Vancouver is Canada’s gem-city of the west coast. With amazing culture, scenery, hikes and day trips, Vancouver truly has it all.
Except for a low price.
Canada is not a cheap backpacking destination, and Vancouver is one of the country’s most expensive cities. Which is the precise reason why we put together this guide to the best hostels in Vancouver.
With the help of this guide, you’ll be able to travel to 1) save some money, and 2) find a kick-ass hostel that suits your personal travel style in Vancouver!
We accomplished this by putting together the best hostel reviews on the web. We break down the highest reviewed hostels in Vancouver, and separate them into different categories, so you can easily find which of the best hostels in Vancouver suits your needs!
So whether you are looking for cheap hostels in Vancouver, the best party hostel in Vancouver, or anything in between, my ultimate guide to the best hostels in Vancouver will get you exactly where you need to be!
Let’s dive inn Amigo.
Photo: @willhatton__
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Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Vancouver
- Best Overall Hostel in Vancouver – YWCA Hotel
- Best Hostel in Vancouver for Solo Travelers – Cambie Hostel – Seymour
- Best Cheap Hostel in Vancouver – Vancouver Backpacker House
- Best Party Hostel in Vancouver – Cambie Hostel – Gastown
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Vancouver – HI Vancouver Downtown
The 5 Best Hostels in Vancouver
Regardless of where you choose to stay in Vancouver – be it in a chill area, a social one, or somewhere cheap – there’s going to be the right backpackers for you. My guide to the top hostels in Vancouver will cover all of these aspects and have your back.
1. YWCA Hotel – Best Overall Hostel in Vancouver
- Private Room: From $90
- Address: 733 Beatty Street, Vancouver, Vancouver, Canada
Okay, so the overall best Vancouver hostel isn’t actually a hostel – it’s a hotel. But hear me out. It’s got a strong hostel vibe and EPIC spaces to grab a beer and meet new travel buddies. An outdoor terrace perfect for those summer days or chill in the common room.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Super central location
- Fitness studio
- Outdoor terrace (ideal for a few beers)
Yes, it’s a little more pricey than your average hostel but the twin rooms are pretty snazzy and you haven’t got to stay in a cramped dorm. If you’re travelling with your partner, the private rooms are gorgeous- super comfortable, stylish, and offer impressive views of Vancouver’s skyline.
YMCA is in a great location. You’re two blocks from the Skytrain and within walking distance from Robson Street, a shopaholic’s paradise. Plus, you’re surrounded by cute cafes, tasty restaurants and plenty of bars. And, if you fancy saving a few bucks there’s a shared kitchen and a grocery store nearby.
Plus, if you want to squeeze a workout in, there’s a fitness studio. So, it’s no surprise that YWCA is one of the best hostels in Vancouver (even though it’s not a hostel).
2. Cambie Hostel – Seymour – Best Hostel in Vancouver for Solo Travelers
- Dorm (Male/Female): From $51
- Private Room: From $70
- Address: 515 Seymour St. V6B 3H6, Vancouver, Vancouver, Canada
Sister to the Cambie Hostel in Gastown, Cambie Seymour is a top hostel in Vancouver ideal for solo travelers. Offering cheap, icy cold beers throughout the year Cambie Seymour is a great place to meet locals and hang out with fellow backpackers.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Fun, social vibe
- Buzzing bar downstairs with happy hour specials
- 20% discount voucher for Malone’s Restaurant
The rooms are simple, with no frills but have all you need for a good night’s rest. If you’ve got cash to burn, there are twin private rooms available or embrace the the true backpacker lifestyle and join the rest of us peasants in the dorm room.
If you’re looking for a night to remember (or not) Malone’s Social Lounge & Tap House is a brilliant hostel bar where you’ll leave with more friends than you arrived with! They often have live sports, music and happy hour specials. It’s the perfect place to kick off the night before heading to some of the other bars in Vancouver.
Nestled in downtown Vancouver you’re in a great location, within walking distance of cafes, bars and restaurants. Your Vancouver itinerary is going to be jam-packed, being in North Vancouver you’re close to the impressive peaks of the coast mountain range it’s an ideal spot to explore from.
3. Vancouver Backpacker House – Best Cheap Hostel in Vancouver
- Dorm (mixed): From $22
- Private Room: From $56
- Address: 7020 Gray Ave Burnaby BC, Vancouver, Canada
If you’re backpacking Vancouver and looking for a calm and quiet hostel you should check out Vancouver Backpacker House. The definition of a classic traveller’s inn, Vancouver Backpacker House is super cheap, super simple but practically perfect for laid-back travellers who need a place to crash.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Budget-friendly prices
- Shared Kitchen
- Close to public transport
You’re in a great location, well connected to Vancouver via the SkyTrain VB House is just a 10-minute walk from the massive metropolitan mall and just around the corner from a great yoga studio and fitness centre. Eating out in Vancouver can be expensive so you’ll be glad to hear the shared kitchen is fully kitted out and free to use at any time.
If you don’t expect luxury you won’t be disappointed. The rooms are basic but have everything you need. And, if you’re feeling fancy you could splash out and treat yourself to a private room.
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View on Osprey View on REI4. Cambie Hostel – Gastown – Best Party Hostel in Vancouver
- Dorm (mixed): From $29
- Private Room: From $104
- Address: 310 Cambie St., Vancouver, Vancouver, Canada
Cambie Hostel Gastown is the best party hostel in Vancouver hands down! One of only a handful of Vancouver backpackers hostels to have their own bar, Cambie Hostel Gastown is set in the heart of buzzing and bustling Gastown. The crew here know how to have a good time and like their music loud! A good night’s sleep is easy to come by once the party is over!
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Pumping bar downstairs
- Party and social vibe
- Great for meeting fellow backpackers.
With big comfy sofas, and plenty of space to meet and mingle Cambie Hostel Gastown has just the right amount of party vibes and chilled out feels. The Cambie Bar is a fav of the local crowd so you’ll be able to find out about some of Vancouver’s hidden gems and the best places to visit over a beer or two.
The dorm rooms are simple and slightly more expensive compared to other hostels, however, who needs luxury when you are stumbling home at 3am? This is a party hostel so if you’re looking for a peaceful night’s sleep this isn’t the place for you.
5. HI Vancouver Downtown – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Vancouver
- Dorm (mixed): From $35
- Private Room: From $98
- Address: 1114 Burnaby Street, Vancouver, Canada
HI Downtown Vancouver is the best hostel for digital nomads as they have the three essentials ticked off; free WiFi, guest kitchen and laundry facilities. All the things digital nomads who live on the road need access to! Whether you’re in Vancouver for a weekend or longer, this is the perfect place to perch up.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Fast WIFI
- Co-working space
- Games room
HI Downtown could just be the coolest hostel in Vancouver as they have their own games room complete with pool table and table football too. What better way to unwind after a long day on the laptop than with a few games of pool with your hostel buddies.
The free breakfast is a total bonus and is the perfect way to fuel up and get those creative juices flowing. HI downtown hostel has recently been renovated so the rooms are new, snazzy and very comfy. If you’re feeling fancy they have private rooms available with a cosy double bed and shared bathroom.
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Hide Yo’ Money!More Epic Vancouver Hostels
St Clair Hotel-Hostel
- Private Room: From $97
- Address: 577 Richards St., Vancouver, Vancouver, Canada
Keen to please everyone St Clair Hotel-Hostel has affordable hostel dorms and private hotel style rooms. As a top hostel in Vancouver St Clair hotel hostel is located within walking distance from backpacker hotspots like Granville, Gastown, and the Waterfront. The staff are really lovely and genuinely happy to help travellers in any way that they can.
There are basic self-catering facilities at St Clair hotel hostel in the form of a microwave, but being at the heart of Vancouver means that there are some great must-try restaurants and an ideal base for day trips in Vancouver.
Coze Guesthouse In Vancouver
- Private Room: From $75
- Address: 576 West 58th Avenue, V6P 1W7 Vancouver, Canada
Okay, you’ve got me. This isn’t a hostel but it’s the next best thing, a budget-friendly guesthouse. You’ll be staying just outside the thick of the action in a quiet neighbourhood but you’re close to public transport making exploring downtown Vancouver a breeze. This guest house is within walking distance from a little grocery store and close to the Vancouver International Airport.
A little more pricey than a hostel but you’ll be living like royalty in your own private room with a large double bed and shared bathroom. If you’re a solo traveller or couple looking for a place to perch up, Coze Guest House is a great starting point.
SameSun Vancouver
SameSun is the best hostel in Vancouver in 2021. Offering a tasty free breakfast, including muffins and bagels and a brilliant free city tour, SameSun is the best hostel in Vancouver for travellers of all kinds. Bright and modern SameSun is a top hostel in Vancouver offering backpackers use of all the facilities they could wish for; there’s a guest kitchen, common room, bar and restaurants within walking distance.
Backpackers staying at SameSun have no trouble meeting new friends and there is a relaxed and welcoming vibe to the place. The dorms are super clean and spacious and toasty warm too. The SameSun team are incredibly helpful and polite in true Canadian style! Plus, it’s close to most of the top attractions in the city for a fun-filled vacation.
Burnaby Rentals
The best cheap hostel in Vancouver is Burnaby Rentals. If you’re seeking a budget-friendly homestay in Vancouver you’ll feel as if you’ve hit the jackpot with Burnaby Rentals. A little way out from Vancouver’s bustling business district Burnaby Rentals is a great place to stay if you’re planning on living like a local in Vancouver.
The lounge area is cosy and comfortable and guests have access to the communal kitchen which too helps reduce costs. They offer free, unlimited WiFi and use of the laundry facilities too. Burnaby Rental is the best budget hostel in Vancouver for sure!
Getting Insured BEFORE Visiting Vancouver
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 Vancouver.
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 Vancouver
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Vancouver.
What to Pack for your Vancouver 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 Vancouver?
The average price of hostels in Vancouver can range from $23 – $28+ per night. Of course, the private rooms are on the higher end of the scale than the dorm beds.
What are the best hostels in Vancouver for couples?
YWCA Hotel is an ideal hostel for couples in Vancouver. It has comfortable and stylish private rooms.
What is the best hostel in Vancouver near the airport?
The Vancouver International Airport is quite far from downtown Vancouver, so it is usually better to find the best place to stay within the area. Once you’re in downtown, we highly recommend YWCA Hotel, located on Robson Street, Vancouver’s shopping paradise!
Final Thoughts on Vancouver’s Hostels
By now I hope my epic guide to the best hostels in Vancouver has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure!
In case you’re still undecided on the best Vancouver hostel for you, I’ve recapped my top pick below for ya.
YWCA Hotel is the overall best hostel in Vancouver, super comfy private rooms and you’re in a great location.
If you’re looking to party then you can’t beat Cambie Hostel – Gastown. it’s the best party hostel in Vancouver with a social vibe and pumping bar downstairs you’re 100% in for some wild nights.
Alright, folks, that’s a wrap. Now, it’s over to you to get out of that comfort zone and make some memories.
Photo: @joemiddlehurst
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Vancouver for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the best places to visit in Vancouver covered.
- Skip the dorm and find a super cool Airbnb in Vancouver if you’re feeling fancy!
- Check out the best places to stay in Vancouver before you arrive.
- Remember to grab yourself an international sim card for Canada to avoid any issues.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate Canada backpacking guide.
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You can now buy The Broke Backpacker a coffee. If you like and use our content to plan your trips, it’s a much appreciated way to show appreciation 🙂
