Welcome to your detailed guide for hostels in Istanbul, Turkey. You can choose from 86 Istanbul hostels. In total, there are 339 cheap places to stay in Istanbul such as guesthouses and bnbs. Prices start from $6 for a dorm.
Above we list every single hostel there is in the city. Let us take a broader look at what you can expect - and what not. We created this cheatsheet for you to get a more complete picture of the hostel quality in Istanbul, average prices and types of hostels to choose from.
Total number of hostels
86
Average dorm price
$13
Average private room price
$25
Most Istanbul hostels are located in
Sultanahmet - Old City, Beyoglu, Beyoğlu/İstiklal - New City
Average rating of all hostels
7.7
Below you can discover the best hostels to suit every traveller type. All of our recommendations are based on information shared by genuine travellers, the hostels and data that has been calculated from the system. Don't forget to check the ratings and see how these compare with the rates.
Travelling on your own to Istanbul? Fabulous!
Pick a great hostel designed with solo travellers in mind, and you're bound to meet plenty of like-minded people who have also dared to venture to Istanbul alone. Here are the top hostels for solo travellers in Istanbul. We've also highlighted which hostel offers special perks you, as a solo traveller, will love. Each hostel offers great social spaces to meet fellow backpackers and wonderful opportunities for making new friends. You'll soon realise that travelling on your own definitely does not mean travelling alone.
This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you are better prepared for what to expect, what not to expect and can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Istanbul. To help you make friends with Istanbul before you visit, we've included a few helpful and fun things you should know about the area. Enjoy!
Guess what? Istanbul is also named and spelled İstanbul - It is the same destination. Goodbye confusion.
Istanbul was the destination of the legendary Orient Express. It's the gateway between Asia and Europe. In fact the city of Istanbul is half in Europe and half in Asia, with the Strait of Bosphorus splitting it down the middle. Most of the hostels in Istanbul are located in the European (west) side of the city, along with most of the cultural, political, business, and tourist attractions.
The European half of Istanbul is itself split in half by a water inlet called the Golden Horn. On the south side of the Golden horn is Eminönü/Sirkeci (the center of the city), which is next to Sultanahmet (the old city). This is where you will find most of the historic sites, including Topkapı Palace, the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the bazaars. There are a great number of hostels and other accommodations clustered within this small, easily walkable area. It's touristy, but if you want to be close to the historic sites, this is the place to be.
On the north side of the Golden Horn is Beyoğlu/İstiklal, which is the modern cultural city center. The area is focused around the extraordinary shopping avenue İstiklal Caddesi. This pedestrian avenue and its side streets are where you will find all the best restaurants, shopping, and nightlife in Istanbul. There are plenty of hostels close to İstiklal and it's a great place to be if you want to enjoy the cultural and nightlife of Istanbul.
Don't worry too much about choosing a hostel in the right neighborhood. Whether you're in the new or old city, it's quick and easy to get where you want to go either by hopping on the tram or simply by walking 20 minutes or less.
Written by local enthusiast for Istanbul hostels Hostelz
There are plenty of frequently asked questions about hostels in Istanbul. We've collected the most common questions and doubts when it comes to picking your preferred accommodation in Istanbul. The more you know, the better you can plan with confidence and ease, right?
A hostel in Istanbul costs on average $13 for a dorm. A hostel in Istanbul with private rooms costs on average $25.
Hostelz.com shows all 86 Hostels in Istanbul. Simply filter by neighborhood and price to find your perfect budget place to stay.
The Local is the best hostel in Istanbul for families.
Chambers of the Boheme is the best hostel in Istanbul for groups.
Hush Hostel Lounge is the best rated hostel in Istanbul for female solo travellers.
Hostelz.com compares prices for 86 hostels in Istanbul, Turkey. We list for you other cheap places to stay in Istanbul such as
Cheers Hostel is the best rated hostel for partying in Istanbul.
It offers: Bar.
Hey fam! Here are a few more tips from the community, from them to you, and you to them. This space is dedicated for travellers to share their best tips on backpacking Istanbul. Have a closer look - the Hostelz community share real hidden gems, insider knowledge and overall impressions of Istanbul. Everyone is welcome to add something useful, funny, unexpected and the "absolutely necessary to know before you go" - share, share and then share a little more!
This is a fantastic place! I loved the Galata area, with all those old buildings. Also Istıklal Street and Tunel's nightlife is incredible. You can find it nowhere else in the world.
chris
There is nice weather in mid-March, historical monuments, very friendly people, good meal, and of course our excellent tour guide and well organized tour service. Besides this we experienced tours outside the city to ancient ruins and we must admit that we were a little bit afraid of traveling alone, but we were really treated by the tour organizers like members of their families.
Go Turkey Tours - istanbul tours
Istanbul is one of the beautiful and magnificent cities in the world. I fell for Istanbul and will visit Istanbul again soon for the second time. I can't get enough of Istanbul.
Roslee
I've never seen such a fabulous nightlife before Istanbul. Explore Istiklal Street.
shining
I stayed in Istanbul for 5 unforgettable days and managed to avoid all tourist guide landmarks. If you are looking for quaint beauty and authenticity, explore Istiklal Caddesi and its sideways in Beyoglu in the evening time. Take a morning ferry to the Princess Islands (especially Buyukada - the Big Island). Take your special person for a quiet stroll to the seaside park in Fenerbahce. The best thing to do in Istanbul is let your feet carry you and get lost in the maze of old town streets and let miracles happen to you.
Anonymous
As a native of Istanbul and being someone who visited 20 countries (12 of them were european), I can tell that Istanbul is the best city of the world. You may be surprised when you'll see long Baroque streets or the sky scrappers in Levent and Maslak. So don't simply expect spice odoured bazaars and mosques. Also take a tour of Bosphorus, it has some of the most exciting and unforgettable scenes which you can ever see in your whole life. Finally, try to go to Princess island which is situated just half an hour from the city (and there are municipality ferries for 0.60 euros one way). Many tourists don't go there but it's a great place.
Anonymous
If you're like me and on a package tour with included accommodation, the best map I've seen of Istanbul is sold for just US$2 at Cordial House HI just off Piyerloti Caddesi up towards the sights. They also have a bar and cafe which I would recommend.
Andy
Pack smart, not hard
Hostel? Check! Now le0t's have at your hostel packing list for Istanbul and Turkey.
You may wonder what to pack when staying in hostels? There is a few absolute basics you always have to pick. Other items are more optional and depend more on your location. Here is the must-packing items when staying in hostels:
These are the basics, yet there is more. We wrote a big, detailed guide on what to pack, tech gear and things you won't need.
