Where to Stay in New York City as a Solo Traveler (Hostel, Safety, Areas)

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Find your Perfect Hostel in New York City

Ever dreamed of waking up to yellow taxi horns, rooftop sunrises, and the scent of pizza mixed to sewers—but wondered where on earth to park your backpack? Same here.

On my first solo escape to New York City, I jumped between boroughs, tried three hostels, and discovered that choosing the right neighborhood is ninety percent of travel sanity.

Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about where to stay in New York City as a solo traveler.

Top Picks: The Best Hostels in New York City

Best for Hostel Newbies

American Dream Hostel8.6

from $65.57 | More Details

Best for Female Solo Traveler

The Local NY8.7

from $24.55 | More Details

Best Party Hostel

NY Moore Hostel8.6

from $24.09 | 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%

Why New York City is a must-visit destination

New York is a lightning bolt in urban form. Skyscrapers slice the clouds, subway drums keep the beat, and every corner serves a different accent, snack, or story.

It’s walkable if your sneakers are brave, social if you smile first, and cultural on a level that makes Netflix look dull.

You can watch free jazz in Washington Square one hour, then gaze at a Picasso the next. Street vendors turn sidewalks into global food courts—knishes, tamales, halal chicken, you name it.

And no matter the hour, there’s always someone awake, which is oddly comforting when you’re alone in a new city.

Top Neighborhoods To Stay in New York City

Midtown West

Picture flashing billboards, bagel carts, and more subway lines than you can count.

• Pros: Walk to Times Square, Broadway, and Central Park. Trains everywhere.
• Cons: Sirens as lullabies, wallet-draining diners, selfie-stick traffic.
• Best for: First-timers who want landmarks outside their hostel door.

Upper West Side

Think tree-lined blocks, brownstones, and Sunday strolls in Central Park.

• Pros: Calm nights, museums nearby, family vibe equals safe solo walks.
• Cons: Fewer dorm options, bars shut earlier than you’d like.
• Best for: Culture fans, runners, anyone needing peace after sightseeing.

Williamsburg (Brooklyn)

A playground of murals, thrift shops, and cafés that serve coffee in jam jars.

• Pros: Creative buzz, waterside parks, legendary nightlife.
• Cons: Price creep is real, brunch lines test patience, the L train crowds.
• Best for: Art lovers, vintage hunters, party seekers.

Long Island City (Queens)

Old warehouses reborn as trendy hostels with postcard views of Midtown.

• Pros: Cheaper beds, quiet blocks, one-stop subway hop to Manhattan.
• Cons: Industrial scenery, limited late-night eats.
• Best for: Frugal travelers who value sleep over chaos.

The Best (and Worst) Areas To Stay in New York City

• Best for nightlife: Lower East Side—graffiti alleys, basement bars, and tacos at 3 a.m.
• Best for history: Greenwich Village—jazz cellars, Bohemian past, leafy squares perfect for people-watching.
• Best for budgets: Long Island City—dorm beds under twinkling skyline lights.
• Areas to be cautious of: Isolated pockets of the far Bronx or deep industrial Brooklyn after midnight. Stick to main avenues; if the street goes empty, your Uber app is your friend.

Insider whisper: Times Square hotels charge five-star prices for shoebox rooms. Visit the neon, but sleep elsewhere, unless you adore fluorescent lullabies.

Short and crisp: The Best Hostels in New York City

1. American Dream Hostel - best for Digital Nomads, Solo Traveller, Youth Hostel
2. Big Apple Hostel
3. HI New York City Hostel - best for Digital Nomads, Family-Friendly Hostel, Female Solo Traveller, Quiet Rest, Solo Traveller
4. International Student Center New York - best for Couples, Family-Friendly Hostel, Female Solo Traveller, Solo Traveller, Youth Hostel
5. Times Square Dream Hostel

American Dream Hostel

8.6

Manhattan - Midtown East

"…Warm Welcome to a Huge City, great breakfast, nice and humble people - Last year (2012) I decided more

from

$65.57

Big Apple Hostel

8.1

Manhattan - Midtown West

"…I was on a shopping trip with four other girlfriends so having a private room to ourselves was more

HI New York City Hostel

8.5

Manhattan - Upper West Side

"…The people I met at the hostel became such great friends and makes me want to come back and stay more

from

$23.90

International Student Center New York

8.5

Manhattan - Upper West Side

"…You can rent a locker downstairs (with a 5$ deposit) but you can't bring your luggage to your room more

from

$38.58

Times Square Dream Hostel

8.9

Manhattan - Midtown West

572 9th Avenue, Third floor more

Safest Areas To Stay in New York City as a Solo Traveler

1. Upper West Side—well-lit, police presence, plenty of cafés open late, so sidewalks stay busy.
2. Greenwich Village—NYU students roam at all hours; dive bars and falafel stalls guarantee company on your walk home.
3. Brooklyn Heights—storybook brownstones and the Brooklyn Promenade for moonlit skyline selfies.

Safety hacks: keep valuables zipped cross-body, choose subway cars with other riders, and screenshot offline maps in case cell service ghosts you underground.

9 Hidden Gemz in New York City (by Hostelgeeks)

How it works

Tips for Booking Social Hostels in New York City Without Overpaying

Hostels offer three magic ingredients: cheap beds, free friends, and 24 h staff who know where the best dumplings hide. Scan photos for giant common rooms, kitchen access, and nightly events.

I swear by hostelz.com because it lets you filter for women-only dorms, solo-traveler favorites, and even full-throttle party spots, while comparing prices from Booking.com and Hostelworld in one swoop.

Book mid-week for lower rates, check cancellation windows, and pick a place near two subway lines. That way, one weekend closure won’t send you on a three-transfer goose chase at 1 a.m.

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!

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About the author: Undercover Phoenician

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