Berlin is the eclectic capital of Germany, famous for its history, nightlife, and up-and-coming neighbourhoods. It’s one of the coolest destinations in Europe and home to a myriad of places to discover, so you’ll never run out of things to see and do.
Capital cities aren’t known for being cheap, and Berlin is no exception. So, we’ve rounded up the best cheap hostels in Berlin, to help you find somewhere to base yourself without having to compromise on quality.
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You might not consider a bit of luxury when traveling on a budget, but it’s totally possible. The Grand Hostel Berlin Classic is set in a suitably grand historic building dating back to 1887, and takes full advantage of its heritage.
The interiors combine period high ceilings and antique furnishings with some fun modern touches, like disco balls and colourful artwork. Single beds are on offer as well as bunk beds, which may come as a relief to some travelers.
This award-winning hostel is comfortable, has a great social atmosphere, and a library-style bar to top it all off. It’s wheelchair friendly and is ideal for anyone traveling in Berlin.
Where is Grand Hostel Berlin Classic?
This hostel is centrally located in the vibrant and hipster-friendly Kreuzberg area. Within walking distance, you’ll find the Jewish Museum, the Brandenburg Gate, and Checkpoint Charlie. The surrounding area is full of Berlin’s trendiest bars and restaurants.
Catching public transport is a breeze from here, as there’s a U-bahn station connected to three different lines just nearby.
In terms of sleeping arrangements, room options at the Grand Hostel Berlin Classic include mixed dorms with 4-6 beds.
There are also some pretty stylish private rooms up for grabs, too:
- Single room
- Double room
Prices per night start at $20 USD. At that price, we think it’s fair to say it’s one of the cheapest (and nicest) hostels in Berlin.
Any extras?
It’s got a great location and some really nice rooms to choose from, but that’s not all. Grand Hostel Berlin Classic also has a fair few perks that make it even better value for money than it already is. These include the following…
- Hostel bar
- Bistro
- Laundry facilities
- Outdoor terrace
- Free Wi-Fi
- Breakfast (additional fee)
- Bicycle hire (additional fee)
- Multilingual staff
There are also activities to get involved with that help keep this budget-friendly Berlin hostel a social place:
- Daily happy hour
- Tours
- Rotating roster of events
Overall, we’re big fans of this place. For starters, you get to stay somewhere stylish and historic without blowing your budget. What more could you want?
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The building is an old Jewish girls’ dormitory built in 1903, so it’s kind of already purpose-built and full of history. It includes large, spacious rooms and a leafy inner courtyard to relax in.
Despite this set-up, it’s a pretty no-frills place to stay in Berlin if you ask us. In fact, a big mix of people stay here – not just backpackers looking to make friends and party. If meeting new people is your thing, this is a great option fot it.
The staff are amazing, and the fact that it’s family-friendly creates a cheery atmosphere. It may not be a party hostel, but is one of the best budget-friendly options in Berlin.
Where is Pegasus Hostel?
This colourful building is conveniently situated just a five-minute walk from Ostbahnhof Train Station. From here, you can catch an S-bahn or long-distance train, making it easy to get out and about exploring the city or if you decided to take some Berlin day trips.
Located centrally, Pegasus Hostel is also great for getting to grips with the cool enclaves of Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain. It’s also close to the famous Karl-Marx-Allee, where you’ll be able to discover Soviet architectural influence from the 1950s.
Gamers take note: the Computerspiele Museum, dedicated to video games, is right nearby!
Being fairly basic, the hostel doesn’t have a large variety of rooms on offer. Dorm and private room options include:
- 6-8 bed mixed dorm
- Twin room
- Triple room
- 4+ bed private rooms
Room rates start from just $20 per person per night.
Any extras?
No-frills though it may be, Pegasus Hostel still has a few extras and amenities up its sleeve…
- Laundry facilities
- Communal kitchen
- Free Wi-Fi
- 24-hour reception
- Luggage storage
- Vending machines
- Games room with pool table
- Bicycle hire (additional fee)
There are also free city walks offered by the hostel on a daily basis. These will take you to some of the best places to visit in Berlin, and teach you a thing or two about each of them! If you’re traveling on a budget, walking tours are always a great option.
So, while Pegasus Hostel isn’t exactly a hipster hangout, it’s decent enough and it’ll save you money in the long-run – not least because of its great location.
Three Little Pigs Hostel is set in a historic building dating back to the 19th century. Communal areas feature wood-paneled walls, there are high ceilings throughout, and even a big dining hall. There’s also outdoor space complete with deck chairs, perfect for a beer or two in the sun.
Rooms are simple but have everything you need, including lockers and individual reading lamps, and plug sockets at each bed (a must). The private rooms have a chintzy old-school hotel feel to them, combining classic style with functionality.
This hostel is great value for money overall, especially given its incredible location. A lot of attractions are within walking distance, saving you money on public transport whenexploring Berlin.
Where is Three Little Pigs Hostel?
You can’t really get much more central than Three Little Pigs Hostel, which is situated right on Potsdamer Platz square. This puts you in easy walking distance of Checkpoint Charlie, the Jewish Museum, the Holocaust Memorial, and the Brandenburg Gate to name but a few nearby sights. There are also easy public transport connections nearby, making this cheap Berlin hostel an awesome base for your vacation.
As for room options, there are dorms and private rooms available at Three Little Pigs Hostel. Firstly, dorms include the following:
- 4-8 mixed dorm
- Female dorm
There are some hotel-quality private rooms to choose from, too. Your options are:
- Single room
- Twin room
- Double room
Prices start from $25 USD per person per night.
Any extras?
There are even more reasons to book a room at this budget-friendly Berlin hostel other than its prices. Yep: it’s not just a place to rest your head at night. There are also the amenities to think about…
- Bicycle hire (additional fee)
- 24-hour reception
- Luggage storage
- Free Wi-Fi
- Pool table
- Security lockers
- Bar
- Breakfast available (additional fee)
Functional rooms, a great kitchen, and comfortable social spaces are just a few things you can expect from this hostel. It’s close to everything, and is great value for money.
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Staying on a boat may not have made it onto your list of things to do in Berlin, but it totally can be! Providing comfortable lodging on the water, the two “hostel-boats” have a number of cabins on offer. Some are private rooms, and some are dorms.
The interiors are super retro, made up of classic cabin-style furnishings with everything you need. In all, it makes for a very cool (and very unique) place to stay in Berlin.
Docked on the River Spree, these boats enjoy a fantastic location. On sunny days you can sit outside on the terrace or mingle with other travelers in the communal areas inside. Who said budget can’t be totally different?
Where is Eastern & Western Comfort Hostelboats?
The boats located just behind the East Side Gallery on the banks of Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg. That means all funky nightlife, cool restaurants, and bars are well within walking distance.
Given that it’s a pretty unique accommodation option in Berlin to go for, but rooms offered are pretty standard for hostel accommodation. They include:
- Mixed dorm
- Double room
- Twin room
- Triple room
- 4 bed private room
The chance to stay on one of these boats-turned-hostels can be yours from just $27 USD per night.
Any extras?
Aside from the fact that you’ll be enjoying a truly memorable experience, there are also some good amenities for guests to take advantage of here:
- Bar
- Cafe
- Breakfast available (additional fee)
- Bicycle hire (additional fee)
- Outdoor terrace (deck)
- Free Wi-Fi
- Multilingual staff
- Pin entry
And as for events?
- Free boat tours (summer only)
- Regular parties
Basically, if you like the idea of staying somewhere unique, the Eastern and Western Comfort Hostelboats are probably the place for you.
If you’re looking to stay at a budget hostel in Berlin but don’t really fancy living the hostel life, then you should take a look at PLUS Berlin.
This former fashion school has been declared a Berlin Monument, survived two world wars and 40 years of German Division. It’s a chic, 100-year-old neo-Gothic wonder with funkily renovated interiors.
Officially a hostel and hotel, PLUS Berlin has it all. We’re talking swimming pool, sauna, and even grounds to wander around. Rooms here are modern and bright, with comfy beds, large windows and wood floors.
With numerous awards under its belt, you can rest assured that you’ll have a great stay here.
Where is PLUS Berlin?
PLUS Berlin is located in trendy Friedrichshain – a hip, happening area of Berlin with tons of cool cafes and bars to explore at your leisure. The Berlin Wall is also nearby, with the East Side Gallery just around the corner.
Getting around is also pretty easy from here, with public transport close by. Even the River Spree, with its man-made beaches and riverside bars, is a short walk away.
Room options at this very hotel-like budget hostel in Berlin are pretty classic, including:
- Mixed dorm
- Female-only dorm
They’ve also got a decent selection of private rooms on offer too, including:
- Twin room
- Double room
- Triple room
Prices per person per night start from $26 USD.
Any extras?
Besides being pretty to look at, PLUS Berlin has a fair few extras going on to make your stay as convenient as possible. These include:
- Swimming pool
- Sauna
- Garden
- Bar
- 24-hour reception
- Bicycle hire (additional fee)
- Restaurant/cafe
- Games room (featuring pool table and foosball)
PLUS Berlin is popular among a multitude of travelers: solo backpackers, couples on a weekend city break, and business visitors. And for that price, we can’t blame them.
Cheap Hostels in Berlin: FAQ
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Final Thoughts on Cheap Hostels in Berlin
For a capital city, Berlin can be pretty affordable. Accordingly, the selection of budget hostels in Berlin is a varied bunch. There are stylish, edgy options, there are hostels set in old buildings, and there are some unique choices, too.
The best part about these cheap hostels is that they don’t compromise on comfort. Even if a bed and a shower are all you’re after, you’ll no doubt be pleasantly surprised by all of the extras on offer.
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