Berlin is one of the largest cities in Europe with a (metro) population of over 6.1 million. There are countless tourist attractions in Berlin and a lot of these can be explored on foot if you choose to stay close to the centre. Our guide to the best hostels in Berlin will help you choose a hostel that best suits your needs during our stay in Berlin.
Best Hostels in Berlin - Quick Answers
- Overall Best Hostel in Berlin - The Circus Hostel
- Best Hostel in Berlin for Solo Travellers - Kiez Hostel Berlin
- Best Cheap Hostel in Berlin - St Christopher's Berlin
- Best Hostel in Berlin for Partygoers - The Circus Hostel
- Best Design Hostel in Berlin - MEININGER Berlin Alexanderplatz
Quick Introduction to the Hostels in Berlin
As Berlin is one of the most popular backpacking destinations in Europe, there are many different types of hostels in Berlin. The hostel market in Berlin is dominated by three super hostels (Generator Mitte, St. Christopher's, and The Circus) and all major hostel chains have at least one location in Berlin. Many of the hostels in Berlin are among the best hostels in Europe.
Here are some things that you should consider before booking a hostel in Berlin.
Price - In bed in a dorm room starts at €15 per night (normally in large dorm rooms), but expect to pay between €22 and €40 per night in a medium-sized dorm room (8 to 10 beds). Cheaper hostels generally have poor reviews, but this isn't always the case. Prices at the weekend tend to be 30% to 50% higher as there is greater demand.
Location - Given the size of Berlin, it is recommended to stay in a central area among the city's most popular attractions and nightlife. The most central area of Berlin is Mitte, but you should also think about staying in one of the more hip districts, such as Friedrichshain or Kreuzberg.
Amenities/Services - Every hostel in Berlin offers free Wi-Fi and a few hostels include breakfast in the price, but if you require more specialized services, make sure to shop around to discover the hostel that best suits your requirements.
Free breakfast - Only a few hostels in Berlin include breakfast in the price. If it is included in the price this saves you on the cost of breakfast.
Check-out time - Check-out time for most hostels in Berlin is 11 a.m., but at some hostels, the check-out time is 10 a.m. Some hostels offer a late check but for an extra fee. You will have to consult with them on this while you are there though. Please note that nearly every hostel in Berlin offers free Luggage storage before or after you check in or out. But it's also worth double-checking on it if you require this service.
Staff - The majority of Berlin's hostels have excellent staff. They will usually be incredibly hospitable and give you some amazing recommendations for restaurants, bars, clubs, etc. An unpleasant or unhelpful staff member could ruin your hostel experience, so my advice is to study reviews to make sure the hostel you chose has friendly and helpful staff.
The 8 Best Hostels in Berlin
Here’s our comprehensive list of the best hostels in Berlin which includes a detailed description and the amenities of each hostel.
1. The Circus Hostel
Circus Hostel is a super-sized hostel located right in the center of Berlin. This multi-award-winning hostel has its own Café and Microbrewery with special drink offers and home-brewed beer. Their breakfast buffet costs €6 and is well worth it.
Circus Hotel offers 5 and 10-bed mixed dorm rooms and a wide variety of private rooms. The hostel's amenities/services include Free Wi-Fi, 24-7 reception, luggage storage, safe & personal lockers, bike rentals, secure keycard access, and free walking tours. All of this makes the Circus Hostel one of the best hostels in Berlin.
Circus Hostel also happens to be one of the best hostels in Berlin for party-goers.
Amenities breakdown @ The Circus Hostel
- Room Types Offered: Dorms and Privates
- Costs: Dorms from €17.00, Privates from €58.00
- Female Only Dorms: No
- Breakfast Included: No but available for an extra fee
- Guest Kitchen: No
- Laundry Facilities: No
- Bar: Yes
2. Kiez Hostel Berlin
Kiez Hostel Berlin is located in the hip Friedrichshain district of Berlin but it's still very close to the centre and all the main tourist sights. The is 5 minutes away from the famous East Side Gallery and only 3 minutes away from the even more famous Berghain nightclub.
This is a very cozy, laid-back, and spotlessly clean hostel. All the dorm rooms are spotlessly clean and have shutters that are pulled down at night keeping the room dark and thus ensuring that you get a good night's sleep.
Kiez Hostel Berlin is one of the best hostels in Berlin for solo female travelers because they have chic female-only dorm rooms.
Amenities breakdown @ Kiez Hostel
- Room Types Offered: Dorms
- Costs: Dorms from €18.00
- Female Only Dorms: Yes
- Breakfast Included: No
- Guest Kitchen: No but they do have a microwave
- Laundry Facilities: No
- Bar: No but there is a cafe
3. EastSeven Berlin Hostel
EastSeven Berlin Hostel is conveniently situated between the attractive Prenzlauer Berg and Mitte neighborhoods and is surrounded by pubs, clubs, restaurants, and coffee shops. While staying here, you can easily walk to Museum Island and Alexander Platz.
Each bedroom includes cozy beds, a reading lamp, a lockable storage space, and a power outlet. The hostel offers free WiFi to all guests. In addition to their spectacular outdoor terrace, other services include complimentary luggage storage, walking excursions, and bike rentals. All of these features make it the best hostel in Berlin.
Amenities breakdown @ EastSeven Berlin Hostel
- Room Types Offered: Dorms and Privates
- Costs: Dorms from €18.00, Privates from €53.00
- Female Only Dorms: No
- Breakfast Included: No but available at an extra fee
- Guest Kitchen: Yes
- Laundry Facilities: Yes
- Bar: No
4. St Christopher’s Berlin
St Christopher's Berlin is part of a very popular hostel chain in Europe. As with all their other hostels, St. Christopher's Berlin offers a very high standard of accommodation that caters to any budget. They are located in the centre of Berlin close to all the major tourist attractions. The Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz U-Bahn station is just steps away from the hostel.
This is a super-sized hostel that includes a bar (Belushi's) and a restaurant. All hostel guests get a 25% discount on food from their onsite restaurant. All beds (including dorm beds) have their own reading lamp, a personal shelf, and a power outlet.
St Christopher's Berlin is one of the cheapest hostels in Berlin because a bed in a dorm room starts at only €16.00 per night.
Amenities breakdown @ St Christopher’s Berlin
- Room Types Offered: Dorms and Privates
- Costs: Dorms from €16.00, Privates from €48.00
- Female Only Dorms: Yes
- Breakfast Included: No but available at an extra fee
- Guest Kitchen: No
- Laundry Facilities: No
- Bar: Yes
5. Grand Hostel Berlin Classic
Grand Hostel Berlin is located very close to the center of Berlin. It's within walking distance from the Jewish Museum, Checkpoint Charlie, and the Brandenburg Gates.
Every morning you can tuck into a large all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet. All dorm rooms have single beds (no bunk beds), and all bathrooms have hair dryers. The rooms are large and have only keycard entry for added protection. They have their own tour guides, and bicycles may be rented. In the evening, unwind in their inviting bar.
Amenities breakdown @ Grand Hostel Berlin Classic
- Room Types Offered: Dorms, Privates
- Costs: Dorms from €28.00, Privates from €84.00
- Female Only Dorms: No
- Breakfast Included: No but available at an extra fee
- Guest Kitchen: No
- Laundry Facilities: Yes
- Bar: Yes
6. MEININGER Berlin Alexanderplatz
MEININGER Berlin Alexanderplatz is located in the central district of Prenzlauer Berg which makes it ideal for exploring all the tourist sights of Berlin. Their dorm rooms have state-of-the-art designed pod-style bunks with each bed having its own writing light and power outlet.
They offer well-designed 6-bed mixed dorms and a large variety of private rooms. Services/facilities include free Wi-Fi, free city maps, a common room, security lockers, keycard access, luggage storage, 24-hour reception, a Bar/Cafe, and a vending machine.
Amenities breakdown @ MEININGER Berlin Alexanderplatz
- Room Types Offered: Dorms and Privates
- Costs: Dorms from €18.00, Privates from €91.00
- Female Only Dorms: Yes
- Breakfast Included: No but available at an extra fee
- Guest Kitchen: No
- Laundry Facilities: No
- Bar: Yes
7. Pfefferbett Hostel
Pfefferbett Hostel is located in the hip district, Prenzlauer Berg surrounded by galleries, cool bars, and restaurants. The dorm rooms have awesome brick vaulted ceilings and each bed has its own locker, reading light, and power outlet.
Pfefferbett Hostel offers 4 and 6-bed dorm rooms. Services/amenities include free Wi-Fi throughout the building, free City Maps, a free city tour, keycard access, a common room, an outdoor terrace, and an on-site Cafe/Bar and restaurant. All of this makes Pfefferbett Hostel one of the best hostels in Berlin.
Amenities breakdown @ Pfefferbett Hostel
- Room Types Offered: Dorms and Privates
- Costs: Dorms from €31.00, Privates from €76.00
- Female Only Dorms: Yes
- Breakfast Included: No but available at an extra fee
- Guest Kitchen: No
- Laundry Facilities: Yes
- Bar: Yes
8. MEININGER Berlin Central Station
MEININGER Berlin Central Station as it says in the name is located right next to Berlin's Main Train Station (Berliner Hauptbahnhof) bang in the middle of Berlin. Its central location makes it ideal for visiting several of Berlin's most popular tourist attractions.
This hostel is more like a hotel with dorm rooms on the side. The rooms are designed in a very modern and stylish manner. Each bed has its own night lamp and power outlet, and each room has its own bathroom with shower and toilet, as well as a television.
All of their dorm rooms have only four beds, and some of them are female-only, making it an excellent choice for solo female travelers. Their fully equipped guest kitchen and spacious social rooms are also available to you.
Amenities breakdown @ MEININGER Berlin Central Station
- Room Types Offered: Dorms and Privates
- Costs: Dorms from €17.00, Privates from €78.00
- Female Only Dorms: No
- Breakfast Included: No but available at an extra fee
- Guest Kitchen: Yes
- Laundry Facilities: Yes
- Bar: Yes
Final Thoughts on the Best Hostels in Berlin
I hope this list of the best hostels in Berlin points you in the right direction and helps you pick a hostel that best suits your needs during your stay in Berlin. My favorite hostel in Berlin is Kiez Hostel.
More on Hostels
- How do hostels work (and General Hostel FAQ & Tips)
- 8 Different Types Of Hostels
- Best Hostel Chains in Europe
More on Berlin and Germany
- Cheap Hostels in Berlin
- Best Tourist Attractions in Berlin
- Cheap Restaurants in Berlin
- Best Hostels in Munich
- Best Hostels in Frankfurt
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