Llandudno in North Wales is known for its Victorian architecture, beautiful beaches and stunning views of the Irish Sea and Great Orme headland. It’s an underrated British summer getaway for sure, though, for me growing up in Manchester, it’s somewhere I visited plenty of times growing up and in the years afterwards too. So you know you’re getting first had experiences and accounts here!
The idyllic seaside town is lined with pastel coloured buildings and a sandy shore, it’s not only scenic but filled with activities to keep you busy too. From quaint Llandudno you can hop aboard a train, explore the sea on a boat trip, wander the pier and view the landscapes from the high-up cable car. Or, if you’re me in 1996 … annoy the heck out of your Granny!
Whilst there’s plenty to see and do in this charming and picturesque town there’s no getting around the fact that UK beach holidays can be expensive. Gone are the days when a family road trip to Wales is a cheap getaway.
Between the resorts and hotels, food and activities, you can eat into a decent chunk of change. The best way to keep costs down is to stay in a hostel in Llandudno. You get a prime location and cool amenities, for a fraction of the price.
Well, you’re in luck because we’ve been there, done that and bought the tacky seaside t-shirt to go along with it! After several trips to Llandudno, braving all the budget haunts the town has to offers, we’re here to show you the best!
Check them out!
What to Expect from Hostels in Llandudno
Exploring the UK will have you stopping by quaint country towns, hectic cities and occasionally, a small seaside spot. Llandudno is one of those rare seaside towns, with scenic surroundings and that classic British town feel (well, specifically Welsh!) There is a ton of different accommodation options in town. As it is so small, most places to stay are walkable from the town centre.
North Shore Beach is the most popular area, where you’ll find most hostels and hotels clustered close to this beach. There’s also a second beach at West Shore, which is much less visited and offers a quieter stay. It’s here where we’ve stayed the majority of the time once we started visiting again as adults.
Try staying as close to the promenade as possible, especially if you have limited time in Llandudno. You will have the beach, restaurants, cafes and shops all nearby.
To be straight up, there is only one hostel in Llandudno. Although pricier than other hostels in the UK, it is much cheaper than the hotels in town. It’s a family-run place with simple but comfortable rooms and lots of communal space.
I won’t leave you hanging though. I have found plenty of affordable places to stay that aren’t exactly hostels, but in the same price range and have similar amenities. After all, hostels aren’t for everyone. For those who prefer a private room, a guest house or a hotel, you don’t need to be tricked into spending more money.
Airbnb and Booking.com are great places to find cheap and cheerful Llandudno accommodation and they’re our go-to services we use when organising our trips to Wales.
Prices for a hostel or private room in Llandudno start at USD$70. Yeah, the UK is expensive. Stay close to the centre and prepare your own meals, and you can still have a budget holiday!
Sure, it might not be my Granny’s hotpot in a Pontin’s Chalet built in the 1960s… but you might just thank me for that!
Best Hostels in Llandudno
You’ll need to book early to secure your place at this hostel, but it’s well worth the trouble as it’s close to everything!
Llandudno Hostel – Best Overall Hostel in Llandudno
Llandudno Hostel may be the only hostel in town, but that doesn’t make it any less fantastic.
It’s super centrally located close to the beach, shopping centre and train station. You can get about town on foot, as well as head further afield on the railway. It’s also conveniently close to Victoria Station. You can hop on the Great Orme Tramway, one of the oldest street tramways in the world, and pass by the Great Orme Country Park and Nature Reserve.
With comfortable beds and homey amenities, Llandudno Hostel has a variety of different types of rooms including a shared dorm or private room. All with a shared bathroom, you will still need to get on board with hostel life even in the private room.
If you have the extra cash, you can fork out for a completely private space with an ensuite bathroom. It’s the little luxuries…
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Different room sizes
- Shared and private bathrooms
- Safe and secure
- Homely
This is the type of hostel that encourages rest and relaxation, all while socialising with fellow travelers. It has common areas where you can get together, and a fridge and microwave for heating up dinners and preparing snacks.
With board games, Wi-Fi, and DVDs, there won’t be a dull moment in the hostel. However, with so much to do in town, I don’t think you will be needing them.
Llandudno Hostel is clean and secure. There are double locks on the front door, and each of the rooms has its own lock. You can feel comfortable and safe, and your belongings will be protected while you are out and about.
The hostel doesn’t serve breakfast, but with so many restaurants and cafes around, you don’t need to worry! It’s one of our favourite places to stay when we head back to Llandudno and we can’t recommend it enough.
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!Other Budget Accommodations in Llandudno
Like I said, there’s only one hostel in Llandudno. Here are some more budget options that promise a comfortable stay without breaking the bank.
Iris Hotel
You can’t beat this affordable hotel for location! It’s just a short walk from the beach, and railway station, and just 10 minutes from the famous pier.
The Iris Hotel is family-run and has clean, comfortable rooms with ensuites. With both double and family rooms, it is great for all travelers. Be sure to ask for one of the rooms with a sea view!
The hotel offers an optional (and very good) breakfast. Fuel up before a day of exploring the town and dipping your toes in the freezing water. It also has its own bar and restaurant for evening meals and drinks. Surrounded by restaurants and cafes, I don’t blame you if you never eat-in.
Elsinore Hotel
Elsinore Hotel is just one minute stroll from the beach, you can step out the door and feel the cool sea air.
Its a great spot for budget travelers with a bar for late-night drinks, and comfortable rooms with private bathrooms. Little extras like sea views and bathtubs can be requested upon booking, adding a little extra luxury to your cheap stay.
Get out and explore the town, strolling by the promenade, wandering the beach and enjoying the local shops along the pier. Really get immersed in Welsh seaside life with a 99p ice cream cone, and fish and chips.
The Grand Hotel
The Grand Hotel is amazingly stately, with its Victorian appearance set against the deep blue sea. The seafront location means incredible views with the waves lulling you to sleep at night.
The Grand Hotel is very reasonably priced, yet has top quality facilities. It has an elegant ballroom with live entertainment, and a games room where you can play pool with friends. There’s also a restaurant that serves an evening buffet and a great breakfast in the morning.
The rooms at the hotel are traditionally decorated, and have private bathrooms and bathtubs, rest your weary legs after a day of strolling the town. Just a short walk from the promenade and beachfront, it’s super convenient.
The New Alexandra Hotel
The New Alexandra Hotel is just 150m from the beach, and less than a kilometer from the pier. Surrounded by shops and restaurants, you can enjoy the best bits of town in a moment’s walk.
With its own bar and restaurant, if you are too tired to explore, you can dig into some local favorites from fresh produce.
The hotel boasts double, twin, and family rooms with private bathrooms, as well as a shared lounge and garden. You can spend some time out on the hotel’s sun terrace when you feel like enjoying the weather but are too lazy to head out.
As if that wasn’t enough, the hotel has evening entertainment and a games room where you can play darts, or watch one of the local sports broadcasts.
What to Pack for your Llandudno 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 about Hostels in Llandudno
How much do hostels in Llandudno cost?
The prices are Llandudno Hostel for a private twin room start from USD$70 and go up to USD$305 for a 6 bed private room.
What are the best hostels in Llandudno for couples?
With its superb location in the town centre, Llandudno Hostel is an exemplary hostel in Llandudno. It is comfy, clean, and social too!
What is the best hostel in Llandudno near the airport?
The Liverpool John Lennon Airport is the nearest international airport to Llandudno Hostel.
Travel Safety Tips for Llandudno
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.
Final Thoughts on Hostels in Llandudno
Llandudno is the type of small Welsh town that will remind you of the Victorian days – with women in corsets and parasols, and men in funny hats enjoying the summer. Well, something like that! For me at least it reminds me of sunny summer days crabbing at the beach with my cousins as my Grandma’s hair turns greyer and greyer trying to keep us in line!
This scenic town isn’t the cheapest place you will ever visit. However, for such a memorable place, it’s worth the cash. Be sure to check out the Great Orme Tramway, the Llandudno Pier and the Venue Cymru theatre whilst you’re there, they’re some of our favourite spots from our many visits.
Llandudno Hostel is the perfect combination of a good price, along with a great location and a friendly, communal feel. Book your place early to avoid missing out!
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in the UK for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the beautiful places to visit in the UK covered.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate Europe backpacking guide.
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