How to Choose a Hostel in Budapest in 2025 (What to Expect)

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Find your Perfect Hostel in Budapest

Many travelers say Budapest hostels are like the city’s famous ruin pubs: you walk through an old door and hope for the best. Sometimes you find a cozy paradise. Other times you get peeling paint and a 4 a.m. karaoke surprise.

I have slept above a basement bar, brewed coffee in a sunny loft with tall church windows, and once missed an entire pub crawl because my bunk curtains were so dark and thick. After many stays, I wrote this simple guide on how to choose a hostel in Budapest. Follow these tips and your first night should be memorable for the right reasons.

We will cover hostel styles, what to expect, true budget numbers, safety points, and smart booking tricks. Read the parts you need, skip the rest, and save your energy for bigger questions—like whether paprika-flavor chips can replace dinner (yes, they can).

Top Picks: The Best Hostels in Budapest

Best for Hostel Newbies

Mustache Hostel9.7

from $13.99 | More Details

Best for Female Solo Traveler

Maverick Central Market9.2

from $8.44 | More Details

Best Party Hostel

Onefam Budapest9.5

from $10.97 | More Details

This is not an ad. We help you find the perfect hostel and compare prices from Hostelworld and Booking. You can save up to 23.7%

Types of Hostels in Budapest

Party Hostels

Loud, fun, and built for quick friendships. Look for beer-pong tables that double as breakfast counters and staff who lead pub crawls seven nights a week.

• Pros: Instant friends, ruin-bar tours, themed nights (toga to thermal pool).
• Cons: Music until sunrise, sticky floors, little chance to sleep early.
• Choose if: You want a busy social plan and do not mind noise or late lights.

Social (but Calm) Hostels

These places offer community dinners and walking tours, then switch to quiet hours after midnight. They give you people when you want them and silence when you need it.

• Pros: Better balance, shared kitchens, Netflix corners for slow mornings.
• Cons: Events depend on staff effort; the mood can change each week.
• Choose if: You like talking with others but still want a full night’s sleep.

Quiet, Budget Hostels

Simple rooms where the focus is a cheap bed, not a bar scene.

• Pros: Lowest prices, small dorms, fewer late-night partiers.
• Cons: Basic kitchens, thin mattresses, limited group activities.
• Choose if: You explore all day and only need a safe bunk after dark.

Female-Only Dorms

Very common in Budapest and only €2-3 more than mixed rooms.

• Privacy curtains, larger lockers, working hairdryers, and extra mirrors.
• Use the women-only filter on Hostelz.com to see options fast.
• Good for solo women who prefer fewer midnight door slams from strangers.

Short and crisp: The Best Hostels in Budapest

1. Mp Hostel - best for Groups (10+ people), Solo Traveller
2. Red Bus Hostel - best for Family-Friendly Hostel
3. Hotel & Hostel Rila - best for Digital Nomads, Family-Friendly Hostel, Solo Traveller
4. Station Guesthouse Hostel
5. Eitan's Guesthouse & Hostel - best for Digital Nomads, Family-Friendly Hostel, Older travelers (+50), Quiet Rest, Solo Traveller

Mp Hostel

8.2

District 5

Nyár u. 6... more

from

$8.11

Red Bus Hostel

8.7

"…There is a Match supermarket across the way, about a 2-3 minute walk, where you can buy some added more

Hotel & Hostel Rila

8.2

"…In summer 2004 I stayed in this hostel. They give you a nice breakfast. The neighborhood isn't more

Station Guesthouse Hostel

8.5

District 14

"It's not really a hostel; it's an island in its own right. It comes intact with all of the above, more

Eitan's Guesthouse & Hostel

8.3

"Eitans Guesthouse is situated on one of the grand boulevards of Budapest downtown among the more

from

$24.66

What to Expect from Hostels in Budapest

Most hostels hide inside old buildings with thick walls and narrow stairs, so space is tight but full of character.

• Atmosphere: Ranges from library-quiet to all-night dance floor. Read recent reviews to know this week’s vibe.
• Cleanliness: Usually good. Budapest hostels scrub daily because bad cleanliness kills online ratings.
• Safety: Key-card doors, hallway cameras, and lockers big enough for 60-liter packs are standard.
• Comfort: Solid IKEA bunks, privacy curtains in newer spots, shared AC units that fight the summer heat.
• Extras: Free Wi-Fi, basic guest kitchens, laundry for a small fee, and reception desks that double as mini tour offices.

What NOT to Expect:

• Huge common rooms—Budapest real estate is small and old.
• Pro kitchens with ten burners—most travelers eat street food or cheap lunches out.
• €5 dorms—Budapest is popular; even simple beds start near €18-20.
• Fast elevators—many buildings have stairs only, so pack light.

Best Areas for Hostels in Budapest

• Jewish Quarter (District VII): Ruin bars, street art, 24-hour snacks. Ideal for nightlife lovers.
• Belváros (District V): Close to Parliament and river walks. Safe, central, slightly pricier.
• Palace District (District VIII): Leafy squares, student cafés, cheaper dorms, walkable to bars.
• Újlipótváros (District XIII): Calm riverfront paths, farmers’ markets, good for runners and digital nomads.
• Skip late-night walks south of the Grand Boulevard in District VIII—few hostels and not well lit.

Typical Hostel Prices (2025)

Prices jump 15-25 % on weekends, festival dates, and national holidays. Book four to six weeks ahead in summer for the best deals.

How to Book Without Overpaying

• Use Hostelz.com to see Booking.com and Hostelworld prices side by side.
• Turn on filters like “women-only dorm” or “party hostel” to narrow results fast.
• Check for extra costs—city tax, linen fees, or padlock rentals—before you pay.
• Free cancellation is worth a few extra euros if your plans might change.
• Last-minute beds are cheaper midweek but vanish by Friday afternoon.
• If you travel with friends, compare two single private rooms versus one four-bed dorm—sometimes prices match.

Safety Tips Inside and Outside the Hostel

• Lockers: Bring a solid padlock; hostels rarely supply them.
• Doors: Pick hostels with PIN or key-card access, not old metal keys.
• Reception: 24-hour desks help if your flight lands late.
• Common theft spots: Charging stations and kitchen fridges. Label cables and food.
• Footwear: Wear flip-flops in shared showers; tiles get slippery.
• City safety: Pickpockets love packed trams, especially line 4/6. Keep bags zipped and in front.
• Cash: Use indoor ATMs attached to banks, not outdoor kiosks.

Still not sure? Pick my Favorite Hostel in Budapest

#1 Top Hostel in Budapest: Mustache Hostel

This is the overall best rated hostel in Mustache Hostel. The overall rating is 9.7. You cannot go wrong here.

It is your safest bet in case you are not sure which hostel to pick.

The price for a dorm at Mustache Hostel starts from $13.99.

Check out Mustache Hostel here

Final Thoughts

Finding the right Budapest hostel is less about the cheapest bed and more about matching your vibe to the house rules.

Love chaos? Stay in the Jewish Quarter and pack earplugs. Want sunrise jogs and quiet nights? Choose Újlipótváros and sleep well.

5 Hidden Gemz in Budapest (by Hostelgeeks)

How it works

Budapest hostels may be compact and their kitchens basic, but they deliver quick friends, insider tips, and daily lessons in paprika culture. Check recent reviews, compare prices, and lock in the spot that feels right for you.

Budapest will supply the magic. Your job is to pick the bunk that lets you rest once the magic ends each night.

Backpacking Budapest? Here’s What You Need to Know

These are the guides I wish I had before visiting. I’ve been there, had fun, did some minor mistakes, and now I’m passing the best tips on to you. Safe travels!

Must-Read

Where to stay in Budapest for First Time

My experience and what you can expect

Solo Travel Budapest

My experience and what you can expect

Where to Stay in Budapest as a Solo Traveler

Best Areas and how to get around

Backpacking Budapest

All those cool and unique experiences we are looking for!

I stayed in a Backpacker Hostel in Budapest

My experience and what you can expect

About the author: Matt Kiefer

Hey, I’m Matt, the founder behind Hostelgeeks.com. My team and I are collecting the absolute best hostels in the world for you. We share the coolest hostels so you can focus on your travels, rather than spending your time trying to pick a good hostel.

Personally, I’ve bunked in over 600 hostels and stamped my passport in more than 70 countries. My heart beats for Vietnam, Spain, and France, and so many more destinations. I’m a Foosball champ but a beer pong amateur.

Last but not least: Hostelgeeks is a proud ambassador of Hostelz.com.