Many may treat traveling to Victoria as a mere day trip from Vancouver, but the second you start exploring the vast nature, rich history, and lively bar scene of the area, you’ll be wishing you could stay longer. With vineyards, mountains, beaches, and forests, you can take in the countryside while sipping on a glass of wine or explore deep out in nature. If hiking isn’t your thing, you can stick to the cities, where you’ll get small-town vibes but still enough life to keep things interesting. With Victoria’s parliament building, museums, and gardens, you’ll quickly find yourself falling head over heels in love with Canada.
Heading to the sea to go whale watching and sipping on a coffee on the historic streets of Victoria comes with a price, though. Many budget backpackers find it challenging to find a youth hostel that won’t over-strain the budget. But this doesn’t mean that travelers should avoid visiting Victoria altogether.
With our list of the best hostels in Victoria Canada, you’ll be able to find one that best fits how you like to travel. We’ll have you taking in all of the historic and rustic beauty of Victoria in no time!
Pull out your guide books and lace up your boots; you’re in for an adventure unlike any other in Victoria!
Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Victoria
- Best Overall Hostel in Victoria – HI Victoria
- Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in Victoria – Ocean Island Inn
- Best Hostel for Couples in Victoria – Marketa’s Bed & Breakfast
- Best Cheap Hostel in Victoria – Turtle Hostel
- Best Party Hostel in Victoria – Days Inn Victoria
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The Best Hostels in Victoria
Regardless of why you’re visiting, you’re gonna need a good place to stay in Victoria. We brought all the best hostels in Victoria together in one place so you can get back to planning where to visit first. With each hostel a little different from the next, be sure to keep your eyes open for the best fit for you!
HI Victoria – Best Overall Hostel in Victoria
If you’re looking for the classic backpacker’s experience while in Victoria, you’ll want to head straight to HI Victoria! This youth hostel will have you kicking back in one of the lounges and swapping stories with some of the other travelers before you head out on another adventure! Located near the historic downtown, you’ll be just a few minutes’ walk away from all the top sites of downtown, such as Craigdarroch Castle and the Royal British Colombia Museum.
It’s not only historical sites that are waiting outside of your door; you’ll also find that as soon as the sun goes down, there are loads of great bars and restaurants lining the streets of Victoria!
Ocean Island Inn – Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in Victoria
After spending some time on the road, you’ll probably want to kick back and relax at Ocean Island Inn, one of the best places in Victoria to hang out and meet other travelers. Invite your new friends to join you as you explore all the history and natural beauty of the region! With lounges, a movie room, games, and a cafe, there are so many ways to get out there and mix with the other guests. Putting you right in the heart of downtown, you’ll also have all the best sites of the city within walking distance of your hostel.
If you start to get hungry, you’ll be stoked to find that this hostel has its very own cafe. If you want to save money, you even have the option of cooking for yourself in the shared kitchen! With cheap dorm beds and a laidback atmosphere, this is one hostel you’ll never want to check out of!
Marketa’s Bed & Breakfast – Best Hostel for Couples in Victoria
Maybe you and your partner have been on the road for a while and are ready to find a private room where you can turn on the romance after weeks of being stuck in dorm rooms. For a price not all that much more than what you would pay for a private room at a backpacker’s hostel, Marketa’s Bed & Breakfast will give you a one of a kind experience in this classic Victorian home. With vintage furniture, sunny rooms, and antique charm, you will be whisked centuries into the past the second you lay down your luggage.
Other than the cozy rooms, this B&B will have you hopping out of bed every morning to get the day started right with a delicious homemade breakfast!
Turtle Hostel – Best Cheap Hostel in Victoria
It’s no secret that Canada is an expensive country to travel through as a budget backpacker. Lucky for you, there are places such as the Turtle Hostel that will put you up for practically nothing. The Turtle Hostel is not exactly five-star, nor does it top the list of the best hostels in Victoria, but if you’re traveling on a shoestring and have had plenty of experience backpacking, Turtle Hostel will be your best choice to find a place to crash and save some money.
Located within walking distance of downtown, the best restaurants and bars are only a short walk away. With a lounge, shared kitchen, and a patio where you can soak up some rays in the backyard, you may actually end up falling in love with Turtle Hostel!
We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.
Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!
View on Osprey View on REIDays Inn Victoria – Best Party Hostel in Victoria
The Days Inn in Victoria is not exactly the place where you can throw an all-night rager that will match the final days of Rome. But party animals will find that this budget hotel in Victoria will hook you up with an onsite bar, where you can grab a few beers to end your day or pregame before you go out and hit the clubs. If you need a break from drinking, the Days Inn Victoria has a restaurant and an indoor pool, giving you all the comfort and convenience of a resort for a fraction of the price.
Top it off with a fitness center and even a shuttle to the airport, and you won’t find a better place to kick off your holiday in Victoria!
The Janion – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Victoria
When traveling as a digital nomad, you’ll eventually need to pump the brakes on your travels and set yourself up in a cheap hostel or guesthouse to catch up on some editing and writing. For the same price as a private room at most backpacker’s hostels, you can book yourself into this elegant holiday home and get all the peace and quiet you need to catch up on your work!
The true selling point of this stay is the breathtaking views looking out over the coast. This means that when you finally find time to close your laptop, all the best sites of Victoria are just a short walk away!
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Hide Yo’ Money!More of the Best Hostels in Victoria
Cherry Tree Inn
If you don’t want to stay in another cramped dorm room in a hostel but are still short on money, you can get all the peace and quiet you need in one of the private rooms at Cherry Tree Inn. This budget motel will put you up in some of the cheapest and cleanest rooms in Victoria that even the backpacker’s hostels can’t match. With its sunny rooms, garden, and patio, you’ll discover that there’s no better place to relax after a long day of exploring Victoria than from the hotel.
With the downtown a short walk away and even kayaking just down the road, the Cherry Tree Inn is the perfect place to kick off your adventure.
Hotel Zed
Still looking for a youthful, laidback place to stay but feel as if you’ve outgrown backpacker’s hostels? Hotel Zed will give you that artsy, colorful atmosphere while still putting you up in luxurious 4-star hotel rooms. No matter if you are a backpacker looking to get a little more comfortable or a family on vacation, you’ll discover everything you need to have the holiday of a lifetime at Hotel Zed! With a swimming pool, games room, lounge, and even bike rentals, this hotel will hook you up with everything you need to relax at the hotel or go out and explore Victoria.
There’s a restaurant here too, so you’ll have the option of going out to eat or grabbing a bite at Hotel Zed!
Arbutus Inn
Arbutus Inn may not have all of the bells and whistles of some of the other backpacker’s hostels and guesthouses in Victoria, but if you want a cheap place to stay not too far away from the downtown area, this stay may be speaking your language. With homey and clean rooms, you’ll be well-rested before heading out on your next adventure.
With loads of shopping options and restaurants near the hotel, you won’t have to wander too far to find a bite to eat.
Metro Inn
Located a short walk away from Topaz Park and the Victoria Ferry Harbour, Metro Inn is another cheap option where you can get cozy rooms perfect for a quiet night’s sleep before you head out on your next adventure. With rooms that fit any budget, Metro Inn will give you all the privacy you need to kick back and relax while planning your next day trip from Victoria.
Around the hotel, you’ll have tons of options of places to eat and drink, so you’re sure never to go hungry!
What to Pack for your Victoria 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!
Why you should travel to Victoria
With the centuries-old manors, lush gardens, and breathtaking coastline, travelers will find that no two days in Victoria will ever be spent the same. But what will really make or break your trip is the place you end up booking yourself into. Will you be hanging out with other travelers at a youth hostel or getting some peace and quiet at a guesthouse?
Still unsure about where to stay in Victoria? Let us help you out and get the ball rolling. If you want that classical backpacker experience for a low price, be sure to check into HI Victoria, our pick for the best hostel in Victoria Canada!
FAQ about Hostels in Victoria
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Victoria.
How much does a hostel cost in Victoria?
The average price of a dorm in Victoria is $42 and the private rooms start at $80 per night.
What are the best hostels in Victoria for couples?
With an aesthetic Edwardian décor and a dedicated romantic room, Marketa’s Bed & Breakfast will surely impress your partner. Located right at the city center, you won’t have to worry about planning your trip. They even offer a lot of activites within the hostel if you plan on staying in!
What are the best hostels in Victoria near the airport?
Victoria Airport is 25km away from the city center. Days Inn Victoria is my recommended hostel in the area, aside from the superb facilities they’re also offering an airport shuttle service.
Travel Safety Tips for Victoria
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.
Over to you
In Victoria, you’ll get a taste of everything that makes a vacation great. Romantic evenings by the harbor, hiking to remote waterfalls, whale watching on the coast, and a rich history that’ll have you hopping out of bed every morning to be the first in line to one of the many museums. With plenty to do on your lazy days in town, and adventure waiting outside your door, Victoria is a place that can’t be seen in just one week.
To make your trip to Victoria truly the stuff of legends, you’ll have to choose the perfect hostel or guesthouse that will set the tone for your entire holiday. Will you be hanging out with other backpackers drinking and chatting until the break of dawn? Or will you be getting some shut-eye preparing for a day jam-packed full of exploring? With our list of the top hostels in Victoria, you should be able to find the hostel that fits how you like to travel with ease.
Have you ever traveled to Victoria? We would love to hear about your trip! Let us know in the comments below if we missed any great backpackers hostels in Victoria.
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Canada for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the beautiful places in Canada covered.
- Skip the dorm and find a super cool Airbnb in Victoria if you’re feeling fancy!
- Check out the best places to stay in Victoria 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.
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