Austin is so much more than just the capital of the lone star state. This city not only encompasses all things Texan but is also known as the center for live music in the United States.
While traveling through the United States, Texas is sure to catch your attention with its vibrant western culture and cowboy lifestyle. When you get tired of the country life, Austin will flip the tables on you, flaunting off its lively nightlife, world-famous live music, and small-time charm while staying in the big city
People don’t travel to the United States to save money, so don’t expect it to be any different in Austin. Despite not being a backpacker-friendly destination, the places available still offer a true hostel experience in the city!
With very few hostels, picking a place to base yourself out of when exploring and partying your way through Austin can be a hassle.
You can now rest easy! We made this guide so that YOU can find that one perfect hostel in no other than Austin, Texas!
Get your spurs and cowboy boots on and get ready to boot-scoot into the center of the lone star state!
So peep our guide to the top hostels in Austin below!
Quick answer: The Best Hostels in Austin
- Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Austin – Firehouse Hostel
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Austin – Hostel 512
- Best Hostel with a Private Room in Austin – Rodeway Inn And Suites Austin
The Best Hostels in Austin
For you country bumpkins or hippie hipsters, Austin is a true mix of authentic Texan culture and modern youth trends. Other than its rich history and vibrant culture, Austin also is home to some of the most breathtaking natural beauty in the whole country!
Despite Austin being known as the Hippie Haven by the more conservative Texans, Austin still has not embraced itself as a true backpacker destination. The few overpriced hostels are sure to deter many travelers from putting the live music capital on their itineraries. Therefore, deciding where to stay in Austin can be painful.
Don’t miss out on a trip of a lifetime just because it is hard to find a cheap bed! We have put together the best places to stay in Austin to suit a backpacker’s lifestyle here! Now you can worry less about hostels and pay more attention to experiencing the true Texan culture!
Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Austin – Firehouse Hostel
- $$
- Cocktail Bar
- Free Breakfast
- Book Exchange
At Firehouse Hostel you are literally staying in a piece of American history! The hostel is located in the oldest firehouse which was built all the way back in 1885.
Today, the hostel has its own speakeasy-style cocktail bar, shared kitchen, and spacious lounges. With the hostel’s chill vibe and open atmosphere, Firehouse is the best place to just hang out and meet other backpackers. The bar, lounges, and welcoming staff make Firehouse the best hostel in Austin for solo travelers!
Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Austin – Hostel 512
- $$
- Yard
- Lounges
- Shared Kitchen
Hostel 512 is a classic US youth hostel where backpackers can hang out, blog, or just relax. For you digital nomads out there, this hostel has plenty of places to spread out to get some work done, from the many lounges to the yard, you will be able to get your work done in style! The rooms are always clean and filled with oversized beds.
Best Hostel with a Private Room in Austin – Rodeway Inn And Suites Austin
- $$$
- Swimming Pool
- Breakfast
- Restaurant
Finding a cheap private bed without giving up comfort is quite hard to come by in the United States. The rather unenchanting name of “Rodeway INN” in no way reflects the quality stay you will have at this motel.
For a backpacker, this INN offers tastefully decorated rooms, a relaxing swimming pool, and even an onsite restaurant for a low price.
Best Overall Hostel in Austin – Drifter Jack’s Hostel
- $$
- Common Room
- Bicycle Hire
- Book Exchange
A bit outside of the corporate center making it Austin’s backpacker hub, Drifter Jack’s is located nearby the University of Texas, Austin’s center for youth culture.
The hostel itself has been decorated by local artists, making Drifter Jack’s one of the hippest places in town. Other than the hostel’s laid-back atmosphere Jack’s also offers a billiards table, movie room, book exchange, and 24-hour coffee/tea.
Best Party Hostel in Austin – Native Hostel
- $$
- Restaurant & Bar
- Outdoor Terrace
- Bicycle Hire
While Native Hostel may be considered a bit expensive for a hostel, it makes up for the cost with its party atmosphere. Native Hostel embodies the spirit of Austin being “the live music capital” with its own live music nights in their bar and restaurant.
Both the lounge and dorm rooms are decorated in such a way that Native could almost be classified as a luxury hostel. Each of the beds are included with a privacy curtain, outlet, and lamp. The start of your Austin vacation full of clubs, bars, and music starts here!
Best Cheap Hostel in Austin – Hi Austin
- $$
- Outdoor Terrace
- Bicycle Hire
- Shared Kitchen
When looking over hostels in Austin you will quickly find that finding a cheap place to stay is no easy task. Rejoice that there is Hi Austin, where you can find the best budget hostel in town!
Other than Hi Austin having the cheapest bunks in Austin, this hostel also offers a well decorated spacious dining room, a shared kitchen, outdoor lounge, and indoor sitting areas. Hi Austin is also just minutes away from Town Lake.
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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 REIBest Hostel for Couples in Austin – Rooms at Elmtree Cottage
- $$
- Outdoor Garden
- Homestay
Couples traveling to Austin may be wanting a place a little more intimate and private than your typical hostel. Rooms at Elmtree Cottage is the cheapest alternative to a hostel, offering budget cozy rooms at a Texan homestay in the Austin suburbs.
Other than the cottage’s homey atmosphere, these rooms are located in a quiet neighborhood but are still just minutes away from some of Austin’s biggest attractions!
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Hide Yo’ Money!More Best Hostels in Austin
Motel 6 Austin South
- $$$
- Cafe & Bar
- TV
If you are at the end of your trip, you might need to find someplace close to the airport.
Motel 6 is one of the closest places near the airport for a cheap price. This hotel’s rooms include a TV, desk, and access to the swimming pool. Other than being close to the airport there are also plenty of restaurants to choose from nearby.
Hostel Sua Casinha
- $$$
- Swimming Pool
- Shared Kitchen
Sua Casinha is one of the newest hostels in town, offering budget beds along with a laid-back atmosphere.
This hostel also has a backyard with a fire pit, hammocks, outdoor lounge. Other than Sua Casinha’s outdoor terrace, the hostel also has a shared kitchen, movie nights, and games for guests to use at their leisure.
Quality Inn & Suites Airport Austin
- $$$
- Gym
- Breakfast
- Pool
If you are looking to pay a few extra dollars for a more comfortable stay near the airport, you can’t go wrong with Quality Inn. On top of comfortable spacious rooms, the hotel offers tons of perks such as a pool, gym, dining room, and a free shuttle to the airport.
What to Pack for your Austin Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from us, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straight forward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art we 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 our top packing tips!
Why you should travel to Austin
Austin has a lot to offer backpackers from its live music, bars, and rich history. What the city lacks, however, is budget hostels for young travelers. The hostels that are available do dazzle guests with their artsy decor and even some with their history.
While not the cheapest place in town, Firehouse Hostel treats its guests with reasonable beds with a youthful atmosphere in one of Austin’s most historic buildings in town!
Get ready for some late nights exploring Austin’s vibrant music scene with a dash of local culture, making your Texan adventure a trip to remember for a lifetime!
FAQ about Hostels in Austin
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Austin.
Travel Safety Tips for Austin
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 USA and North America
Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Austin.
Planning an epic trip all across USA or even North America itself?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!
For more cool hostel guides around North America, check out:
Over to you
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Austin 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!
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!
