The 8 Best Hostels in Thailand

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Need help deciding where to stay in Thailand for your upcoming trip? These are, without a doubt, the BEST hostels in Thailand. Whether you’re heading north, south or central… I’ve got ya covered with the creme de la creme of Thai hostels.

Let’s dive into the ultimate hostels in Thailand to transform your backpacking trip from decent to fucking legendary.

1. Lub d Phuket Patong: Best for First-Time Backpackers

• Price: $$
• Best for: Social solo travellers looking for a flashpacker experience.
• Highlights: Pool parties, co-working space, modern design. 
• Dorms from: $20 
• Private rooms from: $60 
• Location: Phuket

Lub d Phuket was the first hostel I stayed in when I got to Asia and boy, oh boy, did it set the bar high. This place is ultra-modern and super Instagrammable. I have to say not only is it the best hostel in Phuket, but it’s definitely one of my favourites in all of Thailand. Far more than just modern decor – each bunk comes with well-thought-out shelves and plug sockets, ideal for all your gizmos and notepads and earplugs and all that shiz we carry around!

Why you’ll love this place:

• Full-on social scene: With a pool, games, and shared spaces, there’s a steady stream of activities to jump into.
• Boutique hostel vibe: With great facilities, the hostel feels more upmarket than a typical hostel.
• Good pick for location balance: It’s close to Patong’s beach and Bangala road but still far enough to still get a good sleep

The hostel is just a 3-minute walk to Patong Beach, because it’s all about the beach right? Not only is Bangla Road within walking distance but it’s also in one of the best areas in Phuket. The dorm rooms are awesome and they also offer hotel standard privates with a private bathroom too. There are some amazing social spaces including a huge bar and swimming pool. Plus a Muay Thai training area in the lobby, useful if you’re into punching and kicking for fun. This hostel is clean, comfortable and has some super cool staff, all in all just a 10/10!

2. Stamps backpackers: Best for Solo Travellers

Price: $
Best for: Solo travellers looking for an instant social circle without the 24/7 chaos of a pure party hostel.
Highlights: Daily organised group activities, bustling onsite bar, and a mix of chill communal zones.
Dorms from: $10
Private rooms from: N/A
Location: Chiang Mai

If you are currently feeling socially burnt out, do yourself a favour and give Stamps a miss. This place is the gold standard for social hostels in Chiang Mai, built entirely around the idea of making sure you never have to eat a meal alone. Don’t get it twisted though; this isn’t a party hostel. Stamps hostel organises activities to some of the best places to visit in Chiang Mai, from day trips to cooking classes, so you can always find something going on (but they do know how to get the party started in the PM too 😉 ).

Why you’ll love this hostel:

• Built for solo wanderers: It’s hard for strangers not to quickly turn into friends after one night here.
• Zero-effort planning: From cooking classes to day trips, the staff handles the logistics so you can just show up and enjoy the ride.
• Prime location: You are parked right on the edge of the Old Town, meaning you can walk to the best street food and sights without breaking a sweat.

The setup here is pretty unique, with some of the dorms offering single beds and actual walls (!!!) in between beds compared to the usual dorm set-up. It honestly feels like having your own mini room and was a welcome change from the two months of dorms I’d been (suffering) in. It is tucked away in a quiet enough pocket to avoid the street noise, but close enough to the action that you are never far from a good meal. Just a heads-up that this place fills up fast, so if you don’t book ahead, you will likely be left high and dry.

3. Lub d Koh Samui Chaweng Beach: Best for Flashpackers

• Price: $$$
• Best for: Solo travellers who want a beachfront base with a guaranteed social scene
• Highlights: Swim-up bar, floating DJ booth, direct beach access
• Dorms from: $30
• Private rooms from: $90
• Location: Koh Samui

Oh man. As always, Lub D is a whole loada of fun. If you’ve stayed in one of Lub D’s other hostels in Thailand or South East Asia, you’ll know what I mean here. But between you and me, Lub d Koh Samui Chaweng Beach is actually my favourite that I’ve stayed in of the chains. I might even go as far as to say that it’s one of my favourite hostels in Thailand. This place is more of a hotel than a hostel – I would actually argue that it is a hotel as it has a majority of private rooms with some dorms. Because who can exclude the backpackers when they’re the ones that bring the fun?

Why you’ll love this hostel:

1. Pool parties, pub quizzes, themed nights on the daily
2. Multiple happy hours throughout the day
3. Not one but TWO pools

Don’t let these hotel vibes fool you though – this place is a wild party. I’m talking swim-up bars, weekly pool parties with DJs up at the pool (Ibiza who?) and pleeeeenty of opportunities to win a free bucket. It’s all easy on the wallet though, with two happy hours a day, free daily activities and a central location meaning you can save your money on Grab bikes and head out to anywhere on foot!

4. Nolo Hub Pai: Best for Exploring

• Price: $$
• Best for: Solo backpackers who want a social hostel with both organized fun events and chill time
• Highlights: Friendly staff, volunteers and resident dogs, pod-like dorms, comfy chill out areas
• Dorms from: $8
• Private rooms from: N/A
• Location: Pai

It’s fairly easy for me to say that this hostel is in my top five of all time. It’s hard to get out of the classic Pai hole when a hostel also feels like home. Cosy dorms, friendly reps, dick-shaped pool…and let’s not forget the legendary gender bender (if you know, you know). Every need is met here: community, activities, grub and good company to go out with every night if your heart so desires.

Why you’ll love this hostel:

• Dick shaped pool: Why swim in a normal pool if you could in a dick shaped one?
• Your whole day planned for you: cultural days out before heading back to the hostel to gear up to go out
• A team that cares: Jordin, the owner, is a legend. I still keep in contact with him and many other Nolo volunteers and their love for Pai and surrounding communities shines in everything they do

What makes this hostel so special is the daily tours they set up free of charge, it creates a real sense of community to explore during the day and party hard at night. They visit secret waterfalls, ethnic villages, sunset spots, and even head up to the Myanmar border. I spent well over a week in Nolo, making my way through each tour (which is completely free of charge, just drive yourself or pay for the communal taxi!) and by the time I checked out, I properly felt like I had ticked Pai off.

Oh man, do I miss this place.

5. Mad Monkey Bangkok: Best Party Hostel

• Price: $$
• Best for: Solo travelers and first-timers to Asia who want a built-in social life and a packed events calendar
• Highlights: Outdoor pool, bar and restaurant, nightly events (pub crawls, karaoke, bar olympics, pool parties), free welcome drink, female-only dorms available, adults only
• Dorms from: $20
• Private rooms from: $60
• Location: Bangkok

For many backpackers, this won’t be your first introduction to Mad Monkey. These guys are pretty high up in the hostel kingdom. A party institution, this particular Mad Monkey is one of the coolest hostels in Bangkok. It’s decked out with all the best elements you’d expect – starting with a raucous bar and a buzzing pool area. Like all great party hostels, the staff are the chief instigators and help get the nightly parties off to a good start. It’s definitely not the place to go if you need a solid night’s sleep.  

Why you’ll love this hostel:

• The biggest bar crawl in Bangkok. Happy hour, free shots, drinking games, then out onto Khaosan.
• The weekly schedule is relentlessly good. There’s a structured event every single night, from pub quiz on Mondays to bar olympics on Saturdays. You won’t have to figure out what to do with yourself once.
• The reps and staff are wild. They’re right where they want to be, and they know how to drag everyone into the fun.

With epic pool parties, bar crawls and drink deals, this hostel sure knows how to throw some SICK parties. You’ll get a welcome drink on arrival, so pick your poison where to drink it. The outdoor pool? At the bar? The multiple communal spaces? Hell, knock yourself out and have one in the on-site gym whilst you’re at it. As expected, this place attracts some real party animals, so I’d recommend only booking if partying is what’s on your mind.

6. Wonderland Jungle Hostel: Best for Community

• Price: $$$
• Best for: Solo travelers who want a social, community-driven base in the jungle without the chaos of a full party hostel
• Highlights: Rooftop bar with jungle views, pool, nightly events (quiz nights, Werewolf, Thai culture workshops)
• Dorms from: $30
• Private rooms from: $60
• Location: Koh Tao

Wonderland Jungle Hostel holds a very, very special place in my heart. If there were a Spotify Wrapped for hostels, this would be at the top of my bill. And as someone who’s been travelling full-time for three years, it’s a huge accolade I’m very happy to dish out. Wonderland is one of those magical places where people show up for a few nights and end up staying… well, forever. It just has that pull. This spot proves that social hostels don’t have to be raging party hubs, it just needs good vibes and good company.

Why you’ll love this hostel:

1. Daily events from games, quizzes and Latin dance nights
2. The loveliest staff and volunteers that I’ve met on my travels
3. A social vibe that DOESN’T rely on alcohol which is weirdly hard to find in Koh Tao

The hostel itself is a real life jungle oasis. Perched on a hill with panoramic views, it gives you a proper feel for the island, with morning light illuminating the space all the way to the amber glow of sunset. Koh Tao’s backpacker scene can sometimes feel overwhelming, and this is the antithesis of that. Every detail feels designed to feel like home, from the soft furnishings in the dorm to the plants and sofas in the common area.

7. Revolution Hostel, Pai: Best for Party Vibes

• Price: $
• Best for: Solo travelers who want a rep-led, party-forward hostel with activities built into the schedule every day
• Highlights: Riverside location with terrace bar, free family dinners, cute resident dogs
• Dorms from: $10
• Private rooms from: $35
• Location: Pai

When it comes to cheap hostels in Thailand, there are PLENTY to choose from. Most hostels are scored for less than $10 per night… yep, it’s no surprise that backpackers have been flocking to Thailand for years. If you’re travelling to Thailand on a shoestring budget, even saving just a few bucks a night can make a world of difference… so on that note, let me introduce you to Revolution Hostel in Pai. These guys are incredible value for money but do not skim on the fun times offered.

Why you’ll love this hostel:

• All-you-can-drink promotion (400 THB) for pre-parties
• Tons of events to get involved with like jungle tubing, pub crawls and pool parties
• Close to the walking street so you never have to think about transport

Revolution Hostel prides itself on providing an action-packed, adventure of a time – but be warned, this is a party hostel guys! So if you’re down to sink a couple of buckets, make a few mates and potentially float down a river with a couple of hundred other backpackers… this hostel can be a hell of a lot of fun. From pub crawls, pool parties, tubing trips, foam parties, and canyon tours – these guys are a ‘go hard, adventure hard’ kinda place. However, if you’re after a more relaxed vibe or need an early night… this might not be the spot for you.

8. K-Bunk AoNang Centre: Best for Social Backpackers

• Price: $$
• Best for: Solo travellers, party backpackers and social bunnies.
• Highlights: Swimming pool, daily events, super social vibes.
• Dorms from: $13
• Private rooms from: $45
• Location: Krabi

Oh man, if you stay at K Bunk during your Krabi adventures, you’re in for one hell of a ride. This was one of the first places I stayed in when I backpacked Thailand, and it still lives rent-free in my mind. It’s honestly one of my favourite hostels in Thailand. From the swimming pool to the limestone cliff views and the daily events they hold, KBunk holds a special place in my heart.

Why you’ll love this hostel:

• Perfect distance from the nightlife. Close enough to walk, but you can still get a quiet night’s sleep.
• Free pubcrawl! Lots of other hostels around charge to join.
• Daily tours are organised right from the hostel.

What makes this place so special is the reps. Seriously, they’re crazy. You won’t be able to escape them as they really get EVERYONE involved. From beer pong to drinking games and the infamous pub crawl that always gets a bit too wild, K Bunk knows how to throw a party. You’ll leave with a ton of new friends, and let’s be real, you’re bound to bump into them again as you hop along the same southern Thailand backpacker trail.

Getting Insured BEFORE Visiting Thailand

Unfortunately, things can go wrong when you least expect it. This is why good travel insurance is essential before you head on your trip to Thailand.

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.

Of course, where you decide to book in Thailand is all about where you want to visit in the country and the type of vibe you’re going for. You can hop from Mad Monkey to Mad Monkey if you’re party chasing, or go as rustic or as flashpacker as you like. Thailand’s backpacker infrastructure is so developed that it really has an option for every type of traveller, so there’s absolutely no shortage of hotels to choose from.

If you’re booking your first trip to Thailand, I’d narrow down the stops on your itinerary and the kind of vibe that you want first and foremost. Don’t pick the party places just because they’re the most popular if that doesn’t do it for you! You’ll find backpackers in almost every corner of the country, meaning that friend making is on easy mode here.

Anyway, wherever you end up, I hope you have the adventure of a lifetime, make some wild memories and meet some fucking cool people.

Have you got a favourite hostel in Thailand? Drop it in the comments so I can have it on my radar.