The 6 Best Hostels in Warsaw

Warsaw might be one of the most underrated capitals in Europe. This bustling Polish metropolis of nearly 1.8 million people was nearly razed during World War II. But then a miracle happened: it was meticulously rebuilt with painstaking accuracy. It’s a beautiful place that always seems to be striving towards the future. The city seems to be on the move and I love it.

Plus, it has everything you’d find in popular Western Europe — history, museums, great food, wild nightlife — but for a fraction of the price. It’s a super affordable destination to visit for travelers and it’s a shame more don’t spend time here.

Warsaw has a lot of cool, social hostels too, making it easy to visit on a budget.

Below is my list of the best hostels in Warsaw. If you don’t want to read the list below, the following hostels are the best in each category:

Want the specifics of each hostel? Here’s my breakdown of the best hostels in Warsaw and why I love them:

1. Kapsula Hostel

The Kapsula, or Capsule Hostel, is based on the famed capsule hotels and hostels of Japan, the first of which opened in Osaka in 1979. Each person gets their own small pod (there are shared double capsules available too). Each one is big enough to sleep in comfortably. You can close your capsule via remote control; inside there’s air conditioning, electrical outlets, and lighting (as well as blinds). There’s also free Wi-Fi throughout the hostel, plus an in-house café and lounge. There are lots of bars and cafes in the area too.

While not the best choice to meet other travelers, it’s super affordable and the capsule beds are surprisingly comfy. The showers are spacious and everything is clean and modern. It’s definitely not a very social hostel, making it a good choice for anyone wanting a quiet stay. The hostel is also centrally located and is just a 15-minute walk from the main square, Rynek Starego Miasta, in Old Town.

Kapsula at a glance:

• Super affordable
• Cozy capsule beds
• On-site lounge/café

Book here!
 

2. Oki Doki Old Town Hostel

Oki Doki is very centrally located. If you like to spend time in pubs and bars as much as (or more than) going to museums and exploring historical sites and landmarks, then this nicely located hostel is perfect for you: the streets surrounding Oki Doki are flanked by fun drinking holes. It also has a nightly happy hour gathering too so you can meet fellow travelers.

The dorm beds are comfy and have thick mattresses and privacy curtains so you can get a good night’s sleep (the beds don’t creak either, which is a big plus). There are female-only rooms too and lockers so you can securely store your stuff (the lockers are not huge though so travelers with giant backpacks might be out of luck). Some of the rooms have AC too but you need to pay extra. Overall, it’s a lively and social hostel that makes it easy to connect with other travelers.

Okie Doki at a glance:

• Female-only dorms
• Nightly happy hour makes it easy to make friends
• Free coffee and tea

Book here!
 

3. Safestay Warsaw

Safestay is a small chain of reputable hostels around Europe. They’re always a solid choice (especially if you’re a solo female traveler as they have female-only rooms). The location is great, as it’s sitting just outside the Old Town. There is a lively on-site bar and the hostel puts on a legion of activities so you can meet other travelers, such as pizza parties and game nights, as well as fun walking tours around Warsaw that cover all the main highlights.

Overall, the hostel has a cool vibe, with all kinds of art and quotes around the halls and common areas. The dorm beds have thick mattresses and privacy curtains as well as individual plugs and lamps. There are lockers available under the beds but they’re on the smaller side. The bar on the top floor has all kinds of board games if you want to just hang out and chill too.

Safestay at a glance:

• Female-only dorms
• Lots of activities at the on-property bar make it easy to meet people
• Organized walking tours around Warsaw

Book here!
 

4. Chillout Hostel

Chillout isn’t located smack in the center of Warsaw like some other hostels, but it is very close to the Palace of Culture and Science, the Royal Baths Park, and Nowy Swiat Street, shopping central. It has a small kitchen so you can cook your meals, and while the dorm bunks aren’t super comfy, the rooms are clean and spacious. The Warsaw outlet of the Chillout chain offers single female-only dorms as well as larger rooms for traveling families that want to stay together.

The staff here are excellent and go above and beyond to ensure you have a good stay. While the dorms are basic (the bunks creak a little and don’t have curtains), the mattresses are decent and there are lockers big enough for most travel bags. The rooms are spacious too.

Chillout Hostel at a glance:

• Nearly every type of hostel dorm and private room available
• Female-only dorms
• Kitchen

Book here!
 

5. Hostel Lwowska 11

This laid-back hostel is located just a 15-minute walk from the central train station. The dorms are basic but clean, with simple bunks and decent mattresses. There are lockers so you can store your stuff securely, an on-site kitchen, and free tea. They also offer free laundry if you stay four nights, something I think a lot of long-term travelers will appreciate. There are also lots of restaurants nearby if you want to eat out as well as a grocery store just a minute away if you plan on cooking as breakfast is not included.

Overall, the hostel has a quiet and laid-back atmosphere so it’s not a great place to meet people. However, if you just want a chill stay and to do your own thing, this hostel is a good choice.

Hostel Lwowska 11 at a glance:

• Free laundry for longer stays
• Lots of restaurants nearby
• Quiet atmosphere

Book here!
 

6. Hostel Centrum

Hostel Centrum is as centrally located as you can get. Here, they really want you to learn about Polish history during your visit so the walls and hallways here are plastered with images of famous Poles throughout history. Scan a QR code on your phone and you’ll get the lowdown and who this or that person is and why they’re significant to Warsaw and Poland. It’s a really cool feature and something I wish more hostels did.

Most rooms face a quiet, leafy courtyard. The dorm beds are comfy with thick mattresses (but no privacy curtains) and there are lockers available as well. There’s a small kitchen too if you plan on cooking your own food. Overall, it’s a cool and unique hostel in a great location.

Hostel Centrum Warszawa at a glance:

• Fun lounge and shared kitchen
• Free coffee and tea
• Friendly and welcoming staff

Book here!

***

The hostel scene in Warsaw runs the gamut between very affordable large dorms to party places to quiet ones with an emphasis on privacy. You just have to figure out what you want and where you want to stay, and the Polish capital will have something that fits your style and budget. But as long as you pick one from this list, you can’t go wrong!