The largest city in Alaska, Anchorage is the springboard into the Alaskan wilderness. Many people find themselves here when they first arrive in this northwest US state. But it’s more than just a transport hub.
Anchorage is filled with opportunities to understand more about indigenous groups and crafts, plus it boasts a whole load of places to get your dining and drinking on. It’s all about craft beer, delis and coffee shops.
But the problem is this place isn’t exactly famous for its accommodation. To many, probably to you too, Anchorage seems like more of an outpost town than a place to stay. So are there even any hotels here, let alone hostels?!
Of course there are! And we’ve selected the best hostels in Anchorage – as well as a few budget hotels, too – so you can find the one that suits you the most.
Let’s see what’s on offer in this chilly city!
Quick answer: The Best Hostels in Anchorage
- Best Overall Hostel in Anchorage – Base Camp Anchorage
- Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Anchorage – Arctic Adventure Hostel
- Best Cheap Hostel in Anchorage – Spenard Hostel International
7 Best Hostels in Anchorage
Base Camp Anchorage – Best Overall Hostel in Anchorage
For people who just love the outdoors, this Anchorage backpackers hostel is a great place to stay. The owners have a focus on community and showing travellers the wonderful hikes and stunning scenery of Alaska. And we’re down with that.
Located close to cafes, restaurants and late-night venues, this is a great place to stock up on supplies – or simply have a fun time – before you head out into the wilderness. All this, plus relaxing common areas and an outdoor space with a sauna, easily make it the best overall hostel in Anchorage.
Arctic Adventure Hostel – Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Anchorage
If you’re travelling by yourself, the owners of this place are gonna welcome you into their friendly hostel and really make you feel at home. This combined with the sociable atmosphere are what makes this our top pick for the best hostel for solo travellers in Anchorage.
But that’s not all! The communal kitchen is the hub of this top hostel in Anchorage, plus you can get your washing done here, and recover from the tiring (but rewarding) hikes you can get yourselves to in the nearby area. It’s also family-run (and it’s basically their house) so it just has, y’know, a nice vibe.
Spenard Hostel International – Best Hostel Cheap Hostel in Anchorage
The clean and quiet rooms at this recommended hostel in Anchorage is something we really like. It might not be the coolest place to stay in town, but if you’re looking for a budget place that’s got good connections both to the airport and the city centre, here’s the one for you.
There’s plenty of room in the kitchens for everyone to make food and stick to their backpacker budgets. They even give you ‘bear spray’ for your hikes, we guess that’s to ward off bears. Like mosquito repellent. It’s the best cheap hostel in Anchorage. Plus there’s an opportunity to do a work exchange (meaning FREE accommodation, if you feel like it).
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 REIBrent Prop Inn – Best Hostel for Couples in Anchorage
In midtown Anchorage, you’ll find this place. You’ll easily be able to walk to nearby restaurants and shops. It’s set in an old apartment building, so if you’re not concerned about the lack of social spaces and just wanna hang out with your partner that’s just fine.
So you have your own little apartment here – complete with kitchen and bathroom, sorta like a more basic Airbnb stay, so it’s definitely our pick for the best hostel for couples in Anchorage. The staff are also super helpful and friendly and will help you get out into the famous Alaska national parks.
Best Budget Hotels in Anchorage
Sometimes staying in a hostel just doesn’t cut it. You might want to stay somewhere a little quieter, or perhaps you want a more private place to relax during your stay in a city. Who knows. But we’ve included a couple of the best cheap hotels in Anchorage so you have the choice of the best budget accommodation in the city.
Puffin Inn
This hotel is pretty basic, but then again it’s one of the best budget hotels in Anchorage, so what are you gonna do? It’s decent for the money, we’d say. Every room comes complete with a flat-screen cable TV, plus a microwave, fridge and coffee maker. Pretty good.
There’s also a small fitness centre, so you can keep up with your workouts (if that’s something that’s important to you). At this cheap hotel in Anchorage, they also run a super affordable shuttle service to the airport, making it a great option for a budget stay. Free breakfast ALWAYS appreciated.
Maria’s Creekside B&B
Now THIS place is real nice. Loads-a wooden furniture, cute cushions and general decor and vibe that make you feel super cosy and comfy when it’s cold outside. A great budget Anchorage hotel to get your Alaska trip off to a flying start, we’d say.
We have to say something about the FREE FULL ENGLISH BREAKFAST. Yep, it gets rave reviews. And yeah, we’d suggest that it’s a good budget hotel for couples in Anchorage because, well, it’s just… super homely and cosy and the hosts are very, very nice and welcoming.
Alaska European Bed & Breakfast
The funny thing about this place is it says it’s European, but there are flags from like… everywhere outside. Eh, who are we to quibble. Anyway, this budget hotel in Anchorage is colourful and cosy with spacious rooms that feel nice and homely – great for a couple.
Best of all is the BIG free breakfast of Dutch pancakes (maybe that’s the European thing?). However, you can also use the kitchen at this cheap Anchorage hotel for your own food, so that’s good for keeping costs down. The decent location in midtown also helps when you’re looking for things to do in Anchorage as well, too.
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!What to Pack for your Anchorage 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 even more top hostel packing tips!
FAQ’s on the Best Hostels in Anchorage
Finding the right hostel in Anchorage always depends on your travel needs. We’ve listed and answered the most frequently asked questions on hostels in Anchorage, so you can have a breeze when planning your trip.
How much does a hostel cost in Anchorage?
You can get a Dorm bed for $37 and a Private room starts at $46.
What are the best hostels in Anchorage for couples?
Qupqugiaq Inn is an ideal hostel for couples in Anchorage. Its private rooms are clean and located in the middle of midtown Anchorage.
What are the best hostels in Anchorage near the airport?
If you must stay near the airport, Puffin Inn is just a 4-minute drive from the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.
Why you should travel to Anchorage
Those were the best hostels in Anchorage – the perfect place to begin your budget travels around Alaska!
There may not be a whole load of options when it comes to Anchorage backpacker hostels, but there are quite a few decent budget hotels in Anchorage to keep costs low.
And if you’re having trouble selecting the hostel that’s right for you from our handy list, don’t you worry. There’s always Base Camp Anchorage – our pick for the best overall hostel in Anchorage.
So get your snow boots on and prepare for an Arctic adventure!
Travel Safety Tips for Anchorage
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 Alaska and North America
Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Anchorage.
Planning an epic trip all across Alaska or even North America itself?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!
For more cool hostel guides around North America, check out:
- Best hostels in Seattle
- Best hostels in Fairbanks
- Best hostels in Portland, Oregon
Over to you
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Anchorage has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure!
Still need some inspiration? Then you might like to consider these motels in Anchorage that also offer an affordable place to stay.
If you think we’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit us up in the comments!
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in USA for a wealth of info!
- Check out the best places to stay in Anchorage before you arrive.
- Remember to grab yourself an international sim card for USA to avoid any issues.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
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!
