Keep Portland Weird! That’s the bumper sticker slogan of liberal, vegetarian-friendly, eco-friendly, progressive Portland. The largest city in Oregon is also known for its parks and cycling as well as its craft beers and cafes. It’s pretty much a chilled out hipster city!
But just where in this big city do you stay? And how can you stay somewhere so cool whilst sticking to a budget… is it even possible?
YES, it is! And to help you find somewhere that’s right for you, we’ve made a list of the best hostels in Portland to make life easier for you.
So let’s see what Portland has to offer, shall we?
Quick answer: The best hostels in Portland
- Overall Best Hostel in Portland – Lola Pass
- Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Portland – HI Portland Northwest
- Easy Access Hostel in Portland – KEX
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Best Hostels in Portland
Lola Pass – Best Overall Hostel in Portland
Lolo Pass is a modern and comfortable hostel in Portland close by to all the amenities you could need for a city getaway. With the option of private and dorm bedrooms, it suits both budget and luxe travelers.
There is a rooftop terrace, onsite bar and restaurant for those nights you don’t fancy heading out.
Enjoy the lively neighborhoods of Portland with a quiet space to return to. It is especially great for solo travelers looking to make friends!
HI Portland Northwest – Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Portland
This place is set in a pretty cool old house, the type that’d probably be a spooky house in some American horror film, but, um, don’t worry about that. It’s not in any way a spooky house. Just has the exterior vibes, that’s all.
In fact, this place is probably the best hostel for solo travellers in Portland. The staff are super friendly, facilities super clean (and good), and in a good area of town. Stay here and it’ll be easy to find all sorts of things to do with a few new mates from the hostel.
KEX – Easy Access Hostel in Portland
In the heart of the action, KEX is a hotel style hostel with a more luxe feel. The industrial-modern style makes the Portland hostel feel super lavish, with a 24-hour reception and parking.
Just walking distance to the best restaurants and hotspots of town, this affordable spot competes with some of the best hotels!
Featuring ultra-deluxe furnishings and homey vibe, it will be the perfect base for a Portland adventure.
Best Budget Hotels in Portland
But we all know that sometimes… you just don’t wanna stay in a hostel. And that’s cool. Because we understand – sharing a dorm with strangers for consecutive nights and then moving onto another dorm in another hostel in another hostel, just to do the same again… It all gets a bit much, eh?
So here’s a round-up of the best budget hotels in Portland so you can find somewhere private and comfy to call home for a few nights.
Howard Johnson by Wyndham Portland Airport
Sure, it ain’t cool, it ain’t in the centre of town – but it IS right by the airport. Yep, this budget hotel in Portland is probably the best hotel near Portland’s airport, which is especially great if you need to catch an early flight or something. It’s also very cheap… for a hotel.
Convenience and stress-free travel is what we’re about, so it makes total sense to stay here, even if it’s just for a night on arrival or departure, you know? It’s easy to find in the dark, which is a plus when you arrive in a place you have no clue about. Rooms come with fridges and microwaves, helping you keep things nice and budget-friendly, too.
Silver Cloud Inn
A standard sorta budget hotel in Portland, sure, but it’s a good place to stay if you’re looking to save money AND have a lil’ bit more comfort than a Portland backpackers hostel. The rooms here are dang spacious and come equipped with fridge and microwave, making it easy to fend for yourself and keep things nice and cheap. Another good thing about this place is COMPLIMENTARY LAUNDERETTE! Yep, value for money here we come! Definitely add this to your Portland itinerary.
Aladdin Inn and Suites
We’re really not sure why this place has decided to name itself after Aladdin, but there you go – it has. Despite the weird name, this budget hotel in Portland is a great shout for anybody who likes their rooms to a bit a more… chic and modern than what you usually get at budget hotels. You know, that sorta cross between kitsch and outdated?
Yeah, that. This place is pretty cool though. AND it serves up a mean free breakfast.
Eastside Lodge
To find a budget hotel in Portland that’s actually pretty near to the city centre is a rare thing, so Eastside Lodge definitely fills a gap in that sense. It’s basically a motel that’s had a makeover in black and chrome and grey, which is sorta ultra cheesy but at least it’s been updated, right?
The location of this place is good – it’s close to town, which makes getting into Portland’s sights and nightlife easy. The staff are also super friendly and helpful, which always makes a HUGE difference.
Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.
It looks exactly like a normal belt except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)
Hide Yo’ Money!What to Pack for your Portland 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 Portland
So there you have it – the best hostels in Portland!
Though they maybe aren’t as cool or trendy as the city they’re located in, some of them definitely have some eco-friendly credentials that make them pretty cool places to stay.
And we’ve added a few budget hotels in for good measure since sometimes you don’t want a dorm, right?
But if you can’t decide where to stay, don’t you worry: just go for our pick for the best overall hostel in Portland, Travelers House. Now go enjoy the weirdness!
FAQ about Hostels in Portland
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Portland.
How much does a hostel cost in Portland?
Depending on the location and type of room, on average, hostel prices start at $35 – $44+ per night.
What are the best hostels in Portland for couples?
HI Portland Northwest is an ideal hostel for couples in Portland. Its private rooms are clean and close to the Pearl District.
What are the best hostels in Portland near the airport?
If you need to catch an early flight, Howard Johnson by Wyndham Portland Airport is the best budget hotel near the airport.
Travel Safety Tips for Portland
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 USA and North America
Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel and now you can plan the perfect trip to Portland.
Planning an epic trip all across USA or even North America itself?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!
For more cool hostel guides around North America, check out:
Over to you
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Portland 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 Portland for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the best places to visit in Portland covered.
- Skip the dorm and find a super cool Airbnb in Portland if you’re feeling fancy!
- Check out the best places to stay in Portland 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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