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Don’t be deceived by the ritz and glamour of the tall skyscrapers of Calgary, this city is a home for cowboys and country living. With rodeos and country music, Calgary is a place where you can truly experience the frontier culture in Canada.
Being a bit off of the beaten path and attracting more cattlemen than backpackers, you will not have a whole lot to choose from when it comes to youth hostels and budget hotels.
There is no need to start unpacking just yet! We brought together all the best budget hostels and cheap hotels to one place so you can book with confidence that you will be staying in the top hostels in Calgary!
Pull out your cowboy hats and get ready to boot scoot to adventure in Calgary!
- Quick answer: The Best Hostels in Calgary
- What to Expect from the Best Hostels in Calgary
- The Best Hostels in Calgary
- More of the Best Hostels in Calgary
- What to Pack for your Calgary Hostel
- FAQ’s on the Best Hostels in Calgary
- More Epic Hostels in Calgary and North America
- Final Thoughts on the Best Hostels in Calgary
- Buy Us a Coffee!
Quick answer: The Best Hostels in Calgary
- Overall Best Hostel in Calgary – Wicked Hostels
- Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in Calgary – Hi Calgary City Centre
- Best Cheap Hostel in Calgary – The Calgary Hub
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Calgary – Cozy Suite In The Heart Of Bridgeland
The Broke Backpacker is supported by you. Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more.
What to Expect from the Best Hostels in Calgary
Before we get to the main question let’s have a look at why you should be staying at a hostel in the first place. Obviously, there’s the super affordable price. Hostels, in general, are the cheapest form of accommodation so you can save quite a bit by staying at one.
However, there’s an even better perk! Hostels allow you to meet likeminded travellers from all over the world, make new friends and exchange travel stories and tips, without having to leave the building. The social vibe at hostels is truly unique and can’t be found in any other accommodation.
When it comes to hostels in Calgary, it starts to be a bit tricky. Unfortunately, there aren’t as many hostel options as you would find in other cities, but don’t worry, there are plenty of other budget accommodations as well.
Bed and breakfasts, homestays and guest houses are just as affordable as hostels, but offer a slightly different vibe, without the social aspect that hostels are known for. However, you get the chance to connect with the host or owner and get some local knowledge on how to spend your time in Calgary. Budget hotels are an option too, but they’re definitely more expensive.
When looking for a hostel or budget accommodation, we’d normally recommend looking on HOSTELWORLD. This platform offers the best hostel options with a reliable review and rating system. But since there aren’t many options in Calgary, you might have to check on booking.com or other booking platforms. Note that you’ll be less likely to find hostels there, but more budget hotels and bed and breakfasts.
Before visiting Calgary, it’s important to know that there are plenty of areas and districts that all offer different attractions and vibes. This is why it’s essential to know where to stay in Calgary before you start travelling. We’ve listed out three favorite neighborhoods below:
- Downtown: a large neighbourhood located at the heart of Calgary, filled with historical landmarks. It’s a great base for first time visitors.
- Victoria Park: located south of the downtown core and one of the oldest communities in the city. It’s the perfect place for travellers on a budget.
- The Beltline: the liveliest neighborhood in Calgary with great nightlife options, located in the southwest of the city centre. It’s the place to see and be seen
Most accommodation options can be found towards the Downtown area and Victoria Park. There are some exceptions of course, but those two neighborhoods will be the ones you should keep an eye on, as the room rates are a bit lower as well.
The Best Hostels in Calgary
From the best hostels to the coziest Calgary BnBs, this list will help you find that one stay in Calgary that best suits how you like to travel!
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Wicked Hostels – Best Overall Hostel in Calgary
There is not a single backpacker’s hostel in Calgary that can hold a light to Wicked Hostels. This stay has carved its name as the top hostel in Calgary with its tons of freebies. With free breakfast, laundry, and even club entry, this hostel will provide you with a little bit of everything.
They will really get the party started with their karaoke nights, pub crawls, and Wild Wings Nights! Out of all of the hostels and BnBs in Calgary, this is the one stay where you will that classic backpacker’s experience!
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Located in the Beltline nightlife district
- Games room
- Free Parking
When staying at the Wicked Hostels, you can expect way more than just a basic dorm room. You can choose between different room options, from 4-bed female-only to 8-bed mixed dorms. If you prefer more alone time, there are charming private rooms with a great city view as well. Note that all rooms have access to shared (but very clean) bathrooms.
If you want to connect with your family back at home, you can easily do that thanks to the high-speed Wifi which is available throughout the whole building.
The common room offers comfy sofas where you can either get some work done on your laptop, or once you’re finished, hang out with all other travellers and make new friends.
To explore the best area of Calgary, head to the reception and grab one of the free city maps. Red Mile district is further down 17th Avenue from the property and Calgary city center and CORE Shopping Center is only 19 minutes’ walk away.
Hi Calgary City Centre – Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in Calgary
If you are looking for a backpacker’s hostel that will put you within minutes of all the best sights, restaurants, and bars in Calgary, look no further than HI Calgary City Centre! When you aren’t out tasting all of the local delicacies and experiencing Canada’s unique culture, this hostel is the perfect place to just kick back in the lounge and meet other travelers!
If though you are a solo traveler, you will find that the shared kitchen and relaxing lounges are great places to meet other guests also looking for an adventure in Calgary!
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Lots of freebies
- TV and recreation room
- Family rooms
We’re not gonna lie, HI Calgary City Centre is a huge competitor with our overall best hostel choice. Simply because it just offers so many amazing amenities and freebies.
HI Calgary City Centre is part of HI Canada, a not-for-profit organization on a mission to build a community of conscious travellers who share a greater understanding of people, places and cultures. And with over 1500 positive reviews, that mission was a full success. The hostel is going strong with a 9.1/10 rating.
You can enjoy super clean and spacious rooms. From female-only and mixed dorms to private rooms, and even family rooms with a private 40″ TV and an en-suite bathroom, there’s plenty to choose from.
Head to the lobby to socialize and meet other travellers, chill in the TV room or read a book in the quiet room. There are free computers and Wifi, which makes this hostel ideal for Digital Nomads as well.
Exploring Calgary is easy from the hostel’s location: a quick walk takes you to the city centre where you can find dining, shopping, entertainment, transportation, cultural districts for every taste and budget. Other attractions are easy to get to with the help of the nearby CTrain (free transportation within the city centre). The Calgary Airport Express Bus is two blocks away while Allied Airport Shuttle Bus stops across the street from the hostel
The Calgary Hub – Best Cheap Hostel in Calgary
Bringing together all the chill vibes of a hostel and the small touches of home from a BnB, this one of a kind backpacker’s hostel is the perfect place to kick off your adventure in Calgary. If you have an early or late flight, this hostel is near the airport, only 10km away!
Even if you are just looking to take in the sights of Calgary, the Stampede Park and McMahon Stadium are just a few kilometers away! With free coffee in the morning and a garden made for meeting other travelers, there is no better hostel in Calgary to just put up your feet and relax!
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Super homely vibes
- Indoor and outdoor fireplace
- Great staff
This isn’t just a normal hostel, this is a true little home away from home. With cozy vibes and a great common area, you’ll feel super welcome as soon as you step through the door. The staff is known to be helpful and attentive, so you’ll be well looked after too.
To save a bit more money, make use of the well-equipped kitchen and create a tasty meal instead of eating out. If hunger seems to overcome you during the night, head to the vending machine and pull yourself a snack.
During the day, chill on the common area sofa with other travellers and fire up the indoor fire place during the colder months. It really creates a unique atmosphere that not a lot of hostels can offer. There’s an outdoor terrace as well, perfect to sunbathe in the afternoon sun.
It might not be the biggest, most glamorous hostel, but it surely offers some bang for your buck!
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 OspreyTuscan Ridge Guesthouse Calgary West
This place is like a mix between a hostel and a private airbnb, and I kinda dig it. As soon as you enter, you feel right at home. It is like living in a house with housemates. Heston LOVES to host. He welcomes you warmly, make sure you’ll have the best stay and takes the time to talk and get to know each of his guests.
There are nice free amenities like coffee and popcorn which is always greatly appreciated. There’s parking available across the street just a minutes walk away. The kitchen is fully equipped and very convenient kitchen to use to save those precious dollars. The dorms are comfy and pretty private. If you want something different from the cookie cutter hostels, this is a solid choice.
Cozy Suite In The Heart Of Bridgeland – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Calgary
This place is an absolute gem. Spotlessly clean, ridiculously organised, and just the right mix of cosy and private. Feels like home before you’ve even dropped your bags.
It’s a super affordable basement studio—perfect even if you’re flying solo. Smack bang within walking distance of downtown Calgary’s best restaurants and bars, so you won’t be stuck eating sad convenience store sandwiches. Comes with all the essentials: a comfy bed, a spacious bathroom, and a smart TV for those inevitable lazy nights in. And the best part? Free laundry. No hunting for coins, no dodgy laundromats—just clean clothes without the hassle.
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!More of the Best Hostels in Calgary
Haven’t quite found what you were looking for yet? Don’t worry, we’ve got plenty more awesome hostels coming your way – so you can find the perfect one for you!
Brother Li Homestay
If you are wanting to truly live that North American suburban life, then this homestay is perfect for you! This spacious and homey BnB will have you staying in cozy rooms, lounging in a spacious living room, and soaking up the sun in their relaxing backyard. You will also find that there are plenty of cycling trails nearby if you are wanting to get out and explore Calgary’s stunning natural beauty. With its welcoming atmosphere, you will feel just like part of the family while staying in this warm and inviting homestay!
Cozy Suite in the heart of Calgary
This suite is cozy, comfortable, and has everything you need to settle in fast. The kitchen’s fully stocked with all the essentials, and the high-quality filtered water straight from the tap is always a well appreciated touch.
The location is spot-on, right near transit for easy access to downtown and just a stone’s throw from Kensington, where the bars, restaurants, and shops are all waiting to steal your attention. The hosts are absolute legends—quick to respond and genuinely thoughtful. Bonus points for the projector screen, perfect for a movie night after a day of exploring. Would 100% stay here again.
Simon & Jan’s BnB
There is no better place to kick back and relax in Calgary than from the sunny rooms with floor to ceiling windows in the city’s suburbs. Although you will be in one of the more quiet neighborhoods of Calgary, you will still have all the best sighs and restaurants a short walk away. From your floor to ceiling windows, you will be given sweeping views of the city with the Calgary Tower being seen right from your apartment! Complete with a hot tub and even a gym, you will be having a luxury stay for just a little more than what you’d pay for a dorm bed at a hostel!
Home Sweet Hostel
Although you won’t find any dorm beds at this stay, the owners of this BnB gear this home towards adventure travelers and backpackers. With its relaxing vibe and homey atmosphere, you will feel like you are staying with friends rather than at an impersonal hotel. Even though you are in the suburbs, you will find tons of restaurants and bars nearby! Get ready for a journey where the nights are spent lounging about in the living room, chatting in the garden, or huddling around the fire while snacking on some delicious barbeque!
Kim’s BnB
This is another BnB that will give you the same price as a backpacker’s hostel but all the comfort and luxury of a 5-star hotel. Other than the spacious rooms on the 20th floor of this apartment building, this complex also comes with its very own gym, terrace, and a fire pit. It’s not only the stunning decor inside the apartment that will make you fall in love with this BnB, but the views of Calgary from the deck will make you never want to check out! Located in the heart of downtown Calgary, backpackers will be able to pamper themselves in this one of a kind budget stay!
What to Pack for your Calgary 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!
FAQ’s on the Best Hostels in Calgary
Booking a place to stay is never easy. That’s why we listed the most frequently asked questions about hostels in Calgary and did our best to answer them below.
How much does a hostel cost in Calgary?
Hostels in Calgary range in price. You should expect to pay anywhere from $29 per night to around $33+ per night.
What are the best hostels in Calgary for couples?
Check out these ideal hostels for couples in Calgary:
Wicked Hostels
Hi Calgary City Centre
What are the best hostels in Calgary near the airport?
Hi Calgary City Centre is just a 27-minute drive from Calgary International Airport.The Calgary Airport Express Bus is two blocks away while Allied Airport Shuttle Bus stops across the street from the hostel.
Travel Safety Tips for Calgary
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 Calgary and North America
Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Calgary.
Planning an epic trip all across Canada 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 Calgary
Calgary puts you right on the edge of adventure! With the Banff National Park and all of Canada’s most breathtaking lakes and mountains nearby, you will be torn between the bars in Calgary and the great Canadian wilderness!
But what will really make your adventure in Calgary one to remember is the hostel that you call home.
From your classic backpacker’s hostels to cozy homestays, Calgary has a place to suit all kinds of travelers. But for us, Wicked Hostels takes the cake for giving travelers that perfect hostel experience in Calgary!
Are we missing any great backpacker’s hostels in Calgary from our list? Let us know in the comments below!
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Canada for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the best places to visit in Calgary covered.
- Skip the dorm and find a super cool Airbnb in Calgary if you’re feeling fancy!
- Check out the best places to stay in Calgary before you arrive.
- Remember to grab yourself an international sim card for Canada to avoid any issues.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
Buy Us a Coffee!
A couple of you lovely readers suggested we set up a tip jar for direct support as an alternative to booking through our links. So we created one!
You can now buy The Broke Backpacker a coffee. If you like and use our content to plan your trips, it’s a much appreciated way to show appreciation 🙂
