I stayed in a Backpacker Hostel in Krakow and here's what happened

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Ever checked into a hostel that feels like a polished hotel but still serves up instant pub-crawl wingmen? That’s what I found at Meininger Kraków Centrum.

I rolled in with a 40-liter pack and low expectations, yet walked out four nights later with a happy wallet, new friends, and a solid tip list for any solo traveler—especially women—wondering if this place is worth their złoty.

Top Picks: The Best Hostels in Krakow

Best for Hostel Newbies

Meininger Kraków Centru...9.2

from $8.01 | More Details

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Location – Station-Speed, Old-Town Ease

The building rests on ul. Grzegórzecka, three minutes from Kraków Główny station and Galeria Krakowska mall. Trams outside the door zip to Kazimierz pierogi stalls or Podgórze murals in under ten minutes, while the Planty park ring puts Rynek Główny fifteen breezy minutes away on foot.

I wandered back after midnight dumplings and felt fine—busy streets, bright lights, and a glass-front lobby right on the sidewalk. Two women in my dorm echoed that vibe: “Well-lit, zero creepy corners” were their exact words.

Social Vibes – Chill Days, Karaoke Nights

• Common lounge: concrete-cool sofas, foosball, and board games. Mellow laptop zone by day, card-game arena by dusk.
• Event board: daily free walking tour sign-ups, Thursday pierogi class in the guest kitchen (my dough looked tragic), and a nightly pub crawl that starts at the bar downstairs.
• Bar corner: local Pils for pocket change until midnight and Friday karaoke—ABBA inevitably appears.
• Noise stays in the lounge; dorm corridors go library-quiet by 23:00, which the ladies in the female dorm said they loved.

Short and crisp: The Best Hostels in Krakow

1. Hostel U Zeweckiego
2. Dizzy Daisy Downtown Hostel - Kraków - best for Digital Nomads, Family-Friendly Hostel, Solo Traveller
3. Bling Bling Hostel
4. Bursa Jagiellonska Backpackers Hostel
5. Greg&Tom Hostel - best for Solo Traveller

Hostel U Zeweckiego

8.3

"…There's a little Italian restaurant a few doors down that does a great Greek salad! The whole more

Dizzy Daisy Downtown Hostel - Kraków

8.6

Kazimierz

"…The showers run out of hot water in the mornings, so make sure you either shower before bed or more

from

$7.85

Bling Bling Hostel

8.0

"…However, the mattresses have seen better days -- they are worn down and dingy. The great thing more

Bursa Jagiellonska Backpackers Hostel

8.6

City Centre

ulica Sliska 14... more

Greg&Tom Hostel

8.8

Kleparz

"…And I do agree with her, this hostel is definitely the best. I will return. Great place, great more

from

$11.15

Rooms – Curtains, Chargers & Female-Only Floor

• Dorms of 4, 6, or 8 beds for the rest of us and a 6-bed female-only on its own key-card floor (I obviously didn’t stay there, but my dorm-mate toured it and said it felt “hotel private”).
• Bunks are solid wood with blackout curtain, reading lamp, shelf for phones, and USB + EU outlets—goodbye adapter gymnastics.
• Under-bed drawer lockers swallow 70-L packs; BYO padlock or rent one for a coin.
• Each dorm has an ensuite with rainfall shower, hairdryer, and actual counter space.
• Central climate control kept temps perfect even when Kraków hit a weird 30 °C spell.

Amenities – Hotel Perks on Hostel Cash

• Enormous guest kitchen: six hobs, two ovens, heaps of fridge space, free pasta basket, and communal herbs.
• Breakfast buffet (extra) featuring waffle irons, local cheese, and bottomless coffee—worth it if Auschwitz day trip is on your agenda.
• 24 h reception, free luggage room before check-in, €3 after check-out.
• Laundry (€3 wash, €2 dry) with free detergent pods.
• Super-fast Wi-Fi everywhere, including the elevator.
• Bike rental, vending machines for late-night pierniki, and a quiet cowork nook with USB-C hubs.

Safety – Key-Cards, Cameras, Comfort

Key-cards run the show: front door after 22:00, elevators, dorms, and lockers. CCTV covers hallways; staff do gentle rounds. The female floor needs an extra tap—two women told me it felt like a private wing rather than a token gesture. I left a laptop and camera in my locker daily; nothing budged.

Price – More Złoty for Zapiekanka

Nightly rates sit in Kraków’s middle tier: pricier than the ultra-basic spots, but miles cheaper than boutique hotels. Included are linens, Wi-Fi, kitchen use, and event sign-ups.

Extras: towel rental (10 zł), buffet breakfast (35 zł), laundry, and however many beers you sing through on karaoke night. Cooking in the kitchen twice offset my dessert habit nicely.

5 Hidden Gemz in Krakow (by Hostelgeeks)

How it works

Final Verdict

9 / 10. Meininger Kraków Centrum feels like a budget hotel that accidentally became social. Comfy bunks, steamy showers, and real privacy curtains keep sleep sacred, while the lounge, pierogi class, and bar hand you ready-made friends.

I docked a point for weekend fridge gridlock and the towel fee, but I’d still rebook in a heartbeat.

Pro tip: Female dorms vanish first—book ahead. Bring a reusable bottle; filtered water taps by reception keep you (and your budget) hydrated for all those uphill castle climbs.

Backpacking Krakow? 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!

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About the author: Anna Kiefer

My travels have taken me from the vibrant streets of Vietnam to the tranquil beauty of Spain, each destination adding a new chapter to my journey. For me, travel isn’t about counting countries or ticking off lists; it’s about the freedom it brings and the stories that unfold with each new adventure. At Hostelgeeks, my goal is to infuse our brand with this sense of freedom and discovery.

Whether it’s finding the perfect 5 Star Hostel or sharing a hidden gem in a bustling city, I’m here to ensure that our travelers get more than just a journey – they get an experience that resonates with the joy of exploration and the freedom of the open road.