The South of France is one of those places that is on just about everyone’s travel bucket list. Sunny weather, incredible history, and world-class food are only a few of the things you can expect.
Montpellier is located just inland from the Mediterranean Sea, and a short three hours by train from Barcelona and Italy. The city strikes the perfect balance between lazy and lively, with just the right amount of buzz to make for a fun night out.
When the sun rises, it’s one of the most beautiful cities to explore by day, with a deep historical and architectural heritage that dates back to the 17th century.
For full disclosure, hostels are limited in Montpellier. That being said, there are some great budget accommodations as an excellent alternative to hostels. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the best cheap accommodation and hostels in Montpellier!
Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Montpellier
- Most Central Hostel in Montpellier – Hotel Acapulco
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What to Expect from Hostels in Montpellier
Okay, there isn’t a lot of hostels in Montpellier. Well, there isn’t a lot of party hostels or dorm-style rooms on the market here. It is likely because most backpackers exploring France stick to the coastline, which is just a few miles south of the city. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a wealth of affordable accommodation in the area.
Because of the limited party scene, this sleepy city is more suited to those looking for a good dose of culture and history. Montpellier has endless rows of streets lined with old buildings, historic churches, and lush parks.
Most of the hostels and budget accommodation you’ll find are quiet and relaxed. There aren’t any hostels with an in-house bar or nightlife scene like most other European cities. If you know of a secret hidden gem, let us know!
One of the most common types of cheap accommodation in Montpellier are guesthouses – where local residents rent out rooms for a bit of extra income. Although not technically hostels, rooms in private homes have some extra bits that you will likely find in a traditional hostel, including:
- Friendly hosts who can create personalized experiences
- Affordable and cozy accommodation
- Chance to stay in a local neighborhood
- Hosts will share the ins and outs of the area
- Access to shared spaces, including kitchens and gardens
- Parking
- Laundry facilities
Hostelworld is the top platform for searching and booking hostels. The website has search filters that make it super easy to find exactly what you’re looking for. Limited options for hostels in Montpellier mean you won’t find too much for this particular location.
Booking.com and Airbnb have guesthouses, B&Bs, and self-catering homestay options. Booking.com is best for guesthouses and B&Bs, while Montpellier Airbnb is geared towards self-catering rentals. Filter your search to ‘private rooms’ and find spots for a super reasonable price.
The Best Hostels in Montpellier
We’ve covered the basics, let’s take a better look at the various budget accommodation and hostels in Montpellier – from low-key homestays to guesthouses, and everything in between!
Hotel Acapulco – Most Central Hostel in Montpellier
It’s a common misconception that Montpellier is a small city, when in fact, it’s pretty big, just spread out. The old city center is relatively small and walkable. If you’re only visiting for a short time, this is where you’ll want to spend most of your time.
Hotel Acapulco is a central hostel, within walking distance of the historical center and cultural sights. It’s also just a few steps from the busy tram station that can connect you with other parts of the city.
The property defines itself as a hotel, offering private rooms that are fully equipped with everything you would find in a basic hotel.
For starters, Hotel Acapulco has a super social atmosphere made all the better by the friendly staff. Guests are invited to enjoy a home-prepared breakfast outside on the terrace to get the day started.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Private rooms and bathrooms
- Child cots available
- Daily housekeeping
Each room in this Montpellier hotel is equipped with comfortable beds, linens, and towels. They have air conditioning, which is essential during summer heatwaves, as well as a TV set. The entire property is connected to fast internet, and each room has a private bathroom with a shower.
Surrounded by blossoming flowers and tall bamboo plants, Hotel Acapulco’s garden is a great place to enjoy a cup of coffee or read a book. It’s also a great spot to meet other travelers and make friends.
Hotel Prime – Epic Hostel for Digital Nomads in Montpellier
First things first – Hotel Prime is technically not a hostel, and the property classifies itself as a hotel. It is on our list as it shares some significant features with a traditional hostel.
The rooms have modern interiors, fresh linens, and decorative wallpapers. Modern wooden headboards and bedside tables combined with unique wallpapers bring a homey and warm feel to each room.
The owners have thought of everything, from the convenient bed lamps to the plug points and the light switches. It’s the best hostel in Montpellier for digital nomads as it’s super quiet hotel with no in-house bar or loud neighbors. Each room is fitted with a spacious desk and chair, with useful plug points for chargers. And last but not least, the entire property has a great Wi-Fi connection! You’ll be able to work from your room, or in the lobby for a change of scenery.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Clean rooms and private bathrooms
- In-house French restaurant
- Wheelchair friendly accommodation
Not only is Hotel Prime perfect for nomads, it’s also a great budget stay for families or small groups of friends. Of the 41 comfortable rooms, there are a bunch of family rooms with queen beds as well as bunk beds, which can sleep up to four guests comfortably.
One of the biggest assets of this spot is the sunny patio and swimming pool – available for guests to use throughout the day. Can you think of a better way to enjoy a sunny day in the South of France than relaxing by an azure blue swimming pool?
It’s not super centrally located. It’s a 15 to 20-minute train ride from the center of Montpellier. That being said, it’s perfectly located for those passing through the city with an early morning flight or train to catch, as Hotel Prime is just a ten-minute drive from the airport and main railway station.
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Hide Yo’ Money!Other Budget Accommodations in Montpellier
Villa Croix d’ Argent 15mn Des Plages
Just because Montpellier isn’t overrun with hostels, it doesn’t mean budget travelers can’t stop by.
Villa Croix is a small guesthouse run by a local French family. It is perfect for families or new parents traveling with babies, as there is a crib available.
The rooms are equipped with a double bed, washing machines, coffee and tea facilities, and flat-screen TVs. If you’ve ever traveled with a baby, you’ll know how necessary it is to have an in-unit washing machine! One of the rooms even has a sunny garden view.
This accommodation in Montpellier has some hotel-like features, including airport transfers and complimentary toiletries. The bathroom is shared with another room.
Villa Croix has a swimming pool and outside terrace, where you can relax and enjoy a delicious breakfast – which is included in the nightly rate. It’s conveniently located only a 15-minute drive from the beach, and not far from the airport.
Nostal’gite
Just a ten-mile drive from the heart of the city, Nostal’gite is not super central in Montpellier. It’s also not a traditional hostel, but a family-run guesthouse.
Nostal’gite is super unique, decorated with eclectic 1950s interiors. I’m talking vinyl floors, colorful plastic decor, and funky wallpapers. Every room in this Montpellier accommodation is unique, with bright color palettes, decorations, and linens.
Nostal’gite is super affordable, but more importantly, has a shared kitchen where guests can cook up meals and snacks.
It also has a bunch of hotel-like facilities. Each private room has a queen-sized bed, ensuite bathroom, coffee machine, tea-making facilities, complimentary toiletries, and air conditioning. Some rooms even have gorgeous inner courtyard views!
Although Nostal’gite is a bit further from the city center, the area is a hotspot for hiking and mountain biking.
Private Room and Bathroom in a Shared Villa
If you’re after a comfortable place to rest your head in Montpellier, without spending an arm and a leg, this private room is ideal. The home has a shared kitchen and communal spaces, which give it a similar atmosphere to a hostel.
The room is beautifully equipped for a quick stay or a long visit, with cozy linens, towels, and a private ensuite bathroom. It’s flooded with natural light, filtering through the large windows that open onto a Juliette balcony, overlooking the property gardens.
Just like a hostel, guests can make use of the fully-equipped shared kitchen space, fitted with everything you might need to prepare a home cooked meal. If you’ve been backpacking for a while, you’ll know that cooking your own food is also one of the best ways to save money while traveling, especially in an expensive country like France.
Villa Cemaste
In the heart of Montpellier, Villa Cemaste is a super affordable bed and breakfast that shares common features with a traditional hostel. It will take you less than 20 minutes to walk from the guesthouse into the historic center of the city, Montpellier national Opera and Place de la Comedie.
Villa Cemaste has a range of different rooms, from standard double rooms with shared bathrooms to deluxe double rooms with private bathrooms. All the rooms have pool and garden views, a minibar, a coffee machine, and air conditioning. Some even have a small kitchenette with a microwave, fridge, and oven.
The best feature of this guesthouse in Montpellier is its swimming pool, which is open during the summer season.
What to Pack for your Montpellier 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!
FAQ about Hostels in Montpellier
How much do hostels in Montpellier cost?
Since there aren’t any typical dorm-style hostels in Montpellier, it’s likely you’ll have to book out a private room, even if you’re traveling solo. These rooms range in price from $30 to $80, depending on the location and overall quality of the accommodation.
What are the best hostels in Montpellier for couples?
Villa Cemaste is an exemplary Montpellier hostel for couples. It’s comfy, has a pool, is super affordable, and centrally located.
What is the best hostel in Montpellier near the airport?
Hotel Prime is just a ten-minute drive from the airport, as well as the main train station in Montpellier.
Travel Safety Tips for Montpellier
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.
Final Thoughts on Hostels in Montpellier
Even though there aren’t many traditional hostels in Montpellier, there is no shortage of affordable accommodation. Depending on the type of vacation/trip, you could find yourself in a business-style guesthouse or a family-friendly bed and breakfast.
If budget is your main concern, the private room would be your best bet. It doesn’t hurt that it’s located in the heart of the city either. All in all, our favorite hostel in Montpellier would have to be Hotel Prime, which offers new and clean accommodation with a social twist.
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in France for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the best places to visit in France covered.
- Skip the dorm and find a super cool Airbnb in Montpellier if you’re feeling fancy!
- Check out the best places to stay in France before you arrive.
- Remember to grab yourself an international sim card for France to avoid any issues.
- 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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