If you are backpacking through Egypt, there’s a HUGE chance you’ll wind up in the insanity that is Cairo… No trip to Egypt would be complete without it!
But it’s worth mentioning that Cairo is a bit wild. And it’s best to book your accommodation beforehand to get right to where you need to be. From there you can get a good lay of the land and enjoy this wonderful, ENORMOUS city.
This is exactly why I’ve put together this no-stress guide to the best hostels in Cairo Egypt!
Written by travellers, for travellers, I’ve taken the best hostels in Cairo and put them into one list. With the help of this list – you’ll know which hostel in Cairo best suits your travel style so that you can travel Egypt like a boss! Whether you’re travelling solo, roaming with your boo or working on the road, I’ve got somewhere sweet for you to stay.
I know you’re intrepid, my fellow broke backpacker and Cairo isn’t exactly off-the-beaten-path, but it is pretty hectic. So be smart and be safe and tell people what you’re up to and come with me to pick where you’re going to stay so you can get to the fun bit!
Let’s go!
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Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Cairo
- Best Overall Hostel in Cairo – Meramees Hostel
- Best Hostel in Cairo for Solo Travelers- Miami Cairo Hostel
- Best Cheap Hostel in Cairo – Tahrir Square Hostel
- Best Party Hostel in Cairo – The Australian Hostel
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Cairo – Madina Hostel
The 5 Best Hostels in Cairo
My list of the best hostels in Cairo is designed to help you book the best hostel in Cairo for your backpacking trip to Egypt! But what is ‘best’ obviously varies by person, everyone travels differently, so to take this list a step further, I’ve organized it by different travel-styles.
1. Meramees Hostel – Best Overall Hostel in Cairo
- Dorm (mixed): From $9/night
- Private Room: From $20/night
- Address: 32 Sabry Abo Alam Street, 00202 Cairo
The overall best hostel in Cairo is Meramees Hostel offering everything you’re looking for and more! As the best of the Cairo hostels, Meramees offers guests a free breakfast, free WiFi and free luggage storage. Hosts Miguel and Ahmed are wonderful, totally on the ball and keen to help in any way they can.
More than that, they have created a brilliant hostel vibe here at Meramees and it’s no wonder this is one of the best places to stay in Egypt. At face value, Meramees is a simple youth hostel in Cairo but it is, in fact, one of the most popular. Always being full of adventurous travellers keen to experience all the city has to offer should speak for itself.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Free Breakfast
- Book Exchange
- Air Conditioning
No creaking bunk beds at Meramees, no, everyone gets their own single bed and bedside table. It’s the little touches like fresh flowers and Miguel and Ahmed’s smiling faces that make Meramees the best of the Cairo hostels. That, plus the high ceilings, wooden floorboards, large windows and French doors leading to private balconies – how romantic?! – this is a great place to stay in Cairo.
There are helpful, friendly staff at reception 24/7 and they’ve got free Cairo city maps. So feel free to ask for help to navigate this wonderful, enormous city whether you’re a solo traveller or with a crew. Meramees Hostel is within walking distance is Tahrir Square and the Nile – the perfect location for exploring Cairo.
2. Miami Cairo Hostel – Best Hostel in Cairo for Solo Travelers
- Dorm (mixed): From $10/night
- Private Room: From $25/night
- Address: 34 Talaat Harb, Marouf, Qasr El Nil, Cairo Governorate 4272151, Egypt
The best hostel for solo travellers in Cairo is the Miami Cairo Hostel. Cairo has a bit of a bad rep for solo travellers, especially for women but you can forget all the sh*t you’ve heard. This is a top hostel in Cairo that is super safe and respectful, you can totally relax and be yourself here.
Hosts Ahmed and Hossam make an effort to make everyone feel at home and are on hand to share their local knowledge with their guests. If you book a private room they’ll even pick you up from the airport for free. If you’re travelling solo and want to get great value for money book your tours and travel experiences through Miami Cairo Hostel!
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- 24 Hour Reception
- On-Site Restaurant
- Luggage Storage
The staff at Miami Cairo Hostel are generous with their time and will happily chat with you about all you want to know. Being travellers themselves and passionate about the great city of Cairo, this is the most valuable travel resource in my opinion. This hostel deals with solo travellers frequently and so is used to helping you on your way to experience the best of Cairo.
There are a range of private rooms as well as a small mixed dorm so you can choose to sleep by yourself or not. I like a small dorm when I’m travelling solo, it feels more intimate to me and less intimidating. Having a handful of people to get to know is perfect for making buddies to venture through the city with.
3. Tahrir Square Hostel – Best Cheap Hostel in Cairo
- Dorm (mixed): From $10/night
- Private Room: From $36/night
- Address: 11 Tahrir Square, Second floor, Next to KFC, Downtown, , 11512 Cairo
Tahrir Square Hostel is my top pick for cheap hostels in Cairo, hostel prices are pretty budget-friendly but this is next level. Located in the heart of downtown Cairo, Tahrir Square Hostel negates the need for public transport. The Egyptian Museum is a mere two-minute walk away and Tahrir Square itself is all around you.
Cairo hostels are very generous with their free breakfast and Tahrir Square hostel is no different. Fuel up and fuck off into the mad and wonderful capital city of Egypt. There are so many places to visit in Cairo and a cacophony of things to do, including the best free activity – people-watching!
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- 24 Hour reception
- Close to the Egyptian Museum
- Free City Maps
There’s a washing machine at Tahrir Square Hostel so you don’t even need to pay for a laundry service. Just wash and reset yourself and be on your merry way. Take advantage of the communal kitchen to do a bit of meal prep too to save extra cash and be close to the top Cairo attractions!
The rooms at Tahrir Square Hostel vary between double or twin privates with private bathrooms and a six-bed dorm. Stay wherever feels comfortable for you, although if you’re here to get the most out of the cheap hostels, the dorm rooms cheapest. Hostel deals do come up occasionally though so don’t think you can’t ever get your own room.
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View on Osprey View on REI4. The Australian Hostel – Best Party Hostel in Cairo
- Dorm (mixed): From $9/night
- Private Room: From $17/night
- Address: 23 Abd El Khaleq Tharwat St. Down Town, 99999 Cairo
The best party hostel in Cairo is The Australian Hostel, super sociable and with a great team of staff, TAH goes off. To be fair, Cairo is hardly party central but The Australian Hostel is a great place to meet new people. The Australian Hostel team will always point you in the direction of the cheapest beer and best nightclub should you ask!
Located in the heart of the downtown The Australian Hostel is the coolest hostel in Cairo if you’re looking to party Egyptian style! This epic location in old Egypt is the place to be close to the underground and nightlife in Cairo. If you’re lucky you’ll get intel on a gig at the Pyramids of Giza (!!).
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Great Location
- Within walking distance of the Egyptian Museum
- Clean facilities
With a really tasty free breakfast on offer each morning, you’ll be set for whatever the day brings at The Australian Hostel. There’s a great common room to hang out in and rally the troops for another day in this great city. There’s always the opportunity to make new friends in hostels – you just gotta make a move!
The rooms at The Australian Hostel sleep up to three in the private suites which each have private bathrooms. Then there’s the mixed dorm which sleeps up to six people so book in advance if you want to stay here, it’s a pretty small hostel.
5. Madina Hostel – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Cairo
- Dorm (mixed): From $10/night
- Private Room: From $35/night
- Address: 5 Kasr Al Nile street 10th floor, 11513 Cairo
Madina Hostel is the perfect place to post up in Cairo if you’ve got a bit of work to do while you’re here. Living the digital nomad life and being on the road isn’t always easy but these guys are pretty accommodating. From the three separate common areas to tuck yourself away into the free coffee on tap – it’s a pretty work-friendly environment.
That’s not to say it’s all work and no play though, Madina Hostel has a great social scene, facilitated by the friendly staff. I love setting up in a hostel with staff that are passionate about sharing their area and Medina Hostel is exactly that.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Fully equipped communal kitchen
- Three separate common areas
- Tour and trip organisation
The 21 comfy beds at Madina Hostel are spread throughout various rooms, from female-only dorms to privates. So if you’re someone who needs your own space (I feel ya!) you’re covered. Sleep well in downtown Cairo at Madina Hostel and be looked after.
There’s a laundry service and free tea and coffee all day so you can stay in and be well while you work after enjoying breakfast. Free breakfast and free coffee are all I need for a good work day and when you’re done with work, get amongst downtown Cairo. It’s on your doorstep and if you want guidance, chat with the friendly staff – they’ll happily give you tips or organise a trip for you.
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Hide Yo’ Money!More Epic Cairo Hostels
Are you looking to stay in a specific neighbourhood? Check out my guide to Cairo’s best areas to stay. Otherwise, here are a few more epic Cairo hostels incase you haven’t found the one yet.
6. Heritage Hostel
- Dorm (mixed): From $18/night
- Private Room: From $53/night
- Address: Meret Basha, Ismailia, Qasr El Nil, Cairo Governorate 4272110, Egypt
Heritage Hostel faces the Egypptian Museum and is in an epic downtown location in Cairo. Solo travellers or travelling lovers looking for their own space will love the private balcony in some rooms looking out to the city. Private bathrooms are consistant in each of the rooms at Heritage Hostel, even the six-bed dorm.
Heritage Hostel is on one of the main streets so it’s easy to get an Uber from here to take you wherever you want to go. The flip side of this is traffic noise so it you’re a light sleeper, bring ear plugs! The staff at Heritage Hostel are wonderful, friendly and helpful, they want you to see the best of Cairo and endeavour to facilitate this.
7. Holy Sheet Hostel
- Dorm (mixed): From $12/night
- Private Room: From $45/night
- Address: 2 Al Qadi Al Fadel 2nd floor, Abdeen, 00202 Cairo
Holy Sheet Hostel is a cosy place to stay in the heart of downtown Cairo. You’ll be within walking distance of fabulous shops, tasty restaurants and lively bars. Holy Sheet Hostel is an epic option if you’re a solo traveller, there are private room options with private bathrooms.
That plus the 24/7 reception will have you feeling safe AF which is priceless when you’re roaming on your own. There are plenty of areas and activities to socialize in and around at Holy Sheet Hostel. There’s also a communal, fully equipped kitchen that you’re free to use which is always a great place to make friends too.
8. New Minerva
- Dorm (mixed): From $10/night
- Private Room: From $20/night
- Address: 39 Talaat Harb street , Wannan Passage Town team building, Right Hand side elevator, 6th floor, 11574 Cairo
Cute and cosy, New Minerva is a top hostel in Cairo! Located right in the bustling and vibrant heart of Cairo New Minerva is within walking distance from Cairo Tower and the Egyptian Museum. New Minerva is a great budget hostel in Cairo for couples or travelling duos.
They have a great selection of private rooms that are super affordable. Private rooms all have their own ensuite bathroom and A/C! No bunk beds helps to make the dorms feel more open.
9. Safary Hostel
- Dorm (mixed): From $4/night
- Private Room: From $10/night
- Address: 4 Souk El Tawfekeyya, Downtown, Cairo, 11511 Cairo
Safary Hostel is the best budget hostel in Cairo, hands down. Safary Hostel is an open and friendly backpackers ideal for solo travellers who wanna find a crew to explore with.
Safary is not only in Souk EL-Tawfikeyya, the district famous for fruit and veg markets, but that they have a communal kitchen too. Why not whip up a family meal for the Safary crew and make the most of the wild selection of food available in this historic neighbourhood.
10. One Season Hostel
- Private Room: From $12/night
- Address: 7 El-Fadl – Talaat Harb- Above Al Abd, 11511 Cairo
One Season is a great youth hostel in Cairo. Super sociable and incredibly welcoming One Season is a real home-from-home for backpackers in Cairo. Basic yet modern, One Season Hostel is clean, spacious and ideally placed on Elfadl Street in Cario’s downtown.
The free breakfast and free airport transfer go a long way in making One Season one of the best cheap Cairo hostels! Just ask if you want a walking tour of the city, the team will gladly show off their home to you!
11. Cairo International Hostel
- Private Room: From $28/night
- Address: 9 Adly 5th floor, 11211 Cairo
Cairo International Hostel is kinda more of a guesthouse to be fair. If you’re travelling with mates check out their 4-bed private room; a great money saver. Mohamed is a super wonderful host and is keen to help all his guests in any way he can.
Swing by the tours and travel desk and chat with him about your options and his suggestions for not-to-be-missed hotspots in Egypt. As a highly recommended hostel in Cairo, Cairo International Hostel offers free breakfast, free WiFi and A/C in all the rooms!
12. Travelers House Hostel
- Dorm (mixed): From $8/night
- Private Room: From $20/night
- Address: 43 Sherif Street (on the corner of Sherief street and 26 July) 4th floor, Cairo
Modern, light and spacious Travelers House is a premium Cairo backpackers hostel. With both dorms and private rooms available Travelers Home is ideal for travellers of all kinds, particularly solo nomads. They have a female-only dorm which would be preferable for some and mixed dorms for those who aren’t fussed.
There is a veritable plethora of sights and scenes within an easy walking distance of Travelers House Hostel. You’ll find dozens of authentic shisha bars and coffee shops for you to hang out in and soak up the Egyptian vibes!
13. Wake UP!
- Dorm (mixed): From $9/night
- Private Room: From $15/night
- Address: 33 A,Ramsis St. Marouf Tower.Downtown, 99999 Cairo
Wake UP! is a highly recommended hostel in Cario loved by budget backpackers, travelling couples and solo nomads alike. New to the Cairo backpackers hostel scene Wake UP! is nestled in the heart of downtown, just 200m from the Egyptian museum.
Well connected to Cairo’s public transport system you can easily get to everywhere you wanna be from Wake UP! The public transport system can be a little tricky for a rookie but no worries, just ask one of the Wake UP! crew and they’ll walk you through how it all works. The cosy lounge area is a great place to hang out with your new hostel buddies.
14. New Palace
New Palace is actually one of the oldest hostels in the Egyptian capital and is the best cheap hostel in Cairo for sure. If there was ever a host who went above and beyond for his guests it’s Ahmed; he’s a total superstar. You need anything, just ask! You cannot put a price on such hospitality but suffice to say you’ll wanna tip this dude.
New Palace is a great budget hostel in Cairo that will give you an unforgettable stay. The rooms are basic but the mattresses are comfortable and the whole New Palace hostel is clean. Ahmed can book your tours to the Pyramids and must-see Egyptian attractions so make sure you let him know when and where you wanna go!
15. Bella Luna
A great Cairo hostel for couples in Cairo is Bella Luna. They have a wonderful selection of private double rooms complete with ensuites. The rooms are simple but spacious and reasonably priced, especially when you chuck in free breakfast and free WiFi too.
Bella Luna is a highly recommended hostel in Cairo and it’s mostly due it is location, just 400m walk away from the River Nile. The dream – plus, the private rooms all have air conditioning! Some rooms even have their own private balcony which is kinda romantic – way more romantic than Cairo’s Garbage City anyway.
16. Cairo Panorama Hostel
Cairo Panorama is a top hostel in Cairo suited for travellers of all styles. Great for couples travelling together, in particular, Cairo Panorama has a wide selection of private rooms with ensuite bathrooms and much-needed air conditioning. Within easy walking distance of the city’s buzzing downtown and the banks of the River Nile Cairo Panorama is a great youth hostel in Cairo.
The rooms are simple but spacious and most importantly cool! Some rooms even boast views of the Nile. Make sure you ask for a River View room when you book!
17. Travel Joy
Travel Joy is a great youth hostel in Cairo for backpackers who like a chilled out kinda hostel. You’ll find Travel Joy right in the heart of Cairo’s downtown close to all the bars, cafes and restaurants you could wish for.
A truly authentic Cairo backpackers hostel Travel Joy takes a no-frills approach to the styling of their rooms but doesn’t skimp on hospitality. The staff are wonderful and will make sure you have a great time in Cairo, however long you choose to stay at Travel Joy. Make you explore all Cairo has to offer while you’re here like Cairo’s City of the Dead – spooky!
Getting Insured BEFORE Visiting Cairo
Everyone needs good hostel insurance – especially in Cairo with all those pesky camels about!
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.
FAQs About Hostels in Cairo
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Cairo.
What to Pack for your Cairo 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 my definitive Hostel Packing list for even more top hostel packing tips!
How much does a hostel cost in Cairo?
Dorm rooms in Cairo cost $8/night on average. For a private room, the average cost starts from $11+/night.
What are the best hostels in Cairo for couples?
The Heritage Hostel is really lovely. There are options for having your own room with a private balcony and private bathrooms. Remember PDA is haram (forbidden) in the muslim culture though so keep your romancing to your room.
What is the best hostel in Cairo near the airport?
Cairo International Airport is quite far from downtown Cairo, so it is usually better to find a place to stay that offers an airport shuttle service. Once you’re in the city, I recommend Miami Cairo Hostel.
Final Thoughts on Cairo’s Hostels
By now I hope my epic guide to the best hostels in Cairo has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure! Cairo is a multi-faceted beast, full of diversity and pockets to discover. I hope you get up in the mix and enjoy your trip through one of the most historically righ lands in the world.
If you’re still on the fence, it’s all good, there have been a lot of options! I suggest jumping head-first into my top pick, Meramees Hostel. It’s about the cheapest hostel you can find in Cairo and it’s in an epic location.
If this doesn’t feel like the right fit for you, a rogue but wonderful backup is Heritage Hostel. These guys know hospitality which is clutch when you’re in a new wild and wacky place. To come home to somewhere you feel safe to recharge is so important and honestly, priceless.
Wherever you stay in Cairo, I’m sure it’ll be grand – this city is AMAZING! May be cliche but try to time your trip with a gig at the Pyramids – that shit’s pretty wonderful. You can’t deny the power of that ancient energy.
If you think I’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit me up in the comments!
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Egypt for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the best places to visit in Cairo covered.
- Check out the best places to stay in Cairo before you arrive.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
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Hi! Thank you for these insightful recommendations! Curious as to why you didn’t mention the Dahab Hostel, as my friends highly recommended it to me. Did you not like it? Also, do you know which one of these hostels offers the most reliable, safe and good quality tours? Trying to book a tour to the white/black desert and the nile cruise & thought it easiest, to book these with the hostel.
Cheers from Switzerland!