How to Choose a Hostel in New York City in 2025 (What to Expect)
Written by Nour De Wilde Salhab| Last update: Aug 21, 2025
(First-Hand Travel Experience & Price Comparison)
This guide is part of our main page where you can compare all hostels in New York City. Instantly find the best-rated hostels and real-time prices from Hostelworld and Booking.com. Compare prices side-by-side and save money every time. Learn how we compare prices.
To spare you any potential mental breakdown, here’s my honest and hopefully helpful take on how to choose a hostel in New York City.
Types of Hostels in New York City
NYC dorms come in three main flavors:
- Party Hostels: On-site bars, pub crawls, rooftop DJs. Great for extroverts. Con: earplugs become life support.
- Social-But-Sane Hostels: Cozy lounges, walking tours, game nights. Fun friends plus real sleep.
- Quiet & Budget Hostels: Fewer activities, cheaper beds, often in outer boroughs. Perfect if a hostel is just a charging dock.
- As for Female-Only Dorms: Common in NYC. A few extra dollars buy extra peace of mind and larger lockers.
Top Picks: The Best Hostels in New York City
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%
Hostel Price Statistics & Key Numbers in New York City
| Total number of hostels | 23 |
| Typical dorm bed prices in New York City | $21 |
| Private room costs in New York City | $159 |
| Cheapest hostel in New York City | The Brooklyn Riviera for only $35 |
| Popular Party Hostel in New York City | NY Moore Hostel (8 hostels for partying in total) |
| Where to stay in New York City on a budget? | Manhattan - Upper West Side, Manhattan - Chelsea, Brooklyn |
What to Expect From Hostels in New York City
Space is precious, so bunks stack like Tetris blocks. Bathrooms are shared, kitchens are usually microwave + mini-fridge, and rooftops—when available—double as instant friend factories.
Cleanliness ranges from hotel-tidy to college-dorm-Sunday; check recent reviews. Security is strong: key cards, lockers, and 24 h desks are the norm.
What NOT to Expect:
- Huge common areas—square footage costs gold here.
- Full gourmet kitchens—NYC prefers you sample its street food.
- $10 dorms—this city makes wallets sweat; even “cheap” feels pricey.
Short and crisp: The Best Hostels in New York City
- American Dream Hostel - best for Digital Nomads, Solo Traveller, Youth Hostel
- Big Apple Hostel
- The Pod Hotel - POD 51 Hostel - best for Capsule Hotels, Female Solo Traveller, Solo Traveller
- HI New York City Hostel - best for Digital Nomads, Family-Friendly Hostel, Female Solo Traveller, Quiet Rest, Solo Traveller
- International Student Center New York - best for Couples, Family-Friendly Hostel, Female Solo Traveller, Solo Traveller, Youth Hostel
Best Location for Hostels in New York City
- Midtown West: Best area for backpackers who crave landmarks and endless subway lines.
- Upper West Side: Leafy, museum-rich, safe. Fewer hostels but peaceful nights.
- Long Island City (Queens): Budget champ—dorms with skyline views and quick trains to Manhattan.
- Williamsburg (Brooklyn): Street art, cafés, nightlife. Dorm beds sell out fast.
- Areas to Avoid: Isolated industrial blocks in far-flung boroughs—night buses are nobody’s vacation dream.
How Much Do Hostels Cost in New York City
Brace yourself: NYC dorms can cost more than European privates. Blame rent, not reception.
| Room Type | Low Season (Per Night) | High Season (Per Night) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dorm (8+ Beds) | $45 – $60 | $60 – $80 | Linens included; bring a towel. |
| Dorm (4–6 Beds) | $55 – $70 | $70 – $95 | Usually USB ports & reading lights. |
| Female-Only Dorm | $60 – $75 | $75 – $100 | Quieter, sometimes ensuite. |
| Private Room | $120 – $160 | $160 – $220 | Good for duos; rarely includes breakfast. |
Prices leap on holiday weekends, during Fashion Week, or whenever Taylor Swift hits town. Bigger dorm = cheaper bed; book early if you want female dorms or small rooms.
How much are hostels in New York City?
Let's talk about hostel prices in New York City. This graph shows you typical, average prices for a bed in a dorm and for a private room. Simply mouse-over to see rates for each month.
Prices can vary a lot, especially on high-season, weekends, and special holidays such as New Years Eve.
Average Dorm Price per Month in New York City
Average Private Room Price per Month in New York City
How to Book a Hostel in New York City Without Overpaying
I start with hostelz.com because it compares Booking.com and Hostelworld in one shot and lets me filter for women-only dorms, top solo-traveler ratings, or flat-out party spots.
Mid-week check-ins are cheaper, refundable rates add breathing room, and anything without recent reviews is a gamble I skip.
9 Hidden Gemz in New York City (by Hostelgeeks)
Hostel Safety and What to Watch Out For
- Lock your stuff—even if bunkmates look like Disney heroes.
- Pick subway cars with people; empty cars equal sketchy vibes.
- Times Square “free CD” dudes want money; smile and glide away.
- Stick to lit avenues late at night; shortcuts down silent streets are not worth the spook.
Final Thoughts
New York hostels might dent your budget, but they repay you with skyline rooftops, instant friends, and 24-hour front-desk gurus.
With the right hostel, you’ll get great stories, savings, and maybe a new travel buddy for that sunrise stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge.
Backpacking New York City? 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!
Our Mission: Help you save money on hostels
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About the author: Nour De Wilde Salhab
A Lebanese-Congolese-French-Belgian girl as likely to be found climbing a volcano in Indonesia or reading a sci-fi book by the sea in the South of France. Always on the hunt for remarkable experiences. My two favorites so far: volunteering in emergency medical services in Lebanon and solo backpacking around the world. Life is enjoyable in all its facets, from its healthy extremes to its mundane slows.
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