Welcome to Delhi, India! You are now entering perhaps the most complicated and chaotic city in the world. For most backpackers, Delhi is only a gateway into the rest of India and not a destination unto itself.

Delhi is MASSIVE, crowded, polluted, noisy, and filled with traffic. Unfortunately, Delhi is a necessary experience for those catching the cheapest flights into India.

Trying to decide where the hell to stay in this truly sprawling urban mess is super challenging.

That is exactly why I wrote this no-stress guide to the best hostels in Delhi for 2024!

Get all of the inside information on the best places to stay in Delhi, India.

The goal of this hostel to guide is to show you the way to the best, most comfortable backpacker accommodation in Delhi.

I want to compensate for Delhi’s craziness by finding you the best possible place to stay, so you can get the rest you need to crush the rest of your travels in India.

Delhi can be overwhelming and tiring, so after reading this hostel guide you should have a good idea of where to find all of the best hostels in Delhi.

A stint in India’s 2nd largest city need not be a totally stressful experience.

This hostel guide is here to get you booked into the right spot in Delhi easily and quickly, no matter what type of backpacker you are…

Let’s get to it…

Editors Note: Check out my Backpacking India Travel Guide here

Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Delhi

Best Hostel in Delhi
Welcome to my no-stress guide to the best hostels in Delhi!

The 12 Best Hostels in Delhi

Zostel Delhi – Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Delhi

Zostel Delhi Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Delhi
Zostel Delhi is the best hostel for solo travelers in Delhi and a great place to meet fellow backpackers who are braving India alone.

As a backpacker on your own in Delhi, the closer you are to all the action the better, we’d say. It’s fine to be far out, but in terms of travelling around Delhi on your own and meeting people at a hostel, we’d recommend Zostel as the best hostel for solo travellers in Delhi. It’s located right in the heart of Paharganj (backpacker sorta area, V central, aren’t you lucky), it’s warm and welcoming, and there’s no hassle to get in and out of central you just… step into it. Connaught Place and Old Delhi are a short walk away. It’s very friendly atmosphere-wise and the staff are delightful, too.

Jugaad Hostels – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Delhi

Jugaad Hostels Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Delhi
Looking to get some work done in the city? Jugaad Hostels is the best hostel for digital nomads in Delhi.

Located in the affluent South Delhi area of Haus Khaz – which is a pretty hip district – is this equally hip hostel, Jugaad. The decor is a minimalist-rustic sort of thing, the atmosphere is great, and there’s a common room where you can chill/work. Exploring the Hauz Khas area with its cafes and restaurants and art and stuff is definitely something you’ll want to do – that’s why we reckon this is the best hostel for digital nomads in Delhi. You don’t wanna just see all the tourist stuff/get scammed, do you? Well, this is a slice of local, modern Delhi that someone on the road long-term will appreciate. A V cool little oasis.

The Madpackers Hostel – Overall Best Hostel in Delhi

The Madpackers Hostel Best Hostel in Delhi
The Madpackers Hostel is the answer to the chaos of Delhi: be sure to stay at least once at the best hostel in Delhi…

Whoa everybody! Watch out, it’s the MADPACKERS, whoaaa, crazy! What’s mad about it is not quirkiness, zaniness, any other kind of kooky madness, but rather its GOODness. It’s really good. The overall best hostel in Delhi, in fact. Amazing staff are able to help you get acquainted with Delhi (let’s face it, Delhi is a lot to take in on a first visit) and make you feel more comfortable; e.g. they can book trains for you – saves a LOT of hassle, trust. All in all the vibe of this place, although it’s not the cheapest, all adds up to the best hostel in Delhi 2024, what can we say?

Roots Hostel – Best Cheap Hostel in Delhi #1

Roots Hostel Best Cheap Hostel in Delhi
It isn’t hard to find a cheap hostel in Delhi, but for quality AND low prices, Roots Hostel is the best cheap hostel in Delhi.

WHAT!? This place is SUPER cheap. Even by Delhi backpacker hostel standards it’s cheaper than everything else by a longshot. Really. And is it a dive? Is it horrible? No, it’s neither, it’s a really laid-back place (rare for Delhi) set away from the madness of the city centre and as such it attracts laid-back travellers. So it’s a win-win – cheap AND social AND nice surroundings. That’s why it’s our pick for best cheap hostel in Delhi. It’s clean, nicely decorated, got loads of communal spaces, and it’s situated in the posh Sainik Farms area (South Delhi). Basically a sick hostel full of cool people.

An After Story – Best Cheap Hostel in Delhi #2

An After Story Best Hostels in Delhi
An After Story is another solid, centrally located, no-hassle choice for one of the best cheap hostels in Delhi.

This is another fancy (but cheap) recommended hostel in Delhi. It’s located to the southwest of the city, but still within the gargantuan sprawl of it all. So if you wanna get central, you can get central. It’s not as fancy as some of the others, but a bit more playful in the decor, which perhaps reflects the awesome nature of the amazing staff at An After Story. We know, the name is weird for us too, but so are many hostel names. Essentially – but let’s not make too big a deal of it – this is an airport hostel, since it’s just 10 mins away. And that is just ultra convenient.

Is This the Best Backpack EVER???
Aether Backpack

We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.

Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!

View on Osprey View on REI

Nomadia Hostel By Anara Homes And Villa – Best Cheap Hostel in Delhi #3

Nomadia Hostel By Anara Homes And Villa Best Hostels in Delhi
Stylish, hip, cool, and yet still one of the best cheap hostels in Delhi: Nomadia Hostel By Anara Homes and Villa.

Nomadia Hostel is another top hostel in Delhi that’s located in the hip south-side of the city. That is usually synonymous with being pretty cool, and this is certainly another contender for the coolest hostel in Delhi – mainly for the beautiful, stylish decor which we just can’t get enough of in all these South Delhi backpackers hostels. Unlike some of the other hip hostels, Nomadia is actually a little bit cheaper, which makes all the difference if you’re looking for a budget hostel in Delhi – especially one that’s a bit cooler than some of the more central offerings.

LetsBunk Poshtel – Best Hostel for Couples in Delhi

LetsBunk-Poshtel Best Hostel for Couples in Delhi
LetsBunk-Poshtel is a beautiful little hostel and a great place to make a nice memory with your partner: LetsBunk is the best hostel for couples in Delhi.

We don’t think we’ve ever seen such an Instragrammable place as this one. It’s easily, EASILY, the best hostel for couples in Delhi because, well, you want to be staying somewhere amazing that you’re gonna remember, right? So here’s the place. LetsBunk Poshtel is all about ultra-minimalism: a lot of white and dark metal creates cool contrast, angular furniture and retro-futuristic touches help finish the vibe off. Jeez. It’s just really cool. In fact, let’s say the COOLEST hostel in Delhi. Yeah, let’s say that. It’s out of the centre, but there’s plenty around the hostel in terms of restaurants and bars. Wow tho.

Soul Stay – Best Party Hostel in Delhi

Soul Stay Best Party Hostel in Delhi
Don’t expect crazy ragers, but Soul Stay is still the best party hostel in Delhi.

Often wary of things that have ‘soul’ or ‘spirit’ in the title because, well, it might just be an excuse to be a bit more earthy and less clean and tidy, you know? Thankfully that is NOT the case at Soul Stay. And when we say best party hostel in Delhi, bear in mind this is DELHI and not SE Asia. It’s a fun place with a great atmosphere and a list of weekly activities to keep you on your toes. It’s a lil’ oasis located outside the city centre but still, they take you out drinking and dancing, for rooftop dinners, and for chill sessions (???). Feels very homely and you’ll love it if you’re sociable and like fun.

The Hosteller – Best Hostel with a Private Room in Delhi

The Hosteller Best Hostel with private room in Delhi
You’ll probably want a little slice of peace in a city brimming with humanity. The Hosteller is the best hostel with a private room in Delhi.

Wow, ok, so this place is almost the coolest hostel in Delhi – but we already covered that one. Though this place is definitely a close runner-up… or maybe it’s a tie. We’re not sure. We do however reckon that this hostel is the best hostel with a private room in Delhi. The private rooms here are BIG and they’re VERY COOL. Exposed brick walls painted white, minimalist layout, clean lines… it’s very design-oriented and we love that. We also love the huge outdoor space they’ve got filled with tables, pool table, etc. where they put on nice little events sometimes (including beer pong). Also near a metro station.

Travel with peace of mind. Travel WITH a security belt.
Active Roots Security Belt

Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.

It looks exactly like a normal belt except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)

Hide Yo’ Money!

More Best Hostels in Delhi

Some neighborhoods are more fun than others – discover which are the best areas to stay in Delhi and then book the right hostel!

AmigosIndia

AmigosIndia Best Hostels in Delhi
AmigosIndia is another solid choice for a good backpackers hostel in Delhi.

A very friendly and welcoming place, this youth hostel in Delhi definitely lives up to its name in that regard. It features bright and eclectic (if a little basic) decor, the beds are comfortable, but most of all the staff are amazing and we say it so many times it’s almost boring now but GOOD STAFF IS GOOD. Basically. But yeah they’ll sort you out with onward travel plans and stuff – that’s the sort of thing that you’ll actually be very thankful for in India, really. It’s also a great location for getting to the airport since it’s not actually very central at all.

Joey’s Hostel

Joey's Hostel Best Hostels in Delhi
Joey’s isn’t located in the “main” backpacker area of the city, but it still one of the best hostels in Delhi.

We’re not sure who Joey is but this is his hostel and it’s very central. It’s not in the main backpacker area of Paharganj, it’s east of that part, but you can still get into the thick of it very easily. The staff are very welcoming and friendly, and make you feel at home as soon as you arrive. There’s always someone on-hand to ask about travel or general Delhi advice (you’ll probs need some). Overall it’s a great hostel: beds have individual lights/plug sockets/curtains, it’s got a good security system, there’s a lot of showers/toilets, and it’s just got good vibes all round. Decent choice.

goStops Delhi

goStops Delhi Best Hostels in Delhi
Where ever you are in India, the goStops hostel chain offer up some of the best hostels in India on a consistent basis. Good to keep in mind anyway.

First of all, you’ll be pleased to know that goStops is a chain of hostels all across India, so for assured quality and know-what-you’re-getting-ness, then you should be acquainted with these guys. Their Delhi iteration is the same. Decent. Staff who encourage the use of the common area – which they weirdly call ‘The Nursery’ – so people meet and mingle and all that, a fully equipped kitchen (though will you use it with so much tasty food around?), loads of New Delhi hotspots are in 10-15 min walking distance, they’ve got a lush outdoor area for chilling, it’s all modern and stylish. Need we say more?

What to Pack for your Delhi Hostel

Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.

Product
Description
Don’t Let Snorers Keep You Awake!
Don’t Let Snorers Keep You Awake!

Ear Plugs

Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.

Keep your laundry organized and stink free
Keep your laundry organized and stink free

Hanging Laundry Bag

Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.

Stay Dry With a Micro Towel
Stay Dry With a Micro Towel

Sea To Summit Micro Towel

Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.

Make Some New Buddies…
Make Some New Buddies…

Monopoly Deal

Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.

Reduce Plastic – Bring a Water Bottle!
Reduce Plastic – Bring a Water Bottle!

Grayl Geopress Water Bottle

Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!

Check out our definitive Hostel Packing list for our top packing tips!

Why you should travel to Delhi

That’s all I got amigos. You have made it to the finish line of my best hostels in Delhi 2024 list.

By now you have gathered that navigating Delhi is a hair-raising experience.

Hopefully with the help of this hostel guide you can book a comfortable hostel for yourself and find a little respite away from the city’s chaos.

Backpacking in Delhi and India in general is a hell of an experience. Through all of the fun, pain, and beauty, getting quality rest is obviously super important.

Where you stay matters. You are now sufficiently armed to confront the day-to-day hassle of visiting Delhi by booking one of the best hostels in Delhi.

Whether you are looking for the cheapest possible hostel, a place to grab a private room in Delhi, or just a centrally located hostel so you can get in and get the hell out with ease, this hostel guide provides you will all of those options and more.

All of the best hostels in Delhi are now on the table. The choice of where to book is yours!

Still not sure where to book? Feeling a bit like your standing in the middle of a Delhi bazaar? No worries…

When in doubt, I recommend that you just book my overall top pick for best hostel in Delhi: The Madpackers Hostel. Happy Travels guys!

The Madpackers Hostel Best Hostel in Delhi
For a little shelter from the storm that is Delhi, book a spot for yourself at Madpackers Hostel Good luck!

FAQ about Hostels in Delhi

Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Delhi.

How much does a hostel cost in Delhi?

Depending on the level of comfort you prefer, the average price of hostels in Delhi can range from $7 – $13+ per night. Of course, the private rooms are on the higher end of the scale than the dorm beds.

What are the best hostels in Delhi for couples?

A beautiful little hostel, LetsBunk Poshtel is the coolest hostel for couples in Delhi.

What are the best hostels in Delhi near the airport?

If you need to stay as close as possible to the airport, we recommend staying over at An After Story. It’s a pretty good one, and it’s only 10min away!

Travel Safety Tips for Delhi

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

More Epic Hostels in India and Asia

Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Delhi.

Planning an epic trip all across India or even Asia itself?

Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!

For more cool hostel guides around Asia, check out:

Over to you

By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Delhi has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure!

If you think we’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit us up in the comments!

Looking for more info on travelling to Delhi and India?

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!