12 COOLEST Hostels in Delhi (2025 • Insider Guide!)

Tour/Travel Desk

As a backpacker on your own in Delhi, the closer you are to all the action the better, we’d say. It’s fine to be far out, but in terms of travelling around Delhi on your own and meeting people at a hostel, we’d recommend Zostel as the best hostel for solo travellers in Delhi. It’s located right in the heart of Paharganj (backpacker sorta area, V central, aren’t you lucky), it’s warm and welcoming, and there’s no hassle to get in and out of central you just… step into it. Connaught Place and Old Delhi are a short walk away. It’s very friendly atmosphere-wise and the staff are delightful, too.

Jugaad Hostels – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Delhi

Located in the affluent South Delhi area of Haus Khaz – which is a pretty hip district – is this equally hip hostel, Jugaad. The decor is a minimalist-rustic sort of thing, the atmosphere is great, and there’s a common room where you can chill/work. Exploring the Hauz Khas area with its cafes and restaurants and art and stuff is definitely something you’ll want to do – that’s why we reckon this is the best hostel for digital nomads in Delhi. You don’t wanna just see all the tourist stuff/get scammed, do you? Well, this is a slice of local, modern Delhi that someone on the road long-term will appreciate. A V cool little oasis.

JHouse – Overall Best Hostel in Delhi

Friendly Staff

Chill Neighbourhood

Fully Equipped Kitchen

JHouse is tucked away in South Delhi, a peaceful escape from the chaos of Old Town. The rooftop terrace is perfect for a laid-back morning with coffee, watching life from a distance. Breakfast is sorted, so no need to rush off and ruin the view. The staff are lifesavers—ideal for navigating the whirlwind that is India. The air conditioning works like a charm, the beds are properly comfy, and there’s a fully equipped kitchen if you fancy cooking. JHouse nails it for a chill stay in Delhi.

Backpackers Heaven@New King – Best Cheap Hostel in Delhi #1

Friendly Staff

Rooftop Terrace

Dorm and Private Rooms

If you’re after a budget-friendly spot, Backpackers Heaven@New King is a solid choice. For the price, you’re getting great value. It’s a safe and comfortable base to retreat to from the hustle of Paharganj, and the rooftop terrace is a welcome break from the city buzz. The real highlight, though, is the staff – friendly, helpful, and always ready to assist. It’s not the most social hostel, but if you’re looking for a cosy place to rest and a few friendly faces to guide your next move, this place is ideal.

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Hostel Smyle Inn

Rooftop Terrace

On-site Travel Office

Hostel Smyle Inn is an absolute steal for what you’re paying. Centrally located, it puts you right in the middle of everything – no hassle getting to all the main spots. The rooftop’s perfect, whether it’s breakfast in the morning or a cold beer to end the day. With Mr. Rishi’s travel office right in the hostel, sorting out your next move is a breeze. The hostel and surrounding area feel safe, making it a great choice for solo female travellers.

LetsBunk Poshtel – Best Hostel for Couples in Delhi

We don’t think we’ve ever seen such an Instragrammable place as this one. It’s easily, EASILY, the best hostel for couples in Delhi because, well, you want to be staying somewhere amazing that you’re gonna remember, right? So here’s the place. LetsBunk Poshtel is all about ultra-minimalism: a lot of white and dark metal creates cool contrast, angular furniture and retro-futuristic touches help finish the vibe off. Jeez. It’s just really cool. In fact, let’s say the COOLEST hostel in Delhi. Yeah, let’s say that. It’s out of the centre, but there’s plenty around the hostel in terms of restaurants and bars. Wow tho.

The Hosteller – Best Hostel with a Private Room in Delhi

The Hosteller Best Hostel with private room in Delhi — You’ll probably want a little slice of peace in a city brimming with humanity. The Hosteller is the best hostel with a private room in Delhi.

Bar & Cafe

(Huge) Outdoor Terrace

Wow, ok, so this place is almost the coolest hostel in Delhi – but we already covered that one. Though this place is definitely a close runner-up… or maybe it’s a tie. We’re not sure. We do however reckon that this hostel is the best hostel with a private room in Delhi. The private rooms here are BIG and they’re VERY COOL. Exposed brick walls painted white, minimalist layout, clean lines… it’s very design-oriented and we love that. We also love the huge outdoor space they’ve got filled with tables, pool table, etc. where they put on nice little events sometimes (including beer pong). Also near a metro station.

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More Best Hostels in Delhi

Some neighborhoods are more fun than others – discover which are the best areas to stay in Delhi and then book the right hostel!

AmigosIndia

Cafe

Air Conditioning

Bicycle Hire

A very friendly and welcoming place, this youth hostel in Delhi definitely lives up to its name in that regard. It features bright and eclectic (if a little basic) decor, the beds are comfortable, but most of all the staff are amazing and we say it so many times it’s almost boring now but GOOD STAFF IS GOOD. Basically. But yeah they’ll sort you out with onward travel plans and stuff – that’s the sort of thing that you’ll actually be very thankful for in India, really. It’s also a great location for getting to the airport since it’s not actually very central at all.

Joey’s Hostel

Outdoor Terrace

We’re not sure who Joey is but this is his hostel and it’s very central. It’s not in the main backpacker area of Paharganj, it’s east of that part, but you can still get into the thick of it very easily. The staff are very welcoming and friendly, and make you feel at home as soon as you arrive. There’s always someone on-hand to ask about travel or general Delhi advice (you’ll probs need some). Overall it’s a great hostel: beds have individual lights/plug sockets/curtains, it’s got a good security system, there’s a lot of showers/toilets, and it’s just got good vibes all round. Decent choice.

goStops Delhi

Common Room

Tour/Travel Desk

First of all, you’ll be pleased to know that goStops is a chain of hostels all across India, so for assured quality and know-what-you’re-getting-ness, then you should be acquainted with these guys. Their Delhi iteration is the same. Decent. Staff who encourage the use of the common area – which they weirdly call ‘The Nursery’ – so people meet and mingle and all that, a fully equipped kitchen (though will you use it with so much tasty food around?), loads of New Delhi hotspots are in 10-15 min walking distance, they’ve got a lush outdoor area for chilling, it’s all modern and stylish. Need we say more?

An After Story – Best Cheap Hostel in Delhi #2

An After Story Best Hostels in Delhi — An After Story is another solid, centrally located, no-hassle choice for one of the best cheap hostels in Delhi.

Common Room

Self Catering Facilities

This is another fancy (but cheap) recommended hostel in Delhi. It’s located to the southwest of the city, but still within the gargantuan sprawl of it all. So if you wanna get central, you can get central. It’s not as fancy as some of the others, but a bit more playful in the decor, which perhaps reflects the awesome nature of the amazing staff at An After Story. We know, the name is weird for us too, but so are many hostel names. Essentially – but let’s not make too big a deal of it – this is an airport hostel, since it’s just 10 mins away. And that is just ultra convenient.

Soul Stay – Best Party Hostel in Delhi

Common Room

Self Catering Facilities

Often wary of things that have ‘soul’ or ‘spirit’ in the title because, well, it might just be an excuse to be a bit more earthy and less clean and tidy, you know? Thankfully that is NOT the case at Soul Stay. And when we say best party hostel in Delhi, bear in mind this is DELHI and not SE Asia. It’s a fun place with a great atmosphere and a list of weekly activities to keep you on your toes. It’s a lil’ oasis located outside the city centre but still, they take you out drinking and dancing, for rooftop dinners, and for chill sessions (???). Feels very homely and you’ll love it if you’re sociable and like fun.

What to Pack for your Delhi 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.

Product

Description

Don’t Let Snorers Keep You Awake!

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.

Keep your laundry organized and stink free

Keep your laundry organized and stink free

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.

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Stay Dry With a Micro Towel

Stay Dry With a Micro Towel

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.

Make Some New Buddies…

Make Some New Buddies…

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.

Reduce Plastic – Bring a Water Bottle!

Grayl GeoPress Water Filter and Purifier Bottle

Reduce Plastic – Bring a Water Bottle!

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!