Brooklyn is one of New York’s five boroughs. Known for its tough reputation, creative edge and of course, the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, it’s a huge and exciting place to base yourself for your big trip to New York.
But… it is absolutely massive. Almost like a city in its own right (it would be the third biggest in the US if it was a separate city!), there are so many areas and places to see that it can be hard to find the best hostel in Brooklyn for you.
Seriously though, there is nothing to worry about. Just read through our list of our picks for the best hostels in Brooklyn and you’ll surely find the perfect place that fits your style and budget.
From cool Brooklyn hangouts to budget backpacker digs, we’ve got you covered!
Quick answer: The Best Hostels in Brooklyn
- Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in Brooklyn – The Brooklyn Riviera
- Best Cheap Hostel in Brooklyn – NY Moore Hostel
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
What to Expect from Hostels in Brooklyn
Before we look at your Brooklyn hostel options, let’s talk about why you should be staying at a hostel in the first place. Obviously, money plays a big role. Hostels are the cheapest form of accommodation on the market, which is why they’re so popular amongst backpackers.
However, there’s something even better about hostels: the community vibe! In no other accommodation can you meet like-minded travellers that easily and connect with other people. Hang out in the commmon room to share travel stories or make friends in a dorm. Hostels are definitely one of the best places to socialize, no matter where you are in the world.
And Brooklyn hostels are no different. They’re modern, affordable, and offer the best facilities for budget travellers. When it comes to prices, booking a bed in a dorm room will obviously be the cheapest option. However, if you’re travelling with a friend or lover, you can easily stay in a private room. To give you an insight into the prices you can expect in Brooklyn, we’ve listed the average per night below.
- Dorms (mixed or female-only): $20 USD/night
- Private room: $50-60 USD/night
To find the best hostels in Brooklyn, check HOSTELWORLD. This booking platform will give you the best accommodation options, filtered for your needs. It’s also got a secure review and rating system, so you’re guaranteed a great stay!
Since Brooklyn is a very popular area, there’s loads to explore. That’s why it’s so important to choose a hostel in the ideal location. Find out what you want to do first, and then choose your base accordingly. To help you out a bit, these are our favorite areas in Brooklyn:
Downtown (obviously) – the best area for first-time visitors and the most central base
Williamsburg – a trendy and hip area with loads of budget accommodations and cool cafes
Bushwick – the liveliest area in Brooklyn, with some of the best clubs and nightlife venues
Once you’ve figured out where you want to stay in Brooklyn, you can have a look at your hostel options – and we’ve got the best ones already listed for you!
Best 3 Hostels in Brooklyn
If you are visiting New York, then a visit to the iconic Brooklyn Bridge may well be on your itinerary. But did you know that Brooklyn is one of NYC’ hippest neighborhoods? Staying here not only puts you in one of the Big Apple’s coolest areas but you can save a few bucks too.
The Brooklyn Riviera – Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in Brooklyn
This is the kinda hostel that you know you’re gonna like staying in. Their typical Brooklyn style backyard looks like something we’ve seen in a million US sitcoms and is a great spot to chill out with a beer and enjoy a BBQ.
Staying in this cool Brooklyn Hostel is like staying over at a friend’s house which is why it is the best hostel for solo travelling Brooklyn. The guys who run it will make sure you’re happy and it actually feels very safe and secure. You can walk into the city centre from here in no time as well.
This is another hostel that goes against the big chain norm. With their super comfy common areas, you could hang around all day and make new friends as the hostel just feels very homely.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Great public transport connection
- Super homely vibe
- Incredibly helpful staff
The bright dorm rooms offer enough space for 4 people and the bunk beds are simple, but equipped with a space to put your belongings, a night lamp and a power socket to charge your phone. If you’re travelling around with friends or you just met some cool people, you can also book a whole room all to yourselves.
You can start the day with some free breakfast – it just tastes better when you don’t have to pay for it yourself – and a cup of coffee. This will give you the right amount of energy to head out and explore the area. Speaking of, make sure to stop by the reception and ask the super helpful staff for their recommendations on what to do in the area.
NY Moore Hostel – Best Cheap Hostel in Brooklyn
NY Moore Hostel is one of those cool, trendy hostels where they use up-cycled furniture and funky stuff to make the whole place look like properly cool Brooklyn hostel. It’s the best cheap hostel in Brooklyn as they offer well-priced beds and privates and a high level of cleanliness and customer service.
You won’t be getting bored if you stay here: grab a free hot drink and chat with other guests over a movie in the common room or hang-out in the backyard.
We’ve mentioned it at the beginning of the post, but the location in Williamsburg is one of the best for budget backpackers and culture lovers. You’ll have plenty of artsy and edgy cafes nearby, amazing public transport connection and some really cool attractions in general.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Event nights
- Free tea and coffee
- Pool and football table
The hostel itself is one of the best in the area. With super modern amenities and comfy rooms, you can even spend a rainy day inside and enjoy every second of it. The dorms are set up as female-only or mixed, so you can choose whatever fits best for you. In case you need a bit more space to yourself, you can also book into one of the private rooms.
For socializing, head into the common area where you’ll find most travellers mingle around during the day. You can even find some computers there which are free to use in case you want to get in touch with people at home.
The hostel also regularly hosts stand-up comedy nights and other entertainment events, so you can be sure that you won’t get bored here. All in all, you’ll probably have a hard time finding a cheaper hostel in Brooklyn that offers you so much bang for your buck!
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View on Osprey View on REIAdventure Residence JFK-NYC – Overall Best Hostel in Brooklyn
The top Brooklyn hostel is the perfect all-rounder. Not only does it deliver excellent customer service, they make their guests feel at home straight away. Located in a quiet neighbourhood, it’s not far from public transport.
If you want to live like a real NYC resident, then this is the overall best hostel in Brooklyn for you. The hostel itself is a hang-out for loads of different people from all over the place, so you might get to meet some interesting new mates too.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Two balcony terraces
- International travellers only
- Very homely vibe
Since most hostels in New York only accommodate international travellers, you’ll be guaranteed to meet like-minded travellers from all over the world. You can hang out in the cozy common area, watch a couple of movies on the TV or share your backpacking stories.
Note that this is not one of the big chain hostels which you normally find in the city. It’s actually the complete opposite – a rather small but safe space for backpackers to find some peace for recharging after exploring the city and have a good nights sleep.
If you need help with planning a trip or simply want to know more about the city, just speak to the friendly staff. They’ll fill you into the best places to visit in Brooklyn and even one or the other hidden gem!
Best Budget Hotels in Brooklyn
If you’ve been travelling for a while and had enough of staying in dorms, or just want to stay somewhere with a little more private space – then we’ve got you covered. Check out our round-up of the best budget hostels in Brooklyn and get all the class of hotel for the price of a hostel.
Pod Brooklyn
Wow… this place is just super frigging cool. Like some kind of shiny, colourful mad chic hostel that has evolved in to a hotel, this is up there with the best budget hotels in Brooklyn. Like, how can this not be? There’s a courtyard and a place to hang out, have coffee and get some work done if you need to. AND the subway is less than 500 metres from the front door so you can travel all over New York really easily.
Pointe Plaza Hotel
Chic and stylish, like an image straight out of Instagram, you won’t believe that this place is an actual budget hotel in Brooklyn. If you’re looking for a cool Brooklyn hostel with a little more comfort, then this top budget hotel in Brooklyn is the place for you.
Think marble walls, plush rooms and high ceilings. There’s even a free breakfast, which is the best thing ever when you’re travelling on a budget, or if you’re just a fan of free food – cos who isn’t?
The Ultimate
One of those top budget hotels in Brooklyn that’s midway between a hostel and a hotel. There’s a modern shared kitchen for guests to use so you can make yourself meals, and a shared common room for catching up on TV or hanging out. The hotel is all parquet floors and pretty tiled surfaces, it’s so cool you won’t wanna leave. There are family rooms on offer as well as doubles which means its great for couples as well.
Hotel Le Bleu
This may not be one of the cheapest places to stay in town, but it’s still one of the best budget hotels in Brooklyn for what you get for your money. The shiny new hotel is a fun and friendly place to stay in the big city, staff are super helpful and will go above and beyond to make sure guests are happy. Now that’s our kinda place.
The rooms are really big for the price and come with balconies, which mean you can enjoy views of the Brooklyn skyline. Breakfast is included as well which is always a plus!
Days Inn
This really clean hotel in Brooklyn should have everything you need to make your time in the city perfect. A great choice for a top budget hotel in Brooklyn, rooms are like classic hotel rooms with cable TV, fridges and en-suite bathrooms.
Set yourself up for a day of sightseeing around New York with their free breakfast and a good cup of coffee. There’s a range of rooms available too, which means you can choose the perfect one for your travel needs.
Greenpoint YMCA – Best Hostel in Brooklyn for Couples
Ok, so this choice for the best hostel in Brooklyn for couples might be a YMCA, but trust us: this is one of the coolest hostels in Brooklyn. The rooms at this place are all kept spotlessly clean, although a little basic, but the best thing is you get to stay in a hostel with an ACTUAL swimming pool. After a swim and steam in the steam room, catch the train from the nearby station to the city sights or head out for dinner in the local area.
Brooklyn Way Hotel
We love this cool budget hotel in Brooklyn! It’s got a little bit of extra style that makes it the perfect place to stay in New York. Rooms come with city views and a huge breakfast is served up every morning – you’ll be pleased that you booked yourself into this place. The surrounding area feels safe and family friendly, whilst public transport is nearby so you can easily travel around NYC and see the sights.
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Hide Yo’ Money!What to Pack for your Brooklyn 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 Brooklyn
Booking a hostel is never easy. But it’s especially hard in a city like Brooklyn. To help you out, we’ve listed and answered the most frequently asked questions on hostels in Brooklyn.
How much does a hostel cost in Brooklyn?
The average price of hostels in Brooklyn starts at $20/night for dorms, while private rooms range from $50-$60.
What are the best hostels in Brooklyn for couples?
A colourful mad chic hostel that has evolved into a hotel, Pod Brooklyn is an ideal budget hotel for couples in Brooklyn.
What are the best hostels in Brooklyn near the airport?
The airport is quite far from Brooklyn, so it is better to find the best place near downtown. I highly recommend The Brooklyn Riviera, the best hostel for solo travellers.
Travel Safety Tips for Brooklyn
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More Epic Hostels in USA and North America
Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Brooklyn.
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:
Final Thoughts on the Best Hostels in Brooklyn
So you’ve read our list of the best budget hostels in Brooklyn and even a few of the best budget hotels in Brooklyn, and now you have a good idea of the coolest places to stay in the borough.
Some of them are really cool, aren’t they? You can choose to stay in a hostel with a pool, a trendy hostel with loads of room, or one nearest to a subway station.
If you’re just really confused about it all, maybe even overwhelmed – don’t you worry. We all know how it feels when you can’t figure out where to stay. So just choose our best overall hostel in Brooklyn – Adventure Residence JFK-NYC – and then start packing your bags, because you’re jetting off to the Big Apple!
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 New York City for a wealth of info!
- Check out the best places to stay in Brooklyn 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.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate USA backpacking guide.
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!
