the comfy seating areas.
Plus, you’re able to use all the top-class facilities in all the other PodShare hostels around the city too. There’s plenty of storage space and lockers are available.
Getting Insured BEFORE Visiting Los Angeles
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 LA.
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 Los Angeles
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Los Angeles.
What to Pack for your Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles?
The average price of hostels in Los Angeles depends on the room type. It ranges from $28 – $70 USD for mixed or female-only dorms, while a private room costs $90 – $187 USD.
What are the best hostels in Los Angeles for couples?
Orange Drive Hostel is my top pick for the best hostel for couples in Los Angeles. It’s cozy, with complimentary breakfast, and close to Universal Studios & other Hollywood sights.
What are the best hostels in Los Angeles near the airport?
The Venice Beach Hostel, my top pick for the best cheap hostel in Los Angeles, is 6.5 miles from Los Angeles International Airport. It has free wifi and free breakfast.
Final Thoughts on Los Angeles’s Hostels
By now I hope my epic guide to the best hostels in Los Angeles has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure to the City of Angels! Home to dazzling beaches as well as the glitz and glam of Hollywood – traveling to LA is an experience everyone should have at least once in their lives.
While Los Angeles can be a great time, this massive city is not without its challenges. With the help of this guide, though, booking an epic hostel should feel much easier 🙂 If you’re still unsure, I’d recommend locking in my overall top pick for the best hostel in Los Angeles, ITH LA Beach Hostel.
Wherever you end up staying, I hope you have an incredible time exploring the bright lights of LA! If you think I’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit me up in the comments.
Photo: Samantha Shea
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in California for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the best places to visit in Los Angeles covered.
- Skip the dorm and find a super cool Airbnb in Los Angeles if you’re feeling fancy!
- Check out the best places to stay in Los Angeles 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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